The EU-funded project TETTRIX – TETTRIs neXt level for the taxonomy of tomorrow, coordinated by CETAF, is seeking an experienced external service provider to act as Administrator of its Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism.
About TETTRIX
CETAF is directly involved in a large number of EU-funded projects, both as a partner and as coordinator. This is the case for TETTRIX – TETTRIs neXt level for the taxonomy of tomorrow, for which CETAF acts as Coordinator. The project is funded under the Horizon Europe Programme through Grant Agreement No. 101286598.
TETTRIX aims to strengthen taxonomic approaches for biodiversity by developing, validating and scaling innovative tools, workflows, services and learning pathways, while addressing critical knowledge and capacity gaps across Europe. The project will bring together expertise and resources from across the European taxonomic community to strengthen the capacity to identify, monitor and assess biodiversity.
As part of these efforts, TETTRIX will implement a Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism through a cascade funding scheme with a total envelope of up to EUR 2.4 million. The mechanism will support external organisations and entities, referred to as Satellite Projects or Satellites, in implementing initiatives that contribute to the objectives and expected results of TETTRIX.
The FSTP mechanism will be implemented through two Calls for proposals:
- Call 1 – Upgrade of Taxonomic Capacity, supporting initiatives aimed at testing and validating taxonomic tools, services and methods. Projects selected under this Call may receive financial support of up to EUR 100,000 and may have a duration of up to 18 months.
- Call 2 – Enlargement of Taxonomic Capacity, supporting courses and learning paths designed to expand taxonomic capacity across Europe. Projects selected under this Call are expected to receive financial support of up to EUR 60,000 and may have a duration of up to 12 months.
Overall, TETTRIX foresees supporting approximately 19 to 37 Satellite Projects, depending on the number and quality of proposals received and the final allocation of available funding.
About the opportunity
To ensure the transparent, efficient and effective implementation of this FSTP mechanism, CETAF intends to subcontract an experienced external service provider — the Administrator — to support the management and operation of the entire cascade funding process.
The contract is a services contract covering the entire FSTP mechanism, from the preparation and launch of the Calls for proposals through the implementation, monitoring, reporting, conclusion and consolidation of the results of the Satellite Projects.
The Administrator will support CETAF throughout the different phases of the FSTP mechanism, including:
- Supporting the definition and final drafting of the Calls for proposals and their supporting documentation.
- Supporting the publication, promotion and dissemination of the Calls and targeted stakeholder outreach.
- Providing and maintaining an online submission system (e-system) integrated into the TETTRIX website for the submission, evaluation and awarding of proposals, as well as the follow-up, tracking and reporting of Satellite Projects.
- Establishing procedures and tools for eligibility checking, evaluation, ranking and selection.
- Supporting the organisation of information webinars and responding to or coordinating responses to questions from potential applicants.
- Supporting and coordinating the evaluation and selection process in cooperation with the Community Implementation Committee (CIC), the TETTRIX Coordinator and the TETTRIX Project Coordination Team (PCT).
- Acting as an independent external party within the Evaluation Committee, leading the administrative and eligibility assessment of proposals and supporting the quality assessment and ranking process.
- Supporting the contracting process between CETAF and selected third parties, including the preparation, negotiation and signature of Grant Contracts.
- Acting as project manager for the funded Satellite Projects and monitoring their technical and financial implementation, milestones, deliverables, KPIs, risks, quality, timing and expected results.
- Establishing and maintaining the online mechanisms and methodology required for monitoring the implementation of the Satellite Projects.
- Designing technical and financial reporting templates and procedures, collecting and initially reviewing reports, and supporting their subsequent review.
- Facilitating communication and coordination between CETAF, the CIC, the PCT, Call Leaders, Consultants, Satellites and other relevant stakeholders.
- Supporting the dissemination and exploitation of Satellite Project results, including their publication through the TETTRIX website and other appropriate communication channels.
- Contributing to the Satellite Impact Statements.
- Preparing a comprehensive final Master Report covering the activities carried out under the Third-Party Projects, their results, outcomes, impact and lessons learned.
The Administrator will therefore play a key role in ensuring that the FSTP mechanism is implemented in a transparent, traceable, consistent and efficient manner, while supporting CETAF in complying with the applicable Horizon Europe and TETTRIX requirements.
Contract value
The maximum total price of the Administrator contract is EUR 190,000, including VAT and all costs and charges related to its execution. This amount is separate from the up to EUR 2.4 million available for financial support to Satellite Projects. The FSTP funds will be managed and awarded by CETAF and do not form part of the Administrator’s remuneration.
The contract will be awarded to the tenderer offering the Best Value for Money, based on five equally weighted criteria: Price, Experience, Technical merit, Service content, and Expertise and added value, each accounting for 20% of the evaluation.
How to apply
Interested economic operators are invited to submit a tender to CETAF by email, using the contact details specified in the Request for Tender.
The tender must reach CETAF by 4 October 2026 at 18:00 CET/CEST. Late tenders will not be considered.
Tenderers should provide the information and supporting documentation required by the Request for Tender, including, as applicable:
- a detailed technical/service proposal;
- relevant project references;
- CVs of proposed key personnel;
- information concerning the proposed e-System and technical solution;
- subcontractor information;
- a price breakdown, if applicable; and
- any other required supporting documents.
Tenders must be submitted in English.
For full information on the scope of the services, requirements, evaluation procedure, contractual conditions and submission process, please consult the Request for Tender.