Hard Facilities Management Services

Cardiff University is undertaking early market engagement to inform the development of its upcoming procurement for Hard Facilities Management Services across a number of University buildings. The purpose of this engagement is to gather insights from experienced Hard FM providers regarding deliverability, cost drivers, risk allocation, supply chain capability, mobilisation requirements, and opportunities for innovation.

Responses will inform the University’s final tender strategy, specification refinement, and commercial model. This stage does not formally commence a procurement process.

Participation in this Pre market engagement is voluntary and will not provide any advantage or disadvantage in any subsequent tender process. This requirement covers the provision of Hard Facilities Management (FM) services across five key Cardiff University buildings: the Translational Research Hub (TRH), sbarc|spark, ABACWS, the Centre for Student Life (CSL), and JOMEC at Two Central Square.

Together, these facilities represent over 48,000 m² of diverse teaching, research, innovation, and student‑facing environments. Four of the buildings are primarily academic teaching, study, and office spaces, incorporating lecture theatres, seminar rooms, social learning areas and administrative offices.

The fifth building, the Translational Research Hub (TRH), is a complex scientific and industrial research environment incorporating cleanrooms, specialist gas distribution systems, abatement units, hazardous operational zones, and other highly serviced, business‑critical engineering systems. Core requirements include: • Planned Preventative Maintenance (OEM‑led, SFG20 and statutory). • Reactive Maintenance including 24/7/365 response where needed. • Remedial Maintenance addressing defects, failures or condition‑related issues identified through PPM or inspections to return assets to a safe and reliable operating condition and prevent further deterioration. • Asset management and lifecycle planning with data integration into the University’s CAFM system (QFM), • Management of access, safety, and permit‑to‑work controls • Management of specialist subcontractors supporting systems such as DI water, FFUs, gas detection, abatement, wet benches and BMS/Trend. • Delivery of Social Value outcomes will also form part of the scope.

The University anticipates refining the scope, service levels, data requirements, performance metrics, and commercial structure following this Pre‑Market Engagement. Insights gained will inform the final tender documentation