Planning

DFI - Crumlin Road Gaol - Procurement of a new operator for the Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre at Crumlin Road Gaol PRE MARKET ENGAGEMENT

DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

15 May 2026 at 08:51

Summary of the contracting process

The Department for Infrastructure is initiating a procurement process to find a new operator for the Crumlin Road Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre in Belfast. This tender falls under the services category, specifically focusing on recreational, cultural, and event services, with a total estimated value of £1,500,000. The process is currently in the planning stage, and interested suppliers are encouraged to participate in a pre-market engagement exercise. Suppliers can download, complete, and submit the necessary questionnaire via eTendersNI by 15 June 2026. The procurement method involves public authority central government regulations, with the contract period set to begin on 19 January 2027, extending through 18 January 2037.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in cultural, recreational, and event services, as well as those offering business and management consultancy. The contract, valued at £1.5 million, seeks innovative operators who can enhance the visitor experience and operational aspects of the centre. Ideal candidates include SMEs and VCSEs, as the procurement is open to such enterprises. Participation in this tender could facilitate substantial business growth for the right firm, allowing them to showcase their expertise and expand their operations within the government procurement landscape. The timeline gives businesses a proactive opportunity to prepare and align their resources strategically.

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Notice Title

DFI - Crumlin Road Gaol - Procurement of a new operator for the Gaol Visitor Attraction and Conference Centre at Crumlin Road Gaol PRE MARKET ENGAGEMENT

Notice Description

Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) is undertaking this Pre Market Engagement (PME) exercise on behalf of DfI, and are inviting suppliers who may have an interest in this competition. Responses will allow DfI to gain a better understanding of the feasibility of their requirements, the capacity of the market to deliver, identify any possible risks or issues that may not have previously been considered, and may inform the most appropriate approach to the proposed competition The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI. Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Monday 15 June 2026. Any clarifications can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date.

Planning Information

The Questionnaire can be located within the Tender documents area in eTendersNI. Interested Suppliers should download the questionnaire, complete and upload into the messaging function within eTendersNI by 3pm Monday 15 June 2026. Any clarifications can also be submitted using the messaging function before the closing date. The questionnaire must be completed and submitted via eTendersNI by the engagement deadline date and time detailed above. Details of additional participating bodies can be found detailed within the questionnaire document.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044780-2026
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
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

79400000 - Business and management consultancy and related services

79952000 - Event services

92000000 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

92500000 - Library, archives, museums and other cultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 May 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Sep 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
19 Jan 2027 - 18 Jan 2037 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE
Additional Buyers

CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION

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

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT7 2JA
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)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Sydenham
Westminster Constituency
Belfast East

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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