About 170 staff members from different European Commission departments subject to individual monitoring provided by the contracting authority are occupationally exposed to ionising radiation in the course of their work. The employer shall arrange for precautions and radiation monitoring appropriate to the risks associated with the work involving external exposure to ionising radiation as well as doses due to potential intakes of radioactive substances. The contracting authority has established a system for systematic monitoring, recording and reporting of individual radiation exposures.The individual radiation monitoring comprises also the annual detection of possible internal exposure due to intakes of radioactive substances with the Whole-Body Counter (‘routine’ monitoring) as well as ad-hoc detection of possible intakes (‘special’ monitoring). Radiation measurements in vivo with subsequent assessment of doses due to intakes of radioactive substances are subject of this call for tender.

The monitoring program foresees in vivo radiation measurements once per year for each staff member classified as exposed worker. Majority of exposed workers serving as Euratom safeguards inspectors determine the importance of conducting annual ‘routine’ measurements: as the safeguards operations continue, inspectors being subject to radiation protection framework shall undergo all relevant tests and examinations without exception. Hence, the whole body counter services contracted must be highly reliable in their continuous operation.

This call for tender invites laboratories approved for performance of whole body radiation measurements and for assessment of doses due to intakes of radioactive substances to submit relevant and detailed offers.