---
title: "Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Operator"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "ASHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL"
published: "2025-10-09"
---

# Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) Operator

Buyer: ASHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1.json)

## Summary

Ashfield District Council seeks tenders through an open procedure for an operator for the new Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) in Kirkby in Ashfield, near M1 junction 28. The centre will serve as a hub for automation excellence, supported by £21.5m from the Towns Fund programme. Nottinghamshire County Council is the procuring entity, overseeing this key project situated within the East Midlands' dedicated Innovation and Technology Park. The centre is expected to be completed by March 2027 and aims to stimulate growth in the manufacturing and distribution sectors. The procurement status is active, with the tender submission period closing on 15th October 2025 at 12:00 pm. Post-submission, the award is anticipated by 13th November 2025, with operations starting on the 1st of January 2026.

This tender offers significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises specialising in automation, distribution, and manufacturing sectors. With the ADMC designed to be a multifaceted centre focusing on research, development, training, and showcasing, businesses that provide commercial property management, research and development services, and business development consultancy could thrive. The centre's mission to collaborate with enterprises in implementing automation strategies creates a platform for sustained growth and innovation. Companies with expertise in bespoke automation solutions will find this an invaluable opportunity to establish themselves within a future-oriented facility committed to enhancing productivity and fostering regional economic development.

## Notice

Nottinghamshire County Council is seeking tenders, on behalf of Ashfield District Council (the Council) (ADC) , Ashfield District Council (ADC) has secured PS21.5m from the Towns Fund programme to build the Automated Distribution & Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) on a green field site in Kirkby in Ashfield, near M1 junction 28 and opposite Sutton Parkway station. The ADMC will be the centrepiece of a dedicated Innovation and Technology Park. The 3,000 square metre building will become a centre of excellence for automation. It will support both the specialist manufacturing and distribution/fulfilment sectors, including small and medium sized enterprises. The building is estimated to be completed in March 2027. The primary research and development area is a single storey building, with loading docks and facilities suitable for locating and operating automation systems in a flexible manner. The remainder of the building houses a two-storey laboratory, training/conference area and an office complex along with an atrium for holding showcasing and other events. On the ground floor there is a designated lab and office for Nottingham Trent University which is a key partner in the project. The ADMC's vision is to be an independent centre where businesses can receive automation related support and advice to help them grow their businesses. The ADMC's mission is to work with businesses to create and implement bespoke automation strategies and solutions that improve productivity and enable prosperity and growth.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: A 10-year contract with an option to extend for a further five years, with a tenant break at 5 years, with 12 months' notice.

### Planning Information

Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC)
Preliminary Market Engagement Phase 2
Expression of Interest
Purpose
This notice is to make potential contractors aware that, via the Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) procurement team, Ashfield District Council (ADC) are continuing with the process to appoint a commercial operator for their Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) now phase 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage has been completed.
The publication of this notice commences phase 2, Expression of Interest (EOI), of the preliminary market engagement stage of the Competitive Flexible Procedure procurement process being undertaken for this opportunity.
Details of phase 1 of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage can be found on the link below.
Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC) - Find a Tender
Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-009163
Background
The ADMC is a flagship project for Ashfield District Council. The ADMC will work with businesses to create and implement bespoke automation strategies and solutions that improve productivity and enable prosperity and growth.
The ADMC will be a 3,000m2 purpose built, multifunctional, automation centre. Its vision is based on four "pillars" of activity:
• Research and Development
• Prototyping and Proof of Principle
• Showcasing and Demonstration
• Skills and Training
The ADMC will be the first building located on the developing Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park, with other buildings to follow to be occupied by organisations keen to co-locate with the ADMC. 
The ADMC building is expected to be completed in late 2026 and occupancy in early 2027. More details can be found on the ADMC website at www.theadmc.co.uk.
Proposed Governance and Operation
ADC confirmed its positioning regarding governance and operation of the ADMC in January 2025. It has resolved to carry out a public procurement procedure to appoint an external organisation to run the ADMC.
ADC believe that this contracted approach will allow the ADMC to be operated effectively and efficiently such that it achieves its twin goals of supporting the greater adoption of automation within local and regional businesses and achieving financial sustainability.
ADC aims to have a commercial operator appointed by the end of 2025. 
Preliminary Market Engagement Stage 
The preliminary market engagement stage is intended to allow potential contractors to gain a more detailed understanding of the ADMC, its progress, and the procurement process being undertaken. It will allow NCC and ADC to understand what expertise and experience is available in the market to deliver all aspects of the ADMC. It will also support NCC and ADC to develop the first stage tender by helping to:
• Develop the requirements and approach to the procurement.
• Design the conditions of participation and award criteria.
• Prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents.
• Identify likely contractual terms.
• Building capacity in relation to the contract being awarded.
Phase 1 (completed), of the preliminary market engagement stage invited potential contractors to request a Power Point information pack of the Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre and to attend a group engagement event via Teams.
Phase 2 - EOI (this phase) invites potential contractors to request a copy of a light version of the current specification to review and to also submit responses to a set of questions in relation to past achievements and experience related to the ADMC project.
The ADMC project team will review all question set responses received and invite contractors who have demonstrated that they have the correct set of skills and experience to deliver the full scope of the ADMC project, to individual discussions via Teams.
The individual discussions will be recorded, and minutes will be taken.
Any contractors that submit responses to the question set but who are not invited to an individual discussion meeting will still be able to submit a bid at full tender stage 1.
Contact
The light specification and question set will be available to request from 12:00 noon on the 23rd April 2025 until 15:00 on the 14th May 2025. To receive a copy of the light specification and the question set, please contact Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk 
All question set responses must be emailed to Jamie Burton by 17:00 on the 14th May 2025. Any question sets received after this time will not be considered.
We will aim to notify the contractors that they will be invited to individual discussions by 28th May 2025.
Please feel free to submit any clarification questions to Jamie Burton - 
jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk NCC/ADC will respond to these promptly.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063534-2025 |
| Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning, Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 9 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 15 Oct 2025 |
| Future notice date | 15 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2035 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ASHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | NOTTINGHAM |
| Post town | Nottingham |
| Postcode | NG2 7QP |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLF East Midlands (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLF1 Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire |
| ITL 3 | TLF15 North Nottinghamshire |
| Local authority | Ashfield |
| Electoral ward | Greenwood & Summit |
| Westminster constituency | Ashfield |
| Delivery location | TLF15 North Nottinghamshire |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 70 - Real estate services
- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 70332200 - Commercial property management services
- 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services
- 79411100 - Business development consultancy services
- 79993000 - Building and facilities management services

## Release History

- 9 Oct 2025 at 08:22 - TenderUpdate - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063534-2025
- 18 Aug 2025 at 15:54 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049634-2025
- 23 Apr 2025 at 11:02 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016473-2025
- 13 Mar 2025 at 11:25 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009163-2025
- 12 Mar 2025 at 10:23 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008904-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/063534-2025
  9th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/049634-2025
  18th August 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016473-2025
  23rd April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/009163-2025
  13th March 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/008904-2025
  12th March 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.eastmidstenders.org/
  Click on View Opportunities and search with reference : DN765544
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=21dd06fc-367c-f011-813a-005056b64545&fromRfxSummary=True&rfxId=d661b96d-4a7c-f011-813a-005056b64545
  Link to the portal advert where you can register your interest.

## Notice URLs

- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.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-h6vhtk-04ebf1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ebf1.json.