Scope
Reference
AS/JC/08/09/2025
Description
Xplore! has recently been awarded Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF)-Transition Fund capital and revenue awards. Xplore! is therefore now looking to create an immersive fixed-dome planetarium with associated AV equipment and appropriate software licenses for high quality STEAM content delivery to a minimum capacity of 30 visitors in each viewing. The planetarium will be the only fixed-dome planetarium in north-east Wales, providing a unique attraction for Wrexham. It aligns with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act by ensuring future prosperity of Xplore!, its employees, and a cohesive community by contributing positively to STEAM capital for the people of Wrexham. In this way it will provide a platform for Xplore! to develop the personal interest of participants and connect them to the local space industries and potential careers. We have the full support of John Whalley CEO of Space Wales and Rachael Blackburn of Aerospace Wales, with our engagement activities aligning with the needs of the local space sector and associated supply-chain. Our activities will also compliment the activities of Jeremy Howitt at Snowdonia Aerospace, providing a strong link between North West Wales and North East Wales schools, who in time will have access to space-related activities through both organisations. The planetarium will be situated on the first floor of Xplore's city centre building, which is not currently accessible to all. The project will therefore also enable the installation of a platform lift, as well as refurbishing the stairwell, and re-locating the staff offices from the ground floor to the first-floor space. The planetarium is expected to be fully operational by March 2026. It is expected that the planetarium supplier will work with the construction contractor through 2025 and early 2026 to ensure successful completion of the overall project.
Total value (estimated)
- £185,000 excluding VAT
- £222,000 including VAT
Below the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 November 2025 to 13 March 2026
- 4 months, 11 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 92521100 - Museum-exhibition services
- 39300000 - Miscellaneous equipment
Contract locations
- UKL23 - Flintshire and Wrexham
Participation
Conditions of participation
The Authority has set out the conditions of participation details in Appendix 1a WPSQ & Award Criteria Evaluation Methodology - WPSQ Tab and "Question Outcome" Column which refers to Pass / Fail participation criteria.
Economic and financial standing
The Authority will assess the Participant's Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Risk of Failure score which needs to be 50 or more in order to have an initial Pass. Failure to obtain a 50 or more D&B Risk of Failure score will result in the Authority's Accountants undertaking further analysis using solvency ratios and profitability ratios etc as defined in the WPSQ Supplier Guidance. Participants are asked to provide information on their two most recent accounts, and upon request, provide copies of the most recent audited accounts or up to date financial statements where full audited accounts cannot be provided. The minimum criteria are set out in the WPSQ and Appendix 1a. The Authority may require further information from a Participant in order to consider if the Participant presents an unacceptable level of financial risk.
Participants must achieve at least the minimum pass score for all questions. Any Participant that does not achieve the minimum pass score for any WPSQ question will be excluded at Stage 1 Phase 3 and its submission will not be further considered for the award of the Contract.
Further instructions on what Participants should consider in relation to their response on financial standing is set out in the WPSQ and Appendix 1.
The WPSQ acts as a self-declaration for Participants. The Preferred Bidder will be required to provide all requested certificates and documentation before being awarded the Contract. However, the Authority can ask any Participant to submit their evidence at any point in the procurement process, if this is necessary, to ensure that the process is carried out properly and in a timeous manner to meet with the procurement's programme requirements.
Particular suitability
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
26 September 2025, 5:00pm
Tender submission deadline
3 October 2025, 12:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Sell2Wales Portal: https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA0288
Detailed drawings available on request via email procurement@wrexham.ac.uk.
(Technical challenges in uploading to Sell2Wales.)
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Technical/Quality is divided into sub-quality weightings as per the ITT tender pack |
Quality | 70.00% |
| Price | Please provide pricing cost details for the optional requirements as detailed within the Optional Items line in technical specification. The University is not obliged to purchase these items but are... |
Price | 30.00% |
Procedure
Procedure type
Below threshold - open competition
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345460
Appendix 1a WPSQ Award Criteria Evaluation Methodology
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345461
Appendix 1b Sell2Wales Supplier Post Box Guidance
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345462
Appendix 1c_TechnicalSpecification
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345463
Appendix 1d General contract Terms & Conditions WU standard goods contract
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345464
Appendix 1e Planetarium pricing schedule
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345465
Invitation to Tender (ITT) Instructions
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345466
ITT Response Document PART A (WPSQ) TEMPLATE
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345467
ITT Response Document PART B
https://www.sell2wales.gov.wales/Assets/NoticeBuilder_FileDownload.aspx?id=345468
ITT Response Document Part C Other Declarations
Contracting authority
Wrexham University
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 1142048
Plas Coch
Wrexham
LL11 2AW
United Kingdom
Region: UKL23 - Flintshire and Wrexham
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government
Devolved regulations that apply: Wales