---
title: "Blade Test Facility 3 - ORE/22/089"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY CATAPULT"
published: "2025-09-18"
---

# Blade Test Facility 3 - ORE/22/089

Buyer: OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY CATAPULT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab.json)

## Summary

The public procurement process initiated by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult focuses on the development of a Blade Test Facility (BTF3) with capabilities for testing wind turbine blades up to 150m, and optionally 180m, in length. The project is located in Blyth, Wales, under the classification of instrumentation and control equipment with additional construction and hydraulic installation work. This competitive procurement utilised a Negotiated procedure, as stipulated by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, culminated at the award stage, with IDOM (UK) Ltd selected as the supplier. Key dates included an initial tender closure on 29th November 2022, followed by a contract period commencing on 5th June 2023 and concluding on 31st July 2024.

This tender presents substantial opportunities for business growth, particularly for firms specialising in large-scale construction, testing facilities, and hydraulic installations. The focus on wind energy and the requirement for substantial physical and structural work make this project appealing to companies experienced in complex engineering and construction environments. Given the selective procurement method and the project's aggressive build programme, businesses adept at delivering under time-sensitive conditions stand to benefit significantly. Additionally, the project's suitability for small and medium enterprises further broadens its appeal to capable contractors within the sector.

## Notice

This tender is being issued by Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult ('ORE Catapult') as a competitive procurement exercise in accordance with the 'Competitive Procedure with Negotiation' for tendering under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (as amended from time to time). ORE Catapult intends to expand its wind turbine test capabilities by constructing a new blade test facility ("BTF3"), capable of full-scale testing of blades up to 150m in length, and optionally expanding to test blades up to 180m. ORE Catapult intends to appoint a single contractor (or consortium) to design, procure, construct and commission BTF3 at its Blyth site, which may comprise of a reaction structure onto which the blades are mounted, appropriate floor structures, a building to totally or partially encompass the test site and associated hydraulics, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation & control systems. Due to funding arrangement this will be an aggressive build programme. Therefore, ORE Catapult reserve the right to vary the Contract term following discussion with suppliers during the Competitive Procedure with Negotiation process. ORE Catapult reserve the right to add additional requirements to the minimum Scope of the Works during the Contract life, as it is deemed appropriate within the Scope of the Works. ORE Catapult has determined that the requirement is not suitable for dividing into lots as it is not appropriate to have the various elements of the Works delivered by separate suppliers due to the complexity of the requirements. Accordingly, ORE Catapult intends to award a single contract for the requirement. ORE Catapult reserve the right to award a Contract on the basis of the initial tender without entering into negotiation where it is in their best interest to do so. ORE Catapult also reserve the right to carry out the Competitive procedures with Negotiation in successive stages in order to reduce the number of tenders to be negotiated. ORE Catapult will inform remaining tenderers of the common deadline to submit new or revised tenders.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8618784e-1a69-4635-91e6-aef21ceb9e4c |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 29 Nov 2022 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 7 Mar 2024 |
| Contract period | 8 Mar 2024 - 31 Jul 2024 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £28,500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £1,030,075 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | OFFSHORE RENEWABLE ENERGY CATAPULT |
| Locality | BLYTH |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE24 1LZ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC42 Northumberland |
| Local authority | Northumberland |
| Electoral ward | Croft |
| Westminster constituency | Blyth and Ashington |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | IDOM (UK |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting
- 43 - Machinery for mining, quarrying, construction equipment
- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 31682210 - Instrumentation and control equipment
- 43328000 - Hydraulic installations
- 45210000 - Building construction work
- 45214620 - Research and testing facilities construction work
- 45243600 - Quay wall construction work
- 45248000 - Construction work for hydro-mechanical structures

## Release History

- 18 Sep 2025 at 09:44 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8618784e-1a69-4635-91e6-aef21ceb9e4c
- 28 Oct 2022 at 15:36 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/10f581e1-ee1f-44fb-8aa0-887786cb7018

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8618784e-1a69-4635-91e6-aef21ceb9e4c
  18th September 2025 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/10f581e1-ee1f-44fb-8aa0-887786cb7018
  28th October 2022 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder

## Notice URLs

- https://www.ore.catapult.org.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-053879a7-502c-4abc-9651-71321d5616ab.json.