Tender specifications

7.2.Certificate and certification procedures

The contractor will ensure that each course or training event ends with a final test/examination and the award of a corresponding certificate allowing each participant to demonstrate and attest his/her newly acquired competences. A template of the final certificate awarded and a mock-up of the test to be submitted to participants should be enclosed with the offer.

Furthermore, the tenderer should indicate which certification procedure managed by the tenderer or by its subcontractors will be accessible to all trainees after the training. The certification should aim to further develop the competences and skills of trainees.
In particular, the certification programme for the Basic Computer Forensic Examiner course should be recognised at international level and comply with the standards, protocols and procedures of accredited international forensics associations, competent bodies or expert witnesses. The tenderer should provide information in its technical proposal (see Annex III, to be filled in) on the requirements procedure (if any) to be followed by the participants in order to become a certified digital forensics examiner.
Regular statistics on the number of certified trainees will be provided by the contractor to the European Commission during the course of the framework contract.

7.3.Networking tools and social events

Tenderers should give detailed information about available networking tools (e.g. forums, networking platforms,) for disseminating and exchanging experiences and best practices, and sharing training materials, case studies and any other related information among trainees. Those tools should provide a permanent forum allowing trainees to continue learning and build upon the training received.

The contractor will develop, manage and regularly update those tools. The European Commission (OLAF) and national law enforcement agencies sending trainees should have full access to them (e.g. password giving access to the forum, networking platforms or any other secured access).
The contractor will also organise a limited number of social events with a maximum of five events per training event to be scheduled as follows:
- two events during the first training week;

- one event during the weekend (before the start of the second week);

- two events during the second training week.
In their technical proposal, tenderers should propose the venue and type of activities selected for each social event and indicate relevant rates in the financial offer. For each specific contract, the contractor will send the social activities envisaged for each training event to the European Commission (OLAF) for approval at least one month before the start of training.

8.Confidentiality, data protection

The strictest confidentiality is required for all persons working under the framework contract, in particular trainers. Any breach of confidentiality will be treated as professional misconduct and could lead to the termination of the framework contract (see template in the enclosed Annex VI). No filming or taping by the contractor or third parties during any part of the programme will be allowed unless authorised in advance by the European Commission (OLAF). Specific requirements relating to the protection of personal data are set out in the framework contract. The contractor is responsible for ensuring that all data to which it or its staff gain access in the course of the framework contract are treated confidentially and in conformity with EC Regulation No 45/2001. The contractor is equally responsible for ensuring that this obligation applies to all of its subcontractors.

9.Property

All training material developed by the contractor in the course of the contract, including materials, trainer guides, exercises, slides etc., is the property of the European Commission with the exception of any material that had already been developed previously and which is protected by intellectual property rights. The contractor must clearly declare any such material to the European Commission (OLAF) in writing in advance of its use. If the contractor decides to use any material or tools protected by the intellectual property rights of a third party during a training course, it is responsible for taking any steps necessary for their use, including the payment of any licences or royalties. In the event of dispute, the contractor assumes full and sole responsibility, without recourse against the European Commission, for any damage incurred by a third party. No material or tools of this nature may be used by the contractor without the formal agreement of the European Commission. The European Commission will reimburse the contractor for the costs it has to pay to the official dealer or licence holder. Accordingly, the likely costs of any such material or tools should not be included in tenderers’ offers.

10.Subcontracting

Subcontracting is permitted. It must be approved by the Commission (OLAF), either through its acceptance of the tenderer’s offer, or, if proposed by the contractor after signature of the framework contract, through an addendum to the framework contract. Such an addendum may only be agreed, exceptionally, where the Commission (OLAF) considers such subcontracting to be necessary to implement the contract, and does not lead to distortion of competition.
Tenderers must indicate clearly in their tenders which parts of the work will be subcontracted and the identity of all subcontractors undertaking work accounting for more than 10 % of the total value of the framework contract. Full details of the subcontractors (name, place of establishment, services and amounts provided) must also be given in the tender. The lead contractor will be fully responsible for the delivery of all services under the framework contract.

11.Publicity

The contractor will mention the support from the Hercule Programme in every publication (title page) or related material (e.g. booklets, newsletters, leaflets) and in electronic information (e.g. websites, audio-visual material, videos, software).