UNSPSC 60104300: Astronomy

UNSPSC 60104300 Astronomy is a Class code that does not align with the state and local solicitation activity tagged under it. The recent opportunities posted under this code overwhelmingly solicit teaching and instructional materials, supplies, and equipment for K–12 schools—including reading and video materials, STEM kits, science supplies, and general classroom consumables—rather than astronomy-specific products, services, or research materials. One sole-source procurement for Anorthosite Highlands Simulant from Space Resource Technologies represents the only astronomy-adjacent activity in the recent dataset, suggesting a significant mismatch between the code's intended scope and the work actually being bought.

The issuing bodies are exclusively school districts and school-district consortia: Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, Katy Independent School District, Seminole County School Board in Florida, Cartwright Elementary School District No. 83 (acting on behalf of the SAVE consortium in Arizona), and Cobb County School District in Georgia. Geographic activity clusters in Texas, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia. Representative recent opportunities include Harlingen ISD's Reading & Video Materials bid (CRDG1026, due October 1, 2026), Katy ISD's supplemental RFP for teaching and instructional materials across multiple departments (RFP2428KD-A, due May 29, 2026, with contract term extending through October 23, 2030), the SAVE consortium's RFP for STEM and College & Career Readiness kits (RFP260331, due June 8, 2026, with estimated annual usage of $1,346,000 across member districts), and Cobb County School District's IFB for science supplies, chemicals, and specimens (B26128, due June 16, 2026, estimated annual expenditure $175,000). Vendors pursuing these opportunities should note that school districts typically require E-Verify compliance, insurance certifications, and IRS W-9 submissions, and often use cooperative purchasing vehicles to aggregate demand across multiple jurisdictions.