Notice Information
Notice Title
Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory
Notice Description
Replace the existing telescope in Airdrie Library observatory.
Lot Information
Lot 1
Telescope supply with supporting digital solution which also allows connection to the immersive rooms sited in the library and other venues across North Lanarkshire. Scope will include installing a new telescope, expanding the service offer to enable live streaming and recording while developing whole-sky and solar telescope options.. Please note a Prior Information Notice was issued to support market engagement process. https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732
Procurement Information
The procuring service recognised that the project requires specialist technical expertise that may not be available within the wider market. The supplier will design and install a bespoke mounting system and has incorporated all elements of the project--design, build, installation, and commissioning--into the proposed cost. Working in consultation with the Airdrie Astronomical Association (AAA), the organisation that operates the observatory on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council, an outline business case titled "Airdrie Observatory - Towards the 22nd Century" was prepared by AAA. This document set out the key requirements for an upgraded telescope solution and formed the basis for developing the procurement specifications. A review of companies registered on Public Contracts Scotland confirmed that, although several suppliers offer telescopes of varying complexity, none provide a fully bespoke observatory-grade design, installation, and setup service. Furthermore, a Prior Information Notice (PIN) issued openly on PCS generated only one response, the supplier already engaged in initial discussions, reinforcing the assessment of an "absence of competition for technical reasons." Subsequent discussions with the supplier, including a site visit, were undertaken to validate the proposed concept and ensure the organisation's capability to deliver the required solution. Engagement also took place with the Council's existing Immersive Room contractor to confirm the feasibility of integrating the digital telescope with the immersive environment. Additional dialogue with the prospective supplier verified that the technical connectivity between the telescope system and the immersive room could be achieved. In summary, extensive preliminary work was completed to ensure that other market providers were not available to deliver he solution and that the proposed bespoke solution--believed to be unique in its integration with an immersive digital environment--was technically viable and capable of delivering best value through an innovative and market-leading approach.
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223
- Publication Source
- Public Contracts Scotland
- Latest Notice
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549201
- Current Stage
- Award
- All Stages
- Award
Procurement Classification
- Notice Type
- PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
- Procurement Type
- Standard
- Procurement Category
- Goods
- Procurement Method
- Limited
- Procurement Method Details
- Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
- Tender Suitability
- Not specified
- Awardee Scale
- SME
Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)
- CPV Divisions
38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
-
- CPV Codes
38635000 - Telescopes
Notice Value(s)
- Tender Value
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- £55,732 Under £100K
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 10 Feb 20261 weeks ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- Not specified
- Award Date
- 28 Jan 20263 weeks ago
- Contract Period
- Not specified - Not specified
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Complete
- Lots Status
- Complete
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Active
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL
- Contact Name
- Not specified
- Contact Email
- corporateprocurement@northlan.gov.uk
- Contact Phone
- +44 3451430015
Buyer Location
- Locality
- MOTHERWELL
- Postcode
- ML1 1AB
- Post Town
- Motherwell
- Country
- Scotland
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLM Scotland
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLM3 West Central Scotland
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLM34 North Lanarkshire
- Delivery Location
- TLM84 North Lanarkshire
-
- Local Authority
- North Lanarkshire
- Electoral Ward
- Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig
- Westminster Constituency
- Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549201
Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory - Replace the existing telescope in Airdrie Library observatory.
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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.
{
"tag": [
"compiled"
],
"id": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223-2026-02-10T00:00:00Z",
"date": "2026-02-10T00:00:00Z",
"ocid": "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223",
"initiationType": "tender",
"parties": [
{
"id": "org-129",
"name": "North Lanarkshire Council",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "North Lanarkshire Council"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street",
"locality": "Motherwell",
"region": "UKM84",
"postalCode": "ML1 1AB"
},
"contactPoint": {
"email": "Corporateprocurement@northlan.gov.uk",
"telephone": "+44 3451430015",
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"buyer",
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "sme",
"classifications": [
{
"id": "Regional or local authority",
"scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE"
},
{
"id": "01",
"description": "General public services",
"scheme": "COFOG"
}
],
"url": "https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/"
}
},
{
"id": "org-130",
"name": "First Light Optics Ltd",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "First Light Optics Ltd"
},
"address": {
"streetAddress": "Unit 7 Budlake Units, Marsh Barton Trading Estate",
"locality": "Exeter",
"region": "UKK4",
"postalCode": "EX2 8PY"
},
"roles": [
"supplier"
],
"details": {
"scale": "sme",
"url": "http://"
}
},
{
"id": "org-131",
"name": "Scottish Courts",
"identifier": {
"legalName": "Scottish Courts"
},
"address": {
"locality": "Edinburgh"
},
"contactPoint": {
"url": "http://"
},
"roles": [
"reviewBody"
]
}
],
"buyer": {
"name": "North Lanarkshire Council",
"id": "org-129"
},
"tender": {
"id": "NLC-NTP-25-054",
"title": "Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory",
"description": "Replace the existing telescope in Airdrie Library observatory.",
"status": "complete",
"items": [
{
"id": "1",
"deliveryAddresses": [
{
"region": "UKM84"
}
],
"relatedLot": "1"
}
],
"procurementMethod": "limited",
"procurementMethodDetails": "Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition",
"procurementMethodRationale": "The procuring service recognised that the project requires specialist technical expertise that may not be available within the wider market. The supplier will design and install a bespoke mounting system and has incorporated all elements of the project--design, build, installation, and commissioning--into the proposed cost. Working in consultation with the Airdrie Astronomical Association (AAA), the organisation that operates the observatory on behalf of North Lanarkshire Council, an outline business case titled \"Airdrie Observatory - Towards the 22nd Century\" was prepared by AAA. This document set out the key requirements for an upgraded telescope solution and formed the basis for developing the procurement specifications. A review of companies registered on Public Contracts Scotland confirmed that, although several suppliers offer telescopes of varying complexity, none provide a fully bespoke observatory-grade design, installation, and setup service. Furthermore, a Prior Information Notice (PIN) issued openly on PCS generated only one response, the supplier already engaged in initial discussions, reinforcing the assessment of an \"absence of competition for technical reasons.\" Subsequent discussions with the supplier, including a site visit, were undertaken to validate the proposed concept and ensure the organisation's capability to deliver the required solution. Engagement also took place with the Council's existing Immersive Room contractor to confirm the feasibility of integrating the digital telescope with the immersive environment. Additional dialogue with the prospective supplier verified that the technical connectivity between the telescope system and the immersive room could be achieved. In summary, extensive preliminary work was completed to ensure that other market providers were not available to deliver he solution and that the proposed bespoke solution--believed to be unique in its integration with an immersive digital environment--was technically viable and capable of delivering best value through an innovative and market-leading approach.",
"mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
"documents": [
{
"id": "FEB549201",
"documentType": "awardNotice",
"title": "Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory",
"description": "Replace the existing telescope in Airdrie Library observatory.",
"url": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549201",
"format": "text/html"
}
],
"lots": [
{
"id": "1",
"description": "Telescope supply with supporting digital solution which also allows connection to the immersive rooms sited in the library and other venues across North Lanarkshire. Scope will include installing a new telescope, expanding the service offer to enable live streaming and recording while developing whole-sky and solar telescope options.. Please note a Prior Information Notice was issued to support market engagement process. https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732",
"status": "complete",
"hasOptions": false
}
],
"coveredBy": [
"GPA"
],
"procurementMethodRationaleClassifications": [
{
"id": "D_TECHNICAL",
"description": "The works, supplies or services can be provided only by a particular economic operator due to absence of competition for technical reasons",
"scheme": "TED_PT_AWARD_CONTRACT_WITHOUT_CALL"
}
],
"classification": {
"id": "38635000",
"scheme": "CPV"
},
"reviewDetails": "An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session."
},
"awards": [
{
"id": "NLC-NTP-25-054",
"suppliers": [
{
"id": "org-130",
"name": "First Light Optics Ltd"
}
],
"relatedLots": [
"1"
]
}
],
"contracts": [
{
"id": "NLC-NTP-25-054",
"awardID": "NLC-NTP-25-054",
"status": "active",
"value": {
"amount": 55732.5,
"currency": "GBP"
},
"dateSigned": "2026-01-28T00:00:00Z"
}
],
"language": "EN",
"description": "(SC Ref:823223)",
"bids": {
"statistics": [
{
"id": "318",
"measure": "bids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "319",
"measure": "smeBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "320",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
"value": 0,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "321",
"measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
},
{
"id": "322",
"measure": "electronicBids",
"value": 1,
"relatedLot": "1"
}
]
},
"links": [
{
"rel": "canonical",
"href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223"
}
],
"noticetype": "PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice"
}