Operational water-surface reflectance factors for above-water radiometry

The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) has announced a planned negotiated procurement procedure for a service contract. This opportunity is not a call for tenders but notifies about an upcoming service procurement aimed at enhancing the validation of Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellite data, particularly concerning aquatic data products. The contract centers on computing operational water-surface reflectance factors through radiative transfer simulations based on above-water radiometric data from the Aerosol Robotic Network Ocean Color component (AERONET-OC).

The eligible applicants are likely to be large enterprises, specialized research institutes, or service providers with advanced technical capabilities in satellite data validation and radiative transfer modeling. The procurement type is classified as a service contract, hence not suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The indicative contract duration is 18 months, with the start date for expressions of interest on August 13, 2025, and a submission deadline of August 30, 2025, at 23:59:59 Europe/Rome time. The negotiated procedure is expected to launch around September 4, 2025.

Although the funding amount is not specified, the contract is characterized as a middle or low value procurement, likely under €200,000. There are no explicit requirements for a consortium, indicating the possibility for a single contractor to undertake the project. However, eligibility is likely limited to entities from EU member states and possibly EEA countries as per standard EU procurement rules.

The work involved is essential for minimizing uncertainties in satellite-derived ocean color data, thus ensuring the reliability of the Copernicus Programme's outputs for climate monitoring and water quality assessment. Payment will be rendered for the services delivered, and no co-funding is necessary.

Interested parties can express their interest electronically, noting that this procurement will follow a two-stage application process: an initial expression of interest followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal for selected candidates. Successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate their expertise in radiative transfer simulations and understanding of the relevant measurement protocols utilized in the AERONET-OC network.

This is a publication announcing the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated low or middle value procedure. It is not a call for tenders.

The procedure identifier is EC-JRC/IPR/2025/LVP/4141-EXA.

The description of the planned call for tenders is as follows: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) contributes to validating Copernicus Sentinel-2 and -3 aquatic data products with several autonomous above-water systems, such as those included in the Ocean Colour component of the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET-OC; Zibordi et al., 2009, 2022). The validation of Copernicus Sentinel-2 and -3 data products with AERONET-OC in-situ measurements is crucial for the assessment and eventual minimisation of uncertainties both in satellite data products and in the algorithms applied to their processing, thus ensuring a maximized return of investment for the Copernicus Programme. The present service request concerns the computation through accurate radiative transfer simulations of operational water-surface reflectance factors for above-water radiometric data obtained with the measurement and data reduction protocols implemented in AERONET-OC.

The procedure type is a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract.

The estimated total value is not specified.

The lead contracting authority is the European Commission, DG JRC Joint Research Centre.

The main classification (CPV) code is 73200000 Research and development consultancy services.

The nature of the contract is for services.

The maximum contract duration is 18 months.

There is no framework agreement.

The start date for expression of interest is 2025-08-13 Europe/Brussels.

The deadline for expression of interest is 30/08/2025 05:59 Europe/Rome.

The indicative date of launch of the negotiated procedure is 2025-09-04 Europe/Rome.

The method of expression of interest is electronic.

The address for expression of interest is "Express interest".

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A public Q&A section exists, including FAQs.

One FAQ is listed: Where can I find the procurement documents for calls for tenders with ‘ExA' in the reference? The answer is: References that feature an ‘ExA’ are not calls for tenders. They are 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 17:32.

In summary, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) is planning a negotiated procurement procedure for a low to middle value contract. The project aims to enhance the validation of Copernicus Sentinel-2 and Sentinel-3 satellite data, specifically concerning aquatic data products. The core task involves computing operational water-surface reflectance factors using radiative transfer simulations. These calculations will be based on above-water radiometric data acquired through the Aerosol Robotic Network Ocean Color component (AERONET-OC). The goal is to improve the accuracy of satellite data and processing algorithms, thereby maximizing the return on investment for the Copernicus Programme. The contract duration is expected to be up to 18 months. Interested parties can express their interest electronically, with a deadline of August 30, 2025. The negotiated procedure is expected to launch around September 4, 2025. It is important to note that this announcement is not a call for tenders but rather a notification of an upcoming procurement opportunity.

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is for a service contract, implying that eligible applicants are likely to be organizations or companies capable of providing research and development consultancy services. This could include research institutes, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, or other entities with the relevant expertise.

Funding Type: The funding type is a service contract, specifically a planned negotiated procedure for a middle/low value contract. This indicates a procurement process where the contracting authority (European Commission, DG JRC) will negotiate the terms of the contract with selected potential service providers.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if a single applicant is sufficient. However, given the nature of the service (computation through accurate radiative transfer simulations), both single entities and consortia with the necessary expertise could be eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but since it is an EU funding opportunity managed by the European Commission, it is highly likely that entities from EU member states are eligible. It is possible that entities from EEA countries or other countries with specific agreements with the EU may also be eligible. Further details would be needed to confirm the exact geographic scope.

Target Sector: The target sector is research and development, specifically related to the validation of Copernicus Sentinel-2 and -3 aquatic data products. This falls under the broader categories of space, environment, and potentially ICT (due to the data processing and simulations involved). More specifically, it targets the area of earth observation and remote sensing of aquatic environments.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned. The relevant region is the European Union, as the contracting authority is the European Commission.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on operational implementation and validation. The service request concerns the computation of water-surface reflectance factors for existing above-water radiometric data, which suggests a validation and refinement phase rather than basic research or early-stage development.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is described as a "middle/low value contract." While a precise range is not provided, this suggests a contract value likely under €200k, and possibly even lower, but without more information, it is impossible to be more precise.

Application Type: The application type is a planned negotiated procedure. This means that after an initial expression of interest, the contracting authority will select a limited number of candidates to invite to submit a full proposal and enter into negotiations.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in exchange for services rendered. The contract is for the provision of services, specifically the computation of water-surface reflectance factors.

Application Stages: The application process appears to involve at least two stages: 1) Expression of interest, and 2) Submission of a full proposal and negotiation (for selected candidates). Therefore, there are at least 2 stages.

Success Rates: It is not possible to determine the success rates based on the provided information. Negotiated procedures typically have lower success rates for initial applicants compared to open calls, as only a limited number of candidates are invited to the negotiation stage.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. It is likely that no co-funding is required, as it is a service contract where the contracting authority pays for the full cost of the service.

Summary:

This opportunity is a planned negotiated procedure for a service contract issued by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). The JRC is seeking a service provider to compute operational water-surface reflectance factors for above-water radiometric data, which will be used to validate Copernicus Sentinel-2 and -3 aquatic data products. This validation is crucial for minimizing uncertainties in satellite data and algorithms, thereby maximizing the return on investment for the Copernicus Programme.

The procedure is for a middle/low value contract, and the maximum contract duration is 18 months. The indicative start date for expression of interest is August 13, 2025, with a deadline of August 30, 2025. The indicative date for the launch of the negotiated procedure is September 4, 2025.

Eligible applicants are likely to be research institutes, universities, SMEs, or other organizations with expertise in radiative transfer simulations and aquatic remote sensing. The application process involves an initial expression of interest, followed by an invitation to submit a full proposal and enter into negotiations for selected candidates. This is not a call for tenders but an announcement of the contracting authority’s intention to publish a future negotiated procedure. The nature of support is monetary, in exchange for the provision of the contracted services.