---
title: "Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL"
published: "2026-02-10"
---

# Replacement Telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory

Buyer: NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223

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## Summary

North Lanarkshire Council has concluded a procurement process for the replacement of the telescope in Airdrie Library Observatory, situated in Motherwell, UKM84 region. This procurement falls under the industry category of General Public Services and represents a comprehensive project involving the design, supply, and installation of a new telescope in conjunction with immersive digital technology. The contract, valued at £55,732.50, was awarded to First Light Optics Ltd and became active on 28th January 2026. The procurement method employed was a limited procedure, without prior publication, due to the need for specialist technical expertise and the absence of broader market competition. The procurement stage is complete, having moved from tender to contract award.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in bespoke technical solutions related to astronomical equipment and digital integration. Companies adept in providing custom design and installation services, particularly those familiar with technical connectivity and immersive environments, would find such projects aligned with their capabilities. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) focusing on niche markets or equipped with specialised technical expertise are well-suited to engage in similar future opportunities, potentially expanding their services and entering new market segments through collaborative and technically demanding projects like this.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549201 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 28 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £55,732 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | FIRST LIGHT OPTICS; NORTH LANARKSHIRE COUNCIL |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 38635000 - Telescopes

## Release History

- 10 Feb 2026 at 00:00 - Award - PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB549201

## 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.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223
- https://www.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP539732

## 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-r6ebe6-0000823223. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000823223.json.