Veiligheidsregio Rotterdam-Rijnmond, the safety region serving the Rotterdam-Rijnmond area of the Netherlands, has published a public procurement notice for training services, classified under education, on the European Union’s Tenders Electronic Daily platform. The notice, titled “Netherlands – Training services – Opleidingen/bijscholen brandweerchauffeurs,” is listed as publication 581440-2026 and was posted August 24, 2026.
The procurement is for training and refresher courses for firefighter drivers, commonly referred to in Dutch as ‘brandweerchauffeurs.’ The tender covers “Opleidingen/bijscholen,” meaning initial training and further education, for personnel who operate fire service vehicles.
Tenders are due by October 19, 2026. The notice does not specify a contract value or duration. The contract will be awarded under EU public procurement rules, which require open competition among qualified providers within the European Economic Area.
Procurement through Tenders Electronic Daily
Tenders Electronic Daily (TED) is the online version of the Supplement to the Official Journal of the EU. It is the sole official source for public procurement notices above certain thresholds in EU member states. The inclusion of this notice on TED means the estimated value of the contract exceeds the EU’s directive thresholds, which for services in 2026 is approximately 215,000 euros (around 234,000 U.S. dollars) for central government entities and 221,000 euros (about 240,000 U.S. dollars) for other public authorities, including local safety regions.
Because the classification is education, the contract falls under Annex XIV of Directive 2014/24/EU, which covers certain social and other specific services, including education and training. Such services are subject to lighter procurement rules than standard public works, supplies, or services contracts, though the full open-tender process still applies.
Training for emergency vehicle operators
The training involves driving heavy emergency vehicles, often under time pressure and in traffic. Firefighter driver training in the Netherlands typically includes theory and practice on vehicle handling, traffic regulations for emergency vehicles, and safe operation of pumps and other equipment. Refresher courses, indicated by the term “bijscholen,” are periodic updates required to maintain certification.
The Rotterdam-Rijnmond region is one of the largest safety regions in the Netherlands, covering the port city of Rotterdam and surrounding municipalities. Its fire service operates dozens of stations and a fleet of pumpers, aerial ladder trucks, and specialized vehicles.
Interested training providers can access the full tender documentation through the TED portal or via the Netherlands’ national e-procurement system. The deadline for submissions is 10:00 a.m. Brussels time on the closing date.