Planning

Commercial Use of the Translational Research Hub (TRH) Cleanroom Facility

CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

08 May 2026 at 11:08

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Cardiff University, located at Park Place in Cardiff, is currently in the planning stage of a procurement process for the commercial use of its Translational Research Hub (TRH) Cleanroom Facility. This opportunity falls under the services industry category, specifically within research and development services and laboratory services. The procurement process is exploratory and aims to gauge the market’s interest and capabilities related to the cleanroom facility's operation. Interested organisations are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document, and submit their responses via the university's e-tender portal by 17:00 on Friday, 5th June 2026. The entire process is guided by Welsh devolved regulations, and the legal basis is the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender process represents a significant opportunity for businesses involved in cleanroom or semiconductor fabrication operations to expand their reach and collaborate with a leading research facility. Companies with experience in managing or operating specialist facilities have the chance to influence future commercial models for the cleanroom, supporting innovation and regional economic growth in the Cardiff Capital Region. With a projected investment value of £6,000,000 and a contract period set to potentially run from February 2027 through January 2031, businesses that can provide innovative commercial and operational models will be well-positioned to establish strategic partnerships with Cardiff University and leverage the cleanroom's capabilities to industrial standards. This engagement will be conducted on a non-competitive basis, ensuring that all participating parties are considered equally.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Commercial Use of the Translational Research Hub (TRH) Cleanroom Facility

Notice Description

The University is seeking to engage with the market on an exploratory basis only to consider potential approaches, capabilities, and appetite relating to the operation and commercial use of a specialist cleanroom facility located within the University's Translational Research Hub (TRH). This is to support the acceleration of the Authority's mission for innovation and regional economic growth across the Cardiff Capital Region. The University owns and operates a specialist compound semiconductor cleanroom facility located within the Translational Research Hub (TRH) at Cardiff University. The TRH is a research-intensive environment for academic researchers and industry partners. It supports the University's activity aligned to the Institute for Compound Semiconductors, the School of Physics and the School of Engineering. The facility comprises a purpose-built c.1500m2 compound semiconductor cleanroom, supporting the fabrication and processing of compound semiconductor wafers up to 200mm (8-inch) diameter. The cleanroom provides the capability to trial, establish, and scale compound semiconductor devices to an industrial standard, supported by advanced, industry-standard processing and characterisation capabilities. Dedicated characterisation and back-end processing areas enable end-to-end wafer processing. The University is considering options for further commercial utilisation of the facility while ensuring that appropriate access for academic and research purposes is maintained. As part of this review, the Authority wishes to engage openly and transparently with the market to consider operating, access, and partnership models that could support these objectives. The University is seeking expressions of interest from organisations with relevant experience in operating or managing specialist cleanroom, laboratory, or semiconductor fabrication facilities. Through this premarket engagement, the University is seeking market feedback on potential commercial and operational models. No preferred commercial or other operating model has been selected at this stage. Organisations responding to this notice will be invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document, receive further technical information, participate in individual meetings or site visits, and provide feedback on potential commercial models. Engagement will be conducted on a non-competitive and non-discriminatory basis. Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement. The outcome of this pre-market engagement will inform the University's decision on whether a procurement is required and the appropriate route to market, if any. The University reserves the right to take no further action, proceed to a competitive procurement, or consider other compliant routes in line with the Procurement Act 2023. Interested organisations are invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document as confirmation of interest in participating in discussions. Suppliers must complete and return the forms via the correspondence function on the Universities e-tender portal In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/ Responses should be submitted by the deadline Friday, 5th June 2026 at 17.00

Planning Information

Organisations responding to this notice will be invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document, receive further technical information, participate in individual meetings or site visits, and provide feedback on potential commercial models. Engagement will be conducted on a non-competitive and non-discriminatory basis. Participation will not confer any advantage or disadvantage in any future procurement. The outcome of this pre-market engagement will inform the University’s decision on whether a procurement is required and the appropriate route to market, if any. The University reserves the right to take no further action, proceed to a competitive procurement, or consider other compliant routes in line with the Procurement Act 2023. Interested organisations are invited to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and complete the Expression of Interest (EOI) Response Document as confirmation of interest in participating in discussions. Suppliers must complete and return the forms via the correspondence function on the Universities e-tender portal In-Tend: https://in-tendhost.co.uk/cardiffuniversity/ Responses should be submitted by the deadline Friday, 5th June 2026 at 17.00

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-069485
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042445-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

71900000 - Laboratory services

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£5,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 May 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
2 Nov 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Feb 2027 - 27 Jan 2031 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
CARDIFF UNIVERSITY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF10 3AT
Post Town
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
TLL2 East Wales
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Cathays
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff South and Penarth

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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