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Liverpool Telescope Upgrade Programme

Liverpool John Moores University

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Oct 2026 at 14:35

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Liverpool John Moores University, through its Astrophysics Research Institute, is planning an upgrade to the Liverpool Telescope, a fully robotic 2-metre astronomical observatory at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory on La Palma, Spain. The work centres on modernising the telescope’s control systems and related infrastructure to extend its operating life, improve reliability, reduce maintenance and enhance scientific performance. The scope under consideration includes replacing the telescope control system and the azimuth, altitude and Cassegrain axis drives; modernising enclosure controls; and replacing or redesigning selected optical and mechanism controls. Associated networking, timing and safety interfaces are included, as are design, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning, post-upgrade support, documentation, training and knowledge transfer. This is a specialist telescope engineering and systems-integration service, with delivery involving both Liverpool and La Palma.

The process is at the planning stage: the university is seeking market engagement to understand supplier capabilities and inform its tender documents and next steps. This is not an invitation to tender. The buyer expects to publish a further notice on 16 November 2026; the engagement milestone is scheduled for 13 November 2026. The estimated procurement value is £500,000 excluding VAT (£600,000 including VAT). The planned contract period runs from 1 January 2027 to 31 August 2028, with a maximum extent to 31 December 2028. The procurement is structured as one lot, and the buyer indicates that a renewal may be included. The lot is marked as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. No evaluation basis or detailed participation requirements are set out at this stage.

The work is likely to suit specialist suppliers able to engineer and integrate complex electromechanical and control systems for observatories or other precision scientific facilities. Relevant strengths include telescope control systems, servo drives and motion control across multiple axes, programmable logic controller software, optical and mechanism controls, networking, timing and safety interfaces. Suppliers should be able to take responsibility across the delivery lifecycle, from design and manufacture through installation, testing and commissioning, then provide ongoing support. Experience working at a remote astronomical observatory would be relevant, given the installation location on La Palma and the need to maintain a scientific facility. The scope also calls for clear technical documentation, training and knowledge transfer. The buyer is using engagement to understand market capabilities, so suppliers with credible solutions for reliability, maintainability and improved scientific performance are well placed to contribute to its planning.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Liverpool Telescope Upgrade Programme

Notice Description

LJMU is conducting a pre-market engagement exercise to gauge the capabilities of the market for our requirement. This is not a call for competition/ ITT. This process enables LJMU to fully understand the market to assist us in drafting our tender documentation / determining next steps. Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU), through its Astrophysics Research Institute (ARI), is undertaking a pre-market engagement exercise relating to the planned upgrade of the Liverpool Telescope (LT), a fully robotic 2-metre astronomical observatory located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, La Palma, Spain. The Liverpool Telescope has operated successfully for over twenty years and is a key scientific facility supporting UK-led astronomical research. LJMU is exploring options to modernise the telescope's control systems and associated infrastructure to extend operational life, improve reliability, reduce maintenance burden and enhance scientific performance. The current scope under consideration includes: * Replacement and modernisation of the Telescope Control System; * Replacement of azimuth, altitude and Cassegrain axis drive systems; * Modernisation of enclosure control systems (PLCs software and control cards); * Replacement or redesign of selected optical and mechanism control systems; * Associated control system networking, timing and safety interfaces; * Design, manufacture, installation, testing, commissioning and post-upgrade support service; * Knowledge transfer, documentation and training.

Planning Information

This will be available on our procurement platform (In-Tend), and all communication regarding the project should go through this once registered on the system. If this is of interest, then please register using the link below. https://supplier.in-tend.co.uk/ljmu/home

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0789a7
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098018-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

38635000 - Telescopes

71320000 - Engineering design services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 1 Sep 2028 1-2 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
Liverpool John Moores University
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LIVERPOOL
Postcode
L3 5AH
Postcode Area
Liverpool
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLD North West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLD7 Merseyside
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLD72 Liverpool
Delivery Location
TLD72 Liverpool
Local Authority
Liverpool
Electoral Ward
Brownlow Hill
Westminster Constituency
Liverpool Riverside

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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