EU future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO): Study on civil Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) needs and capabilities in HAO & Study on Meteorology (MET) and space weather services for HAO

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is initiating a call for tenders concerning the future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO). The tender involves two studies. The first study focuses on civil Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) needs and capabilities in HAO, which includes assessing the spectrum requirements. The goal is to evaluate whether existing civil CNS systems can operate effectively at higher altitudes, particularly for high-speed, long-range, and autonomous operations. This analysis will highlight potential limitations and risks, suggesting alternatives and necessary regulatory changes.

The second study will examine Meteorology (MET) and space weather services related to HAO. It aims to identify safety risks associated with meteorological and space weather phenomena, assess the adequacy of current MET capabilities and services to support HAO, and propose alternative options or mitigation measures as required. The findings will also guide potential regulatory amendments.

The estimated total value of the tender is €390,000, and the maximum duration for the contract is set at 18 months. The tender is structured as an open call, indicated through the planned OJ S publication. The estimated date for the publication of the contract notice is May 12, 2025, with a previous publication in the TED on March 10, 2025. This opportunity is open to organizations with expertise in aviation, space, communications, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and related research and development fields.

No specific consortium requirement is indicated, suggesting that single applicants may suffice. The target beneficiaries include legal entities from EU member states and associated countries, consistent with Horizon Europe eligibility criteria. The studies are intended to inform future regulatory developments in the aviation sector, ensuring safety and efficiency in higher airspace operations. Overall, this procurement aims to address the evolving needs of aviation amidst emerging technologies in higher airspace.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is planning a call for tenders, EASA/2025/OP/0010-PIN, related to the EU future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO). The tender concerns two studies: one on civil Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) needs and capabilities in HAO, including spectrum needs, and another on Meteorology (MET) and space weather services for HAO. The TED reference is 48/2025 152789-2025.

The first study on civil CNS needs and capabilities in HAO will analyze whether current civil CNS capabilities will still be functioning at higher altitudes (above controlled airspace) and whether they will be able to provide adequate services that are needed for higher airspace operations (e.g., high speed, long range, autonomy). The study's results will include analysis, highlighting limits and risks, proposing possible alternative options, and identifying the need for regulatory amendments.

The second study on MET and space weather services for HAO will analyze the safety risks to HAO emanating from meteorological or space weather phenomena and assess whether the current MET capabilities and services, as well as current space weather services, will be able to support HAO. It will propose alternative options or mitigation measures if possible and identify necessary regulatory amendments.

The procedure type is a planned call for tenders with OJ S publication. The estimated total value is 390000 EUR. The TED publication date is 10/03/2025, and the estimated date of publication of a contract notice is 12/05/2025. The lead contracting authority is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. The main classification (CPV) code is 73000000, which refers to research and development services and related consultancy services. The nature of the contract is for services, and the maximum contract duration is 18 months. There is no framework agreement.

The opportunity is a forthcoming call for tenders by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for studies related to higher airspace operations (HAO). It focuses on assessing the current and future needs for Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS), as well as Meteorology (MET) and space weather services, to ensure the safety and efficiency of operations in higher altitudes. The studies aim to identify gaps, risks, and potential regulatory amendments needed to support the evolving landscape of aviation in higher airspace. The total estimated value of the tender is 390,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 18 months.

Eligible Applicant Types: The information provided does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. However, given the nature of the call for tenders which involves conducting studies, eligible applicants could include research institutes, universities, consulting companies, and other organizations with expertise in aviation, communications, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and space weather.

Funding Type: Procurement. This is a call for tenders, indicating a procurement process where the contracting authority (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) is seeking services.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. It is possible that either a single entity or a consortium could apply, depending on the specific requirements outlined in the full call for tenders documentation when it is released.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The information does not explicitly define geographic eligibility. Given that the contracting authority is the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), it is highly likely that the geographic eligibility will include EU member states, and potentially EEA countries or other countries with agreements with the EU. The full call for tenders documentation will provide the definitive answer.

Target Sector: Aviation, Space, Meteorology, Communications, Navigation, Surveillance, Research and Development. The call specifically targets the future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO), civil Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS), meteorology (MET), and space weather services.

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

Project Stage: Research. The call is for initial studies, indicating that the project stage is in the early phases of research and analysis.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the tender is 390,000 EUR.

Application Type: Planned call for tenders with OJ S publication. This indicates that the call for tenders will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, Supplement (OJ S).

Nature of Support: Non-monetary services. The selected tenderer(s) will provide services in the form of studies and analysis.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated in the provided information. Typically, a call for tenders involves at least two stages: submission of a tender and evaluation of the submitted tenders. More details will be available when the full call for tenders documentation is released.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned in the provided information.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This is a planned call for tenders by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) concerning the future regulatory framework for Higher Airspace Operations (HAO). The tender is for two initial studies: one on civil Communications, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) needs and capabilities in HAO, including spectrum needs, and another on Meteorology (MET) and space weather services for HAO. The CNS study will analyze whether current civil CNS capabilities will function at higher altitudes and provide adequate services for high-speed, long-range, autonomous HAO, identifying limits, risks, alternative options, and necessary regulatory amendments. The MET and space weather study will analyze safety risks to HAO from meteorological or space weather phenomena, assess current MET and space weather services' ability to support HAO, and propose alternative options or mitigation measures, identifying necessary regulatory amendments. The estimated total value of the tender is 390,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 18 months. The estimated date of publication of the contract notice is May 12, 2025. The TED publication date is March 10, 2025. This procurement opportunity is aimed at organizations with expertise in aviation, space, communications, navigation, surveillance, meteorology, and related research and development services. The selected tenderer(s) will provide services in the form of studies and analysis to inform future regulatory developments in the field of higher airspace operations.