ESA Open Invitation to Tender AO10489
Open Date: 17/12/2020
Closing Date: 31/12/2021 13:00:00

Status: ISSUED
Reference Nr.: 20.1TI.22
Prog. Ref.: OP-Other Act. CC
Budget Ref.: E/0534-05A – OP-Other Act. CC
Special Prov.: AT+BE+CH+CZ+DE+DK+ES+FR+GR+HU+IE+IT+LU+NL+NO+PL+PT+RO+SE+GB+CA
Tender Type: C
Price Range: KEURO
Products: Satellites & Probes / Other
Technology Domains: Others
Establishment: ESTEC
Directorate: Directorate Telecom & Integrated Applica
Contract Officer: Mezzadri, Monica
Industrial Policy Measure: N/A – Not apply
Last Update Date: 17/12/2020
Update Reason: Loaded a new Clarification(English version)

1. Introduction: The work plan was established based on an ESA internal ARTES ScyLight Call for Ideas and reflects the findings from industry workshops or the consolidation process with stakeholders, like National Delegations, operators, service providers, satellite manufacturers, industry and experts. In addition, the work plan lists activities inherited from the former ARTES ScyLight Element work plans that will be issued under the new legal framework of the ARTES 4.0 Strategic Programme Line (SPL) Optical Communication ScyLight. 2.Strategic Activities: A number of activities are identified as of immediate strategic importance as they supportadvancement of optical communications technologies, e.g. towards the fibre in the sky vision, or they address system relevant elements. Some of those activities have been addressed in ITTs under the legacy ScyLight Element, but have not resulted in contracts, due to lack of overall budget within the Participating States allocations. However, those activities are still considered of high strategic value and are listed again (or slightly modified) in the proposed work plan. Furthermore, the SPL Optical Communication – ScyLight is supposed to evaluate the benefits of optical communications in more general terms, also beyond pure near Earth satcom applications. Lastly, ScyLight is aiming to foster the maturity of the industrial landscape in Europe/Canada to prepare for future upcoming markets. Some of those strategic areas are listed below.- Foster Industrial Landscape- Atmospheric Effects- Optical Communication Terminal Technologies- High Data Rate and RF/Optical Coupling- Quantum Communications- Standardisation3. Implementation: Thefollowing implementation philosophy will be followed: Phasing: phasing of the contractual activities may be considered, depending on the risks associated with the development, the maturity of the technologies, and potential early market perspectives. ParallelContracts: in accordance with the ARTES 4.0 Implementing Rules, parallel contracts may be awarded. Procurement Policy: the following procurement policies are foreseen for the proposed activities:C: Activities in open competition without any further restrictions. C1:Activities in open competition limited to non-Large System Integrators (LSIs) as prime. LSIs are allowed to participate as sub-contractors.C2: Activities are in open competition, where a significant participation of non-LSIs is requested.C3: Activity restrictedto SMEs RD organisations, preferably in cooperation.C4: Activities in open competition, subject to the SME subcontractingclause.Implementation Category (formerly Priority): the activities comprising the SPL Optical Communication – ScyLight Work Planhave been designated as either B (Baseline) formerly P1, or R (at the Request of delegates). The assignment of activities to these categories is not a declaration of technological, commercial or programmatic priority; instead, it simply indicates whether an activity requires a prior request from a Delegation for the ITT to be generated and released. ITTs for activities designated priority B will automatically be generated by the Executive. The planned ITT issue dates are indicated in Annex II; however, baseline activities for which industry and/or Delegations declare an interest will be implemented as a priority. Such interest can be notified directly to the ARTES ScyLight Programme Office. Invitations to tender for activities designated R will only be initiated either: On the explicit request of at least one delegation, or On the initiative of the Executive following consultation of the JCB.