CASSIS Terminal Programme Overview
The CASSIS Terminal programme, funded under the ESA ARTES C&G Technology Phase framework, aims to develop technology prototypes of a low-cost mobile terminal, supporting hybrid terrestrial-satellite seamless connectivity for vehicular communication. The prototypes will make extensive use of industrial and automotive grade components, with a roadmap to upgrade to full automotive grade qualification during the Product Phase. The terminal architecture allows vertical integration into V2X solutions supplied by Tier1s. The terminal is specifically designed for vehicular connectivity, where an agile and high-precision antenna tracking system is required to maintain the satellite link on a moving vehicle on public roads, with the ability to perform in-field self-calibration.
The CASSIS Terminal is formed by an RF Module (RFM), a Satellite Core Module (SCM) and a Hybrid Connectivity Module (HCM). The RFM and HCM will be developed as part of the CASSIS Terminal project, while the SCM will be procured from 3rd party modem/hub providers.
Opportunity Purpose and Objective
The purpose of this call is to select a UK Business to join the CASSIS Consortium as a Project Partner and become the Product Owner for the RF Module. The key role and responsibility of the RFM Product Owner is to determine the final technical solution, develop the route to market for the primary automotive sector but also for other adjacent sectors. The RFM Product Owner is expected to lead a future industrialisation and pre-production phase.
The objective of this call is to provide UK businesses with a transparent and fair opportunity to present their cases for participation in this project.
From this process the Catapult will evaluate the responses and select a single partner with which to proceed with the proposal development. The evaluation shall be qualitative based on the alignment of the responses with the wider Catapult objectives. In this case, the aim is to establish and address technology gaps in the UK supply chain by creating industrial and research environments where such outputs can be generated. As such, the Catapult is keen to identify a partner that will provide maximal, measurable impact on the UK ecosystem, particularly in terms of job creation and commercial growth.
Mandatory Requirements
All applicants must note the following mandatory requirements in order to apply.
The applicant must:
Funding Requirements
The anticipated value of this opportunity is between £300,000 and £800,000.
All applicants must be willing to match fund the project as per ESA’s match funding rules. The size of the match funding will differ depending on the size or type of organisation involved in the proposal.
Further details of match funding requirements can be found on ESA ARTES’s website at https://artes.esa.int/competitiveness-growth/overview. Note that it is expected that the maximum funding level is 75%.
Registration Process
Potential partners can express an interest in the opportunity by completing the Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) at the end of this page, which will be used to identify their suitability to participate in the project. A copy of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s Terms and Conditions and Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) (click here to download) will need to be signed and returned as part of the submission. The deadline to register interest in this opportunity and submit the PQQ has now passed.
Application Form (only to be completed by successful PQQ applicants)
Following assessment of the PQQ’s, the successful applicants will be issued the Application Form along with supporting documents as per the list below and must return the completed documents to Satellite Applications Catapult by 11pm, 13th October 2020.
Documents to be completed and returned by applicant:
Supporting documents for information
When completing the Application Form, the applicant must adhere to the following mandatory requirements:
Should the applicants have any questions during the process, these should be sent to alessandro.modigliana@sa.catapult.org.uk no later than 11pm, 7th October 2020.
Responses to questions will be answered and shared with all applicants, for clarity and fairness, no later than 11pm, 9th of October 2020.
Evaluation Criteria
Upon completing the Application Form, applicants will be assessed according to a scoring system on a set number of criteria with the criteria weighted to reflect the relative importance to the final score.
A successful applicant will need to score a minimum of 80% in their overall proposal.
The below table outlines the scoring criteria that will be used for assessment against each question.
Score | Assessment |
---|---|
Score 90%+ | Exceptional demonstration by the Potential Provider of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and/or quality measures required. Evidence identifies factors that will offer significant added value. |
Score 80%+ | Above average demonstration by the Potential Provider of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and/or quality measures required. Evidence identifies factors that will offer some added value. |
Score 60%+ | Demonstration by the Potential Provider of the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resource and/or quality measures required. |
Score 40%+ | Some reservations about the Potential Providers relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resources and/or quality measures required. |
Score <40% | Does not comply and/or insufficient information provided to demonstrate that the Potential Provider has the relevant ability, understanding, experience, skills, resources and/or quality measures required. Little or no evidence to support the response. |
Clarification
Following assessment, applicants that meet the criteria scoring threshold of 80% will be invited to a clarification for further discussion and to allow them the opportunity to clarify any areas of their submission.
Based on the questionnaire scoring and clarification meeting the most suitable applicant will be selected. Clarification questions will be sent by email prior to the meeting.
Schedule of Events
Reponses to this announcement of opportunity will be evaluated in accordance with the following schedule:
Process Steps | Dates |
---|---|
Opportunity open on website | 25/09/2020 |
PQQ submission deadline (incl. NDAs & Terms & Conditions signed) | 01/10/2020 |
Notification of successful applicants at PQQ & Application Form released | 02/10/2020 |
Application Form Question deadline | 07/10/2020 |
Application Form Question reply deadline | 09/10/2020 |
Application Form submission deadline (Incl. LoI) | 13/10/2020 |
Clarification Meetings | 15/10/2020 |
Opportunity Award | 16/10/2020 |
To register your interest in this opportunity please click here to complete the questionnaire. The deadline for this part of the application is 11pm, 1st October 2020.
A copy of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s Terms and Conditions and Non-disclosure Agreement (NDA) (click here to download) will also need to be signed and uploaded as part of the questionnaire.