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Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build

Ulster University

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

02 Mar 2026 at 14:30

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

19 Jan 2026 at 18:51

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Oct 2025 at 18:01

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Ulster University is seeking to award a public contract for the construction of the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) in Belfast through a competitive flexible procedure. The contract involves works under the Develop and Construct methodology, focusing on the creation of a six-storey building to serve as a research and development facility. The project falls within the construction industry category, with an estimated gross value of £19.2 million. The site, currently occupied by Northland House, is located at 2-5a Frederick Street, Belfast. An expression of interest deadline is set for 12 March 2026, with a contract period beginning on 3 August 2026 and ending on 31 May 2029. The award is pending, with planning approval expected imminently.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses in the construction and civil engineering sectors, particularly those proficient in innovative building techniques and sustainable construction. The project aims to achieve a BREEAM 'Excellent' rating, necessitating expertise in low-energy systems and climate-resilient materials, which can offer growth prospects for companies specialising in environmentally sustainable construction practices. The procurement process involves a two-stage tendering system designed to shortlist competent suppliers, with a focus on quality, cost, project delivery, and social value, making it ideal for established construction firms with experience in large-scale, high-quality builds.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology Main Build

Notice Description

The Contract is for the provision of the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technology (CDHT) Works to Ulster University. 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. The proposed development maintains its strong physical and visual connection to the wider Ulster University campus, reinforcing established pedestrian routes and arrival spaces. The building's scale and stepped massing respond sensitively to the surrounding urban context, aligning with neighbouring structures along York Street & Fredrick Street. A refined landscape strategy has been developed to integrate the building seamlessly with its setting, including the removal of the existing boundary wall and the extension of landscaped areas into the adjacent client owned car park to create a more open, cohesive public realm. Architecturally, the design mirrors the design language of the wider Belfast Campus following a robust brick base and a refined upper facade, featuring high-quality curtain walling, natural stone panels, and glass reinforced concrete fins to enhance depth and street presence. The six-storey front block and two-storey rear podium provide a total GIA of approximately 3,980 m2. The building will be constructed primarily in reinforced concrete flat slabs on rotary bored piles socketed into rock, with localised steel framing for roof plant areas. The substructure comprises grouped piles tied with deep pilecaps and perimeter ground beams that provide stability and support for the facade, while internal beams have been rationalised to reduce complexity and improve service coordination. 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 installed on the roof, and a green roof is proposed for the two-storey terrace. Further details about the CDHT construction and design can be found in the supporting documents supplied with this PQQ. As of the time of writing, Q4 2025, 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: Northern Ireland Public Register. The planning application reference is LA04/2025/0477/F). The University is using Develop and Construct as the project delivery methodology under the Contract. 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.

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/018508-2026
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

45200000 - Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work

45210000 - Building construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£19,200,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£19,200,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Mar 20265 months ago
Submission Deadline
19 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Aug 2026 - 31 May 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ulster University
Additional Buyers

THE UNIVERSITY OF ULSTER

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
COLERAINE
Postcode
BT52 1SA
Postcode Area
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)

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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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