Belgium’s Enabel Updates IT and Biometric Equipment Tender for DRC Development Project

Enabel, Belgium’s development agency, has issued a new tender for supplying office, computing, and biometric equipment to a partner institution in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This procurement initiative comes amid broader efforts to modernize the DRC’s digital infrastructure, following the country’s cancellation of a $1.2 billion national biometric ID system contract last year. The current tender encompasses three distinct components: server room establishment, desktop computer provision, and biometric equipment renewal.

The contracts will commence on February 17, 2025, with an 18-month duration. The procurement process follows an open procedure, allowing participation from all eligible suppliers who can demonstrate requisite technical, professional, and financial capabilities. This approach aligns with Enabel’s previous infrastructure development projects in the region, which have focused on building sustainable digital capacity in partner institutions.

Bid submissions must be made in French or Dutch and delivered physically by January 28, 2025, at 10:00 AM (UTC+1). Electronic submissions are not permitted due to infrastructure limitations in the DRC, though electronic invoicing will be required for the selected supplier.

The selection process will evaluate bids based on price competitiveness and quality metrics, as detailed in the tender documentation. While not funded by EU resources, the procurement adheres to Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) standards, ensuring transparency and fair competition in international bidding processes.

The tender represents an update to a previous notice, incorporating procedural modifications effective January 20, 2025. Administrative oversight falls under Belgium’s Council of State, with the tender being dispatched through the country’s FPS Policy and Support system. The governance structure ensures compliance with both Belgian and international development cooperation frameworks.

Prospective suppliers must submit comprehensive proposals demonstrating their capability to deliver IT and biometric solutions in international development contexts. This requirement is particularly significant given the DRC’s challenging infrastructure environment and the technical complexities of implementing biometric systems in developing regions. The full tender documentation, including detailed technical specifications and evaluation criteria, is accessible through Belgium’s public procurement portal.

Sources: TED

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January 21, 2025 – by Ji-seo Kim