5 - The Tendering Phase: Preparation and Submission of an Offer

The Tenderers should carefully read the ITT/RFQ package and the related documents mentioned there, in order to be able to submit a tender that will be admitted for full evaluation, with the best possible chances of success.

With regard to the preparation of the tender, some general purpose information can be found on the page: How to prepare a good proposal: overall.

During the tendering phase, Tenderers may ask the Agency to clarify specific points in the ITT/RFQ, or request an extension to the closing date. Such requests must be made in writing and exclusively to the relevant Contracts Officer indicated in the ITT/RFQ cover letter using the esa-star system. ESA will either reply to the requestor directly in esa-star, or, in case the clarification is of general interest to all potential bidders, publish the questions/answers on EMITS.

Tenders are to be uploaded in the electronic tendering interface to ESA – esa-star, and then finally "Submitted" to the Agency from within the esa-star system.

The system does not accept the submission of tenders after the closing date and time indicated in the cover letter of the ITT/RFQ.

Tenderers are encouraged, prior to the closing date, to upload to the esa-star system (without "Releasing" to the Agency) a preliminary version of their tender in order to familiarise themselves with the system and identify any technical problems well in advance, so that these can be resolved before the closing date and time of the ITT/RFQ.

Next: 6 - Admission and Evaluation of Offers