Lot 1 – acquisition of technical assistance services consisting of specialized support in conducting a performance verification of RNMCA and identifying the needs for future modernization/development, estimating the costs necessary for the maintenance and/or replacement of equipment in the future, considering the latest legislative progress at the European level in the field of air quality;

Lot 2 – acquisition of technical assistance services consisting of specialized support in the Competitive Dialogue procedure and in the preparation of procurement documents for the development of the forecasting system and the unique emissions database, as well as in the execution/implementation of contracts to be concluded with developers of these applications.

The objective of this procurement is to provide technical support to UIP/MMAP in identifying the optimal way to achieve the project objectives "Improving the national air quality assessment and monitoring system" and choosing the most advantageous paths for achieving the expected results in this project, by:
- specialized support in conducting a performance verification of the National Air Quality Monitoring Network (RNMCA) and identifying the needs for future modernization/development, estimating the costs necessary for the maintenance and/or replacement of equipment in the future, considering the latest legislative developments at the European level in the field of air quality;
- specialized support in the acquisition and implementation of an air quality forecasting system and a unique emissions database, capable of optimally fulfilling all functions requested by the contracting authority in fulfilling its duties in the field of air pollutant emissions.
Technical assistance will be provided by highly qualified specialists in relevant fields who will support the UIP team in identifying the optimal way to achieve the project's objectives and provide support to the beneficiary's staff in the project's implementation and endorsement of its results.
The target group for this contract is the UIP staff within the contracting authority, responsible for project management, as well as the technical staff from the UIP and from the project implementation team established at ANPM, who are responsible for improving the functioning of RIATG and for collaborating with the developer of the IT applications necessary for achieving the air quality forecasting system and the unique emissions database for providing information, tracking compliance with legislative requirements, and achieving project objectives. The target group is responsible for taking over the project's results for future operation.
To obtain reliable results, as well as for the efficient management of the project, considering the different approaches and the execution of activities, it is proposed that the acquisition of technical assistance services take place in lots, corresponding to the 2 proposed objectives.

LOT-0001
Lot 1 – Technical assistance services for the performance verification of RNMCA.
Lot 1 – acquisition of technical assistance services consisting of specialized support in conducting a performance verification of RNMCA and identifying the needs for future modernization/development, estimating the costs necessary for the maintenance and/or replacement of equipment in the future, considering the latest legislative progress at the European level in the field of air quality.

To fulfill the contract, the provider will carry out the following activities:
a. Verification of RNMCA's compliance with the latest legislative advancements at the European level in the field of air quality, consisting at least of:
- compliance with requirements regarding measured pollutants and the type of monitoring stations;
- compliance with requirements regarding the minimum number of sampling points for fixed measurements;
- compliance with requirements regarding the location of sampling points at macro and micro scale, verified through on-site visits;
- compliance with requirements regarding methods used for measurements;
- compliance with requirements regarding quality assurance and control of measurements.
b. Verification of the technical condition of RNMCA equipment and components and identification of the degree of physical and moral wear of the equipment and components.
The verifications will address all types of existing equipment in RNMCA - automatic measuring devices, sampling equipment, laboratory apparatus used in determining air quality parameters, auxiliary equipment in monitoring stations, calibration equipment, equipment that ensures data collection and transmission and informing the public.
To determine the degree of physical wear of the equipment, criteria such as (the criteria are not limited to):
- ability to achieve the intended operating parameters,
- number of operating hours,
- compliance with maintenance schedules provided in specific technical documentation,
- repairs/interventions suffered,
while to determine moral wear, aspects such as:
- year of manufacture and evolution of the equipment type since that date,
- assimilation/adaptation to changes in applicable regulations for the equipment,
- the situation regarding the production of the type of equipment and spare parts,
- other aspects (material consumption, energy efficiency, operational safety, environmental protection, ease of operation, etc.).
c. Development of a maintenance program for RNMCA equipment considering the standard periods provided by the technical documentation of the equipment and the additional maintenance operations necessary as a result of the equipment's wear (extended maintenance).
d. Formulation of recommendations and proposals for achieving compliance and optimizing the functioning of RNMCA according to the latest legislative progress at the European level in the field of air quality.
e. Development of a modernization plan for RNMCA staggered over 3 years, which presents, based on the economic-financial analysis of the situation found, the number and type of equipment proposed for purchase, replacement, relocation, repair, preventive maintenance, as the case may be, for compliance with the latest legislative progress at the European level in the field of air quality, as well as an estimate of the annual budgets necessary for the administration of RNMCA.
The activities provided in points a) - e) will be performed for each pollutant from Law no. 104/2011 regarding the quality of the surrounding air, with subsequent modifications, as well as for new pollutants introduced by Directive (EU) 2024/2881 of the European Parliament and of the Council of October 23, 2024, regarding the quality of the surrounding air and cleaner air for Europe (reform).
The current composition of RNMCA is presented in Annex 1 of the Terms of Reference.
At the provider's request, the contracting authority will provide all the information it holds and that is necessary for the realization of the contracted services.

LOT-0002
LOT 2- Technical assistance services for the representation of MMAP in specific procedures.
Lot 2 – acquisition of technical assistance services consisting of specialized support in the Competitive Dialogue procedure and in the preparation of procurement documents for the development of the forecasting system and the unique emissions database, as well as in the execution/implementation of contracts that will be concluded with developers of these applications.

To fulfill the contract, at least the following main activities will be carried out:
a. Technical assistance for the preparation of procurement documents for the air quality forecasting system and for inventorying air pollutant emissions (terms of reference, necessity report, contracting strategy);
b. Technical assistance in carrying out the competitive dialogue procedure for the contracting authority to acquire services for the creation and implementation of the air quality forecasting system and of the air pollutant emissions inventory:
- technical assistance for the evaluation and selection of candidates;
- participation in meetings with selected candidates and supporting the contracting authority in discussing technical aspects with them, respectively participating in the dialogue;
- identifying the optimal solution for the realization of the applications and defining the technical project;
- support in identifying the solution/solutions capable of meeting the contracting authority's needs regarding the development of the air quality forecasting system and the inventory of air pollutant emissions;
- providing technical support in the evaluation and selection of offers, including the final offers developed according to the solution/solutions identified as apt to ensure, under the best conditions, the development of the air quality forecasting system and the inventory of air pollutant emissions;
- formulating responses to clarification questions, as applicable;
- providing technical support in the acquisition procedure through competitive dialogue, until concluding the service contract with the developer of the air quality forecasting system and the inventory of air pollutant emissions.
c. Technical assistance in the execution of the service contract for the creation and implementation of the air quality forecasting system and the inventory of air pollutant emissions:
- monitoring the implementation stages according to the technical project;
- verification of the results (deliverables and documents) specified in the procurement documentation and in the service contract;
- verification of the fulfillment of the objectives of the service contract for the development of the air quality forecasting system and the inventory of air pollutant emissions and proposing the reception of services;
- providing UIP with technical assistance in all unforeseen aspects and situations that arise during the execution of the contract and implementation of the project "Improving the national air quality assessment and monitoring system";
- verifying and confirming that the provider has transferred to the beneficiary all necessary information for the operation of the system and its further development, without the presence of the developer being mandatory.