Find a TenderAwardedContract award notice
Published 9 Jun 2025, 14:15 BST

Official UK procurement notice

St James Depot - Procurement of a Development Partner

Official notice

Authority: West Northamptonshire Council (Local council)

WorksCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdConcessionSME suitable
Concession value (operator's revenue)£45,000,000operator revenue, not the authority's budget
Submissions closed 22 Aug 2025awarded 5 Aug 2026
Award (standstill) to Placefirst
Contract term 5 yrsends 30 Apr 2031 · starts 1 May 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The Council is seeking a development partner with the relevant experience, capability and resources to deliver a high quality, residential-led development at the Site. The Council proposes to enter into a partnering arrangement with the successful Potential Supplier that aligns the parties’ goals, apportions risk appropriately, and provides a clear and transparent mechanism for the delivery of the Project. It is currently envisaged that this arrangement will be structured as a Development Agreement, supported by Heads of Terms to be issued during the Dialogue Stage.

The Development Agreement is expected to be conditional on the agreement of an overall Business Plan, to be derived from the Final Tender Submission, and supported by a detailed masterplan and delivery strategy.

The Council will be undertaking this procurement process using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, allowing for structured dialogue with shortlisted Potential Suppliers prior to the submission of Final Tenders. The Council is committed to a collaborative and transparent process that encourages innovation and quality within a commercially viable framework.

  • How the procedure runs: The procurement stage commenced with the publication of the Tender Notice in the Central Digital Platform ("CDP"). Prior to this, pre-market engagement was undertaken in November 2024. and a Pre-Market Engagement Notice was published in the CDP on 9th June 2025. The Council is conducting the procurement exercise using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Act. This procedure is being used to allow shortlisted Potential Suppliers to enter into dialogue with the Council to discuss specific aspects of their proposals before submitting a final tender leading to the selection of a Preferred Potential Supplier, whilst minimising / avoiding excessive and disproportionate costs. The contract shall be awarded on the basis of the most advantageous tender ("MAT") in accordance with the Act. As this procurement process is a Competitive Flexible Procedure, not all of the documentation for the procurement has been published at this participation stage. The Council has provided sufficient information to enable Potential Suppliers to make an informed decision about whether the opportunity is suitable for them STAGE 01: PARTICIPATION STAGE (PRE-QUALIFICATION) Stage 01 commenced with the publication of the Tender Notice in the CDP. Potential Suppliers responding to the Tender Notice will gain access to the Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") and a range of supporting documents including this MOI. Potential suppliers who intend to submit a completed questionnaire must follow the instructions in the PSQ and submit their completed questionnaire to the Council by the due date. Completed questionnaires will be evaluated by the Council with assistance from their appointed advisors and, depending on the quantity and quality of responses received, it is anticipated that up to four Potential Suppliers will be shortlisted for Stage 02. Please refer to the PSQ guidance for further details. STAGE 02: DIALOGUE STAGE Potential Suppliers selected in accordance with the PSQ will be issued with an IPD document. This will include the requirements for the dialogue stage, including draft heads of terms and the detailed evaluation criteria for awarding the contract which will be informed by the Project Objectives. There will be an efficient number of dialogue meetings (currently envisaged to be around four)throughout this period between the Council and individual Potential Suppliers to discuss key elements of the requirements; for the Council to provide constructive feedback on the evolving solutions and for both parties to discuss and agree appropriate changes to the draft heads of terms. The primary intention of this stage is to identify solutions that satisfy the Council’s Project Objectives. The Council will seek to conduct the dialogue stage as expeditiously as possible to avoid unnecessary protraction and cost for all parties involved. Once one or more acceptable solutions have been identified, the Council can close dialogue and invite the remaining Potential Suppliers to the final tender stage. STAGE 03: FINAL TENDER STAGE Stage 03 will commence with the issue of the ISFT document. Potential Suppliers will be required to submit their Final Tenders in response to the ISFT and on the basis of the solutions agreed during dialogue. Final Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and a Preferred Potential Supplier will be recommended. STAGE 04: PREFERRED POTENTIAL SUPPLIER STAGE This stage will involve settling the terms of the contract between the Council and the Preferred Potential Supplier, in accordance with the agreed Heads of Terms and the principles of the Final Tender response. STAGE 05: AWARD STAGE This stage will involve signing the contract documents, directly following the Preferred Potential Supplier stage, which will formalise the contract between the Council and the Preferred Potential Supplier.

CPV: Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services · Building construction work · Construction work · Construction work for multi-dwelling buildings and individual houses · Demolition, site preparation and clearance work · Development of residential real estate · Real estate services · Site-development work · Siteworks · Urban development construction work · Urban planning and landscape architectural services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored
  • Simple description: FINAL TENDER STAGE Stage 03 will commence with the issue of the ISFT document. Potential Suppliers will be required to submit their Final Tenders in response to the ISFT and on the basis of the solutions agreed during dialogue. Final Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and a Preferred Potential Supplier will be recommended.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Works
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Concession
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
9 Jun 2025, 14:15 BST
Last source update
5 Aug 2026, 16:15 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 19 Jan 2026
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-039630
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Classification (CPV)
Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection servicesBuilding construction workConstruction workConstruction work for multi-dwelling buildings and individual housesDemolition, site preparation and clearance workDevelopment of residential real estateReal estate servicesSite-development workSiteworksUrban development construction work
+1 moreUrban planning and landscape architectural services
Delivery area
East Midlands (UKF24)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-054552 Find a Tender
How it runs

The procurement stage commenced with the publication of the Tender Notice in the Central Digital Platform ("CDP"). Prior to this, pre-market engagement was undertaken in November 2024. and a Pre-Market Engagement Notice was published in the CDP on 9th June 2025. The Council is

conducting the procurement exercise using the Competitive Flexible Procedure in accordance with the requirements of the Act.

This procedure is being used to allow shortlisted Potential Suppliers to enter into dialogue with the Council to discuss specific aspects of their proposals before submitting a final tender leading to the selection of a Preferred Potential Supplier, whilst minimising / avoiding excessive and

disproportionate costs. The contract shall be awarded on the basis of the most advantageous tender ("MAT") in accordance with the Act.

As this procurement process is a Competitive Flexible Procedure, not all of the documentation for the procurement has been published at this participation stage. The Council has provided sufficient information to enable Potential Suppliers to make an informed decision about whether the

opportunity is suitable for them

STAGE 01: PARTICIPATION STAGE (PRE-QUALIFICATION)

Stage 01 commenced with the publication of the Tender Notice in the CDP. Potential Suppliers responding to the Tender Notice will gain access to the Procurement Specific Questionnaire ("PSQ") and a range of supporting documents including this MOI. Potential suppliers who intend to submit a completed questionnaire must follow the instructions in the PSQ and submit their completed questionnaire to the Council by the due date. Completed questionnaires will be evaluated by the Council with assistance from their appointed advisors and, depending on the quantity and quality of responses received, it is anticipated that up to four Potential Suppliers will be shortlisted for Stage 02. Please refer to the PSQ guidance for further details.

STAGE 02: DIALOGUE STAGE

Potential Suppliers selected in accordance with the PSQ will be issued with an IPD document. This will include the requirements for the dialogue stage, including draft heads of terms and the detailed evaluation criteria for awarding the contract which will be informed by the Project Objectives.

There will be an efficient number of dialogue meetings (currently envisaged to be around four)throughout this period between the Council and individual Potential Suppliers to discuss key elements of the requirements; for the Council to provide constructive feedback on the evolving solutions and for both parties to discuss and agree appropriate changes to the draft heads of terms.

The primary intention of this stage is to identify solutions that satisfy the Council’s Project Objectives. The Council will seek to conduct the dialogue stage as expeditiously as possible to avoid unnecessary protraction and cost for all parties involved. Once one or more acceptable solutions have been identified, the Council can close dialogue and invite the remaining Potential Suppliers to the final tender stage.

STAGE 03: FINAL TENDER STAGE

Stage 03 will commence with the issue of the ISFT document. Potential Suppliers will be required to submit their Final Tenders in response to the ISFT and on the basis of the solutions agreed during dialogue. Final Tenders will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation criteria, and a Preferred Potential Supplier will be recommended.

STAGE 04: PREFERRED POTENTIAL SUPPLIER STAGE

This stage will involve settling the terms of the contract between the Council and the Preferred Potential Supplier, in accordance with the agreed Heads of Terms and the principles of the Final Tender response.

STAGE 05: AWARD STAGE

This stage will involve signing the contract documents, directly following the Preferred Potential Supplier stage, which will formalise the contract between the Council and the Preferred Potential Supplier.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: In-tend · Who buys & how to bid on In-tend
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free · one account per buying organisation's portal · reCAPTCHA on signup
Requests to participate (first stage)
22 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Submission deadline
22 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
25 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

9 Jun 2025 → 14 Aug 2026 · 10 dates
  1. Planning notice published
    9 Jun 2025, 14:15 BST
  2. Next notice expected
    24 Jun 2025, 00:59 BST
  3. Tender notice published
    14 Jul 2025, 13:32 BST
  4. Clarification questions by
    25 Jul 2025, 12:00 BST
  5. Submission deadline
    22 Aug 2025, 12:00 BST
  6. Award decision expected by281 days ago
    19 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
  7. Contract starts180 days ago
    1 May 2026, 00:00 BST
  8. Assessment summaries sent84 days ago
    5 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
  9. Latest notice published83 days ago
    5 Aug 2026, 16:15 BST
  10. Standstill ends74 days ago
    14 Aug 2026, 23:59 BST

Notice history

9 events · 4 releases on Find a Tender · since 9 Jun 2025
  1. Preliminary market engagement notice published
    9 Jun 2025, 14:15 BST
    UK2
  2. Tender notice published
    14 Jul 2025, 13:32 BST
    UK4
  3. Status changed to active
    14 Jul 2025, 13:32 BST
  4. Procurement method changed
    14 Jul 2025, 13:32 BST
  5. Tender notice published
    1 Aug 2025, 11:07 BST
    UK4
  6. Contract award notice published
    5 Aug 2026, 16:15 BST
    UK6
  7. Status changed to complete
    5 Aug 2026, 16:15 BST
  8. Procurement method changed
    5 Aug 2026, 16:15 BST
  9. Contract signature expected
    31 Oct 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
Routine re-releases (4)
  • 2025-06: 1 release · 9 Jun 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Bids received 82 from SMEs
Awarded toValueDateStatus
PlacefirstSME31 Oct 2026 – 5 Nov 2028—5 Aug 2026standstill to 14 Aug 2026Standstill

Bid statistics published by the authority

BidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
8final-stage tenders20—

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

West Northamptonshire Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PGDV-8944-CMBP Angel Street, Northampton, East Midlands, NN1 1EDContact email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Placefirst LtdAwarded supplierGB-COH: 07071980 8 Exchange Quay, Salford, North West, M5 3EJContact email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Preliminary market engagement notice planningPreliminary market engagement noticeUK2Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender