Official UK procurement notice
Derry~Londonderry Teaching and Student Centre Works
Authority: THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER (Education)
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe Contract is for the provision of DLD Teaching and Student Centre Works to Ulster University.
The project will involve the construction of a new Teaching and Student Centre (TSC) block at Ulster University's campus in Derry-Londonderry (DLD) adjacent to the Library at
Northland Road BT48 7JL.
The new TSC building is to provide additional Lecture and Seminar spaces, Computer Labs and on campus Student Services and will also free up space in other buildings on campus for teaching and research activities.
The proposed site is located on Northland Road, adjacent to the existing Library (Block MM) and Teaching Block (Block MU).
The building form is predominantly three interconnected blocks, arranged around existing trees and connected via a central circulatory spine. The form of the building is sensitive to
the history and setting of the site, and the arrangement of internal spaces focuses on pedestrian connectivity with connection to the existing Library blocks through a high-level link into a repurposed space and visual low-level connection to the existing Teaching
block. Required modifications and refurbishment within the existing block(s) to accommodate the connection and associated access to the new building are included within the scope of the TSC project.
The building includes a lower ground floor, ground floor, plus 3-storeys at the highest point, all classified under use class F1 (learning and non-residential institutions). The building's GIA is anticipated to be circa 5200m2 and the TSC is intended to create a three dimensional landscape, with green spaces, terraces and courtyards integrated into the site.
The TSC is due to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating low-energy systems and climateresilient materials are proposed throughout, to achieve a low carbon building. PV panels are included on the roofs of the interconnected blocks and green roofs are proposed on terraces.
- How the procedure runs: This is a two stage competition. Stage 1 is open to all Suppliers. Responses will be evaluated according to the received responses to the Conditions of Participation. It is intended to shortlist a total of 5 suppliers to invite to Stage 2. Stage 2 - Invitation to Tender Stage The shortlisted suppliers will be invited to submit a bid in response to the invitation to tender documents. This stage consists of evaluating quality and commercial submissions received from the shortlisted suppliers. Upon evaluation of initial bid, the University may opt to engage in a negotiation with all 5 shortlisted suppliers. Details of the negotiation stage can be found in the Tender Pack. The University reserve the right to award the contract following evaluation of the initial Tender bids. Following any potential negotiation stage, the Suppliers will be invited to submit a final offer and at this point the University intend to award the contract to the Most Advantageous Tender. In accordance with Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the University may refine award criteria during this Competitive Flexible Procedure. Any refinements will be limited to the criteria already set out in this notice and associated procurement documents, will not alter the overall subject matter or relative weightings, and will be communicated to all suppliers prior to the invitation to submit final tenders. Where a refinement is applied, the University will modify and republish, or provide again, this notice and any associated documents affected. The University also reserves the right to amend the indicative stages of the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The process described in this notice is provisional and will be finalised in the tender documentation issued to participating suppliers.
CPV: Construction work
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · value publishedLot #1AwardedRenewalPublished value£34,800,000
- Economic & financial standing
As per Tender Documentation
- Technical & professional ability
As per Tender Documentation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Stage 1 is the pre qualification questions stage of this competitive flexible process.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published sub-criteria (2)
- Stage 2 - Award Criteria Quality: 50%
- Stage 2 - Award Criteria - Commercial: 50%
Published award criteria (2)
- Stage 2 - Award Criteria Quality: As per Tender documentation. The University may, during the process refine an award criterion in line with section 24 of the PA 2023. Where this is the case revised tender documentation will be provided to all suppliers clearly indicating any refinements made.
- Stage 2 - Award Criteria - Commercial: As per Tender Documentation. The University may, during the process refine an award criterion in line with section 24 of the PA 2023. Where this is the case revised tender documentation will be provided to all suppliers clearly indicating any refinements made.
- Economic & financial standing
As per Tender Documentation
- Technical & professional ability
As per Tender Documentation
- Condition of participationshortlisting
Stage 1 is the pre qualification questions stage of this competitive flexible process.
- Price carries 50 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 5 points. This one is won on the number: sharpen the price before polishing the prose.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Competitive flexible procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Works
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Unspecified in notice
- First published
- 8 Jul 2025, 16:59 BST
- Last source update
- 9 Jul 2026, 16:47 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 9 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
6132284- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-055961- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-055b7cFind a Tender- Contract terms summary
Contract Value
The estimated value figure indicated in the Scope Section represents an overall estimated contract value. This value reflects the potential scale of the contract and takes into account potential optional extension periods and the uptake of potential optional services as detailed in the tender documents. This figure does not however take into account the application of indexation or increases to charges due to increases in the Real Living Wage. Ulster University can provide any guarantee as to the level of business under this contract. Ulster University does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender. Suppliers remain responsible for all costs and expenses incurred by them or by any third party acting under instructions from the Supplier in connection with taking part in this procurement process regardless of whether such costs arise as a consequence, directly or indirectly of any amendments made to the procurement documents by Ulster University at any time. No legally binding contract shall arise (and a Supplier shall have no legitimate expectation that a contract will be entered into) until such time as entry into the Contract has been confirmed by Ulster University.
- How it runs
This is a two stage competition.
Stage 1 is open to all Suppliers. Responses will be evaluated according to the received responses to the Conditions of Participation.
It is intended to shortlist a total of 5 suppliers to invite to Stage 2.
Stage 2 - Invitation to Tender Stage
The shortlisted suppliers will be invited to submit a bid in response to the invitation to tender documents.
This stage consists of evaluating quality and commercial submissions received from the shortlisted suppliers.
Upon evaluation of initial bid, the University may opt to engage in a negotiation with all 5 shortlisted suppliers. Details of the negotiation stage can be found in the Tender Pack. The University reserve the right to award the contract following evaluation of the initial Tender bids.
Following any potential negotiation stage, the Suppliers will be invited to submit a final offer and at this point the University intend to award the contract to the Most Advantageous Tender.
In accordance with Section 24 of the Procurement Act 2023, the University may refine award criteria during this Competitive Flexible Procedure. Any refinements will be limited to the criteria already set out in this notice and associated procurement documents, will not alter the overall subject matter or relative weightings, and will be communicated to all suppliers prior to the invitation to submit final tenders. Where a refinement is applied, the University will modify and republish, or provide again, this notice and any associated documents affected.
The University also reserves the right to amend the indicative stages of the Competitive Flexible Procedure. The process described in this notice is provisional and will be finalised in the tender documentation issued to participating suppliers.
- Risks
The University has identified the following risks as risks that satisfy the criteria of Schedule 8 sub-paragraph (6)(a) of the Procurement Act 2023 i.e. that the risk/s could jeopardise the satisfactory performance of the contract but, because of its/their nature, cannot be addressed in the contract as awarded:
- Construction is on a live campus.
- Has concluded that there is a possibility that the contract may have to be modified as a result of a materialisation of the known risk/s at a later date in accordance with Schedule 8 paragraph 5 of the Procurement Act 2023.
Exclusions
If at any time during the procurement, or post award, it comes to the attention of the University, by whatever means, that a Supplier has become ‘excluded’ or ‘excludable’ as per Sec 57 of the PA 2023, the CA, after compliance with its obligations under the PA 23, reserves the right to exclude said Supplier from the procurement procedure or terminate any contract they have been awarded.
The University expressly reserves the rights:
(I). not to award any contract as a result of the procurement process commenced by publication of this notice;
(II). to make whatever changes it may see fit to the content and structure of the tendering Competition;
(III). to award (a) contract(s) in respect of any part(s) of the [services] covered by this notice; and
(IV). to award contract(s) in stages.
and in no circumstances will the University be liable for any costs incurred by candidates.
Ulster University reserves the right to hold additional rounds of negotiation / dialogue with tenderers; to require the submission of any further or additional information or tender submissions; to award the Contract following the submission of initial tenders and/or to down-select tenderers at specified points in the process. For the avoidance of doubt, final tenders will not be subject to any negotiation with the University (however, they may be subject to clarification, if required, at Ulster University’s absolute discretion). The University reserves the right: to reject any or all PQQ or tender responses and to cancel or withdraw the procurement process at any stage; to award a contract without prior notice; to change the basis of, the procedure and the timescales set out or referred to in the procurement documents; to require a tenderer to clarify its PQQ or tender response in writing and/or provide additional information; to terminate the procurement process; and/or to amend the terms and conditions of the PQQ or tender evaluation process or negotiation process in line with section 31 of the Procurement Act 2023.
Suppliers should note that all dates, time periods and figures in relation to values and volumes specified in this notice and the procurement documents are approximate only and the University reserves the right to change any or all of them.
How it was run
Official notice- Requests to participate (first stage)
- 15 Oct 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline
- 15 Oct 2025, 15:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 9 Oct 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT) opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.
Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by Ulster University.
The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at: URL etendersni.gov.uk/epps ↗
Timeline
8 Jul 2025 → 23 Jul 2026 · 11 dates- Planning notice published8 Jul 2025, 16:59 BST
- Market engagement6 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice and Request for Information (RFI) is to invite potential suppliers to express an interest and provide information to assist with the procurement of the Teaching and Student Centre Works in Derry ~ Londonderry.
It is important to note that this PME/RFI is not a call for competition, a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), part of any pre-qualification/selection process or a current Invitation to Tender (ITT) opportunity. Potential suppliers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a Tender Notice (or equivalent) is published.
This RFI is intended as an awareness, communication and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in the RFI process, nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who express and interest in the RFI exercise.
The RIF Questionnaire should be completed by interested Suppliers and submitted via eTendersNI at etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do ↗ no later than the RFI Submission Date.
- Next notice expected29 Aug 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published11 Sept 2025, 16:44 BST
- Clarification questions by377 days ago9 Oct 2025, 15:00 BST
- Submission deadline371 days ago15 Oct 2025, 15:00 BST
- Award decision expected by315 days ago9 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts112 days ago1 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent104 days ago9 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published103 days ago9 Jul 2026, 16:47 BST
- Standstill ends89 days ago23 Jul 2026, 23:59 BST
Notice history
8 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 Jul 2025- Preliminary market engagement notice published8 Jul 2025, 16:59 BSTUK2
- Tender notice published11 Sept 2025, 16:44 BSTUK4
- Status changed to active11 Sept 2025, 16:44 BST
- Procurement method changed11 Sept 2025, 16:44 BST
- Contract award notice published9 Jul 2026, 16:47 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete9 Jul 2026, 16:47 BST
- Procurement method changed9 Jul 2026, 16:47 BST
- Contract signature expected30 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| GLASGIVEN CONTRACTS LTDSME1 Sept 2026 – 30 Jun 2031 | £25,061,059 | 9 Jul 2026standstill to 23 Jul 2026 | Standstill |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- wonGLASGIVEN CONTRACTS LIMITEDSME · Northern Ireland
- did not winOHMG (HOLDINGS) LIMITEDSME · Northern Ireland
- did not winJOHN GRAHAM CONSTRUCTION LIMITED · Northern Ireland
- did not winHERON BROS. LIMITEDSME · Northern Ireland
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Bidders & participating suppliers
4 commercial parties on the notice · 1 awarded- GLASGIVEN CONTRACTS LIMITEDAwarded supplier
- HERON BROS. LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- JOHN GRAHAM CONSTRUCTION LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
- OHMG (HOLDINGS) LIMITEDBidder / tenderer
Official documents & specifications (3)
Official links; attachments are not copiedNotices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Preliminary market engagement notice Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender