Framework agreement for project support EU finances

NTNU seeks external consulting support to manage the complete financial lifecycle of projects funded under the EU Framework Programme for research and innovation, including Horizon Europe and the forthcoming Horizon 2028 cycle. The contractor will supplement NTNU’s internal project economists in monitoring budgets, preparing financial reports, and ensuring compliance with EU guidelines for project finance as well as NTNU’s own reporting templates. The role encompasses handling applications, coordinating multi‑partner budgeting, producing internal status updates, and communicating clearly with both internal stakeholders and external partners throughout the project life cycle.

The services will be performed at NTNU’s premises in Trondheim and must cover a portfolio of projects belonging to one or more NTNU entities, with occasional limited assignments. The consultant must deliver desk‑based work with minimal travel, maintain clear records, and support NTNU’s efforts to meet climate and environmental considerations as stipulated in the public procurement regulations. The contractor must adhere to EU financial guidelines, NTNU reporting protocols, and the climate‑impact exemption provisions for consultant and analysis services.

Participation in the EU's framework programme for research and innovation is a high priority activity at NTNU. This applies to both the current framework programme - Horizon Europe and the next framework programme, which shall start in 2028. Participation will take place in the form of projects that receive financial support from the EU. The projects must follow the terms given in the EU guidelines for the different project types. This includes financial guidelines. At the same time, we must ensure compliance with the guidelines that generally apply for NTNU. The financial monitoring of the projects involves responsibility for following up the finances in the project life cycle, from application to completed project. NTNU has its own routines and templates for financial reporting to the EU and internal status reports. For applications and projects that have several partners and coordinated by NTNU, follow-up also involves follow-up of partners' budgeting and reporting. Clear and understandable communication towards internal and external target groups is significant in all project phases. NTNU has its own personnel (project economists) who carry out these assignments, but NTNU will need to supplement with external resources. The need can vary over time. The offered resources must be able to handle a portfolio of applications and projects. The portfolio will usually belong to one or several organisational entities at NTNU. Other more limited assignments may also be relevant. See Annex 1, the contracting authority ́s requirement specifications, for further information on which services/work assignments the framework agreement covers. A framework agreement shall be signed with one tenderer. The contract will start as soon as possible after the award of contract. The contract will be valid for 2 years, with an option for an extension for 1+1 year, for a total of up to 4 years.
Additional information: Climate and environment in the procurement In accordance with PPR § 7-9 (2), climate and environmental considerations shall as a main rule be weighted with a minimum of 30% in the award criteria. The requirement may be waived if the procurement is assessed to have a climate footprint and environmental impact that is considered immaterial, cf. the Public Procurement Regulations § 7-9 (5). DFØ has prepared an overview of categories that have a low climate intensity, and this procurement comes under the category "Consultant and Analysis Services". The procurement includes consultancy services. The main service includes "desk work", with limited travel activities. The Consultant ́s climate footprint and environmental impact will be equal to the load from an average permanent employee. The employee ́s climate footprint and environmental impact are connected to the need for office space with equipment, energy consumption in the building etc., and these elements fall out of the nature of the procurement, which is the actual consultancy service/work of following up budgets and projects. The contracting authority therefore believes that the condition for utilising the exclusion provision in the Public Procurement Regulations § 7-9 (5) is fulfilled.
Place of performance: The services shall be carried out in the contracting authority ́s premises in Trondheim.

Lot: LOT-0000
Title: Framework agreement for project support EU finances

Procurement documents
Address of the procurement documents: https://eu.eu-supply.com/app/rfq/rwlentrance_s.asp?PID=457407&TID=200417992&B=