{"start":0,"take":1,"total":1,"items":[{"activityNumber":"1000046815","budgetReference":"E/0534-03C - 5G/6G - Advanced Tec","classified":false,"closingDate":"2026-10-07T13:00:00","extensionRequestDeadline":"2026-09-23T13:00:00","clarificationRequestDeadline":"2026-09-23T13:00:00","description":"Objective: The objective of the activity is to enhance the existing Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) framework to support 5G/6G Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) payloads, while integrating the ORAN adaptations with conventional ground segment control centres.Targeted Improvements:1) Adapt the of Enhanced Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) interfaces to support Non-Terrestrial-Network (NTN) 5G/6G payload2) Improve the ORAN Transport network layer3) Enable the Integration of ORAN interfaces into the ground segment operations for system interoperability4) Enable new applications for NTN payloads.Description: Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) specifications are on the brink of reforming the 3GPP radio network fabric through the development and standardisation of open interfaces that provide vendor interoperability, disaggregation of radio protocol stack, access to Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML enabled Radio Intelligent Controllers (RICs) and a framework for Service Management and Orchestration (SMO). The complexity required for the management and optimisation of hybrid TN/NTN (terrestrial/non-terrestrial network) radio platforms, make ORAN an ideal candidate for handling mobility, resource allocation, quality of Service optimisation, multi-connectivity, and spectrum sharing amongothers.Currently a solid background exists to build upon and expand the current ORAN standards and interfaces to support the NTN regenerative payloads, the interworking between TN/NTN nodes and the open interface integration with ground segment Network Operations Centres (NOCs).To tackle the main challenges, this activity is expected to:1) Enhance ORAN architectures with respect to the deployment of optimised interfaces between ground and space.2) Support the adaptation of the ORAN application protocol and service models, to support the 5G/6G NTN payloads.3) Optimise the ORAN transport network association to support the satellite motion out of aspecific geographical area.4) Develop and test real and non-real time Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) enabled AI/ML applications (xApps, rApps) for NTN node mobility, traffic steering, quality of serviceoptimisation and resource allocation.5) Integrate the ORAN open interfaces with a real or emulated/simulated NOC terminating the interface, to optimise the resource allocation of regenerative NTN nodes.6) Integrate the TN and NTN existing nodes under the same RIC and Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) platform.7) Deliver an end-to-end testbed that follows the OpenRAN workflow and demonstrate the performances for various scenarios with different service requirements.","ecosrequired":true,"establishment":"ESTEC","firstPublicationDate":"2026-07-02T12:16:08","id":190754,"idEra":25313,"initiatingService":"RNC-FTS","ipmeasure":"N/A","isArchived":false,"isCancelled":false,"isReissued":false,"isToBeReissued":false,"issueQuarter":"000","lastUpdateTime":"2026-07-10T12:09:40","lastUpdateUser":"rhamill","openDate":"2026-07-10T12:09:26","priceRange":"> 500 KEURO","programmeReference":"5G/6G - Advanced Tec","tanumber":"1-13589","title":"OPEN RADIO ACCESS NETWORK FRAMEWORK FOR THE END-TO-END MANAGEMENT OF REGENERATIVE NON-TERRESTRIAL-NETWORK ACCESS NODES (ARTES 4.0 SPL 5G/6G 3F.039)","directorate":"Dir. of Connectivity  Secure Comm.","countries":[{"id":1},{"id":67},{"id":62},{"id":26},{"id":25},{"id":24},{"id":23},{"id":22},{"id":19},{"id":17},{"id":16},{"id":15},{"id":13},{"id":11},{"id":10},{"id":9},{"id":6},{"id":2},{"id":168}],"products":[],"technologies":[{"id":178}],"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 requirement that the “consortium structure” in esa-star mirrors the Proposed Project Team in the Cover Letter, 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 Agency’s “Right to Audit” (see Part 2, section 2.2.8 of the ESA Tender Conditions), the tender is","With regard to the export/import requirements of the ITT (please refer to the Proposal Template, Section 6.4), the tender is ","With regard to the IPR requirements of the ITT (please refer to the Draft Contract and to the Proposal Template, Section 6.2), the tender is","With regard to the Contract conditions of the ITT (please refer to the Draft Contract and to the Proposal Template, Section 6.1.), the tender is","With regard to the financial requirements of the ITT, the tender is","With regard to the managerial requirements of the ITT, 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.","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"],"keyAcceptanceFactors":["The tender is compliant with the budgetary limit(s) applicable to the tender.","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 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).","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 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 and the tender contain a binding price.","The tender contains a technical description.","The tender Cover Letter and the tender contain a price type compliant with the one requested in the ITT.","Supporting evidence of the authorisation of funding from the relevant Participating State(s) is provided as part of the tender cover letter and in accordance with the requirements of section 2.4 of the Cover letter to the present ITT."],"evaluationCriterias":[{"criterion":"Compliance with administrative tender conditions and acceptance of Contract conditions.","weightingFactor":"10%"},{"criterion":"Adequacy of planning, management and costing  for the execution of the work.","weightingFactor":"10%"},{"criterion":"Quality and suitability of proposed programme of work; adequacy of engineering approach.","weightingFactor":"35%"},{"criterion":"Understanding of the requirements and objectives and discussion of problem areas.","weightingFactor":"25%"},{"criterion":"Background and experience (general and related to the particular field concerned) of the company(ies) and staff, including adequacy of proposed facilities.","weightingFactor":"20%"}],"entities":[],"procurementProposal":null,"responsible":"Florence Glandieres","updateReason":"Tender Action Issued"}],"totalNew":0,"totalUpdated":0}