FAQ
What is the Data User Element?
The Data User Element, also called DUE, is an element of the Earth Observation Envelope Programme (EOEP), an optional programme of the European Space Agency, currently subscribed by all ESA Member States. It follows the 5 year Data User Programme (DUP) that lasted from 1997 to 2002. The DUE, like its predecesor DUP, tries to promote the development of Earth Observation (EO) demonstration services that fully respond to the needs of end-user communities.
Why should a user organisation participate to a DUE project?
The European Space Agency provides all user organisations that participate to a DUE project with free access to the project results and to the geo-information products / system developed during the course of the project. DUE projects are also a unique opportunity for user organisations to get acquainted with new space technologies that can provide substantial benefit to their operational duties.
What are the conditions for user participation to a DUE project?
In order to be eligible for participation in a DUE project, user organisations are requested to commit the provision of resources in support to the project execution (e.g. manpower, access to data and infrastructure, support to product definition and qualification, etc.). More information is provided in the "User Partnership" area.
How to be informed about a DUE Invitation To Tender?
There are two ways to get informed about a DUE Invitation to Tender:
- by regularly visiting the DUE web site. We will try to keep you informed about current and future DUE procurements. You should visit regularly the "Tenders" area.
- by connecting to the EMITS web site and checking the Intented and Open Invitation To Tender. Each potential supplier in the ESA list can also request in EMITS to be informed by email about specific Invitations To Tender.
What is EMITS?
EMITS is the ESA Eletronic Mail Invitation to Tender System. It provides on line information on the Intended and Current invitations to Tender from ESA programmes. EMITS is available at URL http://emits.esa.int/
How to have access to EMITS?
In order to have access to EMITS and to the restricted area of the ESA industry Portal, it is mandatory first to be an entity of one of the ESA Member States and second to register as an ESA potential bidder by filling a registration form available on the EMITS site.
What is the typical structure of a proposal to a DUE Invitation To Tender?
One of the appendixes of the ESA Invitations to Tender is the "Special Conditions of Tender". It provides all the information needed to structure the proposal and respond in an appropriate manner to the ESA requirements.
The content of a DUE proposal is typically to be divided into 4 main parts:
- the cover letter
- the technical proposal
- the management, financial and administrative proposal
How to be eligible for bidding on a DUE Invitation To Tender (ITT)?
ESA procurements are open to all firms (private companies, public administrations, universities) from Member States participating to the programme concerned.
DUE procurements are currently open to firms from all ESA Member States: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Canada.
Contracts can only be placed with companies having a permanent ESA bidder code.
What are the standard evaluation criteria in DUE Invitations to Tender?
The standard evaluation criteria applied by ESA in the evaluation of the proposals are:
- background and experience of the company(ies) and staff (in general and related to the particular field of interest);
- understanding of the requirements and objectives, and discussions of the problem areas;
- Quality and sutability of the proposed solution, and programme of work; adequacy of the engineering approach;
- Adequacy of the management, costing and planning for the execution of the work;
- Compliance with the administrative tender requirements and acceptance of contracts conditions.
The evaluation criteria of a given ITT are indicated in the "Special Tender Conditions" which is in appendix to the ITT Letter of Invitation.
