GSTP FAQ
Element 1
Q. What is the GSTP Element 1 Develop Compendium?
A. The GSTP E1 "Develop" Compendium is a list of candidate activities to the GSTP E1 Develop Workplan, pre-selected following the ESA End to End process, including programmatic screening and consistency checking with technology strategy and THAG Roadmaps. The objective of the Compendium is to provide industry and Delegations with a consolidated overview of the priorities for ESA in the development of technology within the GSTP Programme.
Q.How often does ESA issue a Workplan in GSTP Element 1 "Develop"?
A.The initial GSTP Element 1 Develop Workplan was presented and approved by the IPC in December 2012. Updates of the GSTP E1 Develop Workplan are typically issued and presented to the IPC for approval five times per year. In the order of 10-25 activities are included in each update.
Q. How are the activities selected for the update of the GSTP Element 1 "Develop" workplan ?
A. The activities become part of the GSTP Element 1 Develop workplan, once Delegations of the GSTP Participating States express their interest in supporting the activities, in the GSTP Element 1 Develop Compendium. In addition, new activities may be considered for the GSTP Element 1 Develop WP/PP if they have a high priority.
Q. How do activities under the workplan and under the frameworks differ?
A. Under the Workplan, activities do not require approval by the IPC. They can have a budget rangind from €200k to a few million Euros (although it is typically around €700k). Under the Frameworks, the activity budgets are restricted - both the maximum budget and the maximum duration are limited.
In general activities in the Workplan could also attract interest, since they are in open competition for multiple companies while those under the Frameworks have already undergone a negotiation process and therefore are targeted to a specific delegation and consortium.
Q. What should I quote if I want to apply to the Advanced Manufacturing Framework or the Building Blocks Framework?
A. Please use the following activity names and references in any proposal:
For the Advanced Manufacturing Framework: G617-241TA, Assessing the use of Advanced Manufacturing to improve and expand space hardware capabilities
For the Building Blocks Framework: GT17-137TI, Preparation of enabling space technologies/capabilities re: building blocks:
Q. Where do we submit proposals?
A. You can submit proposals through both EMITS and OSIP.
For the De-risk and BB Framework GSTP do not issue the calls directly. For both frameworks a National delegation announces an open call, and then submits received proposals to GSTP. More information can be found in the permanently open call on OSIP.
Q. How long will it roughly take from notification to receipt of grant letter/project kick off?
A. On average Frameworks take around 5 months, workplan activities can take longer. We aim for around 8 months.
Q. How do I get invited to the SET/FPDs?
A. Please contact Alessandro Rapisarda to be added to the mailing list.
Element 2
Q. How long do proposals take?
A. The Outline Proposal has a target of 10 working days to 2 weeks.
The tendering process/ procurement process can take around 4 months provided the technical and business proposal quality meet expectations.
Larger activities require more input and evaluation, which can impact timings.
Q. How is the new process different to the old one?
A. The new process uses documentation that is much simpler and more aligned with other ESA industry driven initiatives. Long-established companies, mature technology developments or those with a lot of experience working with ESA and this process will often be able to enter the process at a later stage, with a full proposal. While newcomers to the ESA tender process will be assessed and supported with their proposals to prevent any barriers in building a relationship with GSTP, ESA and in realising the full potential of their technology development.
Q. How are contracts awarded?
A. Contracts are awarded on the basis of proposals made by industry to develop products aligned with their product and technology roadmap plans.
Q.Where do I find the templates for proposals?
A. These will be uploaded shortly.
Q. Does my proposal have to follow any theme?
A. Activities submitted in the frame of GSTP Element 2 Make may be related to the improvement or development of satellite subsystems or equipment (including EGSE), space transportation subsystems or equipment up to engineering model or qualification model, and the improvement or development of ground / user system and equipment up to prototypes and commercialized products.
Activities should address any the following technology themes: Earth observation, science, exploration, human spaceflight, space transportation, satellite navigation or generic technologies.
Q. How do I submit a proposal?
A. Outline Proposals shall be submitted electronically through the Open Innovation Platform (OSIP) at www.ideas.esa.int.
The proposed work shall not overlap with any currently running ESA contract awarded to any entity in the proposal consortium. An Outline Proposal approved by ESA must precede the submission of a Full Proposal.
The tendering process follows a two- steps approach: Submission of an Outline Proposal followed by the submission of a Full Proposal
Confirmation of support shall be demonstrated from the relevant National Delegations (Letter of Support)
More information can be found in the ITT package available in EMITS under reference AO9834.
Q. How is the co-funding divided?
A. The percentage of co funding is decided by the national delegations. Proposals are eligible for as much as is authorised by them. This can be up to 80% depending on the delegation.
See the Open Call on OSIP for more information.
Q. Who are the Element 2 Participating States?
A. Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Canada & Slovenia.
Q. What are the proposal evaluation criteria?
A. See the Open Call on OSIP for more information
Q. Can we use our own templates?
A. Ultimately, we will accept templates using your own format and structure but only if all of the required information and content is replicated and all of the points are addressed as they would be in the original template.
Q. Am I allowed to do prior work?
[Answer forthcoming]
Element 3
Q: Is there an open call for the GSTP Element 3, Fly? where can I find it?
A: There is no open call on emits or OSIP, but companies/academia can send their ideas to the GSTP Element 3, Fly coordinator.
Q: Is the IOD fully funded by the GSTP Element 3 Fly?
A: There is no strict rule on this aspect. The proposing entity can agree with the respective delegation to co-fund or get a fully funded project.
Q: Does the total cost include the launch cost?
A: Yes, in all the current projects, the Element 3,Fly covers the launch cost because the delegation has funded the full project including the launch. Be aware that the financial set-up of a project will have to be agreed with the delegation, as no implementing rules are foreseen in the GSTP Fly element for the funding scheme.
Q: Do you apply ECSS to cubesat projects including reviews?
A: Yes, there a tailored ECSS to LEO cubesat and some formal reviews ( PDR, CDR, QAR)?
Q: Do you have a constraints on the operations of the project/cubesat?
A: The IOD is valid for 6 months, after that, an IOCR is conducted to validate the IOD. The GSTP fly does not prevent the entities involved in the project to run their S/C, or experiments beyond 6 months if they can cover it financially.
Q: Can we operate our satellites?
A: Yes, it is the baseline; exceptions are dealt with based on the request of the proposing entity, and need to be agreed with the delegation if the funding is also required.
Q: Can we use IOD for payloads/products using ISS.
A: Yes.
Q. How do I find out more about the ISS services option for in orbit demonstration?
A. You can find more here.
