Planning

Innovation Centre Operator: Innovation Martlesham

SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

27 Oct 2025 at 14:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is undertaking the planning stage of a procurement process for the role of Innovation Centre Operator at Innovation Martlesham, located at Adastral Park, Ipswich. This procurement falls under the services category, particularly focusing on business and management consultancy. The key milestone in this phase is the market engagement process, scheduled to conclude by 19th December 2025. Interested parties are invited to participate in pre-market engagements, including submitting feedback by 7th November. The successful appointment will begin on 1st April 2026, with an initial contract period extending until 31st March 2029, provided the venture becomes financially sustainable. The anticipated contract value is £570,000, with a potential gross total of £684,000.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in ICT, AI, cyber, quantum, 5G, and satellite technologies. It will particularly suit enterprises experienced in providing high-tech business support and innovation services. As the operator will manage a collaborative workspace and deliver a programme of events, companies with a strong background in these areas, especially SMEs and VCSEs, are encouraged to engage. By leveraging the R&D facilities and driving development within this tech cluster, the appointed operator stands to benefit from a collaborative and expanding business environment, thus aiding their growth and visibility in the tech sector.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Innovation Centre Operator: Innovation Martlesham

Notice Description

Innovation Martlesham (IM), located at Adastral Park, was launched by BT in 2000 as a high-tech ICT and digital business cluster. The current membership includes over 80 businesses across AI, ICT, cyber, quantum, 5G, and satellite technologies and ranges from early start-ups to multi-national tech companies (as well as specialist tech service providers). In partnership with BT, we are now planning to appoint a new provider to take over the management of the IM Business Club and to drive the future development of the cluster. The provider will be responsible for: - Operating the new collaborative workspace in the Hub at Adastral Park. - Offering dedicated onsite support and mentoring tailored to the needs of high-tech businesses. - Helping members to leverage the world class R&D facilities available on site. - Developing and delivering an exciting programme of events and business networking opportunities. - Establishing new partnerships and programmes to help support our ambitious growth plans for the sector. The current membership base is well-established. Membership revenue is forecast to reach a total of PS300K over the 3-year contract period - but this is not guaranteed and may either fall short of or exceed this target. It is expected that the programme will cost a total of PS570K (PS190K / year) to deliver and we intend that the contractor will share in the commercial risk /opportunities involved in delivering the service. As such, we are proposing that the final value of the contract will be made up of a guaranteed fee of PS270K + the total income generated from membership services. It is anticipated that the service will continue to operate beyond Y3 if it can become financially sustainable (through the growth of revenues from memberships and events/activities) - however any extension cannot be guaranteed at this point.

Planning Information

We are seeking input from independent business support and innovation specialists with the knowledge and experience to deliver this exciting new programme. We will use your input to help gauge market interest, shape the service specification, plan the procurement process, and inform the type of contract that we use. It is anticipated that our pre-market engagement process will include: - An introductory/Q&A event at Adastral Park including a tour of the facilities (date TBC shortly). - A briefing pack with our proposals for the service and the procurement process. This will include a summary of the issues we would like feedback on. - An opportunity for one-to-one meetings to discuss the feedback. - An invitation to submit feedback in writing To register your interest in this opportunity and receive an invitation to the initial briefing event, please email alison.huxley@suffolk.gov.uk by Friday 7th November.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d451
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068593-2025
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, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£570,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Oct 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Alison Huxley
Contact Email
alison.huxley@suffolk.gov.uk
Contact Phone
07983 100708

Buyer Location

Locality
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Post Town
Ipswich
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH6 Suffolk
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH62 Ipswich
Delivery Location
TLH14 Suffolk CC
Local Authority
Ipswich
Electoral Ward
Gipping
Westminster Constituency
Ipswich

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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