Request of FOIA for Frontex RPAS's tenders
Dear European Border and Coast Guard Agency,
Under the right of access to documents in the EU treaties, as developed in Regulation 1049/2001, I am requesting documents which contain the following information:
Regarding tenders Number FRONTEX/2023/OP/0012 (publish date 11/01/2024); FRONTEX/2024/OP/0009 (publish date 22/7/2024); FRONTEX/2024/OP/0037 (publish date 12/8/2024); FRONTEX/2024/OP/0049-PIN (02/10/2024), Unfortunately, through the data available online, I can't find the final contracts signed by Frontex and the contractors.
That's why, per each procedure in the shortlist above, I need documents that should include:
1) which companies awarded each lot of each tender, for what cost of services and time;
2) which RPAS models were provided by each companies and how many devices;
3) where the RPAS provided under these tenders are used, in which EU countries, under what kind of security operations and with which local authorities;
4) when each contract officially started;
5) Per each procedure in the shortlist above, if the contract is closed, In also need assessments documents regarding the conclusion or the ongoing contract of RPAS and drone systems services, the main results, the achievement and the purposes of the mission and relevant data, e.g.: numbers of flight hours; final cost of the mission; numbers of people involved; numbers of illegal entry in the EU patrolled by RPAS, unauthorized operations. The list of documents should include correspondence with other European agencies, e.g. EMSA, and with European Member States Authorities that benefited from Frontex missions.
Yours faithfully,
Luca Zorloni
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: FJV4G5QG83
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Wednesday, 01 September
2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
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References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
Dear European Border and Coast Guard Agency,
Hi tried to access the link, but it showed me an Invalid token message. I copied and pasted, without success. So I can't follow right now the process through you internal link.
Yours faithfully,
Luca Zorloni
Dear Mr/Ms Luca Zorloni,
Thank you for your correspondence.
Please be informed we have verified the functionality of your access
information, including the token, and we can confirm that they are still
valid.
Please find below the details to access correspondence sent on 1 July
2025:
Link: [1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: FJV4G5QG83
Email: [2][FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Wednesday, 01 September
2027.
Kindly try accessing your case again and inform us whether you need
further assistance.
Yours sincerely,
Public Access to Documents Team
European Border and Coast Guard Agency - Frontex
[3]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[4]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
2. mailto:[FOI #16052 email]
4. http://frontex.europa.eu/
Dear PAD,
Unfortunately I did many tentatives to login but I always got back the message: "Invalid token data provided". Are there limitations to browsers to access the PAD? Could you create a new PAD? Many thanks, right now to me it's impossible to access
Yours sincerely,
Luca Zorloni
Dear Mr/Ms Luca Zorloni,
Thank you for your correspondence.
Please be informed we have verified the functionality of your access information, including the token, and we can confirm that they are still valid.
While inserting your data in the form, please pay particular attention to your e-mail address (indicated below), which is used for all replies to your request.
In addition, if you copy and pasted the token, please make sure that all the spaces and other white characters are removed.
Link: https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: FJV4G5QG83
Email: ask+request-16052-f2f35fb9(at)asktheeu.org
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Should you still encounter issues while logging to the Platform, please do not hesitate to contact us by providing screenshots of steps taken, in order to be able to explain to our ICT service the problem.
Yours sincerely,
Public Access to Documents Team
European Border and Coast Guard Agency - Frontex
-------------------
Dear PAD,
the problem is I can't add screenshot to these correspondence. Would mind sending me an email I can reach out to try to fix this issue?
Yours sincerely,
Luca Zorloni
Dear PAD,
I confirmed I get in, the problem was the email address to use wasn't clear.
Yours sincerely,
Luca Zorloni
Dear Mr Zorloni,
Please be informed that your PAD request [PAD-2025-00297] constitutes a
request for information and was forwarded to the Communications Office for
further handling.
Here are replies to your questions:
FRONTEX/2023/OP/0012
Please be informed that the contract did not concern a use of RPAS for
aerial surveillance, but manned rotary wing aircraft.
Regarding questions 1 and 4 please consult the attached Contract Award
Notice (OJS016-00049218). As the contract is still ongoing, the question 5
is premature.
FRONTEX/2024/OP/0009
1) which companies awarded each lot of each tender, for what cost of
services and time;
Please see the Contract Award Notice attached (OJS012-00032852).
2) which RPAS models were provided by each companies and how many devices;
Please be informed that this is commercial sensitive information and
cannot be revealed.
3) where the RPAS provided under these tenders are used, in which EU
countries, under what kind of security operations and with which local
authorities;
For this FWC, the potential host countries are Malta, Italy and Greece.
Any further information is operationally sensitive and cannot be revealed
in order to avoid jeopardising Frontex's operational activities.
4) when each contract officially started;
This information is operationally sensitive and cannot be revealed in
order to avoid jeopardising Frontex's operational activities.
5) Per each procedure in the shortlist above, if the contract is closed,
In also need assessments documents regarding the conclusion or the ongoing
contract of RPAS and drone systems services, the main results, the
achievement and the purposes of the mission and relevant data, e.g.:
numbers of flight hours; final cost of the mission; numbers of people
involved; numbers of illegal entry in the EU patrolled by RPAS,
unauthorized operations. The list of documents should include
correspondence with other European agencies, e.g. EMSA, and with European
Member States Authorities that benefited from Frontex missions.
In case of this contract the question is premature as the contract is
still ongoing.
FRONTEX/2024/OP/0037
Replies to questions 1 and 4 you can find in the attached Contract Award
Notice (OJS014-00040239). Question 2 is not applicable, since the scope of
the contract was not a provision of RPAS as the equipment, but it was
related to RPAS services.
3) where the RPAS provided under these tenders are used, in which EU
countries, under what kind of security operations and with which local
authorities;
The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and other technical equipment deployed
under this contract are deployed in the framework of Joint Operation
Bulgaria 2025. This Innovation Pilot Project is conducted by Frontex and
the Bulgarian Border Police.
5) Per each procedure in the shortlist above, if the contract is closed,
In also need assessments documents regarding the conclusion or the ongoing
contract of RPAS and drone systems services, the main results, the
achievement and the purposes of the mission and relevant data, e.g.:
numbers of flight hours; final cost of the mission; numbers of people
involved; numbers of illegal entry in the EU patrolled by RPAS,
unauthorized operations. The list of documents should include
correspondence with other European agencies, e.g. EMSA, and with European
Member States Authorities that benefited from Frontex missions.
The pilot project is still ongoing.
FRONTEX/2024/OP/0049-PIN
As the procurement procedure has only recently been launched, we are not
allowed to answer any questions yet.
However, we would like to clarify that the procedure does not concern a
use of RPAS for aerial surveillance, but manned fixed wing aircraft.
Kind regards,
Frontex Communications Office
[1]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[2]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
2. http://frontex.europa.eu/
Dear Press,
Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to follow up on my previous request for access to documents, submitted pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001, regarding the types (models) and quantity of drones acquired or operated by Frontex (question 2) [which RPAS models were provided by each companies and how many devices), for each of the contracts you can answer to.
I would like to reiterate the relevance and public interest of this request. The use of drones and other surveillance technologies by EU agencies raises important questions about transparency, accountability, and compliance with fundamental rights. Public access to information on such matters is essential to fostering informed democratic oversight and I can't see any commercial reason to oppose to disclosure.
I would like to respectfully remind you that, under Article 7 of the Regulation, institutions are required to respond to such requests within 15 working days, with the possibility of an extension of another 15 working days in exceptional circumstances. Given that this legal timeframe has now elapsed, I kindly insist to get the overall information I requested.
I look forward to your prompt response and to the disclosure of the requested information.
Yours sincerely,
Yours sincerely,
Luca Zorloni
Dear Mr Zorloni,
Thank you for getting back to us.
Please be informed that we are ready to take over the point 2 of your
request as Public Access to Documents (PAD). Please confirm whether you
intend to process it as a PAD request under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001,
since it has already been dealt as a request for information, which does
not fall under Regulation (EC) No 1049/2001.
Additionally, we would like to inform you that the timelines you refer to
are calculated from the date the PAD application is formally registered,
making them inapplicable to the current case.
Kind regards,
Frontex Press Team
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: K7D6C9EU6B
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Friday, 01 October 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: 2HYFVDY3WT
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Friday, 01 October 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: T4STUWATW8
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Friday, 01 October 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: L72WE2GPY7
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Friday, 08 October 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: 83P2HJBMKG
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Thursday, 28 October 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: IASJEGHM7H
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Monday, 01 November 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/
New information regarding your application is available under this link
[1]https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
Token: NCU8R54D0W
Email: [FOI #16052 email]
Case Id: PAD-2025-00297
Please be informed that the link is valid until Monday, 22 November 2027
[2]Frontex
European Border and Coast Guard Agency
Plac Europejski 6, 00-844 Warsaw, Poland
Tel: +48 22 205 9500 · Fax: +48 22 205 9501
[3]www.frontex.europa.eu
DISCLAIMER: This e-mail message, including any attachments, cannot be
construed as automatically constituting any form of commitment by Frontex
, unless its contents clearly indicate otherwise. It is intended solely
for the use of the addressee(s). Any unauthorised disclosure, use or
dissemination, either in whole or in part, is prohibited. If you have
received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately via
e-mail and delete the e-mail from your system.
References
Visible links
1. https://pad.frontex.europa.eu/PadCases/P...
3. http://frontex.europa.eu/