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PRELIMINARY MARKET NOTICE PA2023 Armagh Observatory and Planetarium - Appointment of specialist internal LED dome system supplier

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

15 Sep 2026 at 15:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

08 Sep 2026 at 12:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

08 Sep 2026 at 08:47

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is considering a specialist internal LED dome system for its planetarium in Armagh. The requirement is a single integrated works package covering the engineering design, supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of the dome and associated systems. The scope includes screens, audio-visual equipment, electrical installation, cable infrastructure, assembly of prefabricated structures, video equipment installation and technical testing. CPD - Construction Division will provide procurement advice and administer the competition on the Observatory’s behalf. This is intended to create an upgraded or replacement planetarium display environment, combining the physical dome, visual technology, supporting infrastructure and specialist installation rather than procuring a standalone screen or general electrical works.

This is at the preliminary market engagement and planning stage: the buyer is gathering market intelligence, technical advice and supplier feedback before deciding whether to proceed. The buyer is considering a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, expected to be a streamlined single-stage process broadly aligned with an open procedure, combining pre-selection questionnaire and tender requirements. An optional negotiation stage may be used for price or other commercial matters. The buyer’s current expectation is for the contract to run from 9 April 2027 to 30 April 2032. The estimated value is £7.6 million excluding VAT, or £9.12 million including VAT. There is one planned lot, identified as suitable for SMEs. Market engagement is scheduled to seek questionnaire responses by 25 September 2026 at 3pm.

This will suit specialist planetarium, immersive visualisation, LED display and large-format audio-visual system suppliers able to take responsibility for a complete design-and-build installation. Relevant bidders are likely to need in-house or partnered capability across engineering design, LED or screen technology, structural assembly, electrical and cable installation, video systems integration, commissioning and technical testing. The requirement is particularly relevant to firms with experience integrating complex visual environments rather than supplying individual components. Suppliers should be prepared to provide technical advice and practical market feedback during the planning phase, including information that can shape the eventual specification and procurement approach. The buyer has indicated that the planned lot is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so capable specialist SMEs and delivery partnerships may be well placed to prepare.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

PRELIMINARY MARKET NOTICE PA2023 Armagh Observatory and Planetarium - Appointment of specialist internal LED dome system supplier

Notice Description

The Client is currently considering a Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. The anticipated approach is a streamlined process broadly aligned with an open procedure, comprising a single stage covering the Pre-Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) and Invitation to Tender (ITT) requirements. An optional negotiation stage may be included if further clarification or negotiation is required, particularly in relation to price and other commercial matters. The PME seeks to obtain market intelligence, technical advice and supplier feedback in relation to a potential procurement for the design, supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a LED planetarium dome. Refer to Project context and reference guide for further information including the link (pg.21) to access and complete the PME questionnaire. Interested parties are asked to log into eTendersNI where the questionnaire is available at the link below. https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6719157 Please also confirm once you have downloaded and read the questionnaire in the eTendersNI portal.

Planning Information

The PME seeks to obtain market intelligence, technical advice and supplier feedback in relation to a potential procurement for the design, supply, delivery, installation and commissioning of a LED planetarium dome. Refer to Project context and reference guide for further information including the link (pg.21) to access and complete the PME questionnaire. Interested parties are asked to log into eTendersNI where the questionnaire is available at the link below. https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6719157 Please also confirm once you have downloaded and read the questionnaire in the eTendersNI portal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f414
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087390-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

45 - Construction work

51 - Installation services (except software)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

32321200 - Audio-visual equipment

32351200 - Screens

45223800 - Assembly and erection of prefabricated structures

45310000 - Electrical installation work

45314300 - Installation of cable infrastructure

51314000 - Installation services of video equipment

71320000 - Engineering design services

71632000 - Technical testing services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£7,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
9 Apr 2027 - 30 Apr 2032 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Armagh Observatory and Planetarium
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ARMAGH
Postcode
BT61 9DB
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN07 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
Electoral Ward
The Mall
Westminster Constituency
Newry and Armagh

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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