---
title: "PRELIMINARY MARKET NOTICE PA2023 Armagh Observatory and Planetarium - Appointment of specialist internal LED dome system supplier"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06f414"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06f414"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f414.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f414.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "Armagh Observatory and Planetarium"
published: "2026-09-15"
---

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

Buyer: Armagh Observatory and Planetarium  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06f414

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f414.json)

## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087390-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 9 Apr 2027 - 30 Apr 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £7,600,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Armagh Observatory and Planetarium |
| Locality | ARMAGH |
| Postcode area | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT61 9DB |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN07 Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
| Local authority | Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon |
| Electoral ward | The Mall |
| Westminster constituency | Newry and Armagh |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment
- 45 - Construction work
- 51 - Installation services (except software)
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### 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

## Release History

- 15 Sep 2026 at 15:02 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087390-2026
- 8 Sep 2026 at 12:05 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084829-2026
- 8 Sep 2026 at 08:47 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084684-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/087390-2026
  15th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084829-2026
  8th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/084684-2026
  8th September 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6719157
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06f414. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06f414.json.