FINAL REPORT: DEFINITIONAL MISSION TO AZERBAIJAN:
AZERCOSMOS – AZERSPACE-2 FEASIBILITY STUDY
August 07, 2013
Space Partnership International
54
3.12 QUALIFICATIONS
The Contractor shall submit the activity team qualifications required to conduct the activity(ies) and the
evaluation criteria to be used by the Project Sponsor in cases of competed activity(ies).
Qualifications Required by the Feasibility Study Contractor
A Contractor executing the Feasibility Study needs to have personnel with extensive satellite,
market research, regulatory, and technical experience required for this type of project. The
Contractor should
also provide financial, contractual, and risk management expertise.
The Contractor carrying out this Feasibility Study shall demonstrate:
a)
Detailed experience with the regulatory process, specifically regarding C-, Ku-, and Ka-band satellites,
the ability to assess the status of its frequency coordination with neighboring satellite operators and
terrestrial users of the same frequencies, and the ability to provide a timeline of the process;
b)
The contractor shall demonstrate knowledge of global trends in satellite telecommunications and how
these global trends might impact the derived economic value of the Azeri satellite; demonstrate a strong
market research capacity and ability to assess the value of the satellite services
the Azeris can derive
from using the slot (Azercosmos is obtaining and correlating the slot selection to the design of the
satellite, geographic coverage, market potential for each of a series of satellite services by demand
growth in those regions, and expected market penetration); as well as provide a competitive market
analysis of other satellite operators in the region offering similar services;
c)
The contractor shall demonstrate firm knowledge of the U.S. companies that might be capable of
supplying the satellite and associated launch and ground segment. The contractor shall also demonstrate
knowledge of the competitive advantages and disadvantages of U.S. industry relative to the Azeri
requirements.
d)
Strong technical capability in being able to validate the capabilities of the satellite, the types
and quality
of the services it can provide; familiarity with high throughput and Ka-band spot beam technology,
including issues and challenges in the target markets; as well as identify the technical risks associated
with the implementation of the system from the point of view of launch vehicle and satellite
manufacturer’s selection;
e)
Experience in providing detailed analyses of the economic, legal, and business factors associated with
generation of satellite services to the wholesale market
in the region, and a particular demonstrated
understanding of the special political nuances within the region that might affect the Azercosmos
business objectives; this should include a risk assessment and mitigation program;
f)
Internal ability to model Supply and Demand in FSS customized by countries and regions by frequency
bands and by services;
g)
Knowledge of end-user market
customer, channel distribution, and political and economic conditions
for satellite communications in the target markets (e.g. oil and gas, DTH, etc.)
h)
Strong financial capabilities to develop the most appropriate financial models for a Ka-band satellite
system through the full life cycle of the program;
i)
Proficiency in satellite project financing and knowledge of U.S. Export Credit agency activity in the
satellite sector;
j)
The ability to determine and develop appropriate training programs to be offered to Azercosmos.
FINAL REPORT: DEFINITIONAL MISSION TO AZERBAIJAN:
AZERCOSMOS – AZERSPACE-2 FEASIBILITY STUDY
August 07, 2013
Space Partnership International
55
3.13 JUSTIFICATION AND RECOMMENDATION
The Contractor shall provide an explanation of why USTDA's grant funding is needed, including a
description of how the activity would support U.S. Government priorities and promote U.S. commercial
goals, how USTDA's participation would add value to the project's development, and how the success of each
project would be measured in terms of U.S. trade promotion and development impact.
Detailed recommendations as to:
Whether or not the project meets USTDA's basic funding criteria;
The appropriate TOR for the proposed activity; and
The appropriate budget for the TOR recommended for the proposed activity.
If the recommendation is that USTDA should fund the activity, but in a phased approach or only if certain
outstanding issues are resolved or conditions met, those phases, issues or conditions should be clearly
delineated in the recommendation.
Justification of Project
Our analysis of the current status urgently suggests the need for development of a comprehensive
business plan. The current demand for satellite services is growing within the country and on a
regional basis. The existing satellite is not expected to meet the need or demand for satellite
services within and outside of Azerbaijan. The justification for USTDA’s continued involvement
with a feasibility study could be summarized as follows:
a)
U.S. manufacturing firms we interviewed expressed strong interest in supplying goods and/or
services for the
project.
b)
Azercosmos is well-placed to capture the existing demand and fill the current Azerspace-1 with a potential
backlog;
c)
The President’s “Azerbaijan 2020 – Future Outlook” directive places telecommunications and this satellite
program as a national imperative;
d)
A substantial investment has already been made in the satellite program with the launch of Azerspace-1 and a
very sophisticated ground station;
e)
The Azerbaijan government is prepared to provide a sovereign guaranty
behind ECA loans;
f)
Azercosmos management is young, ambitious, well-trained, and thoughtfully incorporated to include key
management positions;
g)
The feasibility study will be used as a key document to developing a formal and comprehensive business plan;
h)
U.S. Export potential is estimated at approximately $300 million USD, if not more, depending on the complexity
of the satellite technology for
acquisition of the satellite, launch services, insurance, ground equipment and
advisory services.
Implementation of the project is consistent with USTDA’s mission to not only expand US exports,
but to contribute to the improvement and security of the physical, financial, and social
infrastructure of the targeted developing countries. The planned implementation will also introduce
modern satellite technologies, as well as satellite services that improve management information
systems and process technologies to create greater economic productivity and more efficient use of
resources.
Contractor believes that the Feasibility Study is further justified because:
The technology risk involved is low, since the satellite will be built on the basis of a well-
known and proven technology;
The Grantee is seeking the most economically and technically appropriate technology;
The project encourages wider market penetration beyond Azerbaijan