Award

Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) - Service Operator

HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

06 Oct 2025 at 08:21

Tender

14 May 2025 at 08:26

Planning

17 Oct 2024 at 07:45

Summary of the contracting process

The latest procurement process for the Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) pertains to a contract award notice, marking the completion of the process. The Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) awarded this contract for business and management consultancy services related to the MICM, located at Enterprise Park Forres in Scotland, UKM62. This contract involves operating and managing the MICM with a strong emphasis on innovation, low-carbon transition, and business start-up incubation over a three-year period starting from 3 October 2025, with potential extensions up to 2030. The open procurement method was employed, resulting in a contract value of GBP 1,299,705 (including all potential extensions and allowances), signed on 3 October 2025. The economic operator, Enterprise North East Trust Limited (trading as Elevator), has been appointed as the service operator.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in consultancy services focusing on innovation and sustainability. With MICM being a pivotal element of the Moray Growth Deal, the initiative is set to stimulate economic growth and innovation within the manufacturing sector while championing low-carbon practices. Ideal candidates for similar opportunities would include companies that offer technical testing, analysis, consultancy, and project management services with expertise in research and development, business development, and energy efficiency. Additionally, stakeholders involved in incubator operations and stakeholders ready to support transitioning to more sustainable practices will find considerable potential for contributing to and growing within the wider regional development efforts spearheaded by the Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

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Notice Title

Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM) - Service Operator

Notice Description

THIS IS A CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE AND AS SUCH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS IS COMPLETE. HIE has appointed a service operator for the Manufacturing Innovation Centre Moray (MICM). The services are required from 3 October 2025 for an initial period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Contract. HIE has an option to extend the contract period by up to 2 years, until 2 October 2030. The value of the initial 3-year period is GBP 804,738 (excluding VAT) including GBP 150,879 (excluding VAT) for various allowances. The total contract value in section II.1.7 and V.2.4. refers to the total contract value including the optional extension period/s and the various allowances.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Service Operator will develop, operate and manage the MICM service. MICM is one of eight strategic projects forming part of the Moray Growth Deal (MGD). Located at Enterprise Park Forres, MICM will provide diagnostics, advice, information, signposting and access to funding, to businesses. Its primary focus will be on stimulating innovation and growth in product and process development, with a strong emphasis on transitioning to low carbon practices. There will be space in the building for business start-up incubation and space for existing business to undertake innovation projects, as well as demonstration facilities showcasing advanced technology and equipment. Please refer to the tender documents for full details. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Options: HIE reserves the right, on giving reasonable written notice from time to time, to require changes to the Services in response to changes in circumstance such as: -evidence of actual demand for the various Services or for new Services. -the tested validity of initial assumptions (including assumptions about Allowances). -increased or decreased funding availability. -additional income generation which exceeds targets. -evolving operational circumstances. -the outcome annual reviews. -the results of business surveys. In response to changed circumstances, irrespective of the monetary value of the change, HIE may require a range of changes to the Services, such as: -the removal of Services; -the addition of new Services; -increasing or decreasing the Services; -re-designing the Service provision; -revising project KPIs/Milestones; -amending the Equipment and Technology Strategy; or -specifying the order in which the Services are to be performed. The above lists of circumstances and potential changes are not exhaustive and HIE may require such other changes as are appropriate. Specific modifications may include but need not be limited to: -A requirement to promote the uptake by self-managed, longer-term tenants of newly available Grow-on space at Unit 10, Enterprise Park Forres, from 2029/2030. -A move to virtual delivery (wholly or partially). -Changes to the service provision/programme as a result of ongoing review/improvements. -Temporary increases of resource provision, due to peaks in demand (e.g. to support equipment procurement activity). For full details please refer to the 'Contract modification' section in the Scope of Requirements and Guidance document.

Renewal: The contract will be awarded for an initial period of 3 years, unless terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Contract. HIE will have an option to extend the contract period by up to 2 years.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ad23
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/062371-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

72 - IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

71314300 - Energy-efficiency consultancy services

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services

72221000 - Business analysis consultancy services

72224000 - Project management consultancy services

73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

73210000 - Research consultancy services

73220000 - Development consultancy services

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79410000 - Business and management consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79415000 - Production management consultancy services

79420000 - Management-related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,300,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£1,299,705 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
8 Jul 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2025Expired
Award Date
2 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
HIE reserves the right to re-tender for these services upon termination or at the end of the contract, including any extension period.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS ENTERPRISE
Contact Name
HIE Procurement
Contact Email
hieprocurement@hient.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1463245245

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV2 5NA
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM62 Inverness and Nairn, Moray, and Badenoch and Strathspey

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness South
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

ENTERPRISE NORTH EAST TRUST LIMITED T/A ELEVATOR

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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