Space simulation system for Stuttgart Planetarium

Summary

The procurement covers the supply, installation and commissioning of a new, dome-filling space simulation system for the Carl Zeiss Planetarium in Stuttgart, together with four years of maintenance, support and servicing. The supply includes software and hardware, installation, staff instruction and training, and an operating manual in English and/or German. Installation and integration must take place between 1 January and 31 December 2027; on-site training is required for up to four staff members. The system must be fully available when the bid is submitted and must not be a beta version or require subsequent development. It must include a dedicated master computer, nine graphics computers and an equivalent spare computer; the computers must be from established, well-known manufacturers. Requirements include at least 6K imagery at 60 frames per second, synchronized projection, 32-channel audio output at 24-bit/96 kHz compatible with the DANTE protocol, and installation in the existing server room. The software must run on Windows 11 and support real-time astronomy, pre-rendered fulldome shows, simultaneous playback of video and real-time graphics, projector-image alignment, and control of a Universarium IX. Content must be addable or editable while the system is running, including images, 3D models, scripts, videos, audio, AVM-marked images and KML files for dome display. Other requirements include timeline-based show creation without programming, astronomical database queries, physically based 3D rendering, live presentations to other planetariums using the same software, SMPTE timecode support, and export of dome master files at a minimum of 6K/30 frames per second. Visible labels must be available in German and English. Telephone and email support must be available daily from 9:00 to 20:00, with a fault response time of less than 48 hours. Maintenance must be performed annually for four years, and the hardware must carry a warranty of at least three years. The four-year net price must not exceed EUR 672,268.90; bids above the ceiling will be excluded from evaluation. Price and technical performance each account for 50% of the evaluation. Bids must be submitted electronically by 12:00 on 8 October 2026; alternative bids are not permitted. The bidder must submit at least one qualifying reference from the last three years with its bid: use of the same software package in a multi-channel fulldome projection system with a Zeiss Universarium-type star projector. This may be demonstrated by one reference covering both VELVET projectors and control of a Zeiss Universarium IX, or by two separate references, one for each arrangement. The bid must also include turnover and suitability declarations, the required technical offer and price sheet, and declarations concerning exclusion grounds and ILO core labour standards.