The European GNSS Agency (GSA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) in preparation for the procurement of EGNOS geostationary navigation payload services: GEO-4 and GEO-5.
The EGNOS space segment is provided by commercial satellite operators on the basis of service contracts. The GEO-1, GEO-2 and GEO-3 service contracts currently cover the EGNOS space segment needs and the GEO-1 and GEO-2 services will be the first of these to end. These will be replaced by GEO-4 and GEO-5 - the subject of this RFI.
The GSA is already planning how it will replace the services currently delivered by the GEO-1 and GEO-2 satellites. Ahead of this procurement, the Agency is conducting a preliminary market analysis and issuing an RFI to collect information about opportunities to embark navigation payloads on-board GEO satellites launched in a suitable timeframe.
Best procurement approach
The results of the RFI will be used to decide on the best approach for the procurement of the payload services, which may be either procured at the same time or separately. The RFI will also help the GSA to define the tender specifications and decide on the most appropriate time to launch Invitation(s) to Tender.
With the RFI, the GSA aims to obtain information from owners of geostationary satellites that will be available for operational service from 2021 to 2027 and able to embark a navigation payload. Specifically, it is seeking information on future satellite plans and the possibility to embark SBAS payload(s) in due time to ensure an operational start date from 2021 to 2027.
Information requested
Other information requested includes information on service availability and long-term payload reliability; the process for EGNOS payload procurement, in orbit testing and commissioning; information on the locations of the potential hosting sites for the EGNOS radio frequency uplink stations; and, finally, information on contractual arrangements, the payment scheme, and cost estimates.
This information will help the Agency understand what parameters influence the service provided and, based on these, to shape the potential procurement of EGNOS navigation payload services.
In preparing their answers, participants should take into account that the scope of the service will comprise provision of the EGNOS GEO-4 and/or GEO-5 payload service, provision of two independent uplink stations located on the territory of the European Union; and a target service provision phase of 15 years starting from the operational qualification or Operational Start Date (OSD).
Answers to the RFI should be sent electronically to tenders@gsa.europa.eu by 31 August 2018, at the latest.
For more information, check here.