Destine Platform Operational Quality Framework Service

The European Space Agency contributes to the European Commission-funded Destination Earth (DestinE) initiative by developing a comprehensive digital Ecosystem integrating Earth Observation and Earth System Modelling resources. This initiative aims to enhance the monitoring and understanding of Earth’s complex systems, providing a sustainable foundation for the development of reliable and innovative predictive capabilities that enable informed decision-making. By doing so, the Ecosystem directly supports the European Union’s Green and Digital Transformation objectives, delivering high-value data and services to Member States, European industries, and global user communities.

Within the scope of this procurement, ESA invites proposals to define and implement a DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More Operational Quality Framework ServiceRegular provision of technological capabilities, resources, More for its Earth Observation and Earth System Modelling Ecosystem. This Framework will serve as a cornerstone for ensuring operational excellence, fitness-for-purpose, and continuous improvement, while fostering innovation and supporting long-term sustainability across the Ecosystem. The main objectives of this tender include:

• Establishing Quality Characteristics: The system design team shall specify a comprehensive set of quality metrics, benchmarks and procedures to ensure the DestinE Ecosystem delivers accurate, reliable, and actionable insights. The team shall also develop robust methodologies for evaluating and validating the performance and alignment of Ecosystem components with user needs.
• Implementing a Quality Management Environment (QME): The implementation team shall design and deploy a set of tools/applications capable of monitoring, managing, and reporting quality across the Ecosystem. The environment must include capabilities for real-time tracking of compliance, stakeholder feedback integration, and transparent reporting mechanisms.
• Establishing Operations and Maintenance Processes: The operational team shall ensure efficient management, maintenance, and iterative enhancements of the QME and other quality-related processes. The initial phase of this activity is planned for an 18-month duration with a budget of approximately 5M.

Following this phase, the contract may be extended for an additional two years to include the following tasks:

• Launching the Ecosystem Integrator activity: Design a structured activity to train and certify ServiceRegular provision of technological capabilities, resources, More Integrators, broadening the usability and accessibility of the Ecosystem for diverse stakeholders. This includes applying DestinE’s co-design methodology to tailor solutions for specific stakeholder needs.
• Fostering Reliable Innovation: Design a framework to encourage and validate innovative technologies within the DestinE PlatformSelf-standing DestinE system component, interfacing with the More. This includes assessing the reliability and fitness-for-purpose of new tools and methodologies to ensure they align with the Ecosystem’s goal for continuous improvement and user satisfaction.