Skip to content
Tenderpatch
This is an early-stage notice (pipeline, market engagement or planned procurement). It is not yet open for bids. Find open tenders

Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC)

Ashfield District Council

Planned

Key facts

Closing date
Not stated by the buyer
Buyer's estimated value
£1,000,000 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you.
Contract period
30 Mar 2027 to 31 Mar 2037
Procedure
Not stated
Notice type
Preliminary market engagement notice (UK2)

Decision brief

Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.

How bids will be scored
Not stated in the notice.
Conditions of participation (what you must show)
None published in the notice. They may be in the tender documents.
Contract length and extensions
30 Mar 2027 to 31 Mar 2037.
How to submit
Not stated in the notice.
Changes the buyer has announced
  • End of Preliminary Engagement period changed from the 16th November to the 6th November 2026
Tender documents
No document links in the notice. Use the official notice link.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
Framework
An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
Open for bids / closing date
You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
Clarification questions
A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
Conditions of participation
What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
Bids are scored on
How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
Lots
A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
Area (ITL)
The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
UK4 and other notice codes
Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.

General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.

Description

Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Procurement Early Engagement Notice Purpose This notice is to make potential contractors aware that, via the Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) procurement team, Ashfield District Council (ADC) will commence a process to appoint a commercial operator for their Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC). The publication of this notice commences the preliminary market engagement stage of the procurement process. The procurement is expected to follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure, based on the Procurement Act 2023. Background The ADMC is a flagship project for Ashfield District Council. The ADMC will work with businesses to create and implement bespoke automation strategies and solutions that improve productivity and enable prosperity and growth. The ADMC will be a 3,000m2 purpose built, multifunctional, automation centre. Its vision is based on four "pillars" of activity: • Research and Development • Prototyping and Proof of Principle • Showcasing and Demonstration • Skills and Training The ADMC will be at the centre of a cluster of automation businesses, some of which will be located on the adjacent Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park that is also in development. The ADMC building is expected to be completed by December 2027. More details can be found on the ADMC website at www.theadmc.co.uk. Proposed Governance and Operation ADC confirmed its positioning regarding governance and operation of the ADMC in January 2025. It has resolved to carry out a public procurement procedure to appoint an external organisation to run the ADMC. ADC believe that this contracted approach will allow the ADMC to be operated effectively and efficiently such that it achieves its twin goals of supporting the greater adoption of automation within local and regional businesses and achieving financial sustainability. A previous procurement process to appoint an operator for the ADMC took place in late 2025. This process was ultimately unsuccessful in appointing an operator due to a combination of factors including feedback from potential bidders about the scope of the contract as well as subsidy and compliance issues. ADC aims to have a commercial operator appointed in 2027. Preliminary Market Engagement stage of the Procurement Process The procurement is expected to follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure, following the Procurement Act 2023. This notice commences the procurement process via a preliminary market engagement stage. The preliminary market engagement stage is intended to allow potential contractors to gain a more detailed understanding of the ADMC, its progress, and the procurement process being undertaken. It will also support NCC and ADC to develop the first stage tender by helping to: • Develop the requirements and approach to the procurement. • Design the conditions of participation and award criteria. • Inform the scope of works being contracted and whether these works should be split into separate lots. • Prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents. • Identify likely contractual terms. • Building capacity in relation to the contract being awarded. NCC/ADC proposes to run initial group engagement events via Teams on two dates: • Tuesday 10th November 10:00 - 11:00 • Thursday 12th November 10:00 - 11:00 Further events may be run before the end of November 2026 as demand requires. NCC/ADC will be having individual discussions with potential contractors. Contractors will be invited to express an interest in being part of those discussions following the group engagement events. All information and material collected from these pre-market engagement activities will be documented and form part of the subsequent tender pack, respecting commercial confidentiality. Contact To express interest in being part of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage of this procurement process and to be sent the ADMC - Intent to Go to Market - Power Point Information Pack, please contact Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk Please feel free to submit any clarification questions to Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk NCC/ADC will respond to these promptly.