Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC)

Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC)

Procurement Early Engagement Notice

Purpose

This notice is to make potential contractors aware that, via the Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) procurement team, Ashfield District Council (ADC) will commence a process to appoint a commercial operator for their Automated Distribution and Manufacturing Centre (ADMC).

The publication of this notice commences the preliminary market engagement stage of the procurement process. The procurement is expected to follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure, based on the Procurement Act 2023.

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 at the centre of a cluster of automation businesses, some of which will be located on the adjacent Ashfield Innovation and Technology Park that is also in development.

The ADMC building is expected to be completed by December 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.

A previous procurement process to appoint an operator for the ADMC took place in late 2025. This process was ultimately unsuccessful in appointing an operator due to a combination of factors including feedback from potential bidders about the scope of the contract as well as subsidy and compliance issues.

ADC aims to have a commercial operator appointed in 2027.

Preliminary Market Engagement stage of the Procurement Process

The procurement is expected to follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure, following the Procurement Act 2023. This notice commences the procurement process via a 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 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.

• Inform the scope of works being contracted and whether these works should be split into separate lots.

• Prepare the tender notice and associated tender documents.

• Identify likely contractual terms.

• Building capacity in relation to the contract being awarded.

NCC/ADC proposes to run initial group engagement events via Teams on two dates:

• Tuesday 10th November 10:00 - 11:00

• Thursday 12th November 10:00 - 11:00

Further events may be run before the end of November 2026 as demand requires.

NCC/ADC will be having individual discussions with potential contractors. Contractors will be invited to express an interest in being part of those discussions following the group engagement events.

All information and material collected from these pre-market engagement activities will be documented and form part of the subsequent tender pack, respecting commercial confidentiality.

Contact

To express interest in being part of the Preliminary Market Engagement stage of this

procurement process and to be sent the ADMC - Intent to Go to Market - Power Point

Information Pack, please contact Jamie Burton - jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk

Please feel free to submit any clarification questions to Jamie Burton -

jamie.burton2@nottscc.gov.uk NCC/ADC will respond to these promptly.