Call for Tender – Restaurant Services

FEPS – GENERAL INFORMATION 

The Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) is the think tank of the progressive political family at EU level. Our mission is to develop innovative research, policy advice, training and debates to inspire and inform socialist and social democratic politics and policies across Europe.

We operate as hub for thinking to facilitate the emergence of progressive answers to the challenges that Europe faces today.

FEPS works in close partnership with its members and partners, forging connections and boosting coherence among stakeholders from the world of politics, academia and civil society at local, regional, national, European and global levels.

Today FEPS benefits from a solid network of 74 member organisations. Among these, 43 are full members, 26 have observer status and 5 are ex-officio members. In addition to this network of organisations that are active in the promotion of progressive values, FEPS also has an extensive network of partners, including renowned universities, scholars, policymakers and activists.

Our ambition is to undertake intellectual reflection for the benefit of the progressive movement, and to promote the founding principles of the EU – freedom, equality, solidarity, democracy, respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms, human dignity, and the rule of law.

PURPOSE OF THE PRESENT TENDER 

The purpose of this tender was to select a restaurant that provides high-quality food, a variety of menus, with friendly staff. 

If selected through the present call for tender, FEPS offered the possibility of signing a five-year contract with no exclusivity and no minimum billing amount between August 2023 and August 2028 for providing restaurant services. 

MAIN NEEDS AND PLANNING 

A non-exhaustive list of indicative needs and preferences was the following: 

Indicative list of services required. 

• Provide locally produced food as much as possible. 
• Food must be presented and served at an appropriate temperature for health and safety purposes as well as to ensure quality. 
• Provide different food options for different dietary requirements (vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, gluten-free…) 
• Offer more beverage choices. 
• Provide drinks formula. 
• Provide at least two of the 3 main meals of the day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) 
• Provide different price ranges in the menus. 

PARTICIPATION IN THE TENDERING PROCEDURE 

Tender Process 

FEPS reserves the right to conduct the tender process and select the successful tender. 

FEPS is not bound contractually or in any way to a bidder to this request for tender until FEPS and the successful winner have entered a written contract. 

The key dates of this call for tender are the following: 

➢ Deadline for the submission of applications: receive the offer in writing via email by 24/08/2023. 

➢ Candidate(s) selection: 29/08/2023 

➢ Start of the contract: as soon as possible once selected. 

The offer must contain the total cost of VAT included. Any other costs or additional fees that may be charged in exceptional situations should be detailed and include applicable conditions. 

ASSESSMENT 

In non-preferential order, the evaluation criteria used to assess the quality of the applications are the following: 

Criteria 1: A cost proposal – value for money offered by the applicant. 

Criteria 2: Quality of the service and capacity to handle at least 40 people. 

Criteria 3: Use of local/sustainable products. 

Criteria 4: The provider is based in Brussels, Belgium. 

Criteria 5: Quality and variety of food options (meat – fish – vegan – vegetarian …) 

Criteria 6: Proximity to the city center and/or European area. F E P S / Avenue des Arts 46, B-1000  

Criteria 7: Use of local/sustainable products. 

Criteria 8: Minimize food waste/Use less water. 

Criteria 9: Flexibility. 

Criteria 10: Providing a place to hold an event (business lunches, meetings, receptions, walking dinners…) (THIS IS AN ADVANTAGE) 

Applicants must be able to work in English language. 

CONTACTS 

All written offers were to be submitted to hidaya.ahmedi@feps-europe.eu (FEPS Finance and Administrative Assistant) and put in copy to johan.robberecht@feps-europe.eu (FEPS Director of Operations) and accountancy@feps-europe.eu 

TERMS OF PAYMENT 

Prices must be fixed amounts in Euro. 

The amount of VAT must be disclosed on the price offer and invoice. 

Costs incurred in preparing and submitting tenders are borne by the tenderers and cannot be reimbursed. 

QUALITY ISSUES 

In delivering the service, the tenderer shall ensure the highest quality standards, of which FEPS shall be the sole judge. 

CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST 

The Tenderer undertakes that they will not at any time, either before or after the termination of this service, use or disclose or communicate to any person confidential information relating to the affairs of FEPS. 

This restriction shall continue to apply after the termination of the service without limit in point of time. 

To ensure the independence of the terms of their contract, the winning tenderer will sign a declaration certifying that they have no conflict of interests in relation to the tasks to be undertaken and undertake to inform FEPS’ Director of Operations should this status change. 

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

FEPS reserves the right to reject any and all proposals, in whole or in part, to advertise for new proposals, to abandon the need for services, and to cancel or amend this call for tender at any time prior to the execution of the written contract. FEPS reserves the right to waive any formalities in the call for tender process. FEPS may respond to questions or provide information from tenderers and is under no obligation to provide such responses or information to all other tenderers. 

By submitting a proposal, the tenderer agrees to: 

▪ FEPS may copy the proposal for the purpose of facilitating the evaluation of the proposal and agrees that such copying will not violate the rights of any third party. 

▪ It will not bring any claim or have any cause of action against FEPS based on any misunderstanding concerning the information provided or concerning FEPS’ failure, neglect or otherwise, to provide the bidder with pertinent information as Intended by this call for tender. 

The accomplishment of a tendering procedure imposes no obligation on the FEPS to award the contract. Should the invitation to tender cover several items or lots, FEPS reserves the right to award a contract for only some of them. FEPS shall not be liable for any compensation with respect to tenders whose tenders have not been accepted. Nor shall it be so liable if it decides not to award the contract. 

CONTRACTING AUTHORITY 

Foundation of European Progressive Studies (FEPS)
Rue Montoyer 40
1000 Brussels
EUPF 4 BE0896.230.213
www.feps-europe.eu