---
title: "Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-03b133"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03b133"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03b133.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03b133.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE"
published: "2023-06-01"
---

# Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS)

Buyer: HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-03b133

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## Summary

The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has completed the Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS) procurement process. This contract involves providing external advisory support for the HIE Space Programme. The services are valued at GBP 270,000 and will be delivered over 2 years, with potential extensions up to 2027. HIE aims to enhance its governance and decision-making processes related to space activities with the selected supplier, AstroAgency Limited. The procurement stage is complete, and payments will be made based on services rendered.

This tender by HIE presents a lucrative opportunity for businesses in the business and management consultancy sector. Companies with expertise in areas such as technical analysis, environmental management, and market research services are well-suited to compete. The procurement method used is the Open Procedure, allowing a fair chance for multiple businesses to participate and potentially secure contracts. The location of the procurement is in Inverness, providing local UK businesses with a strategic advantage in bidding for this contract.

## Notice

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. HIE are seeking to appoint suitably qualified and experienced external independent sectoral, technical and strategic advisory support to contribute to the implementation of the HIE Space Programme. The role of the advisory support is important to HIE's governance around the HIE Space Programme, as it will provide continuity of advice and support to HIE as the Space Programme evolves. It is recognised that the pool of potential companies may be limited, not least by the need to ensure they do not have conflicts of interest which would impinge on their ability to independently advise HIE. For example, companies providing support to HIE should not have a commercial relationship with any proposed launch sites or operators. These services will be required between 23 May 2023 and 22 May 2025 for a period of 2 years, with HIE having the option to extend twice for a period not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years i.e. maximum total extension period of 2 years, until 22 May 2026 or 2027). It is a duration contract and payments will be made in arrears, based on the services carried out. Therefore, the total amount paid under this contract might be less than the maximum budget (maximum budget is not guaranteed to be used up). Please refer to the Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance document for full details.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

While there is a growing level of knowledge in relation to space within HIE, independent technical expertise is needed to support its decision-making processes and to highlight opportunities for the Region. To that end, we are seeking to appoint a Sectoral and Technical Advisory Resource for Space (STARS) which will support the wider HIE Space programme in its implementation and benefits realisation. HIE may also seek to draw down support from the STARS to inform ourselves and our engagement with the sector eg SaxaVord Spaceport, Spaceport 1 and for other projects, see below (Orbex, Machrihanish Airfield Community Company, and potentially others yet to emerge). Please refer to the Scope of Requirements and Tender Guidance document for full details. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services (whether by way of the removal of Services, the addition of new Services, or increasing or decreasing the Services or specifying the order in which the Services are to be performed or the locations where the Services are to be provided). HIE shall not require any such change other than where it is permitted by Regulation 72 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. The following are examples of potential modifications: -where significant new opportunities for economic and community development for the Highlands and Islands arose that would mean that HIE considers that it would benefit from additional Services of a similar character to the Services; -where HIE requires additional relevant Services as a result of changes in Scottish Government policy or as a result of a direction given to them by the Scottish Government; -services no longer required e.g. due to changes in the Space project; HIE budget etc; -reduction in volume of services required.

Renewal: It is anticipated that the contract will be let from 23 May 2023 for a period of 2 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Terms and Conditions, with HIE having the option to extend twice for a period not exceeding 1 year following the Initial Term (2+1+1 years i.e. maximum total extension period of 2 years).

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015556-2023 |
| Notice type | Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 1 Jun 2023 |
| Submission deadline | 11 Apr 2023 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 14 May 2023 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination of the contract or at the end of the contract period, including any extension period. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £270,000 |
| Lots value | £270,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £270,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE |
| Locality | INVERNESS |
| Post town | Inverness |
| Postcode | IV2 5NA |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands |
| ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands |
| Local authority | Highland |
| Electoral ward | Inverness South |
| Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire |
| Delivery location | TLM6 Highlands and Islands |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ASTROAGENCY |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

### Codes

- 71313000 - Environmental engineering consultancy services
- 71316000 - Telecommunication consultancy services
- 71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services
- 71351210 - Geophysical consultancy services
- 71620000 - Analysis services
- 71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services
- 79310000 - Market research services
- 79311410 - Economic impact assessment
- 79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services
- 79410000 - Business and management consultancy services
- 90710000 - Environmental management
- 90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction
- 90712000 - Environmental planning
- 90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services

## Release History

- 1 Jun 2023 at 12:30 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015556-2023
- 10 Mar 2023 at 09:28 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006996-2023

## Notice URLs

- http://www.hie.co.uk
- http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/hse40.pdf
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00313
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000723214
- https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-courts/court-locations/inverness-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-03b133. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-03b133.json.