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Public Address and Voice Alarm Design Consultant

Natural History Museum

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

10 Jul 2026 at 10:33

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

30 Apr 2026 at 17:01

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

20 Apr 2026 at 16:23

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Natural History Museum has completed the award process for appointing a Lead Design Consultant to upgrade and replace the Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) system across its museum estate. The project, located in London, is categorized under building services consultancy and fire-detection systems. The procurement followed an open procedure that began with a tender notice, proceeding through the award stage, finalising an award on 10th July 2026. The contract, starting on 10th August 2026, is valued at £240,000 gross and phases through RIBA Stages 1 to 7, although only stages 1-4 are guaranteed due to funding considerations. The contract may be extended in two-year increments, potentially reaching completion by March 2030, subject to financial availability. The awarded supplier is Avitas Global Ltd trading as RH Consulting.

This contract presents significant opportunities for SMEs, particularly those with expertise in electrical design and consultancy services related to alarm and safety systems. Businesses focusing on building services, fire protection systems, and consultancy will find this an attractive opportunity, especially as funding may be extended through 2030, allowing substantial engagement and continuity in the project. With a significant gross value and extension potential, companies can strategically position themselves as providers of high-quality consultancy and design services in collaboration with high-profile institutions like the Natural History Museum.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Public Address and Voice Alarm Design Consultant

Notice Description

The NHM intends to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Lead Design Consultant to provide professional services in connection with the upgrade and replacement of the Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) system across the Museum estate. The Consultant will be expected to take on Electrical Design Services and the BSA Principal Designer Role which can either be in house or sub-contracted to the Lead Designer. Design Consultancy Services will be required for this project from RIBA Stage 1 - 7. However, due toe funding availability, only services for RIBA stages 1-4 are guaranteed. Future works on the project is expected to last to March 2030 and is subject to the Museum receiving funding.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Renewal: The Contract may be extended beyond the Initial Term on a maximum of 2 [two] occasions, for a period of up to 2 (two) years on each occasion (the "Renewal Period") at NHM's sole discretion, by NHM giving the Contractor not less than 1 (one) months' notice prior to the expiry of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period (as applicable). Subject to funding availability, the programme of works may continue to 31 March 2030. Each extension will be issued under a new contract to the Contractor.

Planning Information

As per the details of the Engagement below, we have contacted several suppliers regarding this tender. We would welcome any further comments regarding the scope of works. Please send a message via the Message Centre on Delta e-Sourcing. An email was sent to a number of suppliers informing them of the scope of works and requesting an expression of interest in the services to be tendered. The following suppliers were contacted: WSP Tetra Consulting Sweco UK Buro Happold OFR Consultants Fire Safety Engineering Consultancy Fixfire Marshal Fire The below text was shared with the suppliers: This project is anticipated to run across 2-3 years, separated into the following phases: Phase 1 (in FY26/27) - to survey the existing PAVA system with appraisals provided, prepare design and specifications for works tender and programmes in phases from design till commissioning, (RIBA 1 -4). Phase 2 (in FY27/28 & FY28/29) – to provide expertise support in reviewing Contractor’s deliverables and work done on site, testing and commissioning support, operation readiness till handover to the Estates Operations/ BAU, (RIBA 5-7). The Museum will soon be undertaking an open tender exercise to procure the services of a Lead Design Consultant for this project. The scope of works for the Lead Design Consultant is as follows: -The Consultant shall act as the Client’s independent technical advisor, responsible for survey, design, specification, and management of the works throughout the project cycle from design to installation stages. (RIBA 1-5) -The Consultant shall provide testing, commissioning, and handover support to ensure operational readiness over 2-3 years programme. (RIBA 6-7) -The Consultant shall take BSA Principal Designer Role which can either be in house or sub-contracted to the Lead Designer, throughout the project cycle. Other considerations affecting this project include: -The Museum is undertaking the NHM150 Programme that involved the refurbishment and reopening of spaces to the Public, these works are likely to take longer than the PAVA project and we need to ensure the new system is designed and installed to take on board these changes and should be prioritised in the Phasing. -The Museum would also like to explore if there is any compliance requirement or best practice in regard to PAVA systems in external areas such as roofs of the buildings and gardens across the SK site. The approximate budget for the full scope of works is approximately £200k. However, please be aware that only the RIBA 1-4 services for Phase 1 (in FY26/27) is guaranteed while the RIBA 5-7 services are subject to the phase programme to be provided by the design consultant and also the budgets in the following years, but still that required to be costed and evaluated for the purposes of this tender. During the tender, confidential information will be shared requiring the completion of an NDA to participate in the tender. Should you be interested in tendering for this opportunity, please respond to this email by noon of 24 April, 2026, with the best contact for further communications and an NDA will be circulated to you for competition by an appropriate representative. Furthermore, the tender opportunity will be published on Delta e-Sourcing. Please let us know your registered email address for using this platform. We anticipate the tender to be published in late April/early May. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/065028-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

31 - Electrical machinery, apparatus, equipment and consumables; lighting

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

CPV Codes

31625100 - Fire-detection systems

31625200 - Fire-alarm systems

35121700 - Alarm systems

71315210 - Building services consultancy services

71317100 - Fire and explosion protection and control consultancy services

79417000 - Safety consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
£200,000 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
4 Jun 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
27 Apr 2026Expired
Award Date
10 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
10 Aug 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Avitas Global Ltd trading as RH Consulting

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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