Planning

NHM150 Western Galleries - Exhibition Design

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Apr 2026 at 15:39

Summary of the contracting process

The Natural History Museum, located in London, United Kingdom, is currently in the planning phase for an ambitious procurement process titled 'NHM150 Western Galleries - Exhibition Design'. This initiative, part of the museum's NHM150 transformation programme, aims to revitalise four existing galleries and design exhibitions for the west wing of the historic Waterhouse building. The focus is on 2D and 3D exhibition design services for the Old General Herbarium, Origins Gallery, and two dinosaur galleries. The process will follow a Competitive Flexible Procedure in three stages, with a critical survey closing on 23rd April 2026. The Stage 1 documents are planned for release on 27th April 2026, with subsequent tender invitations commencing on 1st June, subject to change.

This tender offers significant opportunities for businesses specialising in design consultancy, project-design services, graphic design, and museum-exhibition services. With no restrictions on the number of lots for which a bidder can compete, firms with strong creative and technical capabilities can leverage this contract to enhance their portfolio, as well as to contribute to cultural and educational advancements. Businesses that meet the financial thresholds and demonstrate relevant experience will find this tender particularly favourable. The procurement offers an estimated contract value of £2,880,000, providing ample potential for growth and partnership with a prestigious institution within the arts and culture sector.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

NHM150 Western Galleries - Exhibition Design

Notice Description

The Natural History Museum has launched NHM150, an ambitious transformation programme leading up to its 150th anniversary in 2031. The programme will significantly enhance the Museum's public offer, increasing access, reach and impact through a major renewal of galleries and visitor experiences. Through NHM150, the Museum will: *Breathe new life into four existing galleries. *Open three magnificent new galleries. *Showcase the natural world's treasures to one million more visitors a year. *Engage 10 million school children, families and changemakers through local national and global programmes. *Create over 100 million advocates for the planet. The first phase is already underway, and the second phase will focus on the west wing of the Waterhouse building, combining base-build refurbishment, including improved circulation and facilities, with the design and installation of new exhibitions and displays. This second phase will form part of a funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). As part of Phase 2 the Museum is tendering for the exhibition design for the following 4 galleries: *the Old General Herbarium, *Origins Gallery, *Dinosaur Gallery 1 *Dinosaur Gallery 2

Planning Information

To respond to our survey, please use this link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/hwyK9SLfjm We are shortly going out to market for a 2D and 3D Exhibition Designer for the Western Galleries at the Natural History Museum. There are four galleries included in this and we are interested in getting your views on how the lots will be awarded. The galleries are: •the Old General Herbarium, •Origins Gallery, •Dinosaur Gallery 1 •Dinosaur Gallery 2. The purpose of this survey is to understand suppliers’ appetite and capability for providing these services, and whether our proposed lot structure is of interest. There are four galleries included in this tender, which will be a lot each. We are intending to award the contract for each lot separately. There will be no restrictions on how many lots a bidder can submit a response for, or how many can be awarded to a single company, although minimum financial thresholds will apply per lot and cumulatively. As part of the Stage 2 Quality Response bidders will answer a number of questions which will apply across all lots (and should only be answered once), plus a lot specific question(s). Bidders shortlisted at Stage 2 will be invited to present their creative response for each lot they are shortlisted for. This tender will be run as a three-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure. Stage 1 will be a Pre-Qualification stage, where bidders must meet a number of criteria and demonstrate their relevant experience. Stage 2 will be the Invitation to Tender stage, and Stage 3 will be interview/presentations. The survey closes at 5pm, Thursday 23rd April 2026. We are intending to issue Stage 1 documents on the 27th April, with shortlisted bidders being invited to tender on the 1st June (dates may be subject to change).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-068494
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/034881-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

79415200 - Design consultancy services

79421200 - Project-design services other than for construction work

79822500 - Graphic design services

79930000 - Specialty design services

92521100 - Museum-exhibition services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,400,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Apr 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
27 Apr 20263 days to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Sep 2026 - 1 Oct 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
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 5BD
Post Town
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
TLI London

Local Authority
Kensington and Chelsea
Electoral Ward
Brompton & Hans Town
Westminster Constituency
Kensington and Bayswater

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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