In order to ensure the broader input knowledge and subsequent buy-in of European airport stakeholders into the SESAR programme, the SESAR JU considers key to continue availing itself with the support of the prospective contractor in the domain of expertise in European airports.

For this purpose, the SESAR JU has launched a negotiated procurement procedure without prior publication of a contract notice under Point 11.1(b)(ii), Annex I of the FR with a single tenderer with a view to the provision of airport expertise related services to the SESAR programme.

The SESAR JU is looking for the advice, assistance and representation of a concerted European airport voice for the needs of SESAR.

The SESAR Programme will require airport expertise by acquiring:

• horizontal airport contribution in the SESAR Programme;

• access to communication platform(s) for outreach to all categories of European airports; and

• capacities to ensure European airports are suitably and equitably participating and informed in view of the development, verification/validation, demonstrations and deployments of SESAR results.

Support in terms of expertise and services is needed in areas such as, but not limited to:

• safety;

• airport business and finance/economics needs;

• environmental (including noise) needs/requirements and considerations;

• security;

• R&D needs and requirements leading to implementation readiness;

• operational, enabling infrastructure and technical system needs and development including verification/validation and demonstration activities with a focus on the airport domain of the ATM network i.e. safety, environment, capacity, ground coordination, ground handling, slot allocation;

• communication mechanisms and tools to increase awareness, promote consistent messages and a wider understanding of the benefits of SESAR technologies to airports in Europe as well as relevant national and European stakeholders.

These topics may evolve upon agreement between the SESAR JU and the selected tenderer (contractor).

Furthermore, the prospective tenderer shall have a range of communication tools available to increase awareness, promote consistent messages and a wider understanding of the benefits of SESAR technologies to airports in Europe as well as relevant national and European stakeholders.

The prospective tenderer shall be able to address the operational and system infrastructure needs of European airports and their integration into the European ATM network in order to support the SESAR JU in qualifying the performance needs and requirements for the future challenges.

In order to provide the required support, the tenderer must be able to provide access to the intelligence network of a large number of European airports that would include local, regional and hub airports with a wide range of:

• runway configurations;

• airspace characteristics;

• available air traffic services;

• traffic complexity;

• number of total, average and peak movements;

• different approaches and perspectives on airport operations;

• geographical distribution.