Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Exhibition Design Services for Technicians Gallery Science and Industry Museum

Science Museum Group

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Award

18 Aug 2026 at 11:27

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Award

18 May 2026 at 17:17

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
TenderUpdate

04 Nov 2025 at 17:41

UK4 - Tender Notice
Tender

04 Nov 2025 at 16:13

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Science Museum Group procured exhibition design services for the new Technicians galleries at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. The work covers the design of a gallery explaining technical roles and careers to young people aged 11–16, using interactive approaches and a distinct Manchester focus reflecting the city region’s industries and context. The appointed exhibition design team is required to work with a separately appointed architect, who acts as lead designer. The wider purpose is to communicate science, technology, engineering and mathematics through bold, creative galleries and authentic stories. This is a specialist museum-exhibition and design services requirement for a central government public authority, delivered at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester.

The procurement reached completion through a two-stage competitive flexible procedure: a pre-selection questionnaire followed by an invitation to tender. It used a selective process and was evaluated on price and quality. The tender submission deadline was 19 December 2025, with award decisions due by 23 April 2026. One lot was awarded to D.H.A. Design Services Limited on 18 May 2026 for £190,000 excluding VAT (£228,000 including VAT). The resulting contract was signed on 12 August 2026 for £186,355 excluding VAT (£223,626 including VAT), running from 12 August 2026 to 31 August 2029. Fifteen bids were received, including 12 from SMEs. The contract is active.

This opportunity indicates demand for an exhibition design team able to develop interactive museum environments, communicate technical and STEM careers clearly to 11–16-year-olds, and translate a major city region’s industrial identity into a compelling visitor experience. A credible future competitor would need strong exhibition design capability, experience turning complex subject matter into accessible galleries, and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary design team alongside an architect acting as lead designer. The requirement also favours suppliers that can manage delivery of a substantial gallery project for a nationally significant museum group, while responding to an established interpretive strategy and adapting it to a specific local context. The previous competition attracted substantial SME participation, showing that specialist smaller design practices can compete for this type of work.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Exhibition Design Services for Technicians Gallery Science and Industry Museum

Notice Description

At the Science Museum Group (SMG) we are here to inspire futures. Our vision is to 'think big' in the delivery of bold, creative galleries and programmes, sharing authentic stories in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). The Science and Industry Museum explores how ideas can change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today. The site is of unique global historic importance, right in the heart of Manchester. SMG has a long and rich history of developing world leading STEM based galleries. With Technicians: The David Sainsbury Gallery opening at Science Museum in 2022, SMG together with expert partners at the Gatsby Charitable Foundation have spearheaded a step-change in how technical roles are communicated in an interactive environment, inspiring 11-16-year-olds to choose a technical career. The gallery in Manchester will be underpinned by the same strategy and approach, created with a distinct Manchester focus, reflecting the city region's industries and context. The Science Museum Group is looking to appoint an exhibition design team to deliver the new Technicians galleries at the Science and Industry Museum. The team will coordinate with the (separately appointed) architect who is the Lead Designer.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05da33
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078456-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

22 - Printed matter and related products

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

22314000 - Designs

92521100 - Museum-exhibition services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£481,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£481,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£190,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
£186,355 £100K-£500K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Aug 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
19 Dec 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
18 May 20263 months ago
Contract Period
12 Aug 2026 - 31 Aug 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Science Museum Group
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
LONDON
Postcode
SW7 2DD
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI33 Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Kensington and Chelsea
Electoral Ward
Brompton & Hans Town
Westminster Constituency
Kensington and Bayswater

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

D.H.A. DESIGN SERVICES LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

Loading OCDS record...