UK Research & Innovation: GB-Stockbridge: UKRI-3547 Supply of a X-band Cassegrain Feed Tower & Frequency Selective Sub-Reflector for Chilbolton Observatory

Competitive Contract Award Notice

1. Title: GB-Stockbridge: UKRI-3547 Supply of a X-band Cassegrain Feed Tower & Frequency Selective Sub-Reflector for Chilbolton Observatory
2. Awarding Authority:
    UK Research & Innovation
    Science & Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxford, OX11 0QX, United Kingdom
    Tel. +44 1235446553, Email: STFCprocurement@ukri.org
    Contact: STFC Procurement, Attn: STFC Procurement
3. Contract Type: Supplies
      Sub Type: PURCHASE

4. Description: Parts of radio and radar equipment. The Chilbolton observatory operates a 25m diameter, prime focus, parabolic reflector antenna with an F/d ratio of 0.36. The antenna was commissioned in 1967 and has for many years been used with an S-band radar fed from the prime focus point. The main feed is undergoing an upgrade to implement monopulse tracking. At the same time the observatory would like to add a wide band X-band radar to the antenna for simultaneous operation with the S-band radar. The intention is to use the S-band radar for tracking and ranging of satellites while the wide bandwidth X-band radar is used for imaging.

The antenna was commissioned in 1967 and there are no CAD drawings for the structure. Contractors may wish to visit the site to conduct a survey of the structure and check mounting points, access to the backing structure etc that will become important in the design, installation and alignment of the feed tower and the sub-reflector.

It is not thought possible to integrate an X-band feed with the S-band monopulse feed at prime focus. The solution proposed is one used in satellite communications ground stations of having the S-band feed at the prime focus of the reflector and the X-band feed in a tower mounted in the centre of the dish forming a cassegrain arrangement with a frequency selective sub reflector.
5. CPV Codes:
   32352100 - Parts of radio and radar equipment.

6. NUTS Codes :
   UKJ37 - North Hampshire

7. Main Site or Location of Works, Main Place of Delivery or Main Place of Performance: North Hampshire,
8. Reference Attributed by the Awarding Authority:
9. Awarded to:

    KTF Services LLC
    National ID: N/A, 7526 Tryon Road, Suite 162, Jusdon, TX 75660, United States
    Tel. +1 9035767287
    Contact: Secretary, Attn: Secretary
Value Cost: 588,333
Is Awardee likely to subcontract?: No Awarded to SME?: Yes
10. Date of Contract Award: 02/02/2024
11. Number of Tenders Received: 1
12. Other Information:
Other Information: To view this notice, please click here:
https://ukri.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=842986570
TKR-2024215-PRO-25180929
Suitable for VCO: No
Period of Work Start date: 05/02/2024
Period of Work End date: 04/02/2025