SERVICE:
Project and Contract Management

Within this EASA Framework Agreement lot 1, NTU provides high quality technical and administrative support to international cooperation projects in the aviation domain. Typical domains where services are requested include: legislation, organisation, safety management, licensing, aircraft operations, production and design, continuing airworthiness, accident and incident investigation, ATM/ANS, aerodromes, environment, security and drones.

Particularly, NTU delivers technical support varying from roadmaps and action plan development to support to implementation and progress monitoring, training and workshops, technical on-site support, support to development of transposition and implementation of regulation, etc. In relation to administrative support, the services target secretarial and administrative tasks such as the organisation of project activities, document management, writing of administrative correspondence and drafts, support in the arrangement of conferences and related travel arrangements, project financial arrangements, etc.

The services provided under EASA Framework Agreement Lot 2 consist in logistical and event management to assist the implementation of the EASA’s international cooperation projects. NTU provides support in the organisation, administration and management of all logistical aspects of international cooperation activities. It includes travel, venue and hotel booking, financial arrangements, visa handling, provision of interpretation services, setting up local office, etc.

Another aspect of the EASA Framework Agreement Lot 2 is the organisation of standard and high-level events and promotional activities with activity planning, stakeholder management, promotion of the event, evaluation and monitoring of the events.

Within the EIB Consultancy services for the transport sector, consultancy services target Road, Rail, Urban transport, Air transport and Waterborne transport sector. The assignments vary throughout across all steps of the project cycle from identification of potential projects to appraisal work, monitoring work, technical assistance to support promoters to develop and implement their projects and post-completion follow-up of operations, including ex-post evaluations.

The high-quality expertise required targets the following areas:

• Project Finance,
• PPPs and concessions;
• Traffic & revenue advice/audit;
• CBA theory and modelling;
• Institutional capacity building;
• Procurement, contract management and claims;
• Transport sector policy & regulation;
• Environment & social impact assessments and management plans;
• Road safety audits and inspections
• Innovative transport (business models and technologies)

Within the Lot 2 Energy, NTU is successfully implementing high-quality assignments in the following sub-sectors: power generation, transmission & distribution networks, oil & gas, energy efficiency, renewable energy. NTU provide targeted support which target the following areas: 

• preparation and review of the complete project documentation (i.e. among others, technical feasibility including option analysis, cost benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, climate risk and vulnerability assessment, institutional viability, and procurement strategy),
• implementation (e.g. preparation and review of detailed designs and tender documents, support over implementation of construction works),
• monitoring and verification of project results,
• preparation for funding and feasibility studies (e.g. sector strategies, master plans, project screening, pre-feasibility, national tariffs, unit cost studies etc.).
• the analysis of horizontal issues, such as the development of methodological guidelines, model project approaches, PPP-grant blending or State-aid issues.

With regard to Lot 4 Smart Growth, Social Infrastructure and Horizon 2020, the services provided target several sub-sectors including: R&D/Innovation, ICT, Health, Education, Regional and Urban Development. They entail the provision of expertise such as:

• Support the preparation of projects / programmes and horizontal activities (e.g., elaboration of studies and capacity building, knowledge creation and dissemination)
• Analysis of horizontal issues, such as the development of methodological guidelines, model project approaches, PPP–grant blending or State–aid issues.

Horizontal services required within the scope of the framework agreement include:

• Project Preparation Support
• Project Implementation Support
• Capacity building, knowledge creation and dissemination
• Provision of advice on regulatory matters
• PPP project and transaction advisory support

Within this Framework Agreement, NTU supports the Bank in its wide range of activities and responsibilities including:

• The technical, economic, financial, procurement, environmental and social appraisal, in line with the Bank’s project appraisal cycle;
• The provision of project preparation and implementation support to promoters including management of major technical assistance programmes;
• Monitoring of projects;
• The provision of specific leading expertise in engineering and economics to undertake specific studies or research in a particular area or sub-sector.

While the sub-sectors covered by Lot 1 Urban Development include urban regeneration, social housing, tourism, circular economy, the sub-sectors under Lot 2 Water and Solid Waste are Water resources and water supply, wastewater management including reuse, flood management and hydrology, solid waste management (municipal waste, hazardous waste).

Through the implementation of separate assignments, NTU is providing support in the preparation and implementation of investment projects and capacity building in the road sector in Hungary. In collaboration with the ROADS division of the Mobility Department, NTU specifically delivers: Project appraisal, project related due diligence activity in accordance with EIB procedures Project monitoring to ensure that the investment project is implemented, completed and operating as planned Additional tasks related to technical assistance and various policy and strategic matters.

This Framework agreement covers the provision of technical expertise and specialized assistance in relation to case handling. It is implemented on the principle of specific assignments. They concern all types of complaints handled by the EIB-Complaints Mechanism within the following sectors: Energy, Manufacturing and industry, Infrastructure and transport, Water and waste management, Health and education, Natural resources and agro-industry, ICT and E-Economy.

The services provided within this Framework Agreement supports in the resolution of disputes between the public and the EIB Group. Support in the complaints treatment is proposed from the reception and registration of the claim until its final resolution and relevant communication.

The Framework Agreement consists in the delivery of consultancy assignments to the EIB PAS Team.  NTU provides specialized support within the defined lots, which can include:

• preparation and review of the complete project documentation including technical feasibility, demand & option analysis, cost benefit analysis, environmental impact assessment, climate risk & vulnerability assessment, institutional viability, and procurement strategy;
• project implementation including preparation & review of detailed designs & tender documents and support over the implementation of construction works;
• monitoring and verification of project results;
• other areas that are necessary for the preparation for funding and feasibility studies includes sector strategies, master plans, national tariffs, unit cost studies etc.

Horizontal services required within the scope of the framework agreement include:

• Planning activities support
• Project Preparation Support
• Project Implementation Support
• Capacity building, institutional building, knowledge creation and dissemination
• Provision of advice on regulatory matters
• Project Assessment

IT services, including service development

Within this Framework Agreement, NTU has implemented 300+ events.

NTU provided support to EASA consisting of various consultancy and/or training services to address the technical cooperation needs and/or action(s) undertaken in the framework of the Agency’s mission. The services required within the contract were, but not limited to, the following:

• Identify the strengths and shortcomings of the target country or region’s aviation system
• Perform gap analyses of the targeted country or region’s aviation system in terms of its current legal, administrative and technical status against the required level (EU or ICAO standards).
• Identify technical assistance needs or cooperation activities appropriate to address the situation of the target country or region, including the identification of corrective actions required to solve the most urgent safety deficiencies
• Develop and/or contribute to the development and implementation of complete and detailed action‐plans for bringing the aviation stakeholders in the target country/region to the required level
• Perform technical training activities in various aviation domains to strengthen the capacity of aviation personnel in the respective project’s target country/region
• Develop training and/or presentation material for EASA experts (or its partners) in the context of the cooperation activities.
• Contribute to the implementation of the action‐plans inter alia by conducting awareness‐raising activities on the EU aviation system and international standards, including providing training and presentations on technical, legal and/or policy subjects as well as the monitoring of actions decided on at events including support in their follow up.
• Conduct studies for the benefit of the target country/region on areas such as: the adoption and implementation of EU Regulations in the recipient country/region’s national legal framework; the realisation of a partnership/cooperation agenda or agreement; Etc.
• Project Management: Support EASA in the operational management of projects by providing operational and support staff to actively participate in the oversight and management of project implementation and related activities.
• Logistical Support & Event Management Services: In support of the realisation of technical cooperation activities assist EASA in the arrangement / administration of all logistical aspects of the project implementation as well as organisation and management of events such as conferences, seminars, workshops, etc.

Between 2013 and 2017, NTU provided technical assistance in evaluating the infrastructure sector projects and programs financed by the Belgian Technical Cooperation in its partner countries. The sub-sectors concerned were water and sanitation, energy, construction (buildings for social, education healthcare and administrative use) and transport.

The BTC evaluation system aimed to obtain quality data in relation to these projects and programs, that on the one hand, value the results achieved, and on the other hand, analyze the development processes that have led to these results. The evaluations have been carried according to the OECD criteria.

Through the mid-term and final evaluations, NTU ultimately supported in increasing accountability of partner countries, stakeholders and donors in the broad sense on the performance of interventions and the use of public funds to achieve development results. Evaluations and their results also contributed to:

• evidence-based decision-making at all levels and by all stakeholders
• draw lessons from the implemented interventions and develop a "knowledge capital" on the development processes in general.

The purpose of the framework contract was to mobilize expertise on short notice for provision of technical assistance in any stage of the project cycle for projects and programmes in any country in the world, receiving external aid from the European Commission. The sectors covered by the framework contract included: Roads and engineering structures, Railways, Harbours and Inland waterway infrastructures, Airports and Air Traffic Management, Inter-modal infrastructures, Transport safety, Buildings (for education, healthcare, administrative and industrial use), Water supply and sanitation networks, Energy infrastructure (hydropower, solar power systems, gas extraction etc.), Solid waste disposal and treatment installations, and Engineering and construction conflicts/disputes resolution.

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• programme and project implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services) and technical annexes (works, supplies) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• monitoring and evaluations (ex-ante, interim, ex-post etc.);
• as well as a number of horizontal aspects such as:
• (cross-) sectoral policies and reforms,
• feasibility and pre-feasibility studies,
• macroeconomics studies and appraisals,
• public financial management, legislation,
• regulations and law enforcement,
• approximation of legislation,
• preparation of project documentation,
• institutional building, capacity building, training and research,
• awareness-raising, (incl. information and communication).

The purpose of the framework contract was to mobilize expertise on short notice for provision of technical assistance in any stage of the project cycle for projects and programmes in any country in the world, receiving external aid from the European Commission. The sectors covered by the framework contract included:

Trade: Trade policy development and reform; Support to trade negotiations; Regional economic integration; Metrology; Conformity assessment covering sanitary and phytosanitary issues and technical barriers to trade; Standards and norms covering sanitary and phytosanitary issues and technical barriers to trade; Support to producers in sanitary and phytosanitary issues and addressing issues related to technical barriers to trade; Intellectual property; Trade in Services; Competition policy; Trade and environment; Trade defence instruments, dispute settlement, transparency and government procurement; Trade promotion; Market analysis and strategy development.

Private sector: Private sector development policy and reform; Privatisation and industrial policy, including Public-Private Partnership; Sector policies; SMEs policy development; Regulatory reform for improving the business environment; Investment promotion (domestic and foreign); Small and Medium enterprises (SME) support services; Commercial banking, inclusive financial services to Small, medium and microenterprises; Financial sector regulation; Corporate governance issues; Support to professional/commercial/advisory bodies.

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• programme and project implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services) and technical annexes (works, supplies) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• monitoring and evaluations (ex-ante, interim, ex-post etc.);
• as well as a number of horizontal aspects such as:
• (cross-) sectoral policies and reforms,
• feasibility and pre-feasibility studies,
• macroeconomics studies and appraisals,
• public financial management, legislation,
• regulations and law enforcement,
• approximation of legislation,
• preparation of project documentation,
• institutional building, capacity building, training and research,
• awareness-raising, (incl. information and communication).

The purpose of the framework contract was to mobilize expertise on short notice for provision of technical assistance in any stage of the project cycle for projects and programmes in any country in the world, receiving external aid from the European Commission. The sectors covered by the framework contract included:

Macro economy: Macroeconomic analysis / reforms (e.g. national accounts, fiscal, balance of payment, monetary), Debt issues, Economic growth, Poverty analysis

Statistics: National statistical systems (e.g. data collection, analysis, publishing, quality control), Performance measurement and monitoring (e.g. indicators identification, setting targets, quality control)

Public financial management (PFM): Assessment, diagnosis and reform of Public financial management, incl. PEFA framework, Audit (Internal and external), Revenue (e.g. direct and indirect, personal and corporate, excise taxes), Budgeting (e.g. policy, planning, preparation, execution, reporting and audit)

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• programme and project implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services) and technical annexes (works, supplies) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• monitoring and evaluations (ex-ante, interim, ex-post etc.);
• as well as a number of horizontal aspects such as:
• (cross-) sectoral policies and reforms,
• feasibility and pre-feasibility studies,
• macroeconomics studies and appraisals,
• public financial management, legislation,
• regulations and law enforcement,
• approximation of legislation,
• preparation of project documentation,
• institutional building, capacity building, training and research,
• awareness-raising, (incl. information and communication).

The purpose of the framework contract was to mobilize expertise on short notice for provision of technical assistance in any stage of the project cycle for projects and programmes in any country in the world, receiving external aid from the European Commission. The sectors covered by the framework contract included: Promotion and protection of human rights, Support to democratisation, Reinforcement of the rule of law and administration of justice, Public administration reform, and civil service reform, Decentralisation and local development, Enhancement of the role of civil society, Home Affairs, the fight against organised crime (incl. drugs) and terrorism.

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• programme and project implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services) and technical annexes (works, supplies) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• monitoring and evaluations (ex-ante, interim, ex-post etc.);
• as well as a number of horizontal aspects such as:
• (cross-) sectoral policies and reforms,
• feasibility and pre-feasibility studies,
• macroeconomics studies and appraisals,
• public financial management, legislation,
• regulations and law enforcement,
• approximation of legislation,
• preparation of project documentation,
• institutional building,
• capacity building, training and research,
• awareness-raising (incl. information and communication).

The purpose of the framework contract was to mobilize expertise on short notice for provision of technical assistance in any stage of the project cycle for projects and programmes. The sectors covered by the framework contract included: Social development/Employment/Eradication of poverty, Education, Health, Civil society, Human rights, Governance/state reform/security, Migration, Trade/Development of the Private Sector, Food security, Rural development, Environment/climate/natural resources/energy, and Development policies.

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• programme and project implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services) and technical annexes (works, supplies) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• monitoring and evaluations (ex-ante, interim, ex-post etc.);
• as well as a number of horizontal aspects such as:
• (cross-) sectoral policies and reforms,
• feasibility and pre-feasibility studies,
• macroeconomics studies and appraisals,
• public financial management, legislation,
• regulations and law enforcement,
• approximation of legislation,
• preparation of project documentation,
• institutional building,
• capacity building, training and research,
• awareness-raising (incl. information and communication).

Between 2013 and 2017, NTU provided support to the Bank, in particular the Mobility Department of the Project Directorate, in its wide range of activities and responsibilities, including:

• the technical, economic, financial, environmental and social appraisal and monitoring of projects.
• the provision of project preparation and implementation support to promoters including management of major technical assistance programmes. the provision of specific leading expertise in engineering and economics to undertake specific studies or research in a particular area or sub-sector of the transport sector.

The sub-sectors covered under this lot were Motorways, Bridges, Tunnels, Urban roads, and Road bypasses.

The LIFE Programme was designed by the EU for the Environment and Climate Action for the period 2014-2020, contributing to sustainable development, the achievement of the objectives and targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the relevant Union environment and climate strategies and plans. The general objectives of LIFE were: 

1. to contribute to the shift towards a resource-efficient, low-carbon and climate- resilient economy, to the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment and to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including the support of Natura 2000 network and tackling the degradation of ecosystems;
2. to improve the development, implementation and enforcement of Union environmental and climate policy and legislation, and to act as a catalyst for, and promote, the integration and mainstreaming of environmental and climate objectives into other Union policies and public and private sector practice, including by increasing the public and private sector's capacity;
3. to support better environmental and climate governance at all levels, including better involvement of civil society, NGOs and local actors;
4. to support the implementation of the 7th Environment Action Programme.

In this context, NTU provided assistance and technical support for the evaluation and revision of the proposals submitted under:

• the annual calls for action grants under LIFE; and
• the calls for proposals for the award of annual operating grants or framework partnership agreements with European Environmental NGOs under LIFE

The purpose of the framework agreements was to provide consulting, advisory, planning and engineering services to the central and local government bodies in Denmark for servicing punctual needs defined on case by case basis by the concerned public authorities. 

The sectors covered by the framework agreements included:

• Lot: 17.04 Ports and Marine Structure

This includes services related to construction of all types of ports in seas, lakes and rivers and structures in beaches and coast lines, encompassing both the establishment of new facilities and expansion/renovation of already existing facilities, such as: Traffic Ports, Industrial Ports, Marinas, Quays, Port terminals, Beach Park, Bath facilities, Dikes, Channels

• Lot 17.06: Infrastructure and Urban Planning

The geographical scope of the contract covered the Capital Region of Denmark and Zealand Region, the Region of Southern Denmark, and Region Central Denmark and Region Northern Denmark, and included the following services: Infrastructure master planning, Regional plans, District plans, Municipal plans, Urban planning, Town and centre plans, Countryside plans, EIA, Land use

• Lot 17.08: Traffic Planning

This included services related to preparation of new or revision of existing traffic plans, including Transport demand analyses, Traffic analyses, Traffic plans, Traffic modelling, Traffic simulation models, Traffic safety and accessibility, Traffic and transport terminals

The purpose of the Framework Contract is the provision of highly qualified external expertise, to support with ensuring objectivity and high in the design and preparation of Community policy initiatives and legislative proposals of Community policies and programmes.

The services provided within the framework contract included:

• economic analysis of the energy and transport markets, including questions relating to market access, market monitoring, market integration and organisation and logistics, cross-border cooperation and analysis of relevant statistics or geographical data;
• research, analysis and recommendations concerning the operability of the internal market, the effects of applying competition law, public services and State aid;
• analysis, assessment and monitoring of the economic and financial situation of the companies and organizations active in the transport and energy sectors;
• analysis, assessment and monitoring of appropriations granted by Community Funds, auditing of public and private sector enterprises;
• studies and analyses, including the social and fiscal aspects, relating to a specific energy/transport sector;
• development and funding of the various renewable energy sectors; study of the geopolitical aspects of the international trade in and transport of energy;
• forecasting of future energy and transport demands across the EU-27 and the IPA Region;
• gathering/analysis of statistics and forecasts concerning the utilisation of commercial data and data relating to energy and transport supply and demand;
• analysis of data submitted by Member States and reports based on such data as is often required by Community legislation

The services required fell within the following areas of expertise:

• programme and project identification and preparation / formulation;
• assistance implementation;
• preparation of Terms of Reference (services, works, supplies, …) and evaluation of offers (Procurement);
• Evaluations, (Cross-) sectoral policies and reforms;
• (Cross-) sectoral and macroeconomic (economic, budgetary);
• legislation, regulations and law enforcement;
• approximation of legislation;
• institutional building;
• data collection;
• training and research;
• awareness-raising, (incl. information and communication);
• information systems and technological development.