Lima City School District Civicplus #07-26

Turnkey Observatory Telescope System for Schoonover Observatory (City of Lima, Ohio)

The City of Lima, Ohio is seeking a qualified design-build team to deliver a turnkey telescope system for the Schoonover Observatory. - Government Buyer: - City of Lima, Ohio (local government) - OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers): - PlaneWave (primary telescope and mount) - Lunt (medium field telescope) - RedCat (wide field telescope) - QHY (imaging cameras and filter wheel) - Products/Equipment Requested: - PlaneWave CDK20 20" f/6.8 Corrected Dall-Kirkham optical tube assembly (1) - PlaneWave L-550 Direct-Drive Equatorial Mount (1) - L-500/L-600 Equatorial Wedge (1) - Lunt 130 (LUNT130) Medium Field Telescope (1) - RedCat 51 (REDCAT51) Wide Field Telescope (1) - QHY600 Pro (Full-Frame) Main Camera (1) - QHY268 Pro Medium Camera (1) - QHY268 M/C PH Wide Field Camera (1) - QHYCFW3 Motorized Filter Wheel (1) - Piggyback dovetail bar, Vixen to Losmandy adapter, counterweights/bracket, CDK20 SecureFit adapter kit, desktop computer setup (1 each) - Services Requested: - Comprehensive design, engineering, procurement, installation, integration, testing, and commissioning - Custom mount-to-pedestal interface design and fabrication - Dome automation retrofit and optional dome repairs - Operator and maintenance training, documentation, and warranty support - Unique/Notable Requirements: - All work must comply with prevailing wage rates, applicable codes, and historic preservation constraints - Coordination with the Lima Astronomical Society - Lump sum contract with milestone payments - Optional line items for dome repairs and extended warranty - Place of Performance: - Schoonover Observatory, 670 N. Jefferson Street, Lima, Ohio (within Schoonover Park) - Project Duration: - Estimated at 180 days from notice to proceed, including all phases from design to training

Description

The City of Lima, Ohio is soliciting proposals for the Schoonover Observatory Telescope System, Project No. 07-26. The project involves comprehensive design, engineering, procurement, installation, integration, testing, and commissioning of a complete telescope system at the Schoonover Observatory. The system includes a PlaneWave CDK20 optical tube assembly mounted on a PlaneWave L-550 direct-drive equatorial mount, with imaging cameras and auxiliary equipment. The project also includes dome repairs, operator training, and warranty support. Proposals must comply with prevailing wage rates and be submitted by June 3, 2026.

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