[108] SKA-Low Antenna Assembly & Deployment

Market survey notice

The SKA-Low Telescope consists of 512 field stations, each station consisting of 256 antennas. Antennas are located within the telescope site based in a central area known as ‘the core’ and connecting ‘spiral arms’, with a maximum distance between these arms of 74km. The SKAO will appoint a contractor to assemble and deploy 199 antenna field stations (50,944 individual antennas) from a semi-permanent, centralised on-site warehouse facility and deploy antennas by clipping on to steel mesh within the core and specific areas located nearby. .

You can view details about the upcoming procurement by clicking Market survey notice in the menu on the left.

Qualification application

Pre Qualification notice: To submit a tender for this procurement you first need to apply to submit tenders and get qualified.

The SKAO is progressing construction of the SKA-Low telescope, at Inyarimanah Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory in Western Australia. To meet delivery milestones and optimise internal resources, SKAO intends to award a contract for the assembly and deployment of approximately 50,000 lightweight, aluminium SKA-Low antennas to a suitable contractor. Under this model SKAO will retain responsibility and oversight of specialised technical tasks such as power and signal distribution (PASD), integration, and system-level commissioning. The total contract value is estimated at AUD $5,000,000 (£2.8 million), with the contract expected to commence in early 2026 and run for 12–24 months until completion of the antenna assembly and deployment within the central core area. The selected contractor will be responsible for assembling each antenna & clipping on to pre-installed steel mesh at ground level. Each SKA-Low antenna, stands approx 2 metres tall, weighing roughly 11kg and consists of: 4 x aluminium antenna arms 3 x plastic spacers 2 x Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA’s) 2 x coaxial cables 1 x base plate The contractor will be supplied with all fixings & fasteners and will be provided full access to a suite of ergonomic assembly tools to support this work. Camp accommodation/lodgings will be provided by SKAO on site at no additional cost to the contractor. The successful contractor will: ● Assemble and deploy antenna stations within the designated core area; ● Coordinate with SKAO-provided Antenna assembly facilities on site; ● Manage and transport personnel, including provision of light vehicles; ● Comply with SKAO’s QA/QC and technical requirements; ● Comply with site HSE requirements. SKAO will provide: ● Assembly facility and tools; ● Detailed assembly documentation and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); ● Accommodation & meals; ● QA/QC verification checklist; ● Daily engagement and oversight by SKAO personnel. Local and Indigenous Engagement: The SKAO is committed to supporting economic participation and development opportunities for the Wajarri Yamaji, the traditional owners and Native Title Holders of Inyarimanah Ilgari Bundara, the CSIRO’s Murchison Radio-Astronomy Observatory, the lands on which the SKA-Low telescope is being built. As part of this commitment, we encourage submissions from local and Indigenous businesses and consortia that include meaningful participation. In alignment with our procedures, preference may be given to proposals that demonstrate one or more of the following elements: ● The business is at least 50% Wajarri-owned and registered with Wajarri Business Directory OR the Aboriginal Business Directory WA OR Supply Nation. ● The proposal includes subcontracting or partnering with local & Indigenous businesses. ● The proposal includes initiatives that deliver sustainable economic and social benefits to the Indigenous community, such as employment, training, or community engagement programs.

Final day (23:59:59 CET) for applications

2025-11-03

You can find more information by clicking Pre Qualification notice in the menu on the left.