Tender

Derry~Londonderry Teaching and Student Centre Works

THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

11 Sep 2025 at 15:44

Planning

08 Jul 2025 at 15:59

Summary of the contracting process

The University of Ulster, operating under Northern Irish devolved regulations, has initiated a tender process for the development of a new Teaching and Student Centre (TSC) at their Derry-Londonderry campus. This project, worth £34.8 million, falls within the industry category of construction work and aims to expand the university's facilities. The project location is on Northland Road, adjacent to the existing Library and Teaching Blocks. The procurement is currently in the tender stage, with significant dates including an expression of interest deadline on 15 October 2025, an enquiry period ending on 9 October 2025, and contract award anticipated in December 2025. Construction is expected to start in July 2026 and be completed by June 2028, with further aftercare extending to June 2031. The procurement method adopted is a competitive flexible procedure, executed electronically via eTenders NI.

This tender provides a substantial opportunity for construction firms specialising in educational infrastructures, supporting the creation of vibrant academic and community spaces. It is ideal for businesses experienced in design and construct methodologies and those capable of handling projects located within live campus environments. Additionally, the project’s emphasis on achieving a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating suggests that companies focusing on sustainable building solutions and low-energy systems will find this contract particularly aligned with their strengths. With the goal of enhancing higher education on both sides of the Ireland border and fostering collaboration among institutions, this project represents not just a construction opportunity but a chance to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of the region.

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Notice Title

Derry~Londonderry Teaching and Student Centre Works

Notice Description

The Contract is for the provision of DLD Teaching and Student Centre Works to Ulster University. The project will involve the construction of a new Teaching and Student Centre (TSC) block at Ulster University's campus in Derry-Londonderry (DLD) adjacent to the Library at Northland Road BT48 7JL. The new TSC building is to provide additional Lecture and Seminar spaces, Computer Labs and on campus Student Services and will also free up space in other buildings on campus for teaching and research activities. The proposed site is located on Northland Road, adjacent to the existing Library (Block MM) and Teaching Block (Block MU). The building form is predominantly three interconnected blocks, arranged around existing trees and connected via a central circulatory spine. The form of the building is sensitive to the history and setting of the site, and the arrangement of internal spaces focuses on pedestrian connectivity with connection to the existing Library blocks through a high-level link into a repurposed space and visual low-level connection to the existing Teaching block. Required modifications and refurbishment within the existing block(s) to accommodate the connection and associated access to the new building are included within the scope of the TSC project. The building includes a lower ground floor, ground floor, plus 3-storeys at the highest point, all classified under use class F1 (learning and non-residential institutions). The building's GIA is anticipated to be circa 5200m2 and the TSC is intended to create a three-dimensional landscape, with green spaces, terraces and courtyards integrated into the site. The TSC is due to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating low-energy systems and climate-resilient materials are proposed throughout, to achieve a low carbon building. PV panels are included on the roofs of the interconnected blocks and green roofs are proposed on terraces. Further details are provided in the planning drawings and supporting documents for the Project, including the Design Access Statements (DAS) can be found here: Northern Ireland Public Register. The planning application reference is PP-14106027. The University is using Design and Construct as the project delivery methodology under the Contract. Document 3 - Scope will be provided with the ITT Documentation on eTenders NI at Stage 2 of the Competition. Anticipated Project Timescales Date Contract award June 2026 Works commence onsite July 2026 Works finished June 2028 Defects and initial aftercare period June 2029 Extended aftercare period June 2031 This tender notice is for the award of a public contract through a competitive flexible procedure in accordance with section 20(1) and (2)(b) of the Procurement Act 2023.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The contract includes 24 months design and construction, 12 months defects and initial aftercare with additional extended aftercare of 24 months.

Planning Information

The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) notice and Request for Information (RFI) is to invite potential suppliers to express an interest and provide information to assist with the procurement of the Teaching and Student Centre Works in Derry ~ Londonderry. It is important to note that this PME/RFI is not a call for competition, a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ), part of any pre-qualification/selection process or a current Invitation to Tender (ITT) opportunity. Potential suppliers will need to express an interest in any future tender opportunity once a Tender Notice (or equivalent) is published. This RFI is intended as an awareness, communication and information gathering exercise. An expression of interest is no indication of a commitment to participate in the RFI process, nor does it infer any preferential or special status on those individuals and organisations who express and interest in the RFI exercise. The RIF Questionnaire should be completed by interested Suppliers and submitted via eTendersNI at https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/home.do no later than the RFI Submission Date.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-055b7c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/055961-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work


CPV Codes

45000000 - Construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£29,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£34,800,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
9 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
29 Aug 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
Additional Buyers

ULSTER UNIVERSITY

Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement_enquiries@ulster.ac.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
Post Town
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN0C Causeway Coast and Glens
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland

Local Authority
Causeway Coast and Glens
Electoral Ward
University
Westminster Constituency
East Londonderry

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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