Australian SKA Office

Australian SKA industry opportunities

Australian businesses can help to build Australia’s SKA telescope.

Australian businesses have the chance to join in building a world-class radio telescope in Western Australia.

If you are interested in supplying this project, you can find all the information and support you need on this page. This includes help navigating the procurement process and winning work.

Opportunities for Australian suppliers

You can access all procurement opportunities on the SKAO supplier procurement web portal.

You need to create an account to submit offers, monitor procurements and get notifications. Let us know if you need help navigating the portal.

Email ska.ilo@industry.gov.au for assistance.

You can also nominate interest in partial-scope elements via the SKA listing on the ICN Gateway.

We aim to connect companies interested in partial-scope supply with prime contractors. Please note there are no guarantees.

Supply the SKA project

Australia will host the low-frequency array, SKA-Low, in remote Western Australia. This multi-year project:

  • starts construction in 2022
  • is expected to finish construction and start operations in 2029.

Contracts will include work in infrastructure and antenna array deployment, as well as opportunities throughout the 50-year operations phase.

Initial infrastructure includes:

  • constructing a temporary accommodation facility
  • ground preparation, access roads, an airstrip, and power and fibre networks
  • constructing radio frequency interference shielded buildings.

Some work packages are reserved for Australian businesses, in proportion to our contribution to the project. Others will be sourced globally.

Understand the SKAO procurement process

The international SKA Observatory (SKAO) is responsible for procurement during the construction and operation phases.

Depending on the value of the opportunity, the SKAO will invite suppliers to tender or quote. Before you are invited to tender, you will need to respond to a market survey (expression of interest) and pre-qualify.

The SKAO will evaluate offers in 2 ways:

  • For relatively straightforward offers for commodity goods or basic services, the SKAO will choose the lowest-priced offer that achieves predetermined technical standards.
  • For complex, high-value contracts, particularly significant design elements, services and works, the SKAO will weigh technical requirements and price, and choose the offer with the highest score.

Read more about the procurement process and requirements on the SKAO website.

Get help from the Australian SKA Office and Industry Liaison Officer

The Australian SKA Office coordinates Australia’s involvement in the SKA project with support from the Australian industry liaison officer (ILO). The ILO also:

  • promotes opportunities to Australian industries
  • promotes Australian suppliers to the SKAO
  • helps build business-to-business and business-to-research sector connections
  • develops business capability.

Email ska.ilo@industry.gov.au

Access the SKA network and get updates

Join the Australasian SKA Industry Cluster (ASKAIC) for project updates, networking and other opportunities.

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