Planning

Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build

THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 18:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Ulster has initiated a procurement process for the "Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build," a project under the Belfast Region City Deal. This public authority, identified by the UK Company House number RC000726, has outlined plans for developing a research and development facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This facility will focus on MedTech and digital healthcare technology, located at the site of the current Northland House building. The procurement, categorised under building construction work, anticipates a completion timeline from May 2026 to June 2029. Currently in the planning stage, with key dates including planning submissions in March 2025 and market engagement activities during mid-2025, the project aims to begin construction soon, subject to an imminent planning decision.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses within the construction industry, particularly those focusing on low-energy and sustainable building solutions. With a projected value of £18 million, it is designed for firms capable of delivering a BREEAM 'Excellent' rated structure. The construction of the six-storey building will involve demolishing and revitalising a city-centre location, making it an ideal project for companies experienced in urban development and innovative building design. Small and medium enterprises, familiar with flexible competitive processes, could find this tender particularly beneficial for growth, especially those with prior experience in large-scale public works under Northern Irish devolved regulations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build

Notice Description

The Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) is one of the five innovation projects that underpin the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD). It builds upon Ulster University's world class research capabilities and established track record in the arena of Medical Technology (MedTech) and Digital Healthcare Technology and has been developed by Ulster University (UU), in partnership with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust (BHSCT). The vision underpinning CDHT is to help establish the Belfast City Region as one of the best places in the world to design, develop and launch innovative medical devices and diagnostics measurably contributing to economic growth and productivity, reduced healthcare costs, enhanced levels of care and improved patient outcomes. It seeks to achieve this through the development of a collaborative innovation ecosystem that enables clinicians, industry and researchers to work 'cheek by jowl', driving development in medical technology by innovation and co-ideation, through the process of design, trialing and manufacture, to the market, and hence the patient. The project will involve the construction of a new six storey building titled "Centre for Digital Health Technology" (CDHT) which is a research and development facility (Use Class B1), comprising of laboratories, office spaces, communal meeting areas, and public realm improvements to Frederick Street. The proposed site is located on footprint of the current Northland House building, adjacent to the existing Belfast City Centre Ulster University Campus (Block BC). The current Northland House building is located at 2-5a Fredrick Street Belfast, BT1 2NH and will be demolished prior to this appointment being made. CDHT is required 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 roof, and a green roof is proposed on the 2 storey terrace. The project is expecting a planning decision imminently. Planning was submitted in March 2025 and to date has received no objection from the consultee panel. Further details of the planning application can be found here: https://planningregister.planningsystemni.gov.uk/application/697774. The planning application reference is LA04/2025/0477/F. The University is using Develop and Construct as the project delivery methodology under the Contract.

Planning Information

UU received an invitation from Belfast City Council to an event being arranged by themselves in conjunction with the Construction Employer's Federation to present to industry the Belfast Regional City Deal projects. The event was held at the CEF offices on the 23rd June 2025. At this session BCC updated on the wider BRCD status. UU presented on the CDHT project and provided information on anticipated delivery timelines, design, scale and cost of the project. CCS Construction Works and Associated Services Lot 3.5 for N. Ireland (value band £10-30M) was deemed as potentially suitable for the CDHT Main Build project, subject to sufficient interest in participation from the Framework contractors. Expressions of Interest were sought in July 2025 from all 6 suppliers on the relevant Framework Lot. One Contractor responded immediately advising they would decline the opportunity to participate, citing other PQQ/Tender commitments which were more attractive in terms of scope and scale. In August 2025 a second contractor, who had initially confirmed they would be interested in participating, contacted the University Procurement Office to advise that their position had changed and that they would no longer be interested in participating. This resulted in only a total of 4 of the 6 parties on the Framework expressing interest in participating. The limited amount of potential participants, coupled with the risk of further participants falling away during the competition itself, presented an unacceptable position to the University due to the challenges this would present in achieving and demonstrating value for money along with limited amount of SME's that would participate. It was recommended and accepted that the CDHT project progresses under a Competitive Flexible process for the procurement of an IST.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d5ba
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069162-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45210000 - Building construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£18,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
28 Oct 20251 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Apr 2026 - 30 Jun 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
THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER
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

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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