Planning

The London Archives Mechanical & Electrical Cyclical Works Refurbishment Principal Contractor

THE MAYOR AND COMMONALTY AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF LONDON

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

23 Feb 2026 at 15:39

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Mayor and Commonalty and Citizens of the City of London are planning a procurement process for the refurbishment of the London Archives' Mechanical & Electrical systems. This project, classified under Mechanical engineering installation works, is set within the City of London, UK, and falls under the 'works' procurement category. As of 23rd February 2026, the procurement process is in the planning stage, with key pre-market engagement activities scheduled to be completed by 20th March 2026. The actual site work is expected to commence between September and October 2026 and will span approximately 18 months, ensuring continuity of access to the archives and other facilities on-site.

This tender offers a substantial business opportunity, valued at £3,000,000, with a gross value of £3,600,000. It is particularly suited for SMEs that specialise in mechanical and electrical engineering refurbishment projects. The engagement provides an excellent opportunity for businesses to expand their portfolios by participating in complex phased works that assure safe project delivery amidst concurrent preservation of historical archives. The procurement method ensures open competition, fostering growth for businesses capable of delivering high standards of security and safety for specialised projects, making it ideal for firms with a reliable track record in successfully managing phased refurbishments in public institutions.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

The London Archives Mechanical & Electrical Cyclical Works Refurbishment Principal Contractor

Notice Description

Background and Scope The London Archives (LA) is the official repository for records of the London metropolitan area covering nearly 1,000 years of history. LA is the largest local authority record office in the UK serving around 30,000 visitors a year. The archives in its custody are both unique and priceless and comprise both those owned by the City of London Corporation and those owned by external depositors. LA is recognised by The National Archives (UK) as an approved place of deposit for public records under the Public Records Act 1958 and 1967 & is appointed as a Diocesan record office under the Parochial Registers and Records Measures 1929, 1978 and 1992. LA has been recognised as an Accredited Archive Service. Archive Service Accreditation defines good practice and agreed standards for archive services across the UK including standards regarding security. LA is committed to protecting the records of London's history and safeguarding their future by ensuring that they are stored safely and securely, and that the public access them in a safe and secure environment. At the same time the aim is to allow public access to archives in the Archive Study Area (ASA) whenever possible. There are three buildings on the site: 1. The Main Building, 40 Northampton Road (const. c1930) - approx. 12,000sq.m, comprises basement, ground, mezzanine, and first to third floors. FBC ("Finsbury Business Centre") lease the third floor. 2. The Annexe, 40 Bowling Green Lane. - approx. 2000sqm, FBC lease the entire building comprising four floors, and it provides access to the third floor FBC demise of the main building. 3. The Extension Building - approx. 2500sq.m, a modern temperature and humidity-controlled building over basement to third floor levels, for the LA's valuable manuscripts. Access is from 40 Northampton Road via a link bridge. The Extension Building is entirely archive storage. The main building contains large volumes of archive storage, as well as public research, education and events areas, specialist conservation and media spaces, and support staff spaces. The scope of works entails the renewal of Mechanical & Electrical systems in the Main Building and Extension Building and Annexe. The works are summarised below. Element Areas Affected Chiller Plant Renewals Extension Heating System Performance Improvements Site VRV Heating and Comfort Cooling Systems Renewals Main Building Fire / Smoke Damper System Renewal & Duct Cleaning Extension Associated BMS Works Extension (and head end in Main Building) Fire Alarm System Renewals Site Lighting, Emergency Lighting, and Lighting Controls Renewals Main Building - Public Areas Electrical Mains and Sub-mains Renewals (including power supply upgrade) Main Building & Extension Associated Building Works, including general BWIC, enlarged Extension chiller plant ventilation louvres, and new ceilings to public areas in Main Building Main Building and Extension The site will remain open to staff and public for the duration of the works. The works will comprise a series of phases and associated enabling works, all undertaken to ensure the project is delivered safely, whilst securing the protection of archives and business continuity. The site phase is planned to commence in September/October of 2026 and be completed within 18 months.

Planning Information

Pre market engagement questionniare

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-065a57
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/016182-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45351000 - Mechanical engineering installation works

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
24 Apr 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
11 Oct 2026 - 13 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE MAYOR AND COMMONALTY AND CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF LONDON
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CITY OF LONDON
Postcode
EC2P 2EJ
Post Town
Central London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI4 Inner London - East
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI43 Haringey and Islington
Delivery Location
TLI London
Local Authority
Islington
Electoral Ward
Clerkenwell
Westminster Constituency
Islington South and Finsbury

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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. 

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