Orange Planetarium lands $692,834 audiovisual contract with US supplier

The Orange Regional Planetarium will receive new audiovisual and sound equipment under a US$477,184 contract, reported by Orange City Council as A$692,833.84 excluding GST. The contract was awarded to US-based Evans and Sutherland Computer Corporation for equipment used to display prerecorded shows.

The tender, identified as RFT-F499-22, covers both the supply and installation of the Planetarium’s audiovisual and sound systems.

All 10 councillors present supported the contract, with no votes against. Cr J Whitton and Cr G Judge were absent for the resolution.

The expenditure is to be included in Orange City Council’s 2026/2027 Capital Plan. Council will also provide for the capital cost to be reimbursed internally through the Planetarium’s operations.

The chief executive officer has been authorised to enter into the contract, and Council’s common seal approved for use on the associated documents. The resolution was made under Section 55 of the NSW Local Government Act 1993.

After the contract is executed, information about the successful tender is to be published in Council’s Register of Contracts under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, Part 3, Division 5, which covers government contracts with the private sector.

Council will write to the unsuccessful tenderers advising them of the tender outcome. The resolution does not specify when installation will occur or when visitors will first see shows using the new equipment.