{"start":0,"take":1,"total":1,"items":[{"activityNumber":"1000046466","budgetReference":"E/A001-01 - FEO1S3 Pillar1 EOP-F","classified":false,"closingDate":"2026-10-30T13:00:00","extensionRequestDeadline":"2026-10-16T13:00:00","clarificationRequestDeadline":"2026-10-16T13:00:00","description":"Stepping Stone Missions are a new class of user driven Earth Observation missions designed to address gaps in the current EO ecosystem by delivering quality certified data and services tailored to environmental policy needs at European and global level. They build on and complement existing reference missions and infrastructures, while targeting observation domains and sampling requirements not adequately covered today. A key characteristic is their service oriented and commercially minded nature: missions are conceived from the outset to enable operational services, foster downstream applications, and evolve into scalable, privately operated constellations once their performance and utility have been demonstrated in orbit. The Stepping Stones activity focuses on conducting mission definition studies that mature candidate concepts up to a consolidated system baseline. This includes the parallel development of the space and ground segments, the definition of user oriented services, and the establishment of a robust business case demonstrating long term viability. The studies also encompass assessment of technical feasibility, verification and validation approaches, and readiness with respect to user needs, policy alignment, and commercial exploitation. Overall, the objective is to de risk and validate the end to end concepttechnical, service, and marketup to System Requirements Review level.","ecosrequired":false,"establishment":"ESTEC","firstPublicationDate":"2026-05-18T11:20:42","id":187367,"idEra":25139,"initiatingService":"EOP-FM","ipmeasure":"N/A","isArchived":false,"isCancelled":false,"isReissued":false,"isToBeReissued":false,"issueQuarter":"000","lastUpdateTime":"2026-09-24T16:30:01","lastUpdateUser":"ltena","openDate":"2026-07-21T11:08:36","priceRange":"> 500 KEURO","programmeReference":"FEO1S3 Pillar1 EOP-F","tanumber":"1-13545","title":"STEPPING STONE MISSION DEFINITION STUDY","directorate":"Directorate of EO Programmes","countries":[{"id":1},{"id":67},{"id":62},{"id":28},{"id":27},{"id":26},{"id":24},{"id":23},{"id":22},{"id":20},{"id":19},{"id":18},{"id":17},{"id":16},{"id":15},{"id":13},{"id":12},{"id":11},{"id":10},{"id":9},{"id":8},{"id":7},{"id":6},{"id":5},{"id":4},{"id":2},{"id":168}],"products":[],"technologies":[{"id":26}],"status":{"id":2},"tenderType":{"id":5},"isFavourite":false,"eraVersion":1,"stageNumber":null,"isNew":false,"isUpdated":false,"declarationOfCompliances":["With regard to the technical requirements of the ITT, the tender is","With regard to the managerial requirements of the ITT, the tender is","With regard to the export/import requirements of the ITT (please refer to Part 3, section 3.6.4 of the ESA Tender Conditions), the tender is  ","With regard to the financial requirements of the ITT, the tender is","With regard to the Contract conditions of the ITT (please refer to the Draft Contract and to Part 3, section 3.6.1 of the ESA Tender Conditions), the tender is","With regard to the IPR requirements of the ITT (please refer to the Part 3, section 3.6.3 of the ESA Tender Conditions), the tender is","With regard to the applicable Industrial Policy and Geographical return requirements, the tender is","With regard to the Agency’s “Right to Audit” (see Part 2, section 2.2.8 of the ESA Tender Conditions), the tender is","With regard to the requirements in ESA’s Policy on the Prevention, Detection and Investigation of Fraud (special reference is made to paragraph 5.8), the tenderer is","With regard to the requirement that the “consortium structure” in esa-star mirrors the Proposed Project Team in the Cover Letter, the tender is","With regard to the validity period of 4 months from the date of tender submission with implicit extensions as per Article 27, paragraphs 3&4 of the Contracting Regulations, the tender is","The technical proposal is free from any plagiarism. When use is made of material being quotations or citations from existing public literature, such use is clearly indicated and due reference indications (source and author) are provided."],"keyAcceptanceFactors":["The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractors, to be compliant with the requirements listed in the “Certification of non-benefit” (see section 2.2.4 of the ESA Tender Conditions ).","The tender Cover Letter contains a binding price.","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractors, the acceptance of the conditions listed in the “Non commitment by the Agency” (seesection 2.2.12 of the ESA Tender Conditions ).","The tender is compliant with the presentation described in part 3 of the tender conditions","The Tenderer satisfies the qualification requirements established under Article 12. Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Contracting Regulations. The Tenderer further certifies that it, and when applicable any of its subcontractors, does not fall under any of the exclusions laid down in the Contracting Regulations under Article 12, paragraphs 3 and 14.","The tender contains a technical description.","The Tenderer confirms, on its behalf and on behalf of its Subcontractor(s), to be compliant with the requirements listed in the “Certification of free competition” (see section 2.2.3 of the ESA Tender Conditions)."],"evaluationCriterias":[{"criterion":"Merit of the proposed Stepping Stone mission concept based on the Environmental and Commercialisation Dossier and the Mission Concept Definition and Justification Dossier","weightingFactor":"30%"},{"criterion":"Background and experience of the companies and staff (related to the activities defined for the Stepping Stone Mission Definition Study), including adequacy of proposed facilities.","weightingFactor":"20%"},{"criterion":"Quality and suitability of proposed programme of work; adequacy of engineering approach throughout the Stepping Stone Mission Definition study.","weightingFactor":"30%"},{"criterion":"Adequacy of management, costing and planning for the execution of the work relevant to the Stepping Stone Mission Definition study.","weightingFactor":"10%"},{"criterion":"Compliance with administrative tender conditions and acceptance of Contract conditions.","weightingFactor":"10%"}],"entities":[],"procurementProposal":null,"responsible":"Cendrine Tchoualack","updateReason":"Tender Clarification has been published"}],"totalNew":0,"totalUpdated":0}