Technology Development Centre

This Prior Information Notice (“PIN”) has been issued by Offshore Renewable Energy (“ORE”) Catapult, in relation to the requirement to build a Technology Development Centre (“TDC”). This PIN is not being issued to reduce the timescales of the procurement process, it is purely to provide early warning to the market, provide a basic understanding of the requirement, encourage suppliers to respond and to stimulate some innovative solutions. We anticipate that the ITT will follow the “Open” procurement process and will be issued early August 2022. This will be a full turn-key solution with one main contractor, and it will be based upon the NEC3 Form of Contract. The requirement will be to renovate an existing storage building at our site in Blyth, Northumberland, which is approximately 1800m2 in floorspace. Within the building a requirement exists to create in the region of 550m2 of office and welfare space, with the remaining space being configured for testing and engineering workshops. Works are likely to include refurbishment of steel works, replacement of the cladding, some ground works, replacement of doors, as well as complete fit out of the interior, including furnishings. Full occupancy is expected by Q2 of 2023, with renovation costs estimated in the region of £1.8m, which is being funded by a combination of the Blyth Town Deal and the North of Tyne combined Authority. Background Catapults The Catapults are elite technology and innovation centres established by the UK Government (through Innovate UK) in high growth industries and are designed to bridge the gap between Government, universities, research institutions and innovative businesses of all sizes. Their objective is to transform great research rapidly into commercial success to support the industry and to generate economic growth. Catapults represent a long-term strategic investment by Innovate UK in the UK’s innovation capability. Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult ORE Catapult (https://ore.catapult.org.uk) is the UK's leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy. Headquartered in Glasgow, it has world-leading test and demonstration facilities in Blyth, Northumberland and Fife, Scotland. ORE Catapult’s vision is to be the world’s leading offshore renewable energy technology centre by 2030. ORE Catapult will play a key role in delivering the UK’s largest clean growth opportunity, through our mission to accelerate the creation and growth of UK companies in the offshore renewable energy sector. We will use our unique facilities and research and engineering capabilities to bring together industry and academia and drive innovation in renewable energy.