Planning

Hard Facilities Management Services

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

09 Mar 2026 at 17:16

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

23 May 2025 at 19:09

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University is set to undertake a procurement process for Hard Facilities Management Services, focusing on maintenance and operations across several university buildings. The procurement, currently in the planning stage, is underpinned by the Procurement Act 2023 using a Competitive Flexible Procedure, engaging providers in a two-stage process commencing with conditions of participation followed by a detailed tender stage. Interested suppliers are encouraged to register for the Pre Market Engagement (PME) activities by 23rd March 2026, with the services commencing on 21st September 2026. The contract will cover facilities management services for buildings within the UKL22 region, integrating statutory maintenance, reactive response capabilities, and asset management over a substantial area of 48,000 m².

The upcoming tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in building and facilities management services, with a focus on innovative solutions and efficient deliverability to meet the complex requirements of Cardiff University’s diverse teaching, research, and student environments. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to bid, given the suitability criteria aligned with their capabilities. The projected contract value is £21 million, offering considerable growth prospects for companies adept at managing intricate facilities, such as those including hazardous operational zones and critical engineering systems. Suppliers participating in the PME will contribute valuable insights contributing to the finalisation of the tender documentation, thus shaping the future structure and service levels of the contract.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Hard Facilities Management Services

Notice Description

Cardiff University is undertaking early market engagement to inform the development of its upcoming procurement for Hard Facilities Management Services across a number of University buildings. The purpose of this engagement is to gather insights from experienced Hard FM providers regarding deliverability, cost drivers, risk allocation, supply chain capability, mobilisation requirements, and opportunities for innovation. Responses will inform the University's final tender strategy, specification refinement, and commercial model. This stage does not formally commence a procurement process. Participation in this Pre market engagement is voluntary and will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent tender process. This requirement covers the provision of Hard Facilities Management (FM) services across five key Cardiff University buildings: the Translational Research Hub (TRH), sbarc|spark, ABACWS, the Centre for Student Life (CSL), and JOMEC at Two Central Square. Together, these facilities represent over 48,000 m2 of diverse teaching, research, innovation, and student-facing environments. Four of the buildings are primarily academic teaching, study, and office spaces, incorporating lecture theatres, seminar rooms, social learning areas and administrative offices. The fifth building, the Translational Research Hub (TRH), is a complex scientific and industrial research environment incorporating cleanrooms, specialist gas distribution systems, abatement units, hazardous operational zones, and other highly serviced, business-critical engineering systems. Core requirements include: * Planned Preventative Maintenance (OEM-led, SFG20 and statutory). * Reactive Maintenance including 24/7/365 response where needed. * Remedial Maintenance addressing defects, failures or condition-related issues identified through PPM or inspections to return assets to a safe and reliable operating condition and prevent further deterioration. * Asset management and lifecycle planning with data integration into the University's CAFM system (QFM), * Management of access, safety, and permit-to-work controls * Management of specialist subcontractors supporting systems such as DI water, FFUs, gas detection, abatement, wet benches and BMS/Trend. * Delivery of Social Value outcomes will also form part of the scope. The University anticipates refining the scope, service levels, data requirements, performance metrics, and commercial structure following this Pre-Market Engagement. Insights gained will inform the final tender documentation

Planning Information

The University anticpates using a two stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023. This will include: Stage 1: Conditions of Participation (selection stage) Stage 2: Full tender stage with detailed technical and commercial evaluation Pre Market Engagement (PME) feedback will help shape the specification, KPIs, commercial model and procurement structure. PME Activity Supplier Questionnaire - response by 17:00 on 23/03/2026 How to participate Suppliers interested in participating in PME should register their interest via: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/aspx/Home Once registered, please download and complete the questionnaire and return via uploading your response and submit within the portal.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05254e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021079-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79993000 - Building and facilities management services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£21,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
9 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Sep 2026 - 20 Sep 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF24 4HQ
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL Wales, TLL22 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

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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