Procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking

Mbryonics Ltd

The Contracting Authority is seeking tenders for the procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking. This procurement is being undertaken as part of Phase 2 of Ireland's QCI project (TransEuroOGS), co-funded by the European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Irish Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport. The successful tenderer will be required to design, manufacture, and deliver a turnkey telescope unit encompassing the mount, optics, and control software, complying with strict technical and spatial constraints. Key Technical Requirements: Optical Configuration: Ritchey-Chretien (RC) optical design, f/10 to f/12 system, with a clear aperture of at least 700 mm. Low central obstruction is required (30 percent or lower diameter linear obstruction preferred, maximum allowable 34 percent or lower). Optical Coatings and Power Handling: Broad-spectrum reflectivity covering both visible wavelengths and the 1550 nm C-Band NIR telecommunication spectrum, biased for optimal performance at 1550 nm. Reflectance at 1550 nm must be at least 95 percent (protected gold or equivalent high-efficiency NIR coating acceptable). The secondary mirror (M2) and main aperture must handle a high-power launch beam of maximum 40W continuous wave at 1550 nm across the aperture or annulus (power density less than 3300 W per square metre on the primary mirror). Focusing Path and Clear Aperture: Must feature at least one Nasmyth focus port (more preferred). The Nasmyth focus path must be completely free of refracting optical elements (100 percent reflective optics only, with removable optics as an allowable deviation). Clear aperture path through the Nasmyth axis must be at least 60 mm diameter to support downstream Adaptive Optics relay systems. Mount and Dynamic Tracking Specifications: Alt-Azimuth Direct-Drive or equivalent performance mount with low-latency tracking dynamics supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking, including high-elevation passes over Zenith. Minimum Azimuth Slew Rate must be at least 5 degrees per second (faster preferred). Pointing and tracking accuracy must be less than 8 to 10 arcsec RMS during dynamic LEO passes. Fastest tracking rate must exceed 1 degree per second with fine range control below this speed. Envelope and Enclosure Compatibility: Total vertical height must not exceed 3000 mm from the base to ensure dome clearance. Maximum radial swing clearance envelope must be at most 1470 mm. The axis of elevation pivot height must ensure clearance at all pointing directions, with the pivot axis positioned no more than 155 mm below the centre of the clearance envelope (or at the centre or higher). Full CAD models and opto-mechanical layout files are mandatory upon contract award. Software, Control Interface and API: Native integration with standard open-source astronomical communication protocols (INDI / INDIGO) or ASCOM / ALPACA frameworks. Open, fully documented network API adaptable to HTTP/REST or WebSocket interfaces for automated robotic control, telemetry, and scriptable trajectory loading. Ethernet data interface and DC power supply preferred. Delivery Constraint: Unit delivery must be completed within 3 to 4 months maximum from contract signature. Please refer to the detailed Technical Specification document for full technical specifications, compliance matrices, and contractual terms.

Deadline

Deadline 2026-12-04

Who? What? Where?
Procurement history
Date Document
2026-11-04 Contract notice
Contract notice (2026-11-04)
Object
Scope of the procurement
Title: Procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking
Short description:
The Contracting Authority is seeking tenders for the procurement of a High-Precision Optical Ground Station (OGS) Telescope Unit for Uplink and Satellite Tracking. This procurement is being undertaken as part of Phase 2 of Ireland's QCI project (TransEuroOGS), co-funded by the European Commission Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and the Irish Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport. The successful tenderer will be required to design, manufacture, and deliver a turnkey telescope unit encompassing the mount, optics, and control software, complying with strict technical and spatial constraints. Key Technical Requirements: Optical Configuration: Ritchey-Chretien (RC) optical design, f/10 to f/12 system, with a clear aperture of at least 700 mm. Low central obstruction is required (30 percent or lower diameter linear obstruction preferred, maximum allowable 34 percent or lower). Optical Coatings and Power Handling: Broad-spectrum reflectivity covering both visible wavelengths and the 1550 nm C-Band NIR telecommunication spectrum, biased for optimal performance at 1550 nm. Reflectance at 1550 nm must be at least 95 percent (protected gold or equivalent high-efficiency NIR coating acceptable). The secondary mirror (M2) and main aperture must handle a high-power launch beam of maximum 40W continuous wave at 1550 nm across the aperture or annulus (power density less than 3300 W per square metre on the primary mirror). Focusing Path and Clear Aperture: Must feature at least one Nasmyth focus port (more preferred). The Nasmyth focus path must be completely free of refracting optical elements (100 percent reflective optics only, with removable optics as an allowable deviation). Clear aperture path through the Nasmyth axis must be at least 60 mm diameter to support downstream Adaptive Optics relay systems. Mount and Dynamic Tracking Specifications: Alt-Azimuth Direct-Drive or equivalent performance mount with low-latency tracking dynamics supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking, including high-elevation passes over Zenith. Minimum Azimuth Slew Rate must be at least 5 degrees per second (faster preferred). Pointing and tracking accuracy must be less than 8 to 10 arcsec RMS during dynamic LEO passes. Fastest tracking rate must exceed 1 degree per second with fine range control below this speed. Envelope and Enclosure Compatibility: Total vertical height must not exceed 3000 mm from the base to ensure dome clearance. Maximum radial swing clearance envelope must be at most 1470 mm. The axis of elevation pivot height must ensure clearance at all pointing directions, with the pivot axis positioned no more than 155 mm below the centre of the clearance envelope (or at the centre or higher). Full CAD models and opto-mechanical layout files are mandatory upon contract award. Software, Control Interface and API: Native integration with standard open-source astronomical communication protocols (INDI / INDIGO) or ASCOM / ALPACA frameworks. Open, fully documented network API adaptable to HTTP/REST or WebSocket interfaces for automated robotic control, telemetry, and scriptable trajectory loading. Ethernet data interface and DC power supply preferred. Delivery Constraint: Unit delivery must be completed within 3 to 4 months maximum from contract signature. Please refer to the detailed Technical Specification document for full technical specifications, compliance matrices, and contractual terms.
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Type of contract: Supplies
Products/services: Astronomical and optical instruments ๐Ÿ“ฆ
Estimated value excluding VAT: 420 000 EUR ๐Ÿ’ฐ
Description
Internal identifier: 0
Estimated value excluding VAT: 500 000 EUR ๐Ÿ’ฐ
Aim of strategic procurement: Innovative purchase
This procurement acquires a specialized, highly innovative Optical Ground Station (OGS) telescope unit required for satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) under the European Union EuroQCI initiative and the TransEuroOGS project. The subject matter represents an innovative supply because it incorporates advanced technical and architectural capabilities that exceed conventional astronomical instrumentation: Novel Optical and Power Handling: The system requires custom broad-spectrum optical coatings optimized at 1550 nm with reflectance of at least 95 percent, capable of withstanding high-power continuous-wave laser launch beams of up to 40W across the aperture for quantum and classical uplinks without thermal degradation. Advanced Space-to-Ground Interface: It incorporates an unvignetted, completely reflective Nasmyth focus path (free of refracting glass optics) specifically engineered to interface directly with downstream Adaptive Optics systems and quantum photon receivers. High-Dynamic Satellite Tracking: The mount features direct-drive mechanics engineered for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite tracking across Zenith passes, achieving slew rates of at least 5 degrees per second and dynamic tracking pointing accuracy of 8 to 10 arcseconds RMS or better. Open Robotic Control Architecture: The control system incorporates open network communication protocols and programmable APIs to integrate automated satellite tracking, real-time telemetry, and synchronization with European quantum satellite missions, notably Eagle-1. This innovative equipment directly supports the deployment and cross-border validation of Europe's sovereign quantum communication infrastructure.
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Innovation procurement: The procured works, supplies or services involve research and development activities.
Postal address: Mbryonics Ltd, Photon 1 (Unit 7), IDA Business Park, Dangan, Galway, Ireland
Postcode: H91P2DK
Town: Galway
Country: Ireland ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช
Place of performance:
South-West ๐Ÿ™๏ธ
West ๐Ÿ™๏ธ
Duration: 6 months
Title
Lot Identification Number: LOT-0001
Description
Place of performance: West ๐Ÿ™๏ธ

Procedure
Type of procedure
Open procedure โœ…
Legal basis: Directive 2014/24/EU
Administrative information
Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate: 2026-12-04 12:00:00 ๐Ÿ“…
Conditions for opening of tenders: 2026-12-04 12:30:00 ๐Ÿ“…
Conditions for opening of tenders (place): https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=9410053
Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: English ๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ
Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender: 90 days
Tendering terms
Tenderers may submit more than one tender
Opening date: 2026-12-04 12:30:00 ๐Ÿ“…
Place: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=9410053
Deadline for requesting additional information: 2026-11-20 12:00:00 ๐Ÿ“…

Contracting authority
Name and addresses
Name: Mbryonics Ltd
National registration number: 546589
Postal address: IDA Business Park, Dangan, Galway
Postal code: H91RWF1
Postal town: Galway
Region: West ๐Ÿ™๏ธ
Country: Ireland ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช
E-mail: purchasing@mbryonics.com ๐Ÿ“ง
Phone: 091413778 ๐Ÿ“ž
URL: https://mbryonics.com/ ๐ŸŒ
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.etenders.gov.ie ๐ŸŒ
Type of the contracting authority
Body governed by public law
Main activity
Economic and financial affairs
Communication
Documents URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/listContractDocuments.do?resourceId=9410053 ๐ŸŒ
Participation URL: https://www.etenders.gov.ie/epps/cft/viewTenders.do?resourceId=9410053 ๐ŸŒ
Further details of EU funds: TransEuroOGS
EU funds programme: Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) (2021/2027)
Electronic submission: Required

Complementary information
Review body
Name: The High Court of Ireland
National registration number: The High Court of Ireland
Department: The High Court of Ireland
Postal address: Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin 7
Postal code: D07 WDX8
Postal town: Dublin
Region: Dublin ๐Ÿ™๏ธ
Country: Ireland ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช
E-mail: highcourtcentraloffice@courts.ie ๐Ÿ“ง
Phone: +353 1 8886000 ๐Ÿ“ž
Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained
Same as: Review body
Source: OJS 2026/S 215-768707 (2026-11-04)