ESOC awards Ground Segment Competitive Frame Contract to
VEGA
23 June 2010 – VEGA, a
Finmeccanica company, has signed a contract with the European Space
Operations Centre (ESOC) of ESA in Darmstadt, Germany, for Ground
Systems Software-related activities from 2010 to 2014.
VEGA’s German subsidiary company
is one of four organisations to be selected as a Frame Contractor
(FCO). Under the terms of the competitive frame contract, VEGA will
have the opportunity to bid for work which ESOC estimates to be
worth a total of €100m over five years.
Initially awarded for three
years, with an optional two-year extension, the contract covers
ground segment infrastructure systems; mission specific data
systems; simulators; flight dynamics; navigation; space debris; and
several other IT domains. ESOC required bidders to demonstrate high
competence levels in at least the two mandatory domains of “Ground
Segment Data Infrastructure Systems” and “Flight Dynamics Systems”,
as well as a staff with relevant technical experience, and a highly
professional management team.
John Lewis, Managing Director of
VEGA Deutschland, said: “We are particularly delighted to have been
selected. It is testament to the quality and experience of our
staff and to our understanding of our client’s requirements and
priorities. This contract consolidates our position as a leading
provider of end-to-end ground segment systems. It will support our
drive to further exploit ESA technologies in Space and other
markets.”
The four FCOs selected by ESOC
will be required to sub-contract a substantial part of the work to
Qualified Partners. As a result of the evaluation, VEGA’s UK Space
Division has been awarded Qualified Partner status for certain
domains.
The contract was signed at the
beginning of June and work is expected to start in the second half
of 2010.
Further information
For further information, please
contact Karen Rogers on karen.rogers@vega.co.uk.