---
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"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE"
published: "2026-05-15"
---

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

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3.json)

## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044780-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 15 May 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 1 Sep 2026 |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 19 Jan 2027 - 18 Jan 2037 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

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

## Status

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

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE |
| Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES & SERVICES DIVISION |
| Locality | BELFAST |
| Post town | Northern Ireland |
| Postcode | BT7 2JA |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland |
| ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland |
| ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast |
| Local authority | Belfast |
| Electoral ward | Sydenham |
| Westminster constituency | Belfast East |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
- 92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

### 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

## Release History

- 15 May 2026 at 08:51 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044780-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/044780-2026
  15th May 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- 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-0699b3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0699b3.json.