--- title: "Replacement Telescope Solution Airdrie Library Observatory" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL" published: "2025-09-22" --- # Replacement Telescope Solution Airdrie Library Observatory Buyer: NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894.json) ## Summary North Lanarkshire Council is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for a "Replacement Telescope Solution Airdrie Library Observatory". As part of the initiation for a potential future tender, the Council seeks to engage with the market for purchasing and installing modern telescopes at the Airdrie Observatory. This procurement targets the goods category and is valued at approximately £100,000. The location for the delivery and implementation of this project is in North Lanarkshire (region UKM84). A questionnaire for market engagement is available to help North Lanarkshire Council in its preparatory work, with a future notice date set for 3rd November 2025. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in astronomical equipment, digital solutions in live streaming, and educational technology providers. Companies with expertise in high-specification hardware and software solutions designed for astronomy, along with those capable of delivering training and support, would find this contract beneficial for business expansion. The project supports the development of custom mounting hardware and the integration of advanced technology solutions with a historical observatory, offering a unique platform for innovation and community engagement within the local authority's educational and scientific endeavours. ## Notice As part of the preparatory work for a potential future procurement procedure, North Lanarkshire Council (the "Council") is looking to engage with the market for the purchase and installation of telescopes within Airdrie Observatory. The telescopes may be used by both the public and local partners. Training must be provided for council staff and partners (where applicable). ### Lot Information Lot 1 Within any potential future contract, services required would involve the provision of an 8" aperture refractor telescope, robotic telescope mount, all sky telescope and solar telescope. Installation of the equipment and staff training will also be required as will any and all additional resources such as a high specification computer designed specifically for astronomy use that will be used to remotely control the telescope and an APS-C sized colour sensor for live stacking and longer exposure imaging use. There will also be a requirement to enable live streaming of telescope images to the immersive room onsite and to the three other immersive rooms situated across the authority. The ability to record live stream sessions is also required. To enable the Council to plan and prepare for any future procurement procedure, the Council would like to invite interested parties to complete and return the attached Market Engagement Questionnaire as instructed within. The main objectives of this PIN and any future contract are to develop options to: -Replace the existing 6-inch equatorial refractor telescope with a modern larger aperture refractor telescope with digital capability. -Develop custom mounting hardware and brackets to adapt the mount to the existing pier and to mount the new telescope. -Install a solar telescope. -Install an all-sky camera. -Working with partners support and develop options for linking the telescopes to the onsite immersive room and the three other immersive rooms situated across the authority. -Install all relevant equipment and deliver onsite training to staff. These improvements will enable the service to: -To improve access to and use of an upgraded telescope, particularly for those users who are not able to access it in person, by linking an upgraded offer to the new immersive room. -To better foster, promote and encourage astronomical observations, the science of astronomy, spaceflight and related sciences to all members of the public. -To improve knowledge and understanding of the historic legacy of the current and previous telescope by developing a permanently mounted exhibition, within the library, as part of the Rediscovering Airdrie project. -To work with partners to improve the use of the observatory throughout the year and increase the scope of science and other activities that are delivered. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732 | | Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Not specified | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 22 Sep 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 3 Nov 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £100,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL | | Locality | MOTHERWELL | | Post town | Motherwell | | Postcode | ML1 1AB | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM3 West Central Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM34 North Lanarkshire | | Local authority | North Lanarkshire | | Electoral ward | Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig | | Westminster constituency | Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke | | Delivery location | TLM84 North Lanarkshire | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 38 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses) - 48 - Software package and information systems ### Codes - 38635000 - Telescopes - 48000000 - Software package and information systems ## Release History - 22 Sep 2025 at 00:00 - Planning - PCS Notice - Website Prior Information Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=SEP539732&idx=1 22nd September 2025 - Questionnaire - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732 Replacement Telescope Solution Airdrie Library Observatory - As part of the preparatory work for a potential future procurement procedure, North Lanarkshire Council (the "Council") is looking to engage with the market for the purchase and installation of telescopes within Airdrie Observatory. The telescopes may be used by both the public and local partners. Training must be provided for council staff and partners (where applicable). ## Notice URLs - http:// - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894 - https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=810894 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000810894. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000810894.json.