Certification of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA)

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is preparing to launch a future procurement opportunity focused on obtaining training services for the certification of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) in aircraft. The initiative aims to establish guidelines for safe usage, define approval criteria for equipment manufacturers, and assess compliance with established standards.

Eligible applicants for the tender include industrial training providers, aviation safety specialists, and aeronautical engineering firms, specifically targeting larger organizations as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are not suitable for this opportunity. The funding will be in the form of a procurement contract under EU funds, indicating a transaction for services rendered rather than a grant.

The opportunity does not require a consortium; applicants can engage independently. Geographic eligibility is likely confined to EU member states since EASA operates within the EU framework, although specific countries are not enumerated in the announcement.

The focus sectors include aviation and aerospace, primarily technical training related to avionics systems safety. The anticipated project stage is centered on the development and validation of training criteria for IMA technology.

While the exact funding amount is indeterminate, it is categorized as a middle or low-value contract, hinting at a potential maximum value under €200,000, subject to further specifications from EASA. Interested parties can participate through an open call via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with electronic registration required by June 6, 2025.

The procurement process features a single application stage initially involving expressions of interest, followed by a potential negotiation phase for selected applicants. The competition among EU tenders is expected to be significant; however, specific success rates are not disclosed.

There is no requirement for co-funding associated with this procurement contract, which mainly entails monetary compensation for the services provided under the contract.

The pre-announcement indicates key dates with expressions of interest starting on May 28, 2025, and concluding on June 6, 2025. Following this, the negotiated procedure is expected to launch on June 9, 2025. Interested entities should monitor updates through the provided links and prepare to submit expressions of interest electronically.

This is a publication announcing the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's (EASA) intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is EASA/2025/LVP/0018-EXA. The subject of the planned call for tenders is the Certification of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA).

Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) is increasingly being incorporated into modern aircraft designs. The objective of this training is to develop a solid understanding of this technology in order to define the conditions under which it can be safely used in the aeronautical environment, establish approval criteria for aircraft equipment manufacturers implementing this technology, and assess compliance with these criteria.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The lead contracting authority is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The main classification (CPV) code is 80531200, which refers to technical training services. The nature of the contract is for services. The maximum contract duration is 8 months. There is no framework agreement.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-05-28 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 07/06/2025 04:59 Europe/Berlin. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-06-09 Europe/Berlin.

Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given. The method of expression of interest is electronic. To express interest, use the "Express interest" link.

A question and answer section is available. To create a question, you must log in. A public Q&A section, FAQs, and a "My Q&A" section are available. You can download the Q&As in XLS format.

One FAQ is listed: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is that references that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders but a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intent to launch in the future a low or middle negotiated procedure. This was published on 03/10/2024 16:32.

In summary, this is a pre-announcement for a future negotiated procedure by EASA concerning training on Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA). The training aims to develop a solid understanding of IMA technology for safe use in aeronautics, establishing approval criteria, and assessing compliance. The contract will be for services, with a maximum duration of 8 months. The expression of interest phase is scheduled for late May to early June 2025, with the negotiated procedure expected to launch shortly after. Interested parties should monitor the provided link for updates and express their interest electronically when the opportunity opens.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the contract as a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract for technical training services related to Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA), it is likely that eligible applicants would include companies, organizations, or institutions with expertise in aviation safety, technical training, and Integrated Modular Avionics. This could include training providers, aviation consultancies, research institutions, and potentially equipment manufacturers.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is services, as indicated in the details.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. Given that it is a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract, it is possible that both single applicants and consortia could be considered, but this would need to be confirmed in the full call for tenders documentation when it is released.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated. However, since the lead contracting authority is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), it is highly likely that the primary target region is the EU, potentially including EEA countries. The full call details would need to be checked to confirm the exact geographic eligibility.

Target Sector: The target sector is aviation, specifically focusing on the certification and safe use of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA). This includes technical training services related to IMA.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the relevant region is the EU, given the involvement of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on training and development of understanding related to the safe use and certification of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA). This suggests a stage related to validation and demonstration of knowledge and potentially the establishment of approval criteria.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is described as a "middle/low value contract." While a specific range is not provided, this suggests a funding level likely under €200k, and possibly even under €50k, but this is speculative and depends on EASA's specific categorization.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that after the expression of interest, selected applicants will be invited to negotiate the terms of the contract. The initial expression of interest is submitted electronically.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for providing technical training services. Therefore, the nature of support is monetary, specifically payment for services rendered under contract.

Application Stages: There are at least two stages: an initial expression of interest, followed by a negotiated procedure for selected applicants. There may be further stages within the negotiated procedure itself.

Success Rates: Success rates cannot be determined from the provided information, as this is merely an announcement of a future call for tenders.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not mention any co-funding requirement. Therefore, it is assumed that co-funding is not required, but this should be confirmed in the full call for tenders documentation.

Summary: This is an announcement from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding their intention to launch a future negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The project, identified as EASA/2025/LVP/0018-EXA, focuses on providing technical training services related to the certification of Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA). The objective of the training is to develop a solid understanding of IMA technology to define safe usage conditions, establish approval criteria for aircraft equipment manufacturers, and assess compliance with these criteria. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The maximum contract duration is 8 months. The start date for expression of interest is planned for 2025-05-28, with a deadline of 2025-06-07. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-06-09. Interested parties are invited to submit an electronic expression of interest. This announcement is not a call for tenders, but rather a preliminary notification of a future opportunity.