Planning

Containerised Research Lab - Market Testing

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Nov 2025 at 11:25

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Bristol is initiating a market testing exercise for a project titled "Containerised Research Lab - Market Testing" within the prefabricated equipment industry. The focus is on procuring an off-site manufactured, prefabricated laboratory capable of handling pyrophoric materials with stringent safety and environmental controls. This project is in the planning stage, with an engagement end date set for 8th December 2025. The University is considering the development of a modular laboratory composed of combined 40ft container modules, intended for installation at a large warehouse-style hanger in the United Kingdom. Suppliers are invited to express their interest by completing a questionnaire by 5th December 2025.

This market testing exercise presents opportunities for businesses involved in the design and manufacture of containerised or modular laboratory facilities, particularly those with expertise in off-site construction and hazardous materials research environments. Businesses capable of offering turnkey solutions with robust safety and environmental systems will find this tender particularly appealing. Given the preference for SMEs, smaller enterprises with in-house design and MEP capabilities could leverage this opportunity to collaborate with the University of Bristol, potentially expanding their market reach and gaining valuable experience in high-specification laboratory construction.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Containerised Research Lab - Market Testing

Notice Description

Containerised Research Laboratory - Market Testing Exercise Project Background: The University of Bristol is looking to procure an off-site manufactured, prefabricated research laboratory, delivered as a containerised or modular building system. The facility will be used to test technologies involving pyrophoric materials, requiring a high level of safety, environmental control and security. Our current (but not yet fixed) concept is a facility formed from two combined 40ft container modules, fitted out off-site and delivered to our site (a large warehouse-style hanger) ready for final integration. Key anticipated features include: - Fully prefabricated modular laboratory construction. - Laboratory can be manufactured quickly. - Laboratory can be quickly decommissioned, easily moved to another site and recommissioned. - Very high security design to meet controlled material handling requirements. - High level of fire safety and uses fire resistant materials. - Non-water-based fire suppression system (water incompatible with materials). - Very high integrity enclosure (safe from accidental water ingress). - Continuous temperature control. - Low-humidity environment (<50%). - Integrated safety and environmental sensors (smoke, moisture, gas detection, etc.) - Moderate / High-voltage electrical supply and technical service distribution. What We Are Seeking For this market testing exercise, we are specifically looking for suppliers with proven capability to design, and manufacture prefabricated or containerised laboratory facilities off-site, including: - Turnkey modular / containerised lab manufacturers. - Off-site construction specialists with in-house design and MEP capability. - Suppliers experienced in specialist or hazardous-materials research environments. The successful supplier (in any future procurement) would be expected to: - Work with the University to develop the design from initial concept through to RIBA Stage 4 (approx. 3 months). - Provide or assist with technical design input, including structural, architectural, MEP and safety systems. - Manufacture and fit out the laboratory off-site. - Deliver The purpose of this Market Testing exercise is to: Assess the range of suppliers available. Gather insights on market capacity and potential approaches. Inform internal decision-making on whether to proceed with a formal procurement process. Please note: This is not a regulated procurement process under. Public Contracts Regulations. Participation does not constitute any commitment by University of Bristol to award a contract or run a competitive tender. Following responses, we will determine whether to initiate a formal competition or explore alternative options. We invite interested suppliers to provide information to support our understanding of the market. Interested parties should express their interest by clicking on the link below and completing the questionnaire no later than 17.00 GMT on Friday 5th December 2025.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-b57b6c1f-3018-479b-976b-69debe122491
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f9adc86-d72f-4452-9e17-0fe23dbb12bf
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment

44 - Construction structures and materials; auxiliary products to construction (except electric apparatus)

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

43327000 - Prefabricated equipment

44211000 - Prefabricated buildings

44613300 - Standard freight containers

45211000 - Construction work for multi-dwelling buildings and individual houses

45214000 - Construction work for buildings relating to education and research

45216000 - Construction work for buildings relating to law and order or emergency services and for military buildings

45223800 - Assembly and erection of prefabricated structures

45223810 - Prefabricated constructions

45223821 - Prefabricated units

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Nov 20251 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
8 Dec 20253 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
clare.knighton@bristol.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS1 5DS
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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