COTS Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA)

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is planning a procurement procedure for a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA). This antenna will be utilized in the JRC's anechoic chamber for radiated electromagnetic compatibility tests. The primary goal is to evaluate the resilience and robustness of various receiver solutions against jamming and spoofing, specifically focusing on Galileo satellite systems.

Key details of the procurement opportunity include:

- **Title**: COTS Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA)
- **Type**: Procurement tender
- **Contract Type**: Supplies procurement
- **Procedure Type**: Low-Value Procedure, indicating a negotiated and streamlined procurement for a middle/low value contract.
- **Call Identifier**: EC-JRC/IPR/2025/LVP/5909-EXA
- **Lead Authority**: European Commission, DG JRC
- **Publication Date**: November 7, 2025
- **Registration Deadline**: November 21, 2025
- **Planned Date for Negotiated Procedure Launch**: November 24, 2025
- **Planned Contract Duration**: 5 months
- **CPV Code**: 32324310, specifically for procurement of antennas.

Eligible applicants for this procurement tender are primarily large enterprises or specialized suppliers capable of providing the required technology; the opportunity is not suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The procurement is open to suppliers within the EU and potentially EEA countries.

The process entails an expression of interest that must be submitted electronically, with the requirement for suppliers to register their interest by the deadline, followed by a formal tender submission for those selected in the negotiation. The specific funding amount for the contract has not been disclosed, but it falls within the negotiated low to middle value range, typically under €200,000.

This procurement aims to strengthen the EU's space technology capabilities, supporting the evolution and operational sustainability of the Galileo satellite positioning system, particularly its secure Public Regulated Service. Interested suppliers should monitor the EU Funding and Tenders Portal for further details and full tender specifications when they become available.

This is a publication announcing the European Commission's, DG JRC Joint Research Centre's intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure, not a call for tenders. The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/IPR/2025/LVP/5909-EXA. The contract supports the procurement of a COTS Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA) to be used in the EMSL anechoic chamber as a reference antenna under radiated tests. The antenna will support the assessment of resilience and robustness performance offered by other commercial solutions and research/scientific developments (also internal JRC) under jamming and spoofing scenarios. In particular, thanks to the requirement related to the coverage of the entire Galileo E1 band, it will represent a valuable asset for the assessment of Galileo PRS receiver. The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The estimated total value is not specified. The main classification (CPV) code is 32324310, which refers to satellite antennas. The nature of the contract is supplies. The maximum contract duration is 5 months. There is no framework agreement. The start date for expression of interest is 2025-11-07 Europe/Brussels. The deadline for expression of interest is 22/11/2025 06:59 Europe/Rome. The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-11-24 Europe/Rome. The method of expression of interest is electronic, and the address for expression of interest is "Express interest". Submissions must be sent exclusively at the address for submission given.

A question was asked regarding where to find procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference. The answer provided states 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 answer was published on 03/10/2024 17:32.

In summary, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is planning a negotiated procurement procedure for a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA). This antenna will be used in the JRC's EMSL anechoic chamber for radiated tests, serving as a reference antenna. The primary purpose of this antenna is to evaluate the resilience and robustness of other antenna solutions, including commercial products and internal JRC research, against jamming and spoofing attacks. A key requirement is the antenna's ability to cover the entire Galileo E1 band, making it particularly valuable for assessing Galileo PRS receivers. This procurement is classified as a low to middle value contract, and the process will involve a negotiated procedure. The contract is for the supply of the antenna, with a maximum duration of 5 months. Companies interested in participating need to express their interest electronically, with a deadline in late November 2025. The actual call for tenders is expected to be launched shortly after the expression of interest deadline. It is important to note that this announcement is not the call for tenders itself, but rather a notification of the JRC's intention to launch the procurement process in the near future.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity does not explicitly state eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the procurement which is for a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA), it is likely that eligible applicants would include companies, especially SMEs and large enterprises, that manufacture or supply such equipment. Research institutes and universities could also be eligible if they have the capacity to supply the required antenna.

Funding Type: This is a procurement opportunity, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. The nature of the contract is for supplies.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. Given that it is a procurement for a specific piece of equipment (COTS CRPA), it is more likely that a single applicant capable of supplying the antenna would be suitable.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity does not explicitly state geographic eligibility. However, since it is issued by the European Commission, DG JRC, it is highly likely that entities from the EU and potentially EEA countries are eligible. The specific call documentation, when released, would provide definitive information on geographic eligibility.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily related to space and satellite technology, specifically concerning the procurement of a satellite antenna. It also touches upon security and cybersecurity, given the antenna's use in assessing resilience against jamming and spoofing scenarios.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC, implying that the opportunity is relevant to the EU.

Project Stage: This opportunity concerns the procurement of a commercially available product (COTS). Therefore, the relevant stage is commercialization, as the antenna is already developed and available for purchase.

Funding Amount: The opportunity is described as a "planned negotiated procedure for middle/low value contract," but the estimated total value is not provided. It can be inferred that the funding amount is likely under €200k, but this is speculative.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that the contracting authority will likely invite specific suppliers to submit offers, rather than an open call. The first step is to express interest electronically.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for supplying the COTS Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA).

Application Stages: The application process involves at least two stages: expressing interest electronically and then participating in the negotiated procedure if selected. There may be further stages within the negotiated procedure itself.

Success Rates: Since this is a planned negotiated procedure, the success rates are difficult to estimate. It will depend on the number of suppliers invited to negotiate and the competitiveness of their offers. Success rates are likely to be higher than open calls, but no specific estimate can be made.

Co-funding Requirement: The opportunity does not mention any co-funding requirement. As a procurement contract, it is unlikely that co-funding would be required.

Summary:

This is a pre-announcement for a future negotiated procurement procedure by the European Commission, DG JRC (Joint Research Centre). The JRC intends to procure a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) Controlled Radiated Pattern Antenna (CRPA). This antenna will be used in the EMSL anechoic chamber as a reference antenna for radiated tests. Specifically, it will support the assessment of the resilience and robustness of other commercial and research solutions against jamming and spoofing attacks, particularly for Galileo PRS receivers. The procedure is planned as a negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. Companies interested in supplying such an antenna should express their interest electronically, starting from November 7, 2025, with a deadline of November 22, 2025. The indicative date for launching the negotiated procedure is November 24, 2025. This is not a call for tenders yet, but an announcement of the JRC's intention to launch a procurement procedure in the future. The maximum contract duration is 5 months.