81318807-Support for the implementation of the EAC Regional AI Alliance to enhance AI research, higher education, and AI strategy development in the region

The EAC AI Alliance (East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation is a regional initiative) hosted by the East African Community (EAC) and implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), with support from GIZ on behalf of …

CPV: 80000000 Services d'enseignement et de formation, 79951000 Services d'organisation de séminaires
Délai:
9 septembre 2025 12:00
Type de délai:
Soumission d'offres
Lieu d'exécution:
81318807-Support for the implementation of the EAC Regional AI Alliance to enhance AI research, higher education, and AI strategy development in the region
Service d'adjudication:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Numéro d'adjudication:
81318807

1. Buyer

1.1 Buyer

Official name : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Legal type of the buyer : Public undertaking, controlled by a central government authority
Activity of the contracting authority : General public services

2. Procedure

2.1 Procedure

Title : 81318807-Support for the implementation of the EAC Regional AI Alliance to enhance AI research, higher education, and AI strategy development in the region
Description : The EAC AI Alliance (East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation is a regional initiative) hosted by the East African Community (EAC) and implemented by the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), with support from GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The EAC AI Alliance aims to strengthen the regional AI ecosystem by advancing digital skills, applied research, and policy development to foster inclusive innovation and sustainable economic growth. The initiative responds to urgent challenges across the EAC region: weak regional research collaboration, fragmented digital development, misalignment between academic training and labour market demands, and a lack of regional policy frameworks for AI and data governance. A core goal is to close the AI skills gap by promoting equitable access to industry-relevant training and practice-oriented research. The project"s mission is to foster responsible and inclusive AI development through collaboration between academia, industry, governments, and civil society. Its vision is a digitally empowered East Africa where AI contributes to economic integration, gender equity, and sustainable development. Three interdependent objectives guide implementation: (1) Strengthen regional AI research and innovation by fostering cross-border collaboration through a Network of Excellence, (2) Enhance AI capacity in higher education through inclusive, market-aligned curricula and microcredentials, and (3) Support the development of a harmonized, ethical, and gender-responsive AI governance framework across the EAC. These objectives are aligned with the EAC"s political commitments and endorsed by the EAC Sectoral Council. The project builds on existing regional capacities and is backed by EUR 5 million in German development cooperation funding, with additional co-financing and strategic partnerships envisaged for future scaling.
Procedure identifier : 1faa866a-5d80-4a22-aaa6-bd097c93b62b
Internal identifier : 81318807
Type of procedure : Open
The procedure is accelerated : no

2.1.1 Purpose

Main nature of the contract : Services
Main classification ( cpv ): 80000000 Education and training services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 79951000 Seminar organisation services

2.1.2 Place of performance

Town : GIZ EAC, EAC Headquarter, Former State Lodge, Mashariki Road
Country : Tanzania

2.1.3 Value

Estimated value excluding VAT : 641 800 Euro

2.1.4 General information

Additional information : Bekanntmachungs-ID: CXTRYY6YT9WGLWFX All communication takes place in English via communication tool in the project area of the procurement portal.
Legal basis :
Directive 2014/24/EU
vgv -

2.1.6 Grounds for exclusion

Sources of grounds for exclusion : Notice
Breaching of obligations set under purely national exclusion grounds : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB, § 22 LkSG
Participation in a criminal organisation : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Terrorist offences or offences linked to terrorist activities : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Money laundering or terrorist financing : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Fraud : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Corruption : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Child labour and including other forms of trafficking in human beings : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Breaching obligation relating to payment of taxes : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Breaching obligation relating to payment of social security contributions : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Breaching of obligations in the fields of environmental law : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Breaching of obligations in the fields of social law : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Breaching of obligations in the fields of labour law : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Insolvency : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Assets being administered by liquidator : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Business activities are suspended : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Analogous situation like bankruptcy, insolvency or arrangement with creditors under national law : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Grave professional misconduct : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Agreements with other economic operators aimed at distorting competition : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Conflict of interest due to its participation in the procurement procedure : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Direct or indirect involvement in the preparation of this procurement procedure : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Early termination, damages, or other comparable sanctions : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB
Misrepresentation, withheld information, unable to provide required documents and obtained confidential information of this procedure : In accordance with §§ 123,124 GWB

5. Lot

5.1 Lot technical ID : LOT-0001

Title : 81318807-Support for the implementation of the EAC Regional AI Alliance to enhance AI research, higher education, and AI strategy development in the region
Description : This tender seeks a qualified service provider to support the design, coordination, and initial implementation of the East African Alliance for Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation. The contractor will deliver technical assistance and advisory services in close cooperation with EAC institutions and the GIZ project team. The assignment covers three interconnected work packages that support the Alliance"s strategic goals. Work Package 1: Strengthening AI Research and Innovation The contractor will support IUCEA, EASTECO, and partner institutions in setting up the Alliance"s research collaboration framework, including the establishment of a regional Network of Excellence with nodes in all EAC partner states. This includes identifying use cases, supporting research partnerships, advising on access to data and computing infrastructure, and coordinating regional research tracks in priority areas (e.g. health, agriculture, climate, trade). A strong emphasis will be placed on gender-responsive and practice-oriented collaboration with universities, research centres, and the private sector. Work Package 2: Enhancing AI in Higher Education and Skills Development The contractor will assist in designing and piloting practice-oriented, inclusive AI study offers and digital learning formats, including microcredentials. This involves advising IUCEA and selected universities on aligning curricula with regional AI labour market needs, facilitating partnerships between academia and industry, and organizing capacity development for academic staff. The aim is to support long-term integration of AI education into regional higher education standards. Work Package 3: Supporting Regional AI Governance and Policy The contractor will provide strategic advice and process support for developing the EAC"s regional AI policy framework. This includes facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue, supporting the drafting of gender-responsive and ethical policy recommendations, and organizing training for policymakers on responsible AI use. The work will contribute to the policy mandate issued by the EAC Sectoral Council in 2024. In addition, the contractor will contribute to knowledge management, communications, and monitoring frameworks and support the development of the Alliance"s governance and secretariat model. Collaboration with global partners (e.g. UNESCO, Smart Africa), industry actors, and regional stakeholders will be essential. The selected contractor must demonstrate regional expertise, policy advisory capacity, and strong facilitation and coordination skills in multi-country settings.
Internal identifier : 81318807

5.1.1 Purpose

Main nature of the contract : Services
Main classification ( cpv ): 80000000 Education and training services
Additional classification ( cpv ): 79951000 Seminar organisation services
Options :
Description of the options : GIZ may optionally commission contract amendments and/or increases based on the criteria in the tender documents to the successful bidder of this tender. For details, please see the terms of reference.

5.1.2 Place of performance

Town : GIZ EAC, EAC Headquarter, Former State Lodge, Mashariki Road
Country : Tanzania
Additional information :

5.1.3 Estimated duration

Start date : 17/11/2025
Duration end date : 31/12/2027

5.1.4 Renewal

Maximum renewals : 2
Other information about renewals : GIZ may optionally commission contract amendments and/or increases based on the criteria in the tender documents to the successful bidder of this tender. For details, please see the terms of reference.

5.1.6 General information

Reserved participation : Participation is not reserved.
The names and professional qualifications of the staff assigned to perform the contract must be given : Not required
Procurement Project not financed with EU Funds.
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) : yes
This procurement is also suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) : yes
Additional information : #Besonders auch geeignet für:selbst#, #Besonders auch geeignet für:startup#

5.1.7 Strategic procurement

Aim of strategic procurement : Reduction of environmental impacts
Description : See Terms of Reference
Approach to reducing environmental impacts : Climate change adaptation

5.1.9 Selection criteria

Sources of selection criteria : Notice
Criterion : Other economic or financial requirements
Description : EN-A1: Principles for the execution of orders (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): The eligbility criteria are not from the same category as stipulated above, as there is no suitable category. 1. Self-declaration: name of company and address, tax ID, registration and commercial register number or equivalent register in accordance with the legal provisions of the country of origin. 2. No grounds for exclusion pursuant to § 123, § 124 GWB, § 22 LkSG, EU-Russia sanctions 3. Declaration of bidding consortium and/or declaration of subcontractors (if applicable)
Criterion : References on specified services
Description : EN-B1: Technical and professional ability (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): 1. The technical assessment is only based on reference projects with a minimum commission value of 400000 EUR. 2. At least 3 reference projects in the technical field Regional Cooperation in Education, Research, Policy in the AI/Tech sector and at least 2 reference projects in Eastern Africa In the last 36 months (deadline: date of publication of invitation to tender).
Criterion : Average yearly turnover
Description : EN-C1: Economic and financial standing (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): Average annual turnover for the last three years (last-but-four financial year can be included in case of tenders held within 6 months of end of last financial year), at least: 1200000 EUR.
Criterion : Other economic or financial requirements
Description : EN-C2: Economic and financial standing (Mit dem Angebot; Mittels Eigenerklärung): Average number of employees and managers in the last three calendar years, at least 10 persons.

5.1.11 Procurement documents

Languages in which the procurement documents are officially available : English
Deadline for requesting additional information : 29/08/2025 23:59 +02:00

5.1.12 Terms of procurement

Terms of submission :
Electronic submission : Required
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted : English
Electronic catalogue : Not allowed
Variants : Not allowed
Tenderers may submit more than one tender : Not allowed
Deadline for receipt of tenders : 09/09/2025 12:00 +02:00
Deadline until which the tender must remain valid : 203 Day
Information that can be supplemented after the submission deadline :
At the discretion of the buyer, some missing tenderer-related documents may be submitted later.
Additional information : GIZ asks the applicant or bidder to submit, complete or correct documents, within the framework laid down by law.
Information about public opening :
Opening date : 09/09/2025 12:00 +02:00
Terms of contract :
The execution of the contract must be performed within the framework of sheltered employment programmes : No
Conditions relating to the performance of the contract : The execution conditions result from the information given in the contract notice and the tender documents.
Electronic invoicing : Required
Electronic ordering will be used : yes
Electronic payment will be used : yes

5.1.15 Techniques

Framework agreement :
No framework agreement
Information about the dynamic purchasing system :
No dynamic purchase system

5.1.16 Further information, mediation and review

Review organisation : Vergabekammern des Bundes
Information about review deadlines : According to Article 160, Section 3 of the German Act Against Restraint of Competition (GWB), application for review is not permissible insofar as 1. the applicant has identified the claimed infringement of the procurement rules before submitting the application for review and has not submitted a complaint to the contracting authority within a period of 10 calendar days; the expiry of the period pursuant to Article 134, Section 2 remains unaffected, 2. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that are evident in the tender notice are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for the application or by the deadline for the submission of bids, specified in the tender notice. 3. complaints of infringements of procurement rules that first become evident in the tender documents are not submitted to the contracting authority at the latest by the expiry of the deadline for application or by the deadline for the submission of bids, 4. more than 15 calendar days have expired since receipt of notification from the contracting authority that it is unwilling to redress the complaint. Sentence 1 does not apply in the case of an application to determine the invalidity of the contract in accordance with Article 135, Section 1 (2). Article 134, Section 1, Sentence 2 remains unaffected.
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Organisation receiving requests to participate : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

8. Organisations

8.1 ORG-0001

Official name : Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Registration number : 993-80072-52
Postal address : Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1 - 5
Town : Eschborn
Postcode : 65760
Country subdivision (NUTS) : Main-Taunus-Kreis ( DE71A )
Country : Germany
Telephone : +49 6196791481
Fax : +49 6196791115
Internet address : https://www.giz.de
Roles of this organisation :
Buyer
Organisation providing additional information about the procurement procedure
Organisation receiving requests to participate

8.1 ORG-0002

Official name : Vergabekammern des Bundes
Registration number : 022894990
Postal address : Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 16
Town : Bonn
Postcode : 53113
Country subdivision (NUTS) : Bonn, Kreisfreie Stadt ( DEA22 )
Country : Germany
Telephone : +49 2289499-0
Roles of this organisation :
Review organisation

8.1 ORG-0003

Official name : Datenservice Öffentlicher Einkauf (in Verantwortung des Beschaffungsamts des BMI)
Registration number : 0204:994-DOEVD-83
Town : Bonn
Postcode : 53119
Country subdivision (NUTS) : Bonn, Kreisfreie Stadt ( DEA22 )
Country : Germany
Telephone : +49228996100
Roles of this organisation :
TED eSender

Notice information

Notice identifier/version : 0647ca0d-4601-42db-af90-ba38ba1964d1 - 01
Form type : Competition
Notice type : Contract or concession notice – standard regime
Notice dispatch date : 07/08/2025 08:46 +02:00
Languages in which this notice is officially available : English
Notice publication number : 00522006-2025
OJ S issue number : 151/2025
Publication date : 08/08/2025