Evolution of Galileo SAR-RLS beacons for maritime environment

The European Commission, through DG DEFIS (Defence Industry and Space), has issued a call for tenders identified as EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0004 focused on the "Evolution of Galileo SAR-RLS beacons for maritime environment." This initiative aims to develop and demonstrate an end-to-end system for Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities using Galileo's Return Link Service (RLS) and Two Way Communication (TWC) services.

The primary objectives include the design and development of two prototypes of Second-Generation Beacons (SGB), specifically Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), along with a demonstration platform for these technologies. The eligibility for applicants is broad, including companies, SMEs, large enterprises, and research institutions with expertise in satellite navigation systems and maritime safety equipment. There is no explicit requirement for a consortium, suggesting that a single applicant could also apply.

The estimated funding amount for this contract is €1 million, and the maximum duration of the project is 24 months. This tender is categorized as a procurement contract for services, emphasizing monetary support for deliverables. The proposal process is a single-stage application open to submissions until June 16, 2025, with a public opening scheduled for June 17, 2025.

Applicants will be evaluated based on suitability, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, with the selection criteria placing a higher emphasis on quality (80 percent) compared to cost (20 percent). Co-funding is not required as the project is fully funded.

In summary, this tender seeks to advance maritime search and rescue capabilities through the development of innovative beacon technology, targeting EU-based entities with the necessary technical qualifications. Interested applicants are encouraged to review all related documents and submit their tenders electronically by the indicated deadline.

The European Commission, DG DEFIS Defence Industry and Space, has published a call for tenders with the procedure identifier EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0004. The call, titled "Evolution of Galileo SAR-RLS beacons for maritime environment," seeks to outsource the setup of an end-to-end system and service demonstration of the Search and Rescue /Galileo (SAR/Galileo) Return Link Service (RLS) Two Way Communication (TWC) services. This includes the design and development of two prototypes of Second-Generation Beacons (SGB) for maritime applications, specifically Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), and a demonstration platform.

This is an open procedure, and submissions must be sent electronically via the address for submission provided. The estimated total value of the contract is 1,000,000 EUR. The TED publication date was 03/04/2025. The maximum contract duration is 24 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. There is no framework agreement associated with this call.

Selection criteria include: Suitability to pursue the professional activity, Economic and financial standing, and Technical and professional ability. Detailed information on these criteria can be found in the procurement documents.

Key milestones include: TED publication date: 03/04/2025, Date and time of public opening: 17/06/2025 10:00 Europe/Brussels, Deadline for receipt of tenders: 16/06/2025 16:00 Europe/Brussels. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 06/06/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels.

The following documents are available for download: Invitation to tender EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0004 Invitation letter, Annex I - Tender specifications, Annex II - Draft contract, Annex III - Group members’ shares in total contract value for VAT purposes Draft contract annex, Declaration on honour, and Appendix 2 - Security requirements. All documents were published on 03/04/2025, Version 1, and no translations are available.

The main classification (CPV) code is 73100000 - Research and experimental development services. The nature of the contract is for services.

There have been change notices related to this call, with TED references 66/2025 216552-2025 and 93/2025 00314908-2025. One question and answer item is available, indicating that the deadline for submission of tenders has been extended to 16 June 2023 due to spring national holidays. This date appears to be incorrect as the publication date is in 2025, so the extension likely refers to 16 June 2025.

In summary, this call for tenders seeks a contractor to develop and demonstrate an end-to-end system for SAR/Galileo RLS TWC services. This involves designing and building two prototypes of second-generation maritime EPIRB beacons and a demonstration platform. The project has a budget of 1,000,000 EUR and a duration of 24 months. The European Commission is looking for a contractor with the professional, economic, financial, and technical capabilities to deliver this project, with the award based on the best price-quality ratio. Interested parties should download and review all provided documents, and submit their tenders electronically by the deadline of June 16, 2025.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, given the nature of the call for tenders and the requirement to set up an end-to-end system and service demonstration, it can be inferred that eligible applicants could include companies, research institutions, or consortia with relevant expertise in the specified areas. The selection criteria mention suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, suggesting that the applicants should be established entities.

Funding Type: The funding type is procurement, specifically a service contract. The call for tenders aims to outsource the set-up of a system and service demonstration.

Consortium Requirement: The text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, Annex III refers to "Group members’ shares in total contract value for VAT purposes," which implies that consortia are permitted, and possibly encouraged. The possibility of a single applicant cannot be ruled out, but a consortium seems plausible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. Given that it is a European Commission call for tenders, it is highly likely that the eligibility extends to entities within the EU and possibly the EEA. Further details would be available in the procurement documents.

Target Sector: The target sector is space and maritime, focusing on Search and Rescue (SAR) technology, specifically the Galileo Return Link Service (RLS) and Two Way Communication (TWC) services. This includes the design and development of Second-Generation Beacons (SGB) for maritime applications, specifically Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB). It also involves setting up a demonstration platform. The CPV code 73100000 indicates Research and experimental development services.

Mentioned Countries: The text mentions "Eur..." in a question regarding national holidays, but the full country name is not provided. Without further context, it is impossible to determine the specific country. The call is from the European Commission, so EU member states are implicitly relevant.

Project Stage: The project stage is demonstration and development. The call aims to set up an end-to-end system and service demonstration, which includes the design and development of prototypes. This suggests that the project is beyond the initial research phase and is focused on creating functional prototypes and demonstrating their capabilities.

Funding Amount: The estimated total value of the contract is 1,000,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for tenders, with electronic submission.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services. The contract is for outsourcing the set-up of a system and service demonstration, implying that the selected entity will be paid for delivering these services.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly stated, but it is likely a multi-stage process. The selection criteria include suitability to pursue the professional activity, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability, suggesting that applicants will be evaluated against these criteria in potentially multiple stages.

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

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This is a call for tenders (EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0004) issued by the European Commission, DG DEFIS (Defence Industry and Space), focusing on the "Evolution of Galileo SAR-RLS beacons for maritime environment." The overall objective is to outsource the set-up of an end-to-end system and service demonstration of the Search and Rescue /Galileo (SAR/Galileo) Return Link Service (RLS) Two Way Communication (TWC) services. This includes the design and development of two prototypes of Second-Generation Beacons (SGB) for maritime applications, specifically Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB), and a demonstration platform. The procedure type is an open procedure with electronic submission. The estimated total value of the contract is 1,000,000 EUR, and the maximum contract duration is 24 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. The deadline for receipt of tenders is 16 June 2025, and the public opening will be on 17 June 2025. The call targets entities with expertise in space, maritime technology, SAR systems, and beacon development. Applicants will need to demonstrate their suitability, economic and financial standing, and technical and professional ability. The selected entity will be responsible for delivering the specified services and setting up the demonstration platform. The call aims to advance the Galileo SAR-RLS technology for maritime applications by developing and demonstrating functional prototypes.