Tender: Deployment of Sovereign ~1 MW Space Surveillance Radar in Southern Hemisphere – UK Space Agency

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The UK Space Agency is seeking a supplier for the deployment of a sovereign, high‑power (~1 MW class) space surveillance radar in the Southern Hemisphere to enhance the UK’s Space Surveillance & Tracking (SST) and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capability. The radar must detect a −22 dBsm (~5 cm) target at 1,000 km slant range with probability of detection Pd ≥ 95% and probability of false alarm Pfa ≤ 10⁻⁵ using a Swerling 3 model and ≤100 ms integration, produce Azimuth (0.01°), Elevation (0.01°), Range (10 m), Range Rate (~0.1 m/s) and Radar Cross Section measurements, operate remotely and autonomously 24/7 and achieve a minimum of 10,000 tracks per day. The hardware budget is capped at £25,000,000 (excl. VAT) and must cover radar hardware, radar software (edge and cloud elements with a 10‑year licence including security and basic maintenance updates), software integration, two training courses (tasking/sensor and hardware support), obtaining spectrum rights (contractor responsibility with Authority support), three years of software and hardware support and maintenance, cyber assurance, and project and contract management including collaboration on installation and commissioning. An associated infrastructure and enabling works package is expected (valued at ~£5,000,000 excl. VAT) covering planning/site surveys/enabling works, civils and foundations, power and data connectivity, potential utilities, site access and security, site support and project management; some staff are likely to require SC or DV clearance. A suitable location has been identified but the final deployment location will be confirmed later; bidders will receive broad location details at PSQ stage and detailed deployment discussions will be under NDA with final location disclosure at tender stage. The Contracting Authority will not respond to further technical queries before PSQ stage and clarifications must be raised at PSQ stage via the e‑tendering portal.