GJU to conduct parallel negotiations with remaining Galileo concession bidders
The Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU) has announced that it will enter into parallel negotiations with the two consortia still in the running to claim the Galileo concession. According to a GJU statement published on 1 March, their evaluations have revealed that both bidding parties are fully capable of running the concession. Therefore, simultaneous negotiations will be initiated with the Eurely and iNavSat consortia on the most critical aspects of any future contract, such as cost, financing, and insurance. 'In order to achieve the best value for the public I have decided to invite both consortia for parallel negotiations on the concession contract,' said GJU executive director Rainer Grohe. 'I am convinced that this decision will prove the most beneficial for the public and I envisage that within the next three months, it will become clear with whom the GJU will continue the final negotiations.' The Commission welcomed the GJU's announcement, adding that it is very pleased with the quality of the proposals, which fully comply with the conditions originally set out for the concessionaire process, particularly in terms of financing. Not only will there be no delay in the selection procedure, argues the Commission, but holding the negotiations simultaneously will also encourage competition between the two candidates, resulting in faster progress than if they were held with one consortium on its own. Commission Vice-President with responsibility for Transport, Jacques Barrot, emphasised that: 'The quality of the proposals shows, if there was still any need for it, the commercial viability of this great European space project. Opening simultaneous talks on the concession agreement will also make it possible to improve the two candidates' proposals, to the greater benefit of the Galileo project.' The Galileo concession, for which the two consortia are bidding, covers the deployment and operational phases of the project. The Eurely consortium includes Alcatel, Finmecanica, Hispasat and Aena, while the iNavSat consortium counts EADS, Thales and Inmarsat among its major members.