Award

Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment

UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

20 Mar 2026 at 12:42

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The University of Bristol has completed a procurement process for the "Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment," specifically targeting the construction industry under the works category. This procurement involves the design and construction of a new concrete base to support a Modular Data Centre, alongside service provision, connection, and security fencing. Located in the United Kingdom, the procurement was conducted through a direct award method due to urgent timelines following government funding received in December 2025. The involved parties include the University of Bristol as the buyer and Oakland Construction Ltd as the supplier, awarded on 20th March 2026. The contracting period is set to commence on 31st March 2026 and will conclude on 27th July 2026. The procurement process aligns with legislation identified as 2023/54 within the UKPGA scheme.

This tender provides significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in construction and service provision related to commercial infrastructure. With a total contract value of £553,676 excluding VAT, the project could contribute to substantial business growth for companies able to deliver the required works efficiently and meet the urgent timeline. Oakland Construction Ltd, an SME, has successfully positioned itself as the main contractor, illustrating the potential for smaller-scale firms to leverage similar tenders for expansion within public sector contracts. The direct award method, due to the urgency classification, highlights a preference for companies with the capability to perform swiftly and reliably under time-sensitive conditions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment

Notice Description

Design and construction of the following works: Construction of new concrete base to support Modular Data Centre; Service Provision and Connection and Security Fencing

Procurement Information

Insufficient time between award of government funding (December 2025) and deadline for completion of the works to competitively tender the Works and Services.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06704c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025745-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45213000 - Construction work for commercial buildings, warehouses and industrial buildings, buildings relating to transport

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£553,676 £500K-£1M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Mar 20262 weeks ago
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 27 Jul 2026 1-6 months
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
UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS8 1QU
Post Town
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK51 Bristol, City of
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Bristol, City of
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Bristol Central

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

OAKLAND CONSTRUCTION

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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