Summary

The Federal Chancellery has completed the WTO tender "QRM-26" and selected ten new framework contract partners for quality and risk management in IT. The contracts are valid for five years with a cost ceiling of 20 million francs and support the central federal administration in its digital transformation. Use of the contracts is optional and self-determined for all federal offices.

Persons

  • Federal Chancellery (Procurement Office)

Topics

  • Public Procurement
  • IT Governance
  • Digital Transformation
  • Risk Management

Clarus Lead

The Federal Chancellery has commissioned ten service providers for quality and risk management (QRM) in IT projects. The budget amounts to a maximum of 20 million francs over five years until the end of 2031. All departments and offices of the central federal administration can use these framework contracts, but do not have to – use is completely optional. The Federal Chancellery is conducting this tender in cooperation with the Federal Office of Buildings and Logistics.

Detailed Summary

The WTO tender "QRM-26" aims to support the federal administration with external specialist expertise for IT projects. Framework contracts of this kind enable individual offices to quickly access qualified specialists without having to conduct a new tender each time. This is central to digital transformation.

The ten selected partners work under identical contract terms. The term extends until the end of 2031; an extension of up to two additional years is possible if the budget has not been exhausted. The cost ceiling of 20 million francs cannot be increased. Each department and office independently decides which services it will use and to what extent – there is no obligation to purchase.

Key Statements

  • Ten new framework contract partners for IT quality and risk management have been selected
  • Cost ceiling: 20 million francs for five years (optional)
  • Available nationwide for all offices of the central administration
  • Contracts run until the end of 2031, optionally renewable for two years
  • No budget increase possible

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: On what basis were the ten partners selected? Which criteria (price, qualifications, experience) were decisive?

  2. Data Quality: How is the quality of QRM services provided measured and monitored? Are there sanction mechanisms for non-performance?

  3. Conflicts of Interest: Are there connections between the selected partners and federal offices that could have influenced their selection?

  4. Causality: Why is a centralized framework contract more efficient than decentralized individual tenders? What cost savings are expected?

  5. Feasibility: How is it ensured that departments and offices actually use the framework contracts and do not stick with existing suppliers?

  6. Risks: What happens if a framework contract partner fails or does not perform? Are there alternative options?

  7. Budget Utilization: What experience exists from previous QRM tenders? Is the 20 million franc budget typically exhausted?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Federal Chancellery – Press Release "Federal Chancellery Publishes Awards from WTO Tender 'QRM-26'" – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/38fASiPwZcTUZzVsMFk22

Verification Status: ✓ 16 March 2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 16 March 2026