Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Camels Head Fire Station - New Build

DEVON & SOMERSET FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

15 Oct 2026 at 14:14

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

01 May 2026 at 13:40

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority intends to procure construction of a new fire station on its existing Camels Head site at Ferndale Road, Plymouth. The works include demolishing the existing premises, except for the tower, and building a station designed for emergency response with three fire appliance bays. The building is to comply with building regulations and incorporate low-carbon systems. The Authority’s project team is developing the design to RIBA Stage 4a before tender, with the design team expected to transfer to the contractor. The operational presence will be moved off site before construction begins. The main work is fire station construction (CPV 45216121), delivered in Plymouth, Devon.

This is a planned procurement: the Authority is developing its procurement strategy and has not yet invited tenders. It is considering either an open tender or further competition through a construction framework, and is seeking contractors’ views to inform its route-to-market decision. The Authority expects to tender in February 2027, with a 10-week tender period, and anticipates award in summer 2027. Site works are expected to start in autumn 2027 and finish during winter 2028. The estimated build cost is £4.875 million excluding VAT. The proposed contract is JCT Design and Build 2024. Bids are expected to be assessed on a fixed-price basis, with a 70% price and 30% quality and social value weighting. Quality and social value themes are likely to include delivery approach, risk, programme, environmental impact and local community benefit; details are to be confirmed.

The project is likely to suit construction contractors with the capacity and experience to deliver a new operational fire station, including demolition, building works and coordination of a design team transferred at tender stage. Suppliers should be prepared to deliver a building that meets building regulations and incorporates low-carbon systems, while managing site risks and a construction programme through to completion. The Authority is seeking feedback from interested contractors on the proposed design stage and design-team transfer, tender and construction timescales, evaluation weightings and contract form. This gives potential suppliers a chance to inform the procurement strategy while it is being developed. The anticipated assessment gives weight to quality and social value as well as price, including delivery, environmental performance and benefits to the local community. The eventual tender is expected to include a site visit and performance KPIs.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Camels Head Fire Station - New Build

Notice Description

The Authority is intending to contract for a new build fire station on our existing Camels Head site at Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon. The new facility will provide an emergency response function (with 3 fire appliance bays). The new fire station will be built to building regulations whilst incorporating low carbon systems. The contract will include demolition of the existing premise (excluding the tower). The onsite operational presence will be fully decanted in advance of site works commencing. The Authority has engaged a project team that will design the build to RIBA Stage 4a before tendering. The design team will be novated to the Contractor. The construction form of contract will be JCT Design and Build (2024) and any requests to amend terms will be required to be submitted during the the tender clarification window prior to tender return submission deadline. We plan to go to tender in February 2027 with a 10-week tendering period. The intention is for the tender pack to include, but is not limited to: Invitation to Tender, Prelims and Contract Particulars, Design packs, and Pre-Construction Information Pack. The tender stage will allow time for a site visit. The intention is to assess bids under a 70% Price / 30% Quality & Social Value split. Quality and Social Value themes for assessment will be confirmed in the tender pack but are likely to focus on project delivery approach, risk management, programme/deliverability, environmental impact and improving local community. Price will be assessed via a fixed price, with a pricing schedule breakdown. Contract Award is anticipated in Summer 2027 with works anticipated to start onsite Autumn 2027, and completion during Winter 2028. Contract performance will be monitored using KPIs which will be defined in the tender pack. Our estimated cost of the build is currently PS4.875m ex VAT, which determines this as a 'public contract' in respect of the Procurement Act 2023.

Planning Information

The Authority is developing its procurement strategy and considering its route to market for its contract to build a new fire station at Camels Head, Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon. The procurement strategy and route to market is under review, however we are considering both open tender and further competition through a construction framework. To assist in the route to market decision, the Authority would like to understand the level of interest in the project, by inviting expressions of interest from contractors for participating in an Open tender process. Please kindly express interest via pme@dsfire.gov.uk using the subject line ‘FAO Aimee Lee – Camels Head Fire Station’. Please include in your email details of your organisation and any of the following that might impact on your interest in the project: • Observations on the proposed design stage for tender and design team novation • Observations on the proposed timescales for tendering and construction • Observations on the proposed tender award criteria weightings and the form of contract

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06904e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/097514-2026
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

45216121 - Fire station construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,875,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Feb 20274 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jun 2027 - 8 Jan 2029 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEVON & SOMERSET FIRE & RESCUE SERVICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EXETER
Postcode
EX3 0NW
Postcode Area
Exeter
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK4 Devon
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK43 Devon CC
Delivery Location
TLK41 Plymouth
Local Authority
East Devon
Electoral Ward
Clyst Valley
Westminster Constituency
Exmouth and Exeter East

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...