European Commission Awards €82.5M Standard Eurobarometer Surveys Framework Agreement

The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication, an EU institution, body or agency operating in general public services, together with the European Parliament, the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, and numerous other EU institutions, bodies and agencies, has awarded a framework agreement for Standard Eurobarometer Surveys. The maximum value of the framework agreement is €82,500,000.00, covering survey services and public-opinion polling services, with an estimated duration of 48 months (initial period of 24 months, renewable 2 times). The contract was awarded following an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

Introduction

The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication, an EU institution, body or agency operating in general public services, together with the European Parliament, the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA), the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking, the European Chemicals Agency, the European Cybersecurity Industrial, Technology and Research Competence Centre, the European Defence Agency, the European Food Safety Authority, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority, the European Investment Bank, the European Labour Authority (ELA), the European Securities and Markets Authority, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the Translation Centre for the Bodies of the European Union, and the European Economic and Social Committee, has conducted an open procedure for Standard Eurobarometer Surveys.

The contract aims at providing the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies with Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys. These surveys will provide the contracting authority (Commission plus other Institutions/Agencies) with a better understanding of public opinion through research using opinion polls among the general public.

The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds and is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). The evaluation criteria are quality (65%) and price (35%). Five tenders were received electronically; 0 from micro, small or medium tenderers, and 3 from tenderers registered in other European Economic Area countries than the country of the buyer. Two winners were appointed: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (leader of tendering party, with PPMI Group, UAB) ranked 1, and IPSOS NV ranked 2. No subcontracting was declared. The maximum value of the framework agreement is €82,500,000.00. The estimated value excluding VAT is €82,500,000.00.

Why This Contract Matters

This contract ensures the provision of Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys, supporting the Commission and other EU institutions and agencies in understanding public opinion across Europe.

This contract matters because it:

• Supports Public Opinion Research: Provides Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys to the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies
• Significant Value: €82,500,000.00 maximum framework value
• Medium-Term Commitment: 48-month duration (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Comprehensive Scope: Survey services and public-opinion polling services among the general public
• Balanced Evaluation: 65% quality, 35% price
• Competition: 5 tenders received electronically; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared

Contract Timeline

• Winner chosen: 17/09/2026
• Estimated duration: 48 months
• Initial period: 24 months
• Renewals: Maximum 2 renewals
• Notice published: 13 October 2026 (OJ S 198/2026)
• Notice dispatch date: 09 October 2026

Contract Overview

The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication conducted an open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.

Key features include:

• One lot: LOT-0001
• Maximum framework value: €82,500,000.00
• Duration: 48 months (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Framework type: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• Evaluation: Quality (65%) and Price (35%)
• Winners: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (with PPMI Group, UAB) ranked 1; IPSOS NV ranked 2
• Subcontracting: No
• EU funding: Procurement project fully or partially financed with EU funds
• Covered by GPA: Yes

Key Contract Details

• Main classification: 79311000 Survey services
• Additional classification: 79320000 Public-opinion polling services
• Place of performance: Anywhere; please consult the procurement documents
• Procedure identifier: ad9592fa-57f4-46f4-9d03-ad851deb7cba
• Internal identifier: EC-COMM/2026/OP/0019
• Type of procedure: Open
• Legal basis: Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509
• Review body: Court of Justice of the European Union

Lot Structure

Lot 1 – Standard Eurobarometer Surveys

• Title: Standard Eurobarometer Surveys
• Description: The contract aims at providing the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies with Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys. These surveys will provide the contracting authority (Commission plus other Institutions/Agencies) with a better understanding of public opinion through research using opinion polls among the general public.
• Internal identifier: EC-COMM/2026/OP/0019
• Maximum framework value: €82,500,000.00
• Winner: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (leader of tendering party, with PPMI Group, UAB) ranked 1; IPSOS NV ranked 2
• Tenders received: 5
• Duration: 48 months (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Contract identifiers: EC-COMM/2026/OP/0019-1 (VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM); EC-COMM/2026/OP/0019-2 (IPSOS NV)

Lot Summary Table

Lot	Title	Value (€)	Winner	Tenders
1	Standard Eurobarometer Surveys	82,500,000.00	VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (with PPMI Group, UAB) ranked 1; IPSOS NV ranked 2	5
Total		82,500,000.00

Scope of Supply

The contract covers the following services:

• Standard/Special Eurobarometer Surveys: Provision of Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys to the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies
• Public Opinion Research: Research using opinion polls among the general public to provide a better understanding of public opinion
• Survey Services: Services under CPV 79311000
• Public-Opinion Polling Services: Services under CPV 79320000

Special Procurement Conditions

• Quality Criterion (65%): Please consult the procurement documents
• Price Criterion (35%): Please consult the procurement documents
• Framework Agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• No Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winners
• EU Funding: Procurement project fully or partially financed with EU funds
• Options: New services or works consisting in the repetition of similar services or works may be entrusted up to 50% of the initial contract to the initial contractor by negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice
• Renewals: The framework contract is concluded for an initial period of 24 months, renewable 2 times

About the Contracting Authority

The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication is an EU institution, body or agency operating in general public services.

• Legal type: EU institution, body or agency
• Activity: General public services
• Department: COMM.B - Citizens Communication
• Location: Brussels, Arr. de Bruxelles-Capitale/Arr. Brussel-Hoofdstad (BE100), Belgium
• Postcode: B-1049
• Email: comm-d3-procurement-grants@ec.europa.eu
• Telephone: +32 2 299 11 11
• Internet address: https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/communication_en

About the Winning Supplier

VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM is a large enterprise based in Brussels, Belgium, and was ranked 1. Leader of tendering party, with PPMI Group, UAB.

• Size: Large
• Registration number: BE0428913808
• Location: Bruxelles, Extra-Regio NUTS 3 (BEZZZ), Belgium
• Postcode: 1000
• Email: verian-procurement-eu@veriangroup.com
• Telephone: +3226617200
• Subcontracting: No

IPSOS NV is a large enterprise based in Berchem, Belgium, and was ranked 2.

• Size: Large
• Registration number: BE0456823775
• Location: Berchem, Extra-Regio NUTS 3 (BEZZZ), Belgium
• Postcode: 2600
• Email: christine.tresignie@ipsos.com
• Telephone: +3292162222
• Subcontracting: No

Evaluation Criteria

The lot uses the following evaluation criteria:

• Quality (65%): Please consult the procurement documents
• Price (35%): Please consult the procurement documents

Procurement Analysis

• Procedure: Open procedure under the standard regime, governed by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509
• Competition: 5 tenders received electronically; 0 from micro, small or medium tenderers; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries
• Subcontracting: No subcontracting declared
• EU funding: The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds
• Framework agreement: Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• No dynamic purchasing system used
• Review body: Court of Justice of the European Union

Additional Procurement Facts

• The contract is covered by the WTO's Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
• The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds
• The maximum framework value is €82,500,000.00; the estimated value excluding VAT is €82,500,000.00
• The procurement is divided into one lot
• Quality (65%) and Price (35%) are the evaluation criteria
• 5 tenders were received electronically; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries
• Two winners were appointed: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (ranked 1) and IPSOS NV (ranked 2), both large enterprises
• No subcontracting was declared
• The duration is 48 months (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• The winners were chosen on 17/09/2026

Market & Industry Perspective

The EU public sector survey services market features a mix of large and medium-sized enterprises. Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys are essential for understanding public opinion across Europe and supporting EU policy-making.

Key trends in this market include:

• Quality-focused evaluation: 65% quality, 35% price
• Large providers: Winners are large enterprises
• Comprehensive scope: Survey services and public-opinion polling services among the general public
• Medium-term projects: 48-month duration (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Specialised services: Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys
• No subcontracting: No subcontracting declared by winners
• EU funding: The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds

Economic Significance

At €82,500,000.00, this framework agreement represents a significant investment in Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys for the European Commission and other EU institutions and agencies. The contract will:

• Support Public Opinion Research: Provide Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys to the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies
• Support Large Enterprises: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM and IPSOS NV are large enterprises
• Provide Medium-Term Delivery: 48-month duration (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Ensure Public Opinion Understanding: Improve the understanding of public opinion across Europe
• Enable Operational Efficiency: Comprehensive survey services and public-opinion polling services
• Support EU Policy-Making: Contribute to evidence-based policy-making in the EU

Future Procurement Opportunities

With this framework agreement now in place, future opportunities include:

• Re-tender: Expected after the completion of the framework agreement or exercise of renewals
• Related Works: Additional survey services and public-opinion polling procurements
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM and IPSOS NV
• Other EU Institution Projects: Similar survey services procurement opportunities
• Other Public Sector Survey Procurements: Similar public-opinion polling opportunities

Opportunities for Suppliers

While this contract is awarded, opportunities remain for survey services suppliers:

• Re-tender: Prepare for future procurement cycles
• Subcontracting: Potential opportunities with VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM and IPSOS NV
• Related Works: Other survey services and public-opinion polling procurements
• Other EU Institutions and Agencies: Similar survey services procurements
• Other Public Sector Organisations: Monitor further survey services opportunities

What Businesses Should Watch

• European Commission, DG COMM - Communication's future procurement notices
• Other EU institution survey tenders
• Survey services market trends
• Changes to EU procurement regulations
• Eurobarometer and public opinion research developments
• Further survey services opportunities in the public sector

GermanyTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

This Standard Eurobarometer Surveys framework agreement is a notable example of EU public sector survey services procurement. Several features stand out:

• Scale: €82,500,000.00 maximum framework value
• Quality-focused evaluation: 65% quality, 35% price
• Large winners: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM and IPSOS NV
• One lot: Standard Eurobarometer Surveys
• Competition: 5 tenders received electronically; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries
• Medium-term project: 48-month duration (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Comprehensive scope: Survey services and public-opinion polling services among the general public
• Specialised services: Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys
• EU funding: The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of:

• Quality: 65% quality-based evaluation
• Competitive pricing: 35% price-based evaluation
• Survey services expertise: Ability to deliver Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys
• Public-opinion polling capability: Ability to conduct opinion polls among the general public
• Multi-country capability: Ability to conduct surveys across multiple countries
• EU institution experience: Understanding of EU institution requirements

Supplier Takeaways

• Demonstrate quality – 65% of evaluation is quality-based
• Offer competitive pricing – 35% of evaluation is price-based
• Showcase survey services expertise
• Demonstrate public-opinion polling capability
• Show multi-country capability
• Develop EU institution experience
• Monitor European Commission and EU institution survey procurement opportunities
• Prepare for subcontracting and future procurement opportunities

Key Takeaways

• The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication, together with other EU institutions and agencies, awarded a framework agreement worth €82,500,000.00 for Standard Eurobarometer Surveys to VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (with PPMI Group, UAB) and IPSOS NV
• One lot: Standard Eurobarometer Surveys
• Duration: 48 months (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times)
• Evaluation: Quality (65%) and Price (35%)
• 5 tenders received electronically; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries
• Winners are large enterprises
• No subcontracting declared
• EU funding: The procurement is fully or partially financed with EU funds
• Covered by GPA: Yes
• Framework agreement, without reopening of competition
• Comprehensive scope: survey services and public-opinion polling services among the general public
• Winners chosen on 17/09/2026

Conclusion

This Standard Eurobarometer Surveys framework agreement ensures the provision of Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys to the European Commission and other EU institutions and agencies, supporting the understanding of public opinion across Europe. By awarding the contract to VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM and IPSOS NV, the European Commission, DG COMM - Communication secures reliable large enterprise suppliers with the capability to deliver comprehensive survey services.

The 65% quality and 35% price evaluation reflects the quality-focused nature of this survey services procurement, where quality is the primary differentiator among qualified suppliers. The 48-month duration (initial 24 months, renewable 2 times), the comprehensive scope and the specialised services reflect the specific operational and strategic context of the Standard Eurobarometer Surveys procurement.

For suppliers, this procurement highlights the importance of quality, competitive pricing, survey services expertise, public-opinion polling capability, multi-country capability, and EU institution experience in winning EU public sector survey contracts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the contracting authority?

Ans: The European Commission, DG COMM - Communication, together with the European Parliament, the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union, and numerous other EU institutions, bodies and agencies.

Q: What is the value of the contract?

Ans: Maximum framework value €82,500,000.00; estimated value excluding VAT €82,500,000.00.

Q: Who are the winners?

Ans: VERIAN GROUP BELGIUM (leader of tendering party, with PPMI Group, UAB) ranked 1, and IPSOS NV ranked 2, both large enterprises based in Belgium.

Q: What services are covered?

Ans: Standard/Special Eurobarometer surveys, providing the Commission and other EU institutions/agencies with a better understanding of public opinion through research using opinion polls among the general public.

Q: What were the evaluation criteria?

Ans: Quality (65%) and Price (35%), as described in the procurement documents.

Q: How long is the contract?

Ans: 48 months (initial period of 24 months, renewable 2 times).

Q: How many tenders were received?

Ans: Five tenders received electronically; 0 from micro, small or medium tenderers; 3 from tenderers registered in other EEA countries.

Q: Is this contract funded by the EU?

Ans: Yes, the procurement project is fully or partially financed with EU funds.

Q: What is the review body?

Ans: Court of Justice of the European Union.

Q: What is the lot structure?

Ans: One lot – LOT-0001 (Standard Eurobarometer Surveys).

Q: Is subcontracting allowed?

Ans: No subcontracting was declared by the winners.

Q: What is the main CPV classification?

Ans: 79311000 Survey services; additional classification 79320000 Public-opinion polling services.

Source: EU Official Journal, Contract Award Notice 706220-2026, OJ S 198/2026, published 13 October 2026.

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