Subcontracting clause - Important background information
In the framework of the SME initiative of ESA, some measures have been adopted in reply to the mandate given by Council, meeting at Ministerial level in Paris, on 4th March 1997 to give to Small and Medium-size Enterprises (SMEs) within the Agency a special place and balanced access to technological support actions:
One of the measures is called the "SME subcontracting Clause". The measure consists basically on encouraging the well-experienced European space companies bidding as Main Contractors to ESA technology procurements to include SMEs in their industrial teams in order to build-up working relationships with them and give them the opportunity to bring new technological ideas and concepts. (see EMITS News dated 10.2.99)
At the moment of issuing this News, 3 Invitations to Tender containing the "SME subcontracting Clause" are on-going, and can be downloaded from the Invitations To Tender (ITT) menu of EMITS:
RF BASED ACTIVE SHAPE CONTROL FOR ANTENNAS (Open from 25/04/2001 to 20/06/2001, Act. Ref. AO3737-SM)
DEVELOPMENT OF FEEP NEUTRALIZER (Open from 09/05/2001 to 10/07/2001, Act. Ref. AO3819-SM)
FEEP PCU HIGH RESOLUTION HIGH EFFICIENCY(Open from 02/05/2001 to 20/06/2001, Act. Ref. AO3826-SM)
In order to assist potential bidders in the preparation of proposals for the above and future ITTs containing the SME subcontracting clause, the following On-line Catalogue is provided. It contains a basic description of Small Companies potentially satisfying the SME definition criteria of ESA which participated at the "Industry Space Days", organised by ESA at ESTEC, on 27 May 1999.
Further reminders
Potential bidders are reminded that they can consult the "List of Firms" having expressed interest in all ITTs. These lists are available on EMITS, just below the corresponding ITT summaries. Please note that these lists duly indicate whether the entities are large companies, small companies or SMEs..)