Pilot Project on Mobile Responsive Launch Systems

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space (DG DEFIS) has announced a call for tenders for a pilot project titled "Pilot Project on Mobile Responsive Launch Systems." The project focuses on addressing the needs for responsive launch systems within the European Union, particularly in relation to security and defense. It comprises three main tasks which include identifying commercial and institutional requirements, defining suitable and affordable solutions, and outlining necessary steps towards operational services.

The total estimated budget for the project is €1,950,000, divided into three separate contracts, each with a maximum value of €650,000. The anticipated duration of each contract is 10 months, with the electronic submission deadline set for September 22, 2025.

Eligible applicants include various economic operators capable of providing the necessary services, such as companies (including both small and large enterprises) and research institutes. While the opportunity does not specifically target SMEs, it is open to a diverse range of entities within the EU, which is the primary geographic eligibility for participation. The project is categorized under the space and defense sectors, indicated by relevant CPV codes related to research and development consultancy services, spacecraft, and space transport services.

The bidding process follows an open call format, requiring electronic submissions. The evaluation will be based on a quality-to-price ratio, with 70% of the evaluation focused on quality and 30% on price. Although the details concerning success rates are not specified, the process is competitive.

The initiative does not require co-funding from the applicants, as the European Commission will cover the entire contract cost. Each tender submission must adhere to the requirements specified in the tender documents, which include an invitation letter, tender specifications, and necessary declarations.

The project signifies the EU's commitment to enhancing the capabilities of responsive launch systems while prioritizing its defense needs, allowing for potential innovative contributions from entities equipped to meet these challenges effectively.

The European Commission, DG DEFIS Defence Industry and Space, has published a call for tenders EC-DEFIS/2025/OP/0026 for a Pilot Project on Mobile Responsive Launch Systems. The TED reference for this call is 130/2025 451596-2025. The estimated total value of the tender is 1950000 EUR.

The procedure type is an open procedure, and the nature of the contract is for services, specifically research and development consultancy services, CPV code 73200000. The maximum contract duration is 10 months. The award method will be based on the best price-quality ratio. No framework agreement is associated with this tender.

The project description includes:
Identification of the commercial and institutional needs for responsive launch systems in the EU, including for security and defence purposes.
Identification and definition of the suitable and affordable solutions for responsive launch systems in the EU (including ground and launcher systems).
Identification of necessary steps toward operational services.

The contracting authority plans to sign three contracts, each with a maximum value of 650 000 EUR.

Key dates:
TED publication date: 10/07/2025
Date and time of public opening: 23/09/2025 10:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for receipt of tenders: 22/09/2025 16:00 Europe/Brussels
Deadline for questions: The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 11/09/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels

Submission details:
Submissions must be sent exclusively via electronic submission.

Available documents:
Invitation to tender EC-DEFIS2025OP0026 Mobile Responsive Launch Systems Invitation letter, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.
Tender Specification, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.
Declaration on honour (tender) Mobile Responsive Launch Systems EC-DEFIS2025OP0026, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.
Draft contract EC-DEFIS-2025-OP-0026, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.
Annex III VAT share Draft contract annex, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.
Appendix 2 Security requirements Draft contract annex, published on 10/07/2025, Version 1.

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In summary, this is a call for tenders by the European Commission, DG DEFIS, for a pilot project focusing on mobile responsive launch systems. The project aims to identify commercial and institutional needs, define suitable solutions, and outline the necessary steps for operational services in the EU. The total estimated value is 1.95 million EUR, with three contracts to be awarded, each capped at 650,000 EUR. The deadline for submitting tenders is September 22, 2025. The submission must be done electronically, and applicants must have a PIC. The tender documents include the invitation letter, tender specifications, declaration of honour, draft contract, and annexes related to VAT and security requirements. The call is open to organizations offering research and development consultancy services in the space and defence sectors.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but given it is an open procedure tender, it is likely open to a range of entities including companies, research organizations, and other organizations capable of providing the required services. The requirement for a PIC (Personal Identification Code) suggests that any organization intending to submit a tender must be registered.

Funding Type: Procurement, specifically a service contract.

Consortium Requirement: The text mentions that a PIC is mandatory to participate as a sole candidate/tenderer or as a member of a group (consortium). Therefore, both single applicants and consortia are eligible.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but given it is an EU tender, it is highly likely that entities from the EU and potentially EEA countries are eligible.

Target Sector: The target sector is space, specifically focusing on mobile responsive launch systems, including aspects related to security and defense. It also involves research and development consultancy services.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on the EU.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on identification and definition of solutions, and necessary steps toward operational services, suggesting a stage between development and demonstration.

Funding Amount: The maximum value for each of the three contracts to be signed is 650,000 EUR. The estimated total value of the procedure is 1,950,000 EUR.

Application Type: Open call for tenders.

Nature of Support: Money, in the form of service contract payments.

Application Stages: The number of application stages is not explicitly mentioned, but it involves at least one stage of submitting a tender.

Success Rates: The success rates are not mentioned. However, since three contracts will be signed, the success rate is related to the number of applications received.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned.

Summary:

This is an invitation to tender, EC-DEFIS2025OP0026, issued by the European Commission, DG DEFIS (Defence Industry and Space), for a pilot project on Mobile Responsive Launch Systems. The tender seeks to identify commercial and institutional needs for responsive launch systems within the EU, including security and defense applications. It also aims to define suitable and affordable solutions, including ground and launcher systems, and to outline the necessary steps toward operational services. The procedure type is an open procedure, and submissions must be electronic. The estimated total value of the tender is 1,950,000 EUR, with three contracts to be signed, each with a maximum value of 650,000 EUR. The maximum contract duration is 10 months. The award method is based on the best price-quality ratio. The TED publication date is 10/07/2025, and the deadline for receipt of tenders is 22/09/2025 at 16:00 Europe/Brussels time. Tenderers must register for a PIC (Personal Identification Code) to participate, and submissions must adhere to the eSubmission system requirements, including file size limits (under 50 MB per file) and naming conventions. The eSubmission system supports all 24 official EU languages and uses encryption to ensure data integrity and confidentiality. The contracting authority is not bound to reply to questions submitted after 11/09/2025 05:00 Europe/Brussels.