Tender Opportunities - Energy Efficiency Improvements at Midlands Arts Centre

Midlands Arts Centre Trading Limited is seeking proposals for the supply, delivery and, where applicable, installation and commissioning of high-efficiency commercial refrigeration equipment at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH.

The project forms part of MAC’s programme to reduce energy consumption, operating costs and carbon emissions and responds directly to recommendations identified through an independent energy assessment undertaken by Aston University in January 2026.

The assessment identified the replacement of existing catering refrigeration with high-efficiency units as a priority measure. It estimated potential annual savings of 24,074 kWh, £5,645 in energy costs and 4.26 tCO2e.

Scope
We are seeking a supplier to provide high-efficiency commercial refrigeration equipment to replace ageing and inefficient units currently used across MAC’s catering operation.

Items:
1    Foster EcoPro G3 600L commercial upright freezer, EP700L or equivalent
2    Foster EcoPro G3 three-door refrigerated prep counters, EP1/3H or equivalent
1    Foster EcoShow EMD900G glass-door refrigerated multideck or equivalent
7    Blizzard BAR2 double-door bottle coolers or equivalent
2    Fagor Professional Model No. ACP‐3G HHD or equivalent
1    Foster EcoPro G3 two-door refrigerated counter, EP1/2H or equivalent
1    Williams Thermowell refrigerated topping/prep unit, HTW15-SS or equivalent
1    Polar U-Series double-door pizza counter, UA081 or equivalent

Equipment offered should prioritise energy efficiency, reliability and suitability for intensive commercial use.

 Where appropriate, suppliers should identify:
•    energy rating / MEPS rating
•    climate classification
•    refrigerant type
•    anticipated energy consumption
•    warranty period
•    delivery lead time
•    installation and commissioning requirements
•    removal and responsible disposal of existing equipment
•    any exclusions or additional costs.

Tender submission

Suppliers should provide:
•    a detailed fixed-price quotation, exclusive of VAT
•    full equipment specification
•    confirmation of delivery and installation arrangements
•    warranty and aftercare information
•    expected lead times
•    details of any works or services excluded from the quotation
•    details of relevant experience delivering comparable commercial refrigeration projects.

Proposals will be evaluated on price, technical compliance, energy efficiency, implementation approach, warranty/aftercare and overall value for money.

Tender deadline: Friday 16 October, noon 
Submission/contact: Sally Pennington, sally.pennington@macbirmingham.co.uk
 

Midlands Arts Centre Trading Limited is seeking proposals for the supply and installation of two high-efficiency electric combi ovens at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH.
The project responds directly to recommendations within an independent energy assessment undertaken by Aston University in January 2026.

The assessment identified MAC’s two existing Rational SCC electric combi ovens, installed in 2009, as end-of-life equipment and recommended their replacement with modern high-efficiency equivalents. It estimated annual savings of 22,594 kWh, £5,298 in energy costs and 4.0 tCO2e.

Scope

We are seeking proposals for:
•    two high-efficiency electric combi ovens of equivalent operational capacity and catering function to the existing units
•    appropriate stands / support systems
•    delivery
•    installation and connection
•    commissioning
•    configuration of cooking programmes and energy-saving / standby / shutdown settings
•    removal and disposal of existing ovens, where applicable
•    staff handover / demonstration
•    warranty and aftercare.
The preferred solution is currently based around Rational iCombi Pro 10-1/1 electric ovens or demonstrably equivalent high-efficiency equipment suitable for MAC’s commercial catering operation.
The replacement equipment should provide improved insulation, efficient cooking modes and standby/eco functionality, in line with the energy assessment recommendation.

Tender submission

Suppliers should provide:
•    a fixed-price quotation, exclusive of VAT
•    full technical specification
•    energy-efficiency information
•    confirmation of electrical requirements
•    delivery and installation arrangements
•    commissioning arrangements
•    warranty and aftercare
•    expected lead time
•    details of any exclusions

Proposals will be evaluated on price, technical compliance, energy efficiency, installation approach, warranty/aftercare and overall value for money.

Tender deadline: Friday 16 October, noon 
Submission/contact: Sally Pennington, Sally.pennington@macbirmingham.co.uk
 

Midlands Arts Centre Trading Limited is seeking proposals for the upgrade of the existing Trend IQ3 Building Management System to the Trend IQ5 platform at Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH.

The project responds directly to a recommendation within an independent energy assessment undertaken by Aston University in January 2026.

The assessment identified the existing IQ3 controllers as legacy equipment and recommended migration to the IQ5 platform to improve reliability, energy optimisation, system integration, data visibility and resilience. The assessment estimates annual savings of 55,634 kWh, £5,718 in energy costs and 10.11 tCO2e.

Scope

The required works are expected to include the upgrade of controls associated with:
•    Boiler Room Control Panel
•    AHU 1 & 5 Control Panel
•    Ventilation Control Panel.
The required scope should include, as appropriate:
•    replacement of existing Trend IQ3 controllers with Trend IQ5 controllers
•    replacement of relevant I/O modules
•    replacement or upgrade of incompatible display hardware
•    migration of existing control strategies
•    software/configuration updates
•    required panel modifications and re-termination
•    commissioning and reprogramming
•    update of BMS head-end/device configuration
•    testing and functional verification
•    client demonstration and handover
•    full recommissioning of HVAC schedules, setpoints, deadbands, alarms and optimisation routines.

The energy assessment specifically identifies improved monitoring and optimisation of energy consumption as a key purpose of the upgrade. It also recommends full recommissioning of HVAC controls so that the upgrade delivers measurable reductions in electricity and gas consumption rather than simply replacing obsolete hardware.

Tender submission

Suppliers should provide:

•    a detailed fixed-price quotation, exclusive of VAT
•    full technical scope
•    details of all controllers/modules/software included
•    commissioning methodology
•    confirmation of compatibility with the existing Trend infrastructure
•    programme and lead time
•    proposed approach to maintaining building operation during migration
•    warranty and aftercare
•    details of exclusions or assumptions
•    relevant experience delivering comparable Trend BMS upgrades.
 

Proposals will be evaluated on price, technical compliance, commissioning methodology, energy-optimisation capability, implementation risk, warranty/aftercare and overall value for money.
 

Tender deadline: Friday 16 October, 12 noon 
Submission/contact: Sally Pennington, Sally.pennington@macbirmingham.co.uk