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Innovation Centre Operator: Innovation Martlesham

Suffolk County Council

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

21 Sep 2026 at 12:34

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

23 Jun 2026 at 11:28

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

27 Oct 2025 at 14:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Suffolk County Council is procuring an operator for Innovation Martlesham at Adastral Park, Suffolk. The service is to take over management of the Innovation Martlesham Business Club and drive the future development of the local business and innovation cluster, working in partnership with BT. The requirement combines business and management consultancy with membership organisation services. The appointed provider will manage the club and support the development of its network and activities. Delivery is in Suffolk. This is a services contract suited to small and medium-sized enterprises and voluntary, community or social enterprises. BT is involved as a partner and will require the successful provider to enter into both a Services Agreement and a Licence to Occupy.

The procurement has been awarded to Spirit Public Sector Ltd, with the award dated 2 September 2026; the award is pending completion of the standstill period ending 30 September 2026. The award value is £270,000 excluding VAT, or £324,000 including VAT. The contract period is 4 January 2027 to 3 January 2030. It was a single-lot, above-threshold open procedure. Six bids were received, with four reaching the final stage. Evaluation weighted quality at 60%, commercial terms at 30% and social value at 10%. The tender deadline was 21 July 2026 at 11:00, following an enquiry deadline of 8 July 2026 at 17:00. The council identified potential future changes from local government reorganisation and devolution, including contract transfer, novation or disaggregation.

This award shows demand for organisations able to operate an innovation or business-support hub, manage a membership community and develop a regional cluster in partnership with a major corporate and a local authority. A credible competitor for a future requirement would need practical experience of business support, innovation ecosystems, stakeholder engagement and membership services, together with the capacity to run a programme and develop its activity over several years. The evaluation placed greatest emphasis on quality, so evidence of strong service design, delivery methods, outcomes and relationships would be important, alongside a clear commercial offer and measurable social value. Suppliers would also need sound financial standing, acceptable credit status, viable accounts, appropriate insurance and the ability to accept both a council services agreement and BT’s licence arrangements.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Innovation Centre Operator: Innovation Martlesham

Notice Description

Innovation Martlesham, located at Adastral Park, Suffolk, was launched by BT in 2000. In partnership with BT, we are now appointing a new provider to take over the management of the Innovation Martlesham Business Club and to drive the future development of the cluster. The advertised value here is PS324,000 inclusive of VAT. The VAT included is 20% Standard Rate however in some circumstances VAT may be exempt or chargeable at a different rate.

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/089113-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

98 - Other community, social and personal services

CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

98100000 - Membership organisation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£570,000 £500K-£1M
Lots Value
£324,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£270,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
21 Sep 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
21 Jul 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
2 Sep 20261 months ago
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 3 Jan 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Suffolk 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
IPSWICH
Postcode
IP1 2BX
Postcode Area
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Spirit Public Sector Ltd

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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