BeneficiaryUniversity of Zagreb – Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF)ProcedureOpen procedure, also published in the Official Journal of the EU
In brief: INOVUM SRL of Oradea won the open tender organised by the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb (PBF) for a 3D bioprinter. Three companies took part in the tender, from Croatia, Romania and Turkey. INOVUM’s bid obtained 95 out of 100 points, against 60.50 points for the next valid bid, and was declared the winner on 15 April 2026. On 25 June 2026, the equipment was delivered, installed and commissioned, and the users were trained at the faculty’s premises in Zagreb.
- 95 / 100INOVUM’s score, 1st place
- 3 bidsfrom Croatia, Romania and Turkey
- ≈29%below the faculty’s estimated value
- 24 monthsof warranty from handover
A second country, the same approach
After delivering the first 3D bioprinter purchased through a public tender in Romania, to USAMV Bucharest, INOVUM took the same kind of project to another EU Member State. The equipment delivered to Zagreb is the first 3D bioprinter purchased through a public tender in Croatia. It was bought under the Croatian public procurement law, through the national e-procurement platform EOJN, with documentation in Croatian.
How the contract was awarded
The bioprinter was Lot 6 of a larger purchase of equipment for the project “Multidisciplinary infrastructure for next-generation protein-based products” (NEXT GEN-PBF). The purchase had 11 lots and a total estimated value of EUR 1,693,648.48. The notice was published on 30 January 2026, both on the Croatian EOJN platform and in the Official Journal of the European Union.
On 2 March 2026, three bids were submitted for the bioprinter lot. The committee checked the documents, requested technical clarifications and translations into Croatian, and evaluated the valid bids using a scoring system that combined price with technical features.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Contracting authority | University of Zagreb – Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF) |
| Subject | 3D bioprinter (Lot 6), with delivery, installation, commissioning and training |
| Project | NEXT GEN-PBF – infrastructure for next-generation protein-based products |
| Type of procedure | Open procedure, under the Croatian Public Procurement Act (ZJN 2016) |
| Procedure number | 1-VV-2026 |
| EOJN notice | 2026/S F02-0000676 |
| Notice in the Official Journal of the EU | 70223-2026 |
| Bids submitted | 3, from Croatia, Romania and Turkey (02.03.2026) |
| INOVUM score | 95 out of 100 – 1st place |
| Award decision | 15.04.2026 |
| Contract value | EUR 69,950.00 excluding VAT (EUR 87,437.50 including 25% VAT) |
| Delivery, installation, commissioning and training | 25.06.2026 |
| Warranty | 24 months from handover |
Three bidders, real competition
Three companies from three countries submitted bids for the bioprinter (Lot 6):
| Bidder | Country | Bid price (excl. VAT) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| INOVUM SRL | Romania | EUR 69,950.00 | 95.00 points – 1st place, winner |
| KEFO d.o.o. | Croatia | EUR 95,000.00 | 60.50 points – 2nd place |
| ADAY GRUP Ltd. Şti. | Turkey | EUR 80,000.00 | Bid rejected at the document check |
INOVUM won against a local supplier from Croatia. The bids of INOVUM and KEFO were declared valid and were evaluated against the same criteria. The third bid did not reach the scoring stage because it did not contain the bid guarantee and the ESPD form required in the procurement documents.
The difference in score came from price and technical features. On price, INOVUM received 55 points and KEFO 40.50 points. On technical features, INOVUM received 40 points and KEFO 20 points.
Why INOVUM’s bid won
On the price criterion, INOVUM’s bid received the maximum score (55 points). The bid price was about 29% below the faculty’s estimated value for this lot (EUR 98,352).
On the technical criteria, the bid received 40 out of 45 points for the following features:
- Blue-light disinfection module
- Temperature control
- Multifluidic pneumatic print head
- Print head for hot extrusion
- Print head for pneumatic extrusion
- Equipment cited in at least 5 peer-reviewed scientific papers
- 24-month warranty
The committee concluded that the bid “fully meets the conditions of the procurement documents” and is the most economically advantageous tender, with the highest score and a price within the estimated value.
From the decision to working equipment
- 15.04.2026 – award decision. Before the decision, INOVUM submitted the updated qualification documents, translated into Croatian, as required by the contracting authority.
- 25.06.2026 – delivery and installation. The bioprinter was delivered to the faculty’s premises at Pierottijeva ulica 6, Zagreb, then installed, tested and commissioned.
- 25.06.2026 – training and acceptance. After the users had been trained, the handover and commissioning report, the quality and conformity certificate and the warranty certificate were signed. The report confirms that delivery, installation and training were carried out in accordance with the contract, the technical specifications and the tender conditions.
What it means for INOVUM’s clients
- Experience in cross-border tenders. INOVUM bid in another language, under different legislation and on a different e-procurement platform, and its bid was declared the winner.
- Competitive prices. The bid obtained the maximum score on price, even with the costs of delivery and installation in another country included.
- A complete project. INOVUM handled the bid, the clarifications, the qualification documents, delivery, installation, training and warranty.
- Two firsts in two years. INOVUM delivered the first 3D bioprinters purchased through public tenders in Romania (2025) and in Croatia (2026).
Frequently asked questions
What did INOVUM deliver to the University of Zagreb? A 3D bioprinter for the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology (PBF), with delivery, installation, commissioning, training and a 24-month warranty.
Is this the first 3D bioprinter bought through a public tender in Croatia? Yes. The bioprinter delivered by INOVUM to PBF Zagreb is the first 3D bioprinter purchased through a public tender in Croatia and put into operation.
How was INOVUM chosen? Through an open procedure, also published in the Official Journal of the EU (procedure 1-VV-2026, Lot 6). Three companies submitted bids, from Croatia, Romania and Turkey. INOVUM’s bid obtained the highest score, 95 out of 100, against 60.50 points for the bid in 2nd place.
How many bidders took part in the tender for the bioprinter? Three: INOVUM SRL (Romania), KEFO d.o.o. (Croatia) and ADAY GRUP (Turkey). Two bids were evaluated on points, and INOVUM came first.
How much did the 3D bioprinter in Zagreb cost? The contract value is EUR 69,950.00 excluding VAT, or EUR 87,437.50 including VAT.
Does INOVUM also take part in tenders in other EU countries? Yes. Besides Romania and Croatia, INOVUM has been admitted to the dynamic purchasing system of the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Prague.
Are you preparing to purchase a 3D bioprinter or other research equipment? Contact the INOVUM team for a quote tailored to your technical specifications.
