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Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Operator

Ashfield District Council

This public procurement record has 6 releases in its history.

TenderCancellation

15 Jul 2026 at 08:52

UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
TenderUpdate

09 Oct 2025 at 09:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

18 Aug 2025 at 16:54

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

23 Apr 2025 at 12:02

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

13 Mar 2025 at 11:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

12 Mar 2025 at 10:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ashfield District Council, in collaboration with Nottinghamshire County Council, sought to appoint an operator for the Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) to be constructed in Kirkby in Ashfield, United Kingdom. This centre is part of a larger Innovation and Technology Park focused on enhancing automation within manufacturing and distribution. Initially, the procurement process was at the tender update stage, with a deadline set for 15th October 2025, under an open procedure. Key industry categories involved were commercial property management, research and development, and business development consultancy services. However, on 15th July 2026, the tender was cancelled as confirmed by the latest tender cancellation notice.

This tender represents a notable opportunity for businesses specialising in automation and related fields to establish a significant presence in a cutting-edge innovation hub. Particularly, small and medium-sized enterprises with expertise in manufacturing, automation solutions, and commercial property management could benefit from competitive engagement. The initial vision for ADMC aimed to provide automation support and strategies, potentially leading to business growth through improved productivity and strategic collaborations within the new technology park.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Operator

Notice Description

Nottinghamshire County Council is seeking tenders, on behalf of Ashfield District Council (the Council) (ADC) , Ashfield District Council (ADC) has secured PS21.5m from the Towns Fund programme to build the Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) on a green field site in Kirkby in Ashfield, near M1 junction 28 and opposite Sutton Parkway station. The ADMC will be the centrepiece of a dedicated Innovation and Technology Park. The 3,000 square metre building will become a centre of excellence for automation. It will support both the specialist manufacturing and distribution/fulfilment sectors, including small and medium sized enterprises. The building is estimated to be completed in March 2027. The primary research and development area is a single storey building, with loading docks and facilities suitable for locating and operating automation systems in a flexible manner. The remainder of the building houses a two-storey laboratory, training/conference area and an office complex along with an atrium for holding showcasing and other events. On the ground floor there is a designated lab and office for Nottingham Trent University which is a key partner in the project. The ADMC's vision is to be an independent centre where businesses can receive automation related support and advice to help them grow their businesses. The ADMC's mission is to work with businesses to create and implement bespoke automation strategies and solutions that improve productivity and enable prosperity and growth.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: A 10-year contract with an option to extend for a further five years, with a tenant break at 5 years, with 12 months' notice.

Planning Information

Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Preliminary Market Engagement Phase 2 Expression of Interest Purpose This notice is to make potential contractors aware that, via the Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) procurement team, Ashfield District Council (ADC) are continuing with the process to appoint a commercial operator for their Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) now phase 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage has been completed. The publication of this notice commences phase 2, Expression of Interest (EOI), of the preliminary market engagement stage of the Competitive Flexible Procedure procurement process being undertaken for this opportunity. Details of phase 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage can be found on the link below. Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) - Find a Tender Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-009163 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 the first building located on the developing Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park, with other buildings to follow to be occupied by organisations keen to co-locate with the ADMC. The ADMC building is expected to be completed in late 2026 and occupancy in early 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. ADC aims to have a commercial operator appointed by the end of 2025. 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 allow NCC and ADC to understand what expertise and experience is available in the market to deliver all aspects of the ADMC. 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. • Prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents. • Identify likely contractual terms. • Building capacity in relation to the contract being awarded. Phase 1 (completed), of the preliminary market engagement stage invited potential contractors to request a Power Point information pack of the Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre and to attend a group engagement event via Teams. Phase 2 - EOI (this phase) invites potential contractors to request a copy of a light version of the current specification to review and to also submit responses to a set of questions in relation to past achievements and experience related to the ADMC project. The ADMC project team will review all question set responses received and invite contractors who have demonstrated that they have the correct set of skills and experience to deliver the full scope of the ADMC project, to individual discussions via Teams. The individual discussions will be recorded, and minutes will be taken. Any contractors that submit responses to the question set but who are not invited to an individual discussion meeting will still be able to submit a bid at full tender stage 1. Contact The light specification and question set will be available to request from 12:00 noon on the 23rd April 2025 until 15:00 on the 14th May 2025. To receive a copy of the light specification and the question set, please contact Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk All question set responses must be emailed to Jamie Burton by 17:00 on the 14th May 2025. Any question sets received after this time will not be considered. We will aim to notify the contractors that they will be invited to individual discussions by 28th May 2025. Please feel free to submit any clarification questions to Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk NCC/ADC will respond to these promptly.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/066533-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK12 - Procurement Termination Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

70 - Real estate services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

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

CPV Codes

70332200 - Commercial property management services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

79993000 - Building and facilities management services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
15 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
15 Jul 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2035 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Cancelled
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ashfield District Council
Additional Buyers

Nottinghamshire County Council

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
KIRKBY IN ASHFIELD
Postcode
NG17 8DA
Postcode Area
Nottingham
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF15 North Nottinghamshire
Delivery Location
TLF15 North Nottinghamshire
Local Authority
Ashfield
Electoral Ward
Greenwood & Summit
Westminster Constituency
Ashfield

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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