742558-2026 - Competition
Denmark – Foreign economic-aid-related services – Consultancy framework agreement for formulation, appraisal and review of Danish development cooperation programmes and projects
OJ S 208/2026 27/10/2026
Contract or concession notice – standard regime
Services
1. Buyer
1.1.
Buyer
Official name: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Email: CSA@bechbruun.com
Legal type of the buyer: Central government authority
Activity of the contracting authority: Economic affairs
2. Procedure
2.1.
Procedure
Title: Consultancy framework agreement for formulation, appraisal and review of Danish development cooperation programmes and projects
Description: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (MFA) is in the process of streamlining the management of its development cooperation. Part of this effort concerns the simplification of the procurement process of key consultancy services relating to development cooperation. Consultancy contracts are currently procured individually by the case worker responsible for the programme or project. Case workers are MFA staff from MFA Services at Home and Services Abroad. They are responsible for the procurement process of individual contracts which is often lengthy, and can have implications on programme and project implementation timelines. Moreover, the fragmentation of the process makes it difficult to use the feedback from case workers on the fulfilment of the assignments. This makes it challenging to harvest learning from past performance and ensure a sustained quality of services. It is in this context that the MFA wishes to consolidate the procurement of consultancy services through a framework agreement with multiple contractors. The streamlining of the management of Danish development cooperation entailed a revision of the Danida – Aid Management Guidelines (AMG). This foresees a delegation of key tasks to external consultants, primarily appraisals, and thereby an expected rise in the number of consultancy services to be requested. It is therefore an opportune time to seek a more streamlined procurement process of consultancy services. The AMG’s Bilateral Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/guidelines-for-programmes-projects-country-strategic-frameworks-and-hard-earmarked-multilat-support) and Financial Management Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/financial-management) constitute the basic set of procedures for all Danish bilateral development cooperation. The guidelines outline the processes and requirements for the preparation, formulation, quality assurance, approval, implementation, completion and closure of Danish bilateral programmes and projects. The purpose of the framework agreement is to make the MFA procurement of key consultancy services relating to Danish bilateral development programmes and projects more effective and efficient by ensuring quick access to relevant specialists, reducing the procurement time for assignments, and improving the quality of services provided. The objective of the framework agreement is to have a contractual set-up between the MFA and a number of contractors who can provide, upon demand and in a timely manner, the required expertise and service quality for the formulation, appraisal and review of Danish bilateral development programmes and projects. The objective of each assignment and the required outputs will be described in the Terms of Reference, which will be part of the Delivery Contract for the individual assignment. The Framework Agreement solely covers Denmark’s bilateral development cooperation programmes and projects. Therefore, the scope of work of consultancy services solely pertains to Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds. The framework agreement is divided into two lots that reflect the thematic areas and priorities of Denmark’s Strategy for Development Cooperation: Lot 1: Climate, environment, private sector and financing. Lot 2: Governance, fragility, and migration. The framework agreement will require the provision of the following services pertaining to the design and implementation phases of bilateral development cooperation programmes, namely: Formulation of bilateral programmes and projects. This may include preparatory work in the formulation process if and as needed. Appraisal of the design of bilateral programmes and projects as a quality assurance milestone prior to approval. This includes external appraisals led by the consultant and early appraisals of larger or high-risk programmes/projects led by LÆRING. Review of bilateral programmes and projects under implementation. This can span inception, midterm and technical reviews covering the full implementation period of the programme/project as part of the MFA unit’s monitoring and reporting cycle. Reviews do not have the same scope of work, methodology and methods as an evaluation. The MFA’s definition of appraisal, review and evaluation services is aligned with the definitions provided by OECD/DAC (https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/EV(2022)2/en/pdf). The content of the services will vary and be defined by the MFA in the specific Terms of Reference for each individual assignment. The following themes and types of services will not be part of the framework agreement: Research and university partnerships. Training programmes and tracer studies. Culture. NGO strategic partnership agreements with the MFA (SPA agreements). Core support to multilateral organisations as described in Danish Organisation Strategies. Strategic Sector Cooperation. Audit assignments. Legal assessments. Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) unit contracts and multi-year MEAL technical assistance. Evaluations. Tender process consultancies. Please refer to the Consultancy Framework Agreement and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the object of the procurement.
Procedure identifier: 2a971797-8d2d-44fb-95d4-6f00bec954c9
Previous notice: 707389-2026
Internal identifier: bc3652c0-1c48-4b7e-9c88-ed9348e4305e
Type of procedure: Restricted
The procedure is accelerated: no
Main features of the procedure: The procurement procedure is conducted as a restricted procedure. Thus, all economic operators may request participation in response to the contract notice published in the Official Journal of the EU but only candidates invited by the contracting authority may submit tenders. Access to the procurement procedure requires online registration. Guidance (in Danish and English) on the use of the tendering system can be found at: https://mercell.atlassian.net/servicedesk/customer/portal/3/article/177996038?src=1869524006. The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, through the tendering system. An economic operator may submit a request to participate for both lots, can be selected as a candidate to be invited to submit tenders for both lots, and may be awarded a framework agreement for both lots. However, the economic operator must submit separate requests to participate for each lot, and selected candidates must submit separate tenders for each lot. If an economic operator requires any clarification in relation to the procurement documents, the economic operator may submit written questions in English via the “Communication” tab in the tendering system. Economic operators shall refrain from contacting the contracting authority in any other way. Economic operators must submit a European Single Procurement Document (ESPD) in the request to participate as preliminary evidence that the economic operator is not subject to exclusion grounds and that the economic operator fulfils the requirements for economic and financial standing and technical and professional ability. Please see section 2.1.6 of this contract notice and the Instructions to Tenderers regarding the necessary information in the ESPD. If the economic operator is participating in the procurement procedure together with others (e.g. a consortia or joint venture) or if the economic operator relies on the capacities of other entities in order to meet the selection criteria, the economic operator must submit an ESPD from each participant or entity. While observing the principles of equal treatment, transparency and proportionality, the contracting authority may request economic operators to supplement, specify or complete requests to participate by submitting relevant information or documentation, where the information or documents submitted in requests to participate are incomplete or incorrect, or where specific documents are missing. For more information regarding the submission of tender, please see the Instructions to Tenderers. For each lot, the contracting authority will award a framework agreement to the five most economically advantageous tenders. The contracting authority will request documentation of the information provided in the ESPD from the tenderers that have submitted the five most economically advantageous tenders for each lot. If a tenderer is participating in the procurement procedure together with others or relies on the capacity of other entities, each involved economic operator or entity must present documentation of the information provided in the ESPD. When the contracting authority has verified the documentation from the tenderers that have submitted the five most economically advantageous tenders for each lot, all tenderers will be notified simultaneously via the tendering system of the decision made by the contracting authority on the award of framework agreement. Notification of the award decision does not mean that a framework agreement has been entered into or will be entered into. The framework agreement is not final until it is signed. The framework agreement cannot be awarded to a tenderer subject to Article 5k(1) of Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, as amended by Council Regulation (EU) No 2023/1214 of 23 June 2023. The framework agreement cannot be concluded until the expiry of a standstill period of ten calendar days following the contracting authority’s notification of the award decision. The date of expiry of the standstill period will be specified in the notification of the award decision. Economic operators and tenderers shall bear all costs incurred in relation to the procurement procedure. Please refer to the Instructions to Tenderers for a more detailed description of the procedure.
2.1.1.
Purpose
Main nature of the contract: Services
Main classification (cpv): 75211200 Foreign economic-aid-related services
Additional classification (cpv): 79000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
2.1.2.
Place of performance
Anywhere
Additional information: The framework agreement covers all the geographic areas where Danish bilateral programmes and projects are being designed and implemented. The services will as a general rule entail travel to these areas, and for some assignments include high-risk countries and regions that require security arrangements as specified in Section 25.4 in the Consultancy Framework Agreement. Given the global scope of the Danish bilateral programmes and projects, the framework agreement also covers services that may require the mobilisation of in-country specialists with particular local and/or regional knowledge and expertise for the given assignment.
2.1.3.
Value
Estimated value excluding VAT: 185 000 000,00 DKK
Maximum value of the framework agreement: 250 000 000,00 DKK
2.1.4.
General information
Additional information: The submitted requests to participate and tenders will be deemed to be the property of the contracting authority and will not be returned to the candidates and tenderers. While observing the principles of equal treatment, transparency, and proportionality, the contracting authority reserves the right to cancel the procurement procedure, without incurring liability towards any candidate or tenderer and without the candidates and tenderers being entitled to claim any compensation. The contracting authority will publish a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union if the procurement procedure is cancelled. Before publication of the contract notice and start of the procurement procedure, the MFA has conducted a preliminary market consultation with a view to preparing the procurement documents and informing economic operators of the expected requirements, ensuring they are aligned with market practices and expectations. The MFA made the draft procurement documents publicly available on 3 September 2026, and the MFA conducted an information meeting on 9 September 2026. Market participants could send written comments and suggest changes until 21 September 2026. The MFA has ensured that advice from the preliminary market consultation does not have the effect of distorting competition nor result in a violation of the principles of non-discrimination and transparency.
Legal basis: 
Directive 2014/24/EU
https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/116 - The procurement procedure is governed by Danish law and the rules applicable hereunder, specifically the Danish Public Procurement Act.
2.1.5.
Terms of procurement
Terms of submission: 
Maximum number of lots for which one tenderer can submit tenders: 2
Terms of contract: 
Maximum number of lots for which contracts can be awarded to one tenderer: 2
2.1.6.
Grounds for exclusion
Sources of grounds for exclusion: Notice
Corruption: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for bribery as defined in Article 3 of the Convention on the fight against corruption involving officials of the European Communities or officials of Member States of the European Union, and Article 2(1) of Council Framework Decision 2003/568/JHA of 22 July 2003 on combating corruption in the private sector (OJ 2003, L 192, p. 54) and bribery as defined in the national law of the economic operator’s Member State or home country or the country in which the economic operator is established, cf. section 135(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Fraud: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for fraud as referred to in Article 1 of the Convention on the protection of the European Communities' financial interests, cf. section 135(1)(3) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Money laundering or terrorist financing: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for money laundering or terrorist financing as defined in Article 1 of Directive 2005/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 October 2005 on the prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing (OJ 2005, L 309, p. 15), cf. section 135(1)(5) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Participation in a criminal organisation: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for acts committed as part of a criminal organization as defined in Article 2 of Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA of 24 October 2008 (OJ 2008, L 300, p. 42), cf. section 135(1)(1) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Terrorist offences or offences linked to terrorist activities: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for terrorist acts or offenses related to terrorist activities as defined in Articles 1, 3, and 4 of Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA of 13 June 2002 on combating terrorism (OJ 2002, L 164, p. 3) as amended by Council Framework Decision 2008/919/JHA of 28 November 2008 amending Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA on combating terrorism (OJ 2008, L 330, p. 21), cf. section 135(1)(4) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Child labour and including other forms of trafficking in human beings: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for violation of Section 262a of the Danish Penal Code or, with regard to a judgment from another country concerning child labour and other forms of trafficking in human beings as defined in Article 2 of Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2011 on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims, and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/629/JHA (OJ 2011, L 101, p. 1), cf. section 135(1)(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator when a person who has been convicted by a final judgment or has accepted a fine for such acts is a member of the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board. The contracting authority shall also exclude an economic operator if the convicted person has the authority to represent, control, or make decisions in the economic operator’s board of directors, executive board, or supervisory board, cf. section 135(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 5 years from the date of the final judgment or accepted fine, cf. section 138(6) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Grave professional misconduct: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure when the contracting authority can demonstrate that the economic operator is guilty of grave professional misconduct, which renders its integrity questionable, cf. section 136(4) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. When the exclusion period is not determined by a final judgment, the contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Misrepresentation, withheld information, unable to provide required documents or obtained confidential information of this procedure: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure when the contracting authority can demonstrate that the economic operator in the specific procurement has provided grossly misleading information, withheld information, or is unable to submit supplementary documents regarding the grounds for exclusion, cf. sections 135(1), 135(3) or 137(1)(2), the established minimum suitability requirements, cf. sections 140-144, or the selection, cf. section 145, cf. section 136(3) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Conflict of interest due to its participation in the procurement procedure: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure when the contracting authority can demonstrate that a conflict of interest in relation to the specific procurement cannot be effectively remedied by less intrusive measures, cf. section 136(1) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Direct or indirect involvement in the preparation of this procurement procedure: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure when the contracting authority can demonstrate that a distortion of competition, cf. section 39, due to the prior involvement of the economic operators in the preparation of the procurement procedure in relation to the specific procurement cannot be effectively remedied by less intrusive measures, cf. section 136(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Breaching obligation relating to payment of social security contributions: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has unpaid overdue debt of DKK 100,000 or more to public authorities concerning contributions to social security schemes under Danish law or the law of the country in which the economic operator is established, cf. section 135(3) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. Notwithstanding, the economic operator is not excluded when the economic operator has entered into an agreement with the collection authority on a repayment plan and this plan is being adhered to, cf. section 135(4) of the Danish Public Procurement Act, or the economic operator provides security for the payment of the part of the debt that is DKK 100,000 or more, cf. section 135(5)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Breaching obligation relating to payment of taxes: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has unpaid overdue debt of DKK 100,000 or more to public authorities concerning taxes or duties under Danish law or the law of the country in which the economic operator is established, cf. section 135(3) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. Notwithstanding, the economic operator is not excluded when the economic operator has entered into an agreement with the collection authority on a repayment plan and this plan is being adhered to, cf. section 135(4) of the Danish Public Procurement Act, or the economic operator provides security for the payment of the part of the debt that is DKK 100,000 or more, cf. section 135(5)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Business activities are suspended: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator’s business activities have been suspended, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Bankruptcy: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been declared bankrupt, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Arrangement with creditors: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator is in an arrangement with creditors, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Insolvency: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator has been under insolvency proceedings, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Assets being administered by liquidator: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator’s assets are being administered by a liquidator or by the court, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
Analogous situation like bankruptcy, insolvency or arrangement with creditors under national law: The contracting authority shall exclude an economic operator from participation in the procurement procedure if the economic operator is in a situation like bankruptcy under a corresponding procedure provided for in national law where the economic operator is established, cf. section 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act. The contracting authority will exclude an economic operator from participating in the procurement procedure for 3 years from the date of the relevant event or action, cf. section 138(7) of the Danish Public Procurement Act.
5. Lot
5.1.
Lot: LOT-0001
Title: Lot 1: Climate, environment, private sector and financing
Description: The framework agreement will require the provision of the following services pertaining to the design and implementation phases of bilateral development cooperation programmes, namely: Formulation of bilateral programmes and projects. This may include preparatory work in the formulation process if and as needed. Appraisal of the design of bilateral programmes and projects as a quality assurance milestone prior to approval. This includes external appraisals led by the consultant and early appraisals of larger or high-risk programmes/projects led by LÆRING. Review of bilateral programmes and projects under implementation. This can span inception, midterm and technical reviews covering the full implementation period of the programme/project as part of the MFA unit’s monitoring and reporting cycle. Reviews do not have the same scope of work, methodology and methods as an evaluation. The MFA’s definition of appraisal, review and evaluation services is aligned with the definitions provided by OECD/DAC (https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/EV(2022)2/en/pdf). The content of the services will vary and be defined by the MFA in the specific Terms of Reference for each individual assignment. Under Lot 1, the consultant must provide specialists that can perform the formulation, appraisal and review of bilateral programmes and projects concerning climate change, environment, private sector development and financing, including the following thematic sub-areas: (1) Climate mitigation, renewable energy and energy efficiency. (2) Climate adaptation and resilience. (3) Climate finance mechanisms. (4) Agriculture and food security, including working within the humanitarian development nexus. (5) Sustainable management and use of natural resources, including water, forestry and land, nature-based solutions, biodiversity, and localisation. (6) Private sector development and access to finance (e.g., micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs). (7) Financing, including blended finance models and leveraging multilateral development banks, guarantee schemes, impact funds and public infrastructure finance, developing new and innovative instruments to accelerate impact investments. (8) Business development and enabling environment, public-private partnerships and dialogue, economic diplomacy, employment generation, insurance instruments, trade, agriculture, and value-chain development, and market access. (9) Vocational training, including through links with the private sector. Within the defined themes of the Lots, the delivery of the services may include one or more of the following sub-services/outputs spanning: Stakeholder analyses. Political economy analyses. Scoping, analyses and mapping studies. Budget and financial management assessments, including risk assessment, anti-corruption etc. Partner assessments including financial management capacity assessment as and if needed. Institutional and organisational assessments including financial monitoring visits. Assessment of different modalities for the implementation of the programme or project, including considerations regarding bilateral, multilateral, multi-bi, trust funds, third party implementers, EU development policy and instruments, including the Global Gateway / Team Europe initiative. Preparation of documentation required during programme and project formulation for upcoming Calls for Proposal and/or tender preparation, drafted in line with the required formats. The Danida – Aid Management Guidelines (AMG) (https://amg.um.dk/) contain the policies, guidelines, and tools for the MFA’s development cooperation assistance. They cover different forms of Danish development cooperation modalities. The AMG’s Bilateral Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/guidelines-for-programmes-projects-country-strategic-frameworks-and-hard-earmarked-multilat-support) and Financial Management Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/financial-management) constitute the basic set of procedures for all Danish bilateral development cooperation. The guidelines outline the processes and requirements for the preparation, formulation, quality assurance, approval, implementation, completion and closure of Danish bilateral programmes and projects.
Internal identifier: 98ff48b9-42c4-46e5-a04b-413834f9b3bd
5.1.1.
Purpose
Main nature of the contract: Services
Main classification (cpv): 75211200 Foreign economic-aid-related services
Additional classification (cpv): 71314000 Energy and related services, 77110000 Services incidental to agricultural production, 77230000 Services incidental to forestry, 79311000 Survey services, 79311100 Survey design services, 79311200 Survey conduction services, 79311300 Survey analysis services, 79311400 Economic research services, 79313000 Performance review services, 79330000 Statistical services, 79410000 Business and management consultancy services, 79412000 Financial management consultancy services, 79421000 Project-management services other than for construction work, 79421100 Project-supervision services other than for construction work, 79421200 Project-design services other than for construction work, 80500000 Training services, 80530000 Vocational training services, 90710000 Environmental management
5.1.2.
Place of performance
Anywhere
Additional information: The framework agreement covers all the geographic areas where Danish bilateral programmes and projects are being designed and implemented. The services will as a general rule entail travel to these areas, and for some assignments include high-risk countries and regions that require security arrangements as specified in Section 25.4 in the Consultancy Framework Agreement. Given the global scope of the Danish bilateral programmes and projects, the framework agreement also covers services that may require the mobilisation of in-country specialists with particular local and/or regional knowledge and expertise for the given assignment.
5.1.3.
Estimated duration
Start date: 02/03/2027
Duration: 24 Months
5.1.4.
Renewal
Maximum renewals: 1
Other information about renewals: Before termination of the framework agreement, the contracting authority may at any time extend the term of the framework agreement to 48 months.
5.1.5.
Value
Estimated value excluding VAT: 92 500 000,00 DKK
Maximum value of the framework agreement: 125 000 000,00 DKK
5.1.6.
General information
Reserved participation: 
Participation is not reserved.
The names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to perform the contract must be given: Tender requirement
Procurement Project not financed with EU Funds.
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
This procurement is also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): yes
Information about previous notices: 
Identifier of the previous notice: 707389-2026
Identifier of the part of the previous notice: PAR-0001
Additional information: The contracting authority will request documentation of the information provided in the ESPD from the tenderers that have submitted the 5 most economically advantageous tenders. If a tenderer is participating in the procurement procedure together with others or relies on the capacity of other entities, each involved economic operator or entity must present documentation of the information provided in the ESPD. Economic operators are encouraged to prepare the necessary documentation as soon as possible in order to be able to submit the documentation as soon as possible. The contracting authority will accept documentation in the language of the country where the economic operator is established. However, then the economic operator must submit (unofficial) translations into English of the documentation. The contracting authority can accept the following documentation in relation to the exclusion grounds in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act (in order of priority): (1) Extracts from the relevant register or similar documents issued by a competent judicial or administrative authority or certificates issued by the competent authority in the country referred to as documentation that the economic operator is not subject to the grounds for exclusion stipulated in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2). (2) A declaration on oath (only if such extracts, certificates, or similar documents are not issued in the country where the economic operator is established, or where the documentation does not cover all the grounds for exclusion stipulated in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2) entirely). (3) A solemn declaration made by the person concerned before a competent judicial or administrative authority, a notary or a competent professional or trade body, in the country of origin or in the country where the economic operator is established (only if there is no provision for declarations on oath in the country where the economic operator is established). Thus, the contracting authority cannot accept e.g. a solemn declaration made before a notary if there can be issued a certificate by the competent authority in the country where the economic operator is established. Moreover, the contracting authority cannot accept self-declarations or similar declarations issued by the economic operator or the person concerned as documentation in relation to the exclusion grounds. Economic operators can identify the relevant documentation using the online platform e-Certis (https://ec.europa.eu/tools/ecertis). The contracting authority cannot accept documentation issued more than 6 months prior to the time of submission. The economic operator must present either annual reports or excerpts hereof or relevant statements from a bank or certified accountant as documentation of the economic and financial standing stated in Part IV.B of the ESPD. The economic operator is, in general, not required to present additional documentation of the performed contracts listed in Part IV.C of the ESPD in relation to the technical and professional ability. The contracting authority reserves the right to contact the recipients of services or require statements from the recipients confirming that the economic operator has performed the listed contracts. If an economic operator is entered on an official list of approved economic operators or has an equivalent certificate (e.g., under a national (pre)qualification system), the economic operator may refer to the list in question or present a certificate issued by the competent authority instead of documentation of the information provided in the ESPD (documentation in relation to exclusion grounds and economic and financial standing).
5.1.9.
Selection criteria
Sources of selection criteria: Notice
Criterion: Specific yearly turnover
Description of selection criterion: In Part IV.B of the ESPD, the economic operator must fill in its specific yearly turnover from assignments related to official development assistance programmes or projects in the three most recent financial years for which annual accounts are available. The economic operator is required to meet the following requirement: Total specific turnover of at least DKK 25,000,000 from assignments related to official development assistance programmes or projects in the three most recent financial years for which annual accounts are available (i.e., the total specific turnover in the three most recent financial years, and not the specific yearly turnover). An economic operator requesting to participate in both lots is required to meet the requirement only once.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: In Part IV.C of the ESPD, the economic operator must fill in a list of no more than 10 references for each lot. The references must concern consultancy services actually performed within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. Where a reference concerns a contract or framework agreement that commenced before that period, only the consultancy services actually performed within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate may be included. Where a reference concerns a contract or framework agreement that is ongoing, only the consultancy services actually performed at the time limit for receipt of requests to participate may be included. The maximum number of references applies separately for each lot. For each lot, the number of references will be determined across all ESPDs submitted with the request to participate (i.e., from all involved economic operators in a group of economic operators and/or other supporting entities). If more than 10 references are submitted for a lot, the contracting authority will read and assess only the 10 most recent references, determined first by the end date and then by the start date. Each reference should include the following information: Description: A concise and precise description of the consultancy services actually performed by the economic operator which should be described under the following headings: (1) Role of the economic operator, (2) Type of consultancy services and the main deliverables, (3) Percentage of the consultancy services performed by subcontractors, (4) Forms of bilateral development cooperation modalities covered, (5) Geographic coverage, and (6) Area(s) of expertise. The description should not exceed 2,000 characters, including spaces, and should avoid unnecessary information that is not relevant to the assessment. Amount: The total contract value received by the economic operator for the consultancy services covered by the reference, net of value-added tax (VAT). Start date: The date when the consultancy services covered by the reference began. End date: For completed consultancy services, the date when the consultancy services covered by the reference were completed. For ongoing consultancy services, the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. Recipient: The name and contact information of the client or donor financing the consultancy services. Where the economic operator has been a subcontractor and only performed parts of the consultancy services, only the subcontracted consultancy services actually performed by the economic operator may be included in the reference. Where a reference concerns a framework agreement, the description and amount may summarise the contracts for consultancy services performed under that framework agreement within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. The contracting authority encourages economic operators to also meet the criteria for choosing the selected candidates to the greatest extent possible. A reference may be relied upon for more than one type of consultancy services and/or area of expertise where the description of the consultancy services actually performed demonstrates performance in each area for which the reference is relied upon. If a reference is not relevant to the required services (e.g., the reference is an evaluation), it may be relied upon to demonstrate performance in other areas (e.g., an area of expertise, or related to the criteria for choosing the selected candidates). A reference may also be relied upon for both lots where the description of the consultancy services actually performed demonstrates relevant performance for each lot. Economic operators are encouraged to provide information in Part IV.C of the ESPD as shown in the Instructions to Tenderers.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: The economic operator must demonstrate that, within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate, it has: (1) Acted as the lead contractor (i.e., the contractor identified as the lead party under the framework agreement and responsible for coordinating the performance of the consultancy services delivered under it) or framework manager (i.e., the contractor responsible for the overall administration and coordination of the framework agreement, including the coordination of assignments awarded under it) under at least one framework agreement for consultancy services related to official development assistance (ODA) under the applicable OECD DAC rules. (2) Performed the following consultancy services relating to development cooperation programmes or projects (where the definition of an appraisal and a review is aligned with the definitions provided by OECD/DAC: https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/EV(2022)2/en/pdf): Formulation (i.e., preparation of the project or programme documentation that serves as the basis for approval and subsequent implementation), Appraisal (i.e., impartial assessment of a project or programme prior to final approval), and Review (i.e., quality assurance assessment of the progress, implementation, performance, results, risks or continuing relevance of a project or programme during its implementation). (3) Performed consultancy services in each of the following areas of expertise: (a) Climate change (e.g., consultancy services concerning climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, or development assistance with climate change as a principal or significant objective, consistent with the OECD DAC Rio-marker terminology, including locally-led adaption, renewable-energy, energy efficiency, climate finance, and climate-investment), (b) Environment and/or sustainable natural-resource management (e.g., consultancy services concerning environmentally sustainable development conservation or restoration, or the sustainable management and use of natural resources, including biodiversity, protection, sustainable forest or land management, integrated water-resources management, sustainable agriculture and food systems, fisheries or aquaculture, and food security), (c) Private sector development (e.g., consultancy services concerning the role of enterprises, entrepreneurs, or markets in inclusive and sustainable development, including private-sector development, the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), access to finance for MSMEs, inclusive business models, value-chain development, market access, trade facilitation, employment generation, vocational education and training, public-private partnerships, economic diplomacy, and the development of insurance markets), and (d) Financing and/or mobilisation of finance for sustainable development (e.g., consultancy services concerning development finance, financial instruments, financial-sector development or the mobilisation of additional finance for sustainable development, including blended finance, the strategic use of development finance to mobilise additional finance for sustainable development, financing structures combining development finance with commercial finance, the mobilisation of private finance, guarantee schemes, engagement with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development finance institutions (DFIs) or development-finance facilities, and financing instruments intended to accelerate impact investment). The economic operator must demonstrate performance of consultancy services in each area of expertise specified, but the economic operator is not required to demonstrate performance of consultancy services concerning every example listed under an area of expertise.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: Candidates will be selected on the basis of the references concerning the performance of consultancy services within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate (provided in Part IV.C of the ESPD). The selection will not be based on a renewed assessment of whether the requirements are met, but on an assessment of the relevance of the submitted references for the lot in question. The assessment of relevance will prioritise the following considerations: (1) Experience with framework agreement management for development cooperation services. (2) Experience with the services required, namely the formulation, appraisal and review of development cooperation programmes and projects. The required services that will be prioritised do not include studies, evaluations and services linked to implementation such as monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability (MEAL) assignments. (3) Performance of consultancy services related to different forms of bilateral development cooperation modalities (e.g., thematic, global, regional, and country programmes and projects), and contributions to multilateral organisations (multi-bi) and non-governmental organisations (NGO) at global, regional or country level. (4) Performance of consultancy services related to development cooperation for clients comparable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (e.g., a ministry or any other national or federal authority, or a national or federal agency/office, working with development cooperation). (5) Geographic experience from Africa, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia, and/or EU’s Eastern neighbourhood, including conflict affected and/or fragile contexts. (6) Broad and deep thematic expertise in the areas specified for the relevant lot, covering as many of the examples listed under the areas of expertise as possible. The assessment will also emphasise that the submitted references collectively demonstrate relevant experience across as many types of consultancy services, bilateral development cooperation modalities, comparable clients working with development cooperation, countries/regions and contexts, and areas of expertise as possible.
The criteria will be used to select the candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure
Information about the second stage of a two-stage procedure: 
Minimum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure: 8
Maximum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure: 8
The procedure will take place in successive stages. At each stage, some participants may be eliminated
5.1.10.
Award criteria
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Organisational and Management
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Mobilisation of Specialists for Assignments
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Quality Assurance
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 16
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Thematic Specialists
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 48
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Financial Management Specialists
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
5.1.11.
Procurement documents
Languages in which the procurement documents are officially available: English
Address of the procurement documents: https://www.ethics.dk/ethics/eo#/3a4cea8c-f9d4-46a9-a6f8-01dd08ba587d/publicMaterial
5.1.12.
Terms of procurement
Terms of the procedure: 
Estimated date of dispatch of the invitations to submit tenders: 04/12/2026
Terms of submission: 
Electronic submission: Required
Address for submission: https://www.ethics.dk/ethics/eo#/3a4cea8c-f9d4-46a9-a6f8-01dd08ba587d/homepage
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English
Electronic catalogue: Not allowed
Variants: Not allowed
Tenderers may submit more than one tender: Not allowed
Deadline for receipt of requests to participate: 24/11/2026 13:00:00 (UTC+00:00) Western European Time, GMT
Terms of contract: 
The execution of the contract must be performed within the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No
Conditions relating to the performance of the contract: The successful tenderers are to perform the framework agreement in compliance with the Danida Anti-Corruption Policy and the principles of the UN Global Compact. Economic operators can find more information on: https://um.dk/en/danida/anti-corruption and https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles.
Electronic invoicing: Required
Electronic ordering will be used: no
Electronic payment will be used: yes
Financial arrangement: The contracting authority has specified an hourly rate of DKK 1,000 net of VAT for the consultant's core team members. Under a delivery contract, the rates per hour for key staff must be specified as follows: The rates per hour of core team members must not exceed the hourly rate specified in Appendix 8. The rates per hour of other mobilised specialists must be at the prevailing market rates and within the maximum hourly rates for the relevant categories as specified in Appendix 8 when the contracting authority awards a delivery contract directly. The rates per hour of other mobilised specialists must be at the prevailing market rates when the contracting authority awards a delivery contract through reopening of competition. Please refer to the Consultancy Framework Agreement and Appendix 8 Prices for a more detailed description of the terms of remuneration and payment.
5.1.15.
Techniques
Framework agreement: 
Framework agreement, partly without reopening and partly with reopening of competition
Maximum number of participants: 5
Additional buyer coverage: The users of the framework agreement will be MFA Services at Home and Services Abroad (also referred to as MFA units) that provide quality assurance, manage or plan to manage bi-lateral development cooperation programmes and projects. The MFA Services at Home and Services Abroad requesting the services under the framework agreement will be the clients for the delivery contracts awarded under the framework agreement.
Information about the dynamic purchasing system: 
No dynamic purchase system
5.1.16.
Further information, mediation and review
Review organisation: Klagenævnet for Udbud
Information about review deadlines: Actions regarding requests to participate and selection must be submitted within 20 calendar days from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators of the decisions regarding selection. Other actions regarding the procedure (e.g. decisions regarding award of contract) must be submitted within: 6 months from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators of the decisions regarding award of a framework agreement, and 30 calendar days from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators that a contract based on a framework agreement with reopening of competition has been entered into. Complaint guidelines (in English) can be found at: https://naevneneshus.dk/media/u42g3exz/complaint-guidelines.pdf.
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark - Bech-Bruun Law Firm
Organisation providing more information on the review procedures: Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen
Organisation receiving requests to participate: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark - Bech-Bruun Law Firm
Organisation processing tenders: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
5.1.
Lot: LOT-0002
Title: Lot 2: Governance, fragility, and migration
Description: The framework agreement will require the provision of the following services pertaining to the design and implementation phases of bilateral development cooperation programmes, namely: Formulation of bilateral programmes and projects. This may include preparatory work in the formulation process if and as needed. Appraisal of the design of bilateral programmes and projects as a quality assurance milestone prior to approval. This includes external appraisals led by the consultant and early appraisals of larger or high-risk programmes/projects led by LÆRING. Review of bilateral programmes and projects under implementation. This can span inception, midterm and technical reviews covering the full implementation period of the programme/project as part of the MFA unit’s monitoring and reporting cycle. Reviews do not have the same scope of work, methodology and methods as an evaluation. The MFA’s definition of appraisal, review and evaluation services is aligned with the definitions provided by OECD/DAC (https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/EV(2022)2/en/pdf). The content of the services will vary and be defined by the MFA in the specific Terms of Reference for each individual assignment. Under Lot 2, the consultant must provide specialists that can perform the formulation, appraisal and review of bilateral programmes and projects concerning governance, fragility, and migration, including the following thematic sub-areas: (1) Stabilisation, conflict prevention and peacebuilding in conflict affected and fragile settings including institution building, countering/preventing violent extremism, security sector reform, maritime security, Women, Peace and Security, Climate, Peace and Security. (2) Migration management including protection of migrants, countering trafficking of human beings, assisted voluntary return and re-integration. (3) Democratic governance including institutional reform and development (e.g., rule of law, public financial management), decentralisation, inclusive political processes, and accountability (e.g., anti-corruption, media and information). (4) Human rights and civil society development including civil society grant mechanisms, capacity development of civil society and human rights organisations, safeguard and promotion of the civic space. (5) Gender equality and inclusion, including the rights of persons in marginalised, excluded or vulnerable situations (e.g., Indigenous Peoples, religious minorities, LGBT+ persons, people with disabilities, youth). (6) Relief, resilience and recovery in fragile, conflict and displacement situations, including protection, improved access to services, livelihoods and social safety nets. Within the defined themes of the Lots, the delivery of the services may include one or more of the following sub-services/outputs spanning: Stakeholder analyses. Political economy analyses. Scoping, analyses and mapping studies. Budget and financial management assessments, including risk assessment, anti-corruption etc. Partner assessments including financial management capacity assessment as and if needed. Institutional and organisational assessments including financial monitoring visits. Assessment of different modalities for the implementation of the programme or project, including considerations regarding bilateral, multilateral, multi-bi, trust funds, third party implementers, EU development policy and instruments, including the Global Gateway / Team Europe initiative. Preparation of documentation required during programme and project formulation for upcoming Calls for Proposal and/or tender preparation, drafted in line with the required formats. The Danida – Aid Management Guidelines (AMG) (https://amg.um.dk/) contain the policies, guidelines, and tools for the MFA’s development cooperation assistance. They cover different forms of Danish development cooperation modalities. The AMG’s Bilateral Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/guidelines-for-programmes-projects-country-strategic-frameworks-and-hard-earmarked-multilat-support) and Financial Management Guidelines (https://amg.um.dk/bilateral-cooperation/financial-management) constitute the basic set of procedures for all Danish bilateral development cooperation. The guidelines outline the processes and requirements for the preparation, formulation, quality assurance, approval, implementation, completion and closure of Danish bilateral programmes and projects.
Internal identifier: 9ec4848e-b103-43ee-b0ec-a8caedc9bc1c
5.1.1.
Purpose
Main nature of the contract: Services
Main classification (cpv): 75211200 Foreign economic-aid-related services
Additional classification (cpv): 75130000 Supporting services for the government, 79311000 Survey services, 79311100 Survey design services, 79311200 Survey conduction services, 79311300 Survey analysis services, 79311400 Economic research services, 79313000 Performance review services, 79330000 Statistical services, 79410000 Business and management consultancy services, 79412000 Financial management consultancy services, 79421000 Project-management services other than for construction work, 79421100 Project-supervision services other than for construction work, 79421200 Project-design services other than for construction work, 79430000 Crisis management services, 98200000 Equal opportunities consultancy services
5.1.2.
Place of performance
Anywhere
Additional information: The framework agreement covers all the geographic areas where Danish bilateral programmes and projects are being designed and implemented. The services will as a general rule entail travel to these areas, and for some assignments include high-risk countries and regions that require security arrangements as specified in Section 25.4 in the Consultancy Framework Agreement. Given the global scope of the Danish bilateral programmes and projects, the framework agreement also covers services that may require the mobilisation of in-country specialists with particular local and/or regional knowledge and expertise for the given assignment.
5.1.3.
Estimated duration
Start date: 02/03/2027
Duration: 24 Months
5.1.4.
Renewal
Maximum renewals: 1
Other information about renewals: Before termination of the framework agreement, the contracting authority may at any time extend the term of the framework agreement to 48 months.
5.1.5.
Value
Estimated value excluding VAT: 92 500 000,00 DKK
Maximum value of the framework agreement: 125 000 000,00 DKK
5.1.6.
General information
Reserved participation: 
Participation is not reserved.
The names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to perform the contract must be given: Tender requirement
Procurement Project not financed with EU Funds.
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
This procurement is also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): yes
Information about previous notices: 
Identifier of the previous notice: 707389-2026
Identifier of the part of the previous notice: PAR-0002
Additional information: The contracting authority will request documentation of the information provided in the ESPD from the tenderers that have submitted the 5 most economically advantageous tenders. If a tenderer is participating in the procurement procedure together with others or relies on the capacity of other entities, each involved economic operator or entity must present documentation of the information provided in the ESPD. Economic operators are encouraged to prepare the necessary documentation as soon as possible in order to be able to submit the documentation as soon as possible. The contracting authority will accept documentation in the language of the country where the economic operator is established. However, then the economic operator must submit (unofficial) translations into English of the documentation. The contracting authority can accept the following documentation in relation to the exclusion grounds in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2) of the Danish Public Procurement Act (in order of priority): (1) Extracts from the relevant register or similar documents issued by a competent judicial or administrative authority or certificates issued by the competent authority in the country referred to as documentation that the economic operator is not subject to the grounds for exclusion stipulated in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2). (2) A declaration on oath (only if such extracts, certificates, or similar documents are not issued in the country where the economic operator is established, or where the documentation does not cover all the grounds for exclusion stipulated in sections 135(1), 135(3) and 137(1)(2) entirely). (3) A solemn declaration made by the person concerned before a competent judicial or administrative authority, a notary or a competent professional or trade body, in the country of origin or in the country where the economic operator is established (only if there is no provision for declarations on oath in the country where the economic operator is established). Thus, the contracting authority cannot accept e.g. a solemn declaration made before a notary if there can be issued a certificate by the competent authority in the country where the economic operator is established. Moreover, the contracting authority cannot accept self-declarations or similar declarations issued by the economic operator or the person concerned as documentation in relation to the exclusion grounds. Economic operators can identify the relevant documentation using the online platform e-Certis (https://ec.europa.eu/tools/ecertis). The contracting authority cannot accept documentation issued more than 6 months prior to the time of submission. The economic operator must present either annual reports or excerpts hereof or relevant statements from a bank or certified accountant as documentation of the economic and financial standing stated in Part IV.B of the ESPD. The economic operator is, in general, not required to present additional documentation of the performed contracts listed in Part IV.C of the ESPD in relation to the technical and professional ability. The contracting authority reserves the right to contact the recipients of services or require statements from the recipients confirming that the economic operator has performed the listed contracts. If an economic operator is entered on an official list of approved economic operators or has an equivalent certificate (e.g., under a national (pre)qualification system), the economic operator may refer to the list in question or present a certificate issued by the competent authority instead of documentation of the information provided in the ESPD (documentation in relation to exclusion grounds and economic and financial standing).
5.1.9.
Selection criteria
Sources of selection criteria: Notice
Criterion: Specific yearly turnover
Description of selection criterion: In Part IV.B of the ESPD, the economic operator must fill in its specific yearly turnover from assignments related to official development assistance programmes or projects in the three most recent financial years for which annual accounts are available. The economic operator is required to meet the following requirement: Total specific turnover of at least DKK 25,000,000 from assignments related to official development assistance programmes or projects in the three most recent financial years for which annual accounts are available (i.e., the total specific turnover in the three most recent financial years, and not the specific yearly turnover). An economic operator requesting to participate in both lots is required to meet the requirement only once.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: In Part IV.C of the ESPD, the economic operator must fill in a list of no more than 10 references for each lot. The references must concern consultancy services actually performed within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. Where a reference concerns a contract or framework agreement that commenced before that period, only the consultancy services actually performed within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate may be included. Where a reference concerns a contract or framework agreement that is ongoing, only the consultancy services actually performed at the time limit for receipt of requests to participate may be included. The maximum number of references applies separately for each lot. For each lot, the number of references will be determined across all ESPDs submitted with the request to participate (i.e., from all involved economic operators in a group of economic operators and/or other supporting entities). If more than 10 references are submitted for a lot, the contracting authority will read and assess only the 10 most recent references, determined first by the end date and then by the start date. Each reference should include the following information: Description: A concise and precise description of the consultancy services actually performed by the economic operator which should be described under the following headings: (1) Role of the economic operator, (2) Type of consultancy services and the main deliverables, (3) Percentage of the consultancy services performed by subcontractors, (4) Forms of bilateral development cooperation modalities covered, (5) Geographic coverage, and (6) Area(s) of expertise. The description should not exceed 2,000 characters, including spaces, and should avoid unnecessary information that is not relevant to the assessment. Amount: The total contract value received by the economic operator for the consultancy services covered by the reference, net of value-added tax (VAT). Start date: The date when the consultancy services covered by the reference began. End date: For completed consultancy services, the date when the consultancy services covered by the reference were completed. For ongoing consultancy services, the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. Recipient: The name and contact information of the client or donor financing the consultancy services. Where the economic operator has been a subcontractor and only performed parts of the consultancy services, only the subcontracted consultancy services actually performed by the economic operator may be included in the reference. Where a reference concerns a framework agreement, the description and amount may summarise the contracts for consultancy services performed under that framework agreement within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate. The contracting authority encourages economic operators to also meet the criteria for choosing the selected candidates to the greatest extent possible. A reference may be relied upon for more than one type of consultancy services and/or area of expertise where the description of the consultancy services actually performed demonstrates performance in each area for which the reference is relied upon. If a reference is not relevant to the required services (e.g., the reference is an evaluation), it may be relied upon to demonstrate performance in other areas (e.g., an area of expertise, or related to the criteria for choosing the selected candidates). A reference may also be relied upon for both lots where the description of the consultancy services actually performed demonstrates relevant performance for each lot. Economic operators are encouraged to provide information in Part IV.C of the ESPD as shown in the Instructions to Tenderers.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: The economic operator must demonstrate that, within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate, it has: (1) Acted as the lead contractor (i.e., the contractor identified as the lead party under the framework agreement and responsible for coordinating the performance of the consultancy services delivered under it) or framework manager (i.e., the contractor responsible for the overall administration and coordination of the framework agreement, including the coordination of assignments awarded under it) under at least one framework agreement for consultancy services related to official development assistance (ODA) under the applicable OECD DAC rules. (2) Performed the following consultancy services relating to development cooperation programmes or projects (where the definition of an appraisal and a review is aligned with the definitions provided by OECD/DAC: https://one.oecd.org/document/DCD/DAC/EV(2022)2/en/pdf): Formulation (i.e., preparation of the project or programme documentation that serves as the basis for approval and subsequent implementation), Appraisal (i.e., impartial assessment of a project or programme prior to final approval), and Review (i.e., quality assurance assessment of the progress, implementation, performance, results, risks or continuing relevance of a project or programme during its implementation). (3) Performed consultancy services in each of the following areas of expertise: (a) Stabilisation, conflict prevention and peacebuilding (e.g., consultancy services concerning conflict prevention, dialogue and reconciliation, institution-building, Women, Peace and Security, Climate, Peace and Security, security sector reform, countering/preventing violent extremism, and maritime security), (b) Migration management (e.g., consultancy services concerning migration governance or management, the protection of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, or internally displaced persons, assisted voluntary return and sustainable reintegration), (c) Democratic governance (e.g., consultancy services concerning public sector reform and development, decentralisation, inclusive political processes and accountability), (d) Human rights and civil society (e.g., consultancy services concerning the capacity development of civil society and human rights organisations, civic space, and grant mechanisms for civil-society organisations), (e) Gender equality and inclusion (e.g., consultancy services concerning women’s empowerment, sexual and reproductive health and rights, the prevention of and response to gender-based violence, or the rights, protection, meaningful participation and inclusion of persons in marginalised and vulnerable situations, such as Indigenous Peoples, religious minorities, LGBT+ persons, and persons with disabilities), (f) Resilience and recovery (e.g., consultancy services concerning resilience, early recovery in crisis-affected and/or displacement-affected settings including livelihoods, employment or local economic recovery, protection and access to services). The economic operator must demonstrate performance of consultancy services in each area of expertise specified, but the economic operator is not required to demonstrate performance of consultancy services concerning every example listed under an area of expertise.

Criterion: References on specified services
Description of selection criterion: Candidates will be selected on the basis of the references concerning the performance of consultancy services within the five most recent years preceding the time limit for receipt of requests to participate (provided in Part IV.C of the ESPD). The selection will not be based on a renewed assessment of whether the requirements are met, but on an assessment of the relevance of the submitted references for the lot in question. The assessment of relevance will prioritise the following considerations: (1) Experience with framework agreement management for development cooperation services. (2) Experience with the services required, namely the formulation, appraisal and review of development cooperation programmes and projects. The required services that will be prioritised do not include studies, evaluations and services linked to implementation such as monitoring, evaluation, learning and accountability (MEAL) assignments. (3) Performance of consultancy services related to different forms of bilateral development cooperation modalities (e.g., thematic, global, regional, and country programmes and projects), and contributions to multilateral organisations (multi-bi) and non-governmental organisations (NGO) at global, regional or country level. (4) Performance of consultancy services related to development cooperation for clients comparable to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark (e.g., a ministry or any other national or federal authority, or a national or federal agency/office, working with development cooperation). (5) Geographic experience from Africa, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Asia, and/or EU’s Eastern neighbourhood, including conflict affected and/or fragile contexts. (6) Broad and deep thematic expertise in the areas specified for the relevant lot, covering as many of the examples listed under the areas of expertise as possible. The assessment will also emphasise that the submitted references collectively demonstrate relevant experience across as many types of consultancy services, bilateral development cooperation modalities, comparable clients working with development cooperation, countries/regions and contexts, and areas of expertise as possible.
The criteria will be used to select the candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure
Information about the second stage of a two-stage procedure: 
Minimum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure: 8
Maximum number of candidates to be invited for the second stage of the procedure: 8
The procedure will take place in successive stages. At each stage, some participants may be eliminated
5.1.10.
Award criteria
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Organisational and Management
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Mobilisation of Specialists for Assignments
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Quality Assurance
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 16
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Thematic Specialists
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 48
Criterion: 
Type: Quality
Name: Financial Management Specialists
Description: Please refer to the Criteria and Method of Evaluation and Appendix 1 Scope of Services for a more detailed description of the award criterion.
Category of award weight criterion: Weight (percentage, exact)
Award criterion number: 12
5.1.11.
Procurement documents
Languages in which the procurement documents are officially available: English
Address of the procurement documents: https://www.ethics.dk/ethics/eo#/3a4cea8c-f9d4-46a9-a6f8-01dd08ba587d/publicMaterial
5.1.12.
Terms of procurement
Terms of the procedure: 
Estimated date of dispatch of the invitations to submit tenders: 04/12/2026
Terms of submission: 
Electronic submission: Required
Address for submission: https://www.ethics.dk/ethics/eo#/3a4cea8c-f9d4-46a9-a6f8-01dd08ba587d/homepage
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English
Electronic catalogue: Not allowed
Variants: Not allowed
Tenderers may submit more than one tender: Not allowed
Deadline for receipt of requests to participate: 24/11/2026 13:00:00 (UTC+00:00) Western European Time, GMT
Terms of contract: 
The execution of the contract must be performed within the framework of sheltered employment programmes: No
Conditions relating to the performance of the contract: The successful tenderers are to perform the framework agreement in compliance with the Danida Anti-Corruption Policy and the principles of the UN Global Compact. Economic operators can find more information on: https://um.dk/en/danida/anti-corruption and https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles.
Electronic invoicing: Required
Electronic ordering will be used: no
Electronic payment will be used: yes
Financial arrangement: The contracting authority has specified an hourly rate of DKK 1,000 net of VAT for the consultant's core team members. Under a delivery contract, the rates per hour for key staff must be specified as follows: The rates per hour of core team members must not exceed the hourly rate specified in Appendix 8. The rates per hour of other mobilised specialists must be at the prevailing market rates and within the maximum hourly rates for the relevant categories as specified in Appendix 8 when the contracting authority awards a delivery contract directly. The rates per hour of other mobilised specialists must be at the prevailing market rates when the contracting authority awards a delivery contract through reopening of competition. Please refer to the Consultancy Framework Agreement and Appendix 8 Prices for a more detailed description of the terms of remuneration and payment.
5.1.15.
Techniques
Framework agreement: 
Framework agreement, partly without reopening and partly with reopening of competition
Maximum number of participants: 5
Additional buyer coverage: The users of the framework agreement will be MFA Services at Home and Services Abroad (also referred to as MFA units) that provide quality assurance, manage or plan to manage bi-lateral development cooperation programmes and projects. The MFA Services at Home and Services Abroad requesting the services under the framework agreement will be the clients for the delivery contracts awarded under the framework agreement.
Information about the dynamic purchasing system: 
No dynamic purchase system
5.1.16.
Further information, mediation and review
Review organisation: Klagenævnet for Udbud
Information about review deadlines: Actions regarding requests to participate and selection must be submitted within 20 calendar days from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators of the decisions regarding selection. Other actions regarding the procedure (e.g. decisions regarding award of contract) must be submitted within: 6 months from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators of the decisions regarding award of a framework agreement, and 30 calendar days from the day after the contracting authority has notified the economic operators that a contract based on a framework agreement with reopening of competition has been entered into. Complaint guidelines (in English) can be found at: https://naevneneshus.dk/media/u42g3exz/complaint-guidelines.pdf.
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark - Bech-Bruun Law Firm
Organisation providing more information on the review procedures: Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen
Organisation receiving requests to participate: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark - Bech-Bruun Law Firm
Organisation processing tenders: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
8. Organisations
8.1.
ORG-0001
Official name: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Registration number: 43271911
Department: Evaluation, Learning, and Quality (LÆRING)
Postal address: Asiatisk Plads 2
Town: Copenhagen
Postcode: 1402
Country subdivision (NUTS): Byen København (DK011)
Country: Denmark
Contact point: Carsten Sommer Andersen (Bech-Bruun Law Firm)
Email: CSA@bechbruun.com
Telephone: +45 7227 0000
Internet address: https://um.dk/en/danida
Other contact points: 
Official name: Bech-Bruun Law Firm
Postal address: Gdanskgade 18  
Town: Nordhavn
Postcode: 2150
Country subdivision (NUTS): Byen København (DK011)
Country: Denmark
Contact point: Carsten Sommer Andersen
Email: CSA@bechbruun.com
Telephone: +45 7227 0000
Internet address: https://www.bechbruun.com/
Roles of this organisation: 
Buyer
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure
Organisation receiving requests to participate
Organisation processing tenders
8.1.
ORG-0002
Official name: Klagenævnet for Udbud
Registration number: 37795526
Postal address: Toldboden 2
Town: Viborg
Postcode: 8800
Country subdivision (NUTS): Vestjylland (DK041)
Country: Denmark
Contact point: Klagenævnet for Udbud
Email: klfu@naevneneshus.dk
Telephone: +45 72405600
Internet address: https://naevneneshus.dk/start-din-klage/klagenaevnet-for-udbud/
Roles of this organisation: 
Review organisation
8.1.
ORG-0003
Official name: Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen
Registration number: 10294819
Postal address: Carl Jacobsens Vej 35
Town: Valby
Postcode: 2500
Country subdivision (NUTS): Byen København (DK011)
Country: Denmark
Contact point: Konkurrence- og Forbrugerstyrelsen
Email: kfst@kfst.dk
Telephone: +45 41715000
Internet address: https://www.kfst.dk
Roles of this organisation: 
Organisation providing more information on the review procedures
8.1.
ORG-0004
Official name: Mercell Holding ASA
Registration number: 980921565
Postal address: Askekroken 11
Town: Oslo
Postcode: 0277
Country subdivision (NUTS): Oslo (NO081)
Country: Norway
Contact point: eSender
Email: publication@mercell.com
Telephone: +47 21018800
Fax: +47 21018801
Internet address: http://mercell.com/
Roles of this organisation: 
TED eSender
Notice information
Notice identifier/version: 28e1dd59-9c0b-4f6b-9816-e06d93e05793  -  01
Form type: Competition
Notice type: Contract or concession notice – standard regime
Notice subtype: 16
Notice dispatch date: 23/10/2026 20:55:35 (UTC+00:00) Western European Time, GMT
Notice dispatch date (eSender): 23/10/2026 21:47:37 (UTC+00:00) Western European Time, GMT
Languages in which this notice is officially available: English
Notice publication number: 742558-2026
OJ S issue number: 208/2026
Publication date: 27/10/2026