{"start":0,"take":1,"total":1,"items":[{"activityNumber":"1000045329","budgetReference":"E/0534-04C - 4S - Advanced Techno","classified":false,"closingDate":"2026-10-15T13:00:00","extensionRequestDeadline":"2026-10-01T13:00:00","clarificationRequestDeadline":"2026-10-01T13:00:00","description":"Objective: The objective of the activity is to develop advanced and post-quantum Subscriber Identity Module (SIMs) for 5G/6G NTN. The focus is to improve user anonymity for robust non-terrestrialnetworks (NTNs) used for governmental applications which have a more urgent need for post-quantum anonymity protection than the commercial market. These SIMs shall implementsecurity improvements of the part of the primary authentication protocol which is implemented in the SIM. Additionally, the corresponding SIM provisioning infrastructure and the corenetwork responsible for the communication with the SIMs will be developed.TargetedImprovements: Enablinga European or Canadian source for robust NTN SIM (Physical Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) or Embedded UICC (eUICC)) for 5G/6G satellite constellation withhardened primary authentication protocolDescription: Current 5G Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs) to be used in Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) for Satellite Communication (SATCOM) terminals lack adequate protectionagainst user tracking when assuming a quantum attacker. While 3GPP is working on the migration to post-quantum cryptography, the privacy needs in governmental NTN networks arehigher than in usual mobile networks and regulatory needs will require the full post-Quantum migration as early as 2030 for governmental communication solutions. An appropriatesolution therefore needs to be developed earlier than the 3GPP timeline foresees.The activity will design, develop and test prototypes of advanced 5G/6G USIMs integrating security improvements to the primary authentication protocol (user tracking enhancements inNTNs and anticipated regulatory requirements for post-quantum cryptography), with all components adhering to GSMA/ETSI security standards and targeting Common Criteria evaluationto prepare for future accreditation.The activity will evaluate two implementation paths to address this need: Physical Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) development, potentially as an applet on an existing smartcard platform, or Embedded UICC (eUICC) with appropriate SIM profiles for multi-provider service access. Post-Quantum Key Exchange Management (KEM) implementations on smartcards prove the technical feasibility of implementing such protocols in the UICC approach.The activity will be implemented in a phased approach.The first phase will study the implementation of post quantum security in the authentication protocol and perform a trade-off analysis between the two implementation paths. It will designand develop an initial prototype of the USIM and provisioning infrastructure compatible with standardised 3GPP interfaces between USIM and Mobile Equipment and perform the designof the security functions of the Core network solution to interoperate with the USIM. Phase 1 deliverables consist of architecture and design documents, initial documents to prepare thecertification, software prototype and adapted core network functions to interoperate with the software. The budget for Phase 1 is up to 700 kEuros.In the second phase, the activity will further develop and test the USIM components (UICC or eUICC), create the complete SIM provisioning infrastructure, and develop and test the corenetwork security functionsincluding the Subscriber Identifier De-concealing Function (SIDF) to support enhanced authentication of the USIM to the network. Phase 2 deliverables includethe adaptation of smart card including applet design and SIM printer or chip development for eUICC and refined certification preparation.During the activity, dissemination towards 3GPP standardisation shall be performed to ensure futureindustry adoption.","ecosrequired":true,"establishment":"ESTEC","firstPublicationDate":"2026-07-10T08:45:47","id":191339,"idEra":25455,"initiatingService":"RNC-FTS","ipmeasure":"N/A","isArchived":false,"isCancelled":false,"isReissued":false,"isToBeReissued":false,"issueQuarter":"000","lastUpdateTime":"2026-07-29T14:38:16","lastUpdateUser":"spancott","openDate":"2026-07-29T14:38:13","priceRange":"> 500 KEURO","programmeReference":"4S - Advanced Techno","tanumber":"1-13640","title":"ANONYMITY AND POST QUANTUM SECURITY SUBSCRIBER IDENTITY MODULE (SIM) TECHNOLOGY FOR 5G/6G NTN (ARTES 4.0 SPL 4S 3D.040)","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":12},{"id":11},{"id":10},{"id":9},{"id":8},{"id":7},{"id":6},{"id":5},{"id":2},{"id":168}],"products":[],"technologies":[{"id":220}],"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 four (4) months from the date of tender submission with implicit extensions as per Article 27, paragraphs 3 & 4 of the Contracting Regulations ESA/REG/001, the tender is"],"keyAcceptanceFactors":["Supporting evidence of the authorisation of funding for Phase 1 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.","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” (see section 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  for Phase 1.","The tender contains a technical description.","The tender Cover Letter and the tender contain price types compliant with those ones requested in the ITT.","The tender is compliant with the budgetary limit(s) applicable to the tender for both Phase 1 and Optional Phase 2.","The Proposal includes the three (3) mandatory elements for Phase 2 of the activity."],"evaluationCriterias":[{"criterion":"Background and experience (related to the particular field concerned) of the companies and staff, including adequacy of proposed facilities.","weightingFactor":"25%"},{"criterion":"Understanding of the scope, capability to implement and motivation and benefit to carry out the Optional Phase 2 of the activity ","weightingFactor":"20%"},{"criterion":"Compliance with administrative tender conditions and acceptance of Contract conditions.","weightingFactor":"10%"},{"criterion":"Adequacy of management, costing and planning for the execution of the work.","weightingFactor":"10%"},{"criterion":"Understanding of the requirements and objectives and discussion of problem areas.","weightingFactor":"20%"},{"criterion":"Quality and suitability of proposed programme of work; adequacy of engineering approach.","weightingFactor":"15%"}],"entities":[],"procurementProposal":null,"responsible":"Francesca Moscon","updateReason":"Tender Action Issued"}],"totalNew":0,"totalUpdated":0}