✓Tender information last checkedLast checked 15 Oct 2026, 15:46.
Opportunity overview
The Authority is intending to contract for a new build fire station on our existing Camels Head site at Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon. The new facility will provide an emergency response function (with 3 fire appliance bays). The new fire station will be built to building regulations whilst incorporating low carbon systems. The contract will include demolition of the existing premise (excluding the tower). The onsite operational presence will be fully decanted in advance of site works commencing.
The Authority has engaged a project team that will design the build to RIBA Stage 4a before tendering. The design team will be novated to the Contractor.
The construction form of contract will be JCT Design and Build (2024) and any requests to amend terms will be required to be submitted during the the tender clarification window prior to tender return submission deadline.
We plan to go to tender in February 2027 with a 10-week tendering period. The intention is for the tender pack to include, but is not limited to: Invitation to Tender, Prelims and Contract Particulars, Design packs, and Pre-Construction Information Pack. The tender stage will allow time for a site visit.
The intention is to assess bids under a 70% Price / 30% Quality & Social Value split. Quality and Social Value themes for assessment will be confirmed in the tender pack but are likely to focus on project delivery approach, risk management, programme/deliverability, environmental impact and improving local community. Price will be assessed via a fixed price, with a pricing schedule breakdown.
Contract Award is anticipated in Summer 2027 with works anticipated to start onsite Autumn 2027, and completion during Winter 2028.
Contract performance will be monitored using KPIs which will be defined in the tender pack.
Our estimated cost of the build is currently £4.875m ex VAT, which determines this as a ‘public contract’ in respect of the Procurement Act 2023.
Classification
CPV45216121 — Fire station construction work
Lots
Lot 1Value not stated
Documents and notices
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a TenderOpen source ↗
Published notice details
Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.
The Authority is developing its procurement strategy and considering its route to market for its contract to build a new fire station at Camels Head, Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon.
The procurement strategy and route to market is under review, however we are considering both open tender and further competition through a construction framework.
To assist in the route to market decision, the Authority would like to understand the level of interest in the project, by inviting expressions of interest from contractors for participating in an Open tender process.
Please kindly express interest via pme@dsfire.gov.uk using the subject line ‘FAO Aimee Lee – Camels Head Fire Station’.
Please include in your email details of your organisation and any of the following that might impact on your interest in the project:
• Observations on the proposed design stage for tender and design team novation
• Observations on the proposed timescales for tendering and construction
• Observations on the proposed tender award criteria weightings and the form of contract
Due
16 Nov 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled
Documents
Entry 1
Id
097514-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
2 published notice versions reviewed by ProcuraAxis.
2 VERSIONS
1
040516-2026Pipeline notice on Find a Tender ·
2
097514-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·
PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS
ProcuraAxis Analysis
Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.
ANALYSIS PREVIEW
Opportunity intelligence at a glance
Early-stage planned procurement for a new-build fire station at the existing Camels Head site in Plymouth. The scope includes demolition of the existing premises excluding the tower, construction of a three-bay emergency-response facility compliant with building regulations and incorporating low-carbon systems. Design is intended to reach RIBA Stage 4a before tender, with the design team novated to the contractor.
Who this may suit
Likely relevant to building contractors able to deliver a JCT Design and Build construction project, including demolition and new-build emergency-service facilities. Tender requirements and final assessment details are not yet issued.
Key points identified
Project scopeNew-build fire station, including demolition of the existing premises excluding the tower.Evidence: "The contract will include demolition of the existing premise (excluding the tower)."
Facility requirementEmergency-response function with three fire-appliance bays.Evidence: "The new facility will provide an emergency response function (with 3 fire appliance bays)."
Building standardsThe new fire station is to be built to building regulations and incorporate low-carbon systems.Evidence: "The new fire station will be built to building regulations whilst incorporating low carbon systems."
96% approved-analysis confidence5 supplier criteria identified4 risks or unknowns
ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.
Early-stage planned procurement for a new-build fire station at the existing Camels Head site in Plymouth. The scope includes demolition of the existing premises excluding the tower, construction of a three-bay emergency-response facility compliant with building regulations and incorporating low-carbon systems. Design is intended to reach RIBA Stage 4a before tender, with the design team novated to the contractor.
Who this may suit
Likely relevant to building contractors able to deliver a JCT Design and Build construction project, including demolition and new-build emergency-service facilities. Tender requirements and final assessment details are not yet issued.
Key deliverables
Demolition of the existing premises, excluding the tower
New-build fire station with three fire-appliance bays
Emergency-response facility built to building regulations
Incorporation of low-carbon systems
Delivery under JCT Design and Build (2024) with novated design team
SUPPLIER REQUIREMENTS
5 criteria identified
Project scope
99% confidence
New-build fire station, including demolition of the existing premises excluding the tower.
View supporting evidence
"The contract will include demolition of the existing premise (excluding the tower)."
Facility requirement
99% confidence
Emergency-response function with three fire-appliance bays.
View supporting evidence
"The new facility will provide an emergency response function (with 3 fire appliance bays)."
Building standards
98% confidence
The new fire station is to be built to building regulations and incorporate low-carbon systems.
View supporting evidence
"The new fire station will be built to building regulations whilst incorporating low carbon systems."
Design status
98% confidence
Authority project team intends to design to RIBA Stage 4a before tender; the design team will be novated to the contractor.
View supporting evidence
"The Authority has engaged a project team that will design the build to RIBA Stage 4a before tendering. The design team will be novated to the Contractor."
Supplier eligibility requirements
99% confidence
Unknown at this preliminary market-engagement stage.
View supporting evidence
No eligibility, financial standing, insurance, accreditation or company-size requirements are stated in the supplied notice.
COMMERCIAL AND DELIVERY
Contract intelligence
Commercial
Estimated contract value
99% confidence
£4,875,000 excluding VAT.
View supporting evidence
"Our estimated cost of the build is currently £4.875m ex VAT."
Pricing approach
97% confidence
Intended fixed price with a pricing schedule breakdown.
View supporting evidence
"Price will be assessed via a fixed price, with a pricing schedule breakdown."
Contract form
99% confidence
JCT Design and Build (2024).
View supporting evidence
"The construction form of contract will be JCT Design and Build (2024)."
Contract term
93% confidence
Unknown; works are anticipated to start in Autumn 2027 and complete during Winter 2028.
View supporting evidence
"works anticipated to start onsite Autumn 2027, and completion during Winter 2028."
Delivery
Site
99% confidence
Existing Camels Head site, Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon.
View supporting evidence
"on our existing Camels Head site at Ferndale Road, Plymouth, Devon."
Operational decant
99% confidence
Onsite operational presence will be fully decanted before site works begin.
View supporting evidence
"The onsite operational presence will be fully decanted in advance of site works commencing."
Indicative delivery timetable
98% confidence
Award anticipated Summer 2027; onsite works anticipated Autumn 2027; completion anticipated Winter 2028.
View supporting evidence
"Contract Award is anticipated in Summer 2027 with works anticipated to start onsite Autumn 2027, and completion during Winter 2028."
Site visit
95% confidence
Tender stage is intended to allow time for a site visit.
View supporting evidence
"The tender stage will allow time for a site visit."
PROCEDURE
How to respond
Opportunity status
99% confidence
Upcoming planned procurement / preliminary market engagement; bidding is not stated to be open.
View supporting evidence
display_status: "upcoming"; source_status: "planned"; notice_type: "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender".
Tender timing
98% confidence
Authority plans to go to tender in February 2027 with a 10-week tendering period.
View supporting evidence
"We plan to go to tender in February 2027 with a 10-week tendering period."
Evaluation approach
98% confidence
Intended 70% price and 30% quality and social value split; detailed themes will be confirmed in the tender pack.
View supporting evidence
"The intention is to assess bids under a 70% Price / 30% Quality & Social Value split. Quality and Social Value themes for assessment will be confirmed in the tender pack".
Tender clarifications
96% confidence
Requests to amend JCT terms are required during the tender clarification window before the tender-return deadline.
View supporting evidence
"any requests to amend terms will be required to be submitted during the the tender clarification window prior to tender return submission deadline."
Procurement method
99% confidence
Unknown.
View supporting evidence
procurement_method and procurement_method_details are null.
RISKS AND UNKNOWNS
Points requiring attention
Early-stage scope and tender information
99% confidence
This is a planned preliminary market-engagement notice. Final tender documents, detailed quality/social-value themes, KPI requirements, pricing schedule and submission requirements remain to be confirmed in the tender pack.
View supporting evidence
"The intention is for the tender pack to include, but is not limited to"; "Quality and Social Value themes for assessment will be confirmed in the tender pack"; "KPIs which will be defined in the tender pack."
Indicative timetable
99% confidence
Tender, award, commencement and completion dates are stated as plans or anticipations and may change.
View supporting evidence
"We plan to go to tender in February 2027"; "Contract Award is anticipated"; "works anticipated".
Lot information
99% confidence
A planned Lot 1 is recorded, but it has no title, description, value or deadline. No lot-specific scope can be identified.
The authority states that requests to amend contract terms must be made during the clarification window, limiting the timing for proposed departures.
View supporting evidence
"any requests to amend terms will be required to be submitted during the the tender clarification window".
ProcuraAxis analysis supplements, but does not replace, the original notice and tender documents. Always verify eligibility, deadlines and commercial terms with the issuing authority.
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