The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a £74m framework for the phased redevelopment of the Loughry Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE).
Planning consent for the scheme was granted by Mid Ulster District Council in September 2024.
The six-year framework will allow for contracts covering design development, demolition, construction, and ongoing maintenance.
Although the initial term is six years, some packages may be awarded up to 12 years after the framework’s start, to accommodate the need to keep the campus operational throughout the works.
The anticipated scope includes demolition of the existing Packaging, Administration, Science and Food Education buildings, followed by the construction of new teaching and laboratory spaces, conference and hub facilities, staff offices, residential accommodation and sitewide infrastructure upgrades.
The framework also includes provision for soft landings maintenance following the completion of each phase.
DAERA said in a 5 September tender notice that the successful supplier for Phase 1 is expected to be retained for Phases 2 and 3, subject to satisfactory performance and agreement on costs.
Up to five reserve suppliers will also be named on the framework. DAERA retains the right to re-tender any phase within the framework or on the open market and to remove underperforming suppliers.
Construction must be delivered with minimal disruption to teaching activities, and the design will be required to respect the campus’s existing layout and character.
DAERA said it will monitor performance using key performance indicators. Poor-performing suppliers may be barred from future competitions within the framework for up to three years, under the terms set out in the Northern Ireland Construction Procurement Toolkit.
The framework has an estimated value of £88.8m including VAT, with works expected to run from March 2026 to August 2032. The latest date for potential extensions is September 2038.
The deadline for expressions of interest is 7 October 2025. Tender documents are available through the eTendersNI portal.