Planning

Army Foundation College - Harrogate

  • Ministry of Defence

UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-015117

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-065418 (view related notices)

Published 19 February 2026, 10:48am



Scope

Description

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is considering future arrangements for the continued operation of the Army Foundation College (Harrogate) following the expiry of the existing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract.

The Army Foundation College (Harrogate) delivers Phase 1 military training for Junior Soldiers aged 16–18.

Scope includes Hard FM, Soft FM, Healthcare, Learning, Clerical, & IT. The Army is also considering whether additional capacity (and therefore additional Infrastructure) may be required at the site.

The MOD plans to procure these services in the future. This notice is issued for information and market awareness purposes only.

Total value (estimated)

  • £170,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £204,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 January 2029 to 1 January 2036
  • 7 years, 1 day

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 55524000 - School catering services
  • 79632000 - Personnel-training services
  • 79993100 - Facilities management services
  • 80490000 - Operation of an educational centre
  • 90911100 - Accommodation cleaning services
  • 98341100 - Accommodation management services

Engagement

Engagement deadline

31 March 2026

Engagement process description

The Authority is conducting Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) to inform Suppliers of an upcoming requirement and to gather information, ascertain the level of interest, gain insight into risks and issues, and inform the commercial and procurement strategies for the provision of services required in the running of the Army Foundation College at Harrogate.

Interested suppliers are invited to participate in the following activities:

• Industry Briefing Day with potential tenderers

• Request for Information (RFI) Questionnaire

How to Participate:

Industry Briefing Day

• Date/Time: 09:00 (GMT) on 05 March 2026

• Location: Garrison Lecture Theatre, St Andrews Road, Tidworth, Wiltshire, SP9 7EP, England

• Registration: Potential bidders interested in participating must notify the MOD point of contact, Faye McKernan, at army-comrcl-complex-proc-mailbox@mod.gov.uk by 17:00 (GMT) on 02 March 2026. Please include the following details in your registration email:

o Company name

o Names, positions, and email addresses of attendees (attendees are limited to 3 per company)

• Presentation Materials: Slides from the Industry Briefing Day will be uploaded to the Defence Sourcing Portal following the event.

This is an excellent opportunity for suppliers to engage with the Authority, gain a better understanding of the requirements, and provide valuable input to shape the procurement process.

We look forward to your participation.


Participation

Particular suitability

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)


Submission

Publication date of tender notice (estimated)

13 January 2027


Contracting authority

Ministry of Defence

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ

Army Headquarters Floor 2, Zone 2.N Blenheim Building Monxton Road

Andover

SP11 8HT

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ36 - Central Hampshire

Organisation type: Public authority - central government