---
title: "Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06704c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06704c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06704c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06704c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL"
published: "2026-03-20"
---

# Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment

Buyer: UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06704c

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06704c.json)

## Summary

The University of Bristol has completed a procurement process for the "Isambard AI Data Facility (AIDF) Main Contractor Appointment," specifically targeting the construction industry under the works category. This procurement involves the design and construction of a new concrete base to support a Modular Data Centre, alongside service provision, connection, and security fencing. Located in the United Kingdom, the procurement was conducted through a direct award method due to urgent timelines following government funding received in December 2025. The involved parties include the University of Bristol as the buyer and Oakland Construction Ltd as the supplier, awarded on 20th March 2026. The contracting period is set to commence on 31st March 2026 and will conclude on 27th July 2026. The procurement process aligns with legislation identified as 2023/54 within the UKPGA scheme.

This tender provides significant opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specialising in construction and service provision related to commercial infrastructure. With a total contract value of £553,676 excluding VAT, the project could contribute to substantial business growth for companies able to deliver the required works efficiently and meet the urgent timeline. Oakland Construction Ltd, an SME, has successfully positioned itself as the main contractor, illustrating the potential for smaller-scale firms to leverage similar tenders for expansion within public sector contracts. The direct award method, due to the urgency classification, highlights a preference for companies with the capability to perform swiftly and reliably under time-sensitive conditions.

## Notice

Design and construction of the following works: Construction of new concrete base to support Modular Data Centre; Service Provision and Connection and Security Fencing

### Procurement Information

Insufficient time between award of government funding (December 2025) and deadline for completion of the works to competitively tender the Works and Services.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025745-2026 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Mar 2026 |
| Contract period | 30 Mar 2026 - 27 Jul 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £553,676 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | UNIVERSITY OF BRISTOL |
| Locality | BRISTOL |
| Post town | Bristol |
| Postcode | BS8 1QU |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England |
| ITL 3 | TLK51 Bristol, City of |
| Local authority | Bristol, City of |
| Electoral ward | Central |
| Westminster constituency | Bristol Central |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | OAKLAND CONSTRUCTION |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work

### Codes

- 45213000 - Construction work for commercial buildings, warehouses and industrial buildings, buildings relating to transport

## Release History

- 20 Mar 2026 at 12:42 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025745-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025745-2026
  20th March 2026 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- https://www.bristol.ac.uk/directory/procurement/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents

## 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-06704c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06704c.json.