Development and Supply of an Auxiliary Control Unit for the AEM Antenna Drive System (ALMA)/PR129608-HVI

Subject: Development and Supply of the auxiliary Control Units for 25 Antennas Details: Call for tender (CFT) for the replacement of the existing Auxiliary control system of the ALMA antennas. The scope of work includes: the development, supply of a prototype and verification on-site (in Chile) of a new Auxiliary Control Unit for the antenna Drive System; following a demonstrated compatibility of the prototype with the existing system, the supply of 28 new Auxiliary Control units. The Auxiliary Control unit of the antenna controls the azimuth and elevation axes in velocity loop when the main control unit is unavailable or cannot be used. The antennas will be available only for the limited period of the verification activities on-site in Chile. The verification activities will be carried out on antennas in operation and at the AOS (Array Operation Site) at 5,000 m asl, therefore mitigation measures, in particular flexible working schedules, should be considered. The CFT is scheduled to be issued in Q3/2025 to potential suppliers in the ESO Member States. The Contract is expected to be awarded in Q4/2025 to the Bidder, which has submitted a fully compliant tender and offers the best value for money for ESO taking into account the quality and price of the offer.

External link to procurement, here