- Status
- Closed
Background
The responsibility for implementation of the TACIS programmes - and the follow-on programmes of the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) - lies with a Directorate General of the European Commission. Over time this has changed from DG1A through SCR, DG AIDCO and then DG DEVCO (EuropeAid Cooperation Office). Under this responsibility, the regulations covering the implementation of the instruments allow for Community financing to cover expenditure associated with various kinds of assistance for the preparation, follow up, monitoring, auditing and evaluation activities directly necessary for the implementation of the programmes and the achievement of their objectives. This may include, for example, studies, meetings, information, awareness-raising, training and publication activities and any other administrative or technical assistance that the Commission may require for the management of the programmes.
Due to its status as a DG of the European Commission, DG-JRC is able to provide scientific and technical advice in support of programme implementation that is completely independent and free from any commercial interests. This support is complementary to various other support mechanisms contracted or organised by the Commission, and together with them provides the elements that allow programme and project preparation to proceed in a quick and effective manner, project tendering and contracting to be carried out efficiently and successfully and problems arising during project implementation to be managed and solved effectively.
In the framework of the TACIS 2005 programme, the Commission decided to continue the services entrusted to DG JRC for the provision of professional support to the implementation of the TACIS and follow-on programmes. These services concerned the provision of technical and scientific expertise, know-how and other forms of technical support to AIDCO A4 for the project cycle management of TACIS/INSC nuclear safety projects.
Objectives
The specific tasks to be executed by JRC under this contract (inter-DG Administrative Arrangement) are described below.
Task 1: Assistance in preparing the technical basis of the strategic planning and the appropriate selection of the projects
The JRC assisted AIDCO in preparatory work for the strategic planning of the TACIS NS and INSC programmes.
Task 2: Reviewing / Upgrading of Action Fiches (AF) proposed by Partner Countries in view of their considerations in an annual programme
The task included evaluation of the Beneficiary proposals for a given annual programme according to the implementation potential of the proposed project under the given priorities, rules and procedures in force. The AF were also assessed in terms of relevance to nuclear safety, background, scope and technical consistency.
Task 3: Drafting / Reviewing Terms of Reference (ToR) and Technical Specifications (TS) of Supply Contracts
JRC drafted and reviewed the ToR of selected projects. JRC joined AIDCO A4 Project Managers in missions for project definition and project development purposes. JRC drafted and reviewed Technical Specifications of selected supply projects and assisted in preparing the technical parts of the tender dossiers.
Task 4: Participation in Shortlisting Committees and Tender evaluations
JRC assisted AIDCO A4 in Tender evaluation by participating in Shortlistings and Tender Evaluation Committees.
Task 5: Technical follow-up of on-going projects
JRC experts participated in inception meetings, final meetings and selected progress and task meetings connected with major project phases or production of key technical reports. JRC also reviewed progress and administrative reports of ongoing projects.
Task 6: Technical assessment of project results
JRC provided technical assessment of the results and technical deliverables of projects, including the assessment of the methods and approaches as the identification of any shortcomings and areas needing clarification or further action.
Task 7: Contribution to the dissemination of the project results
For TACIS and INSC projects that were finalised during the implementation period of this Administrative Arrangement, the JRC prepared a summary of project objectives, activities and major achievements of each project in English and in Russian, for publication on the JRC TACIS-INSC dissemination website. Translation to Russian language of project dissemination summaries were sub-contracted to a specialised technical translation company.
Task 8: Participation on specific missions to be conducted by AIDCO
On AIDCO A4 request JRC attended meetings or conducted missions of a fact-finding or exploratory nature.
Results
The contract was signed on 29 February 2008, initially for a period of four years. On 6 January 2012, the contract was extended by one year. The resulting Administrative Arrangement had a final duration of 60 months, from 29 February 2008 until 28 February 2013.
The tasks to be executed within the framework of TAREG 01/05 were implemented according to the requirements of the contract. JRC was systematically requested to provide two experts to participate as voting members in all tender evaluation committees for the projects. The review of Technical Specifications and Evaluation Criteria for equipment supply projects was a major element of the work performed in the framework of the contract.