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PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY

Collections Store Refurbishments - Logistics Hub - Principal Contractor

Natural History Museum · Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

Tender information last checkedLast checked 8 Oct 2026, 17:37.

Opportunity overview

The Collection Store Refurbishment (CSR) Project forms part of both the wider NHM Unlocked Programme and NHM 150th Anniversary Campaign Programme, which supports: -The internal moves of 11 million specimens -The moves of 28 million specimens to our new facility at Thames Valley Science Park -The 150th Anniversary Campaign to open previously closed galleries to the public -The sale of our South London Collections facility The NHM Unlocked Programme represents the largest ever move of natural history specimens worldwide. The wider CSR project has been tasked with refurbishing collections stores and rehousing five collections across five locations across the South Kensington Estate in suitable collections conditions. The business case for the NHM Unlocked Programme is predicated on limited space and historic, ageing buildings; meaning that globally important specimens are being kept in conditions that hamper access and sometimes fail to meet minimum environmental standards. Moreover, the insights locked up in the collection remain largely untapped. From tackling climate change and meeting the mineral needs of a net zero world, to restoring biodiversity and achieving food security, the collection offers insights into the planetary emergency and how we might realise a brighter future where both people and planet thrive. The CSR Project supports this endeavour. Initially we will be tendering for works on the Osteology Store, this will convert a collections store in the basement of the Grade I Listed Waterhouse Building into a temporary “Logistics Hub” and future end state store for heavy and large specimens coming from our South London Store. As a separate tender there will be a further opportunity to express an interest in tendering for the Main Works package which covers refurbishment works to the other four areas around the South Kensington Estate, including subsequent areas of the Waterhouse Basement (two locations), Darwin Centre Phase 1 and in the Palaeontology Building. This tender relates to the initial works package located in the Osteology Store. The works comprise: -refurbishment and alteration of Rooms B.03, B.07, B.07B-H, B.07J and BC05, -demolition of non-original partitions and raised floors, offices and removal of associated finishes and furnishings (excluding items retained on the eastern wall). -Internal works include the construction of a new security lobby with dry-lined partitions and a powered door, -repairs to damaged fabric and flooring, and measures to prevent pest ingress. -Window and door works including repairs and redecoration to historic partitions and doors, installation of secondary glazing to three north-facing windows, adaptations for building services, and a new powered external door, -Building services works include the removal and rebalancing of existing ventilation systems, strip-out of redundant electrical and data services, and the Stage 4 design and installation of new HVAC, electrical, fire alarm, security, BMS and controls systems. -All works will be undertaken in accordance with the fire strategy, maintaining the integrity of existing 120-minute compartment walls, and will include temporary protection of historic features, cleaning and making good on completion. This phase of the project will initially prioritise the early conversion of the existing basement Osteology Store to a 'Logistics Hub', supporting the sequencing of moves and works in other areas and to reduce programme risk. It is critical that the Logistics Hub is made available early to enable the decant of the Old General Herbarium, the former Origins Gallery, the moves to Thames Valley Science Park (TVSP) and the sale of the South London Collections Facility. Following completion of the decant activities, the Logistics Hub will transition to its permanent configuration and use as a collections store accommodating the Heavy and Large Objects of the Mineralogy and Palaeontology Material Collection. Wherever possible, a 'light-touch' approach has been adopted to support the programme, minimise cost and impact to the significant historic fabric.

Classification

  • CPV45212300 — Construction work for art and cultural buildings
  • CPV45212310 — Construction work for buildings relating to exhibitions
  • CPV45212313 — Museum construction work
  • CPV92500000 — Library, archives, museums and other cultural services
  • CPV92521000 — Museum services

Lots

  • Lot 1Value not stated

Documents and notices

Published notice details

Additional information from the published procurement release. Fields appear only when supplied by the source; check the original notice and tender documents before acting.

Scope, procedure and submissions

Id
ocds-h6vhtk-07841a
Main Procurement Category
works
Above Threshold
No
Status
planning

Legal basis

Id
2023/54
Scheme
UKPGA

Lots and requirements

Entry 1
Id
1
Status
planning

Contract period

Starts
1 Apr 2027, 00:00
Ends
30 Sept 2027, 23:59

Items and delivery

Item 1
Id
1
Related Lot
1

Additional Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
CPV
Id
45212300
Description
Construction work for art and cultural buildings
Entry 2
Scheme
CPV
Id
45212310
Description
Construction work for buildings relating to exhibitions
Entry 3
Scheme
CPV
Id
45212313
Description
Museum construction work
Entry 4
Scheme
CPV
Id
92500000
Description
Library, archives, museums and other cultural services
Entry 5
Scheme
CPV
Id
92521000
Description
Museum services

Delivery locations

Entry 1
Region
UKI
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom

Planning and budget

Milestones

Entry 1
Id
engagement
Type
engagement
Description
We invite potential bidders to complete a short survey to understand suppliers’ appetite and capability for providing these services, and identify any risks or barriers to participation. Please follow this link to participate https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/VSnjQ6qURx The survey closes 5pm, Wednesday 14 October 2026.
Due
14 Oct 2026, 23:59
Status
scheduled

Documents

Entry 1
Id
095361-2026
Document Type
marketEngagementNotice
Notice Type
UK2
Description
Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Published
8 Oct 2026, 15:58
Format
text/html

Buyer, suppliers and contacts

Organisation 1
Name
Natural History Museum
Id
GB-PPON-PJBJ-4723-MZPX

Identifier

Scheme
GB-PPON
Id
PJBJ-4723-MZPX

Address

Street Address
Cromwell Road
Locality
London
Postal Code
SW7 5BD
Country
GB
Country Name
United Kingdom
Region
UKI33

Contact

Name
Chloe Higgins

Roles

buyer

Details

Classifications

Entry 1
Scheme
UK_CA_TYPE
Id
publicAuthorityCentralGovernment
Description
Public authority - central government

Recorded locations

  • Buyer location · London · UKI33 · SW7 5BD · United Kingdom
  • Delivery location · UKI · United Kingdom

Notice and amendment history

1 published notice version reviewed by ProcuraAxis.

1 VERSION
  1. 095361-2026Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ·

PROCURAAXIS ANALYSIS

ProcuraAxis Analysis

Our approved analysis of the opportunity appears below the official tender information.

ANALYSIS PREVIEW

Opportunity intelligence at a glance

Early-stage market engagement for a principal contractor to refurbish the Natural History Museum’s Osteology Store in the Grade I Listed Waterhouse Building, South Kensington. The works will create an interim Logistics Hub before its later use as a permanent store for heavy and large collection objects. This is not an open tender or bidding opportunity yet.

Who this may suit

Potential fit for principal contractors with experience of listed-building refurbishment, museum or heritage environments, demolition and internal alterations, and coordinated building-services installation.

Key points identified

  • Contractor rolePrincipal contractor for the initial Osteology Store works package.Evidence: Title: “Collections Store Refurbishments - Logistics Hub - Principal Contractor”; description states “This tender relates to the initial works package located in the Osteology Store.”
  • Heritage-sensitive deliveryWorks must protect historic features and retain the integrity of existing 120-minute fire-compartment walls.Evidence: “All works will be undertaken in accordance with the fire strategy, maintaining the integrity of existing 120-minute compartment walls, and will include temporary protection of historic features.”
  • Building-services scopeProvide Stage 4 design and installation of new HVAC, electrical, fire alarm, security, BMS and controls systems.Evidence: “Building services works include... the Stage 4 design and installation of new HVAC, electrical, fire alarm, security, BMS and controls systems.”
93% approved-analysis confidence4 supplier criteria identified2 risks or unknowns

SOURCE AND FRESHNESS

Traceable procurement data

Source
Find a Tender
Notice reference
095361-2026
OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-07841a
First published
8 Oct 2026
Last checked
8 Oct 2026, 17:37
Notice versions reviewed
1

HOW THIS WAS PREPARED

Approved, evidence-bound analysis

ProcuraAxis structures information found in published procurement records, checks the result for consistency and publishes only approved analysis. Confidence describes the completeness and consistency of the available source information; it is not a guarantee of eligibility or contract award.

Analysis status
Approved for publication
Analysed
8 Oct 2026
Read the analysis methodology →