Wonderlab Interactive Exhibit Makers (Group 1), The Science and Industry Museum

SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

18 Jun 2026 at 13:49

Summary of the contracting process

The Science Museum Group is initiating an open procurement process for "Wonderlab Interactive Exhibit Makers (Group 1)" at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester. This tender, part of an ongoing planning stage, invites proposals for dynamic, multisensory exhibits set to be part of the museum's innovative Wonderlab gallery. Bidding companies have until 13th July 2026 to submit their tenders, with the tender process closing at 23:59 BST. The project focuses on services within the museum-exhibition industry and is positioned in London, United Kingdom, under the auspices of a central government public authority.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in interactive museum exhibits, particularly those focusing on engineering and scientific innovation. With a total estimated project value of £492,000, it invites participation from vendors capable of crafting engaging, large-scale interactive installations. This is particularly suited to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) skilled in creating impactful, communal exhibits that offer the audience both educational and memorable experiences. Businesses capable of delivering high-quality, innovative exhibition services can differentiate themselves and potentially secure a partnership with a prestigious cultural institution.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Wonderlab Interactive Exhibit Makers (Group 1), The Science and Industry Museum

Notice Description

The Science and Industry Museum's new Wonderlab gallery will be a vibrant, awe-inspiring spectacle at the heart of the world's first industrial city. Dynamic, social and multisensory, it will celebrate the wonder of science and invite everyone to unleash their inner inventor. Drawing on Manchester's unparalleled heritage of innovation, the gallery will excite and challenge young minds to help inspire the next generation of scientists and inventors. Children and their accompanying adults will be encouraged to 'Think and act like an inventor', through curious, fun and memorable interactive experiences and a multifaceted, joyful and stimulating live programme. They will deepen their understanding of science phenomena, delight in tinkering and testing, develop new and existing skills and grow in confidence to question and explore. As a core permanent gallery offer, the new space will be an integral part of the Science and Industry Museum's vision and Masterplan. The gallery floor and purpose-built spaces for live programme will create welcoming, playful and inspiring environment, creating the perfect backdrop for visitors to imagine, investigate and reflect. This tender invites suppliers to bid for Wonderlab's Group 1 interactives, informally described as the "Hero exhibits". These interactive exhibits will provide moments of joy, fun, surprise and wonder at regular intervals throughout the visitor journey. They will offer communal 'wow' moments, where large groups can engage and interact, while being surprised and impressed by the scale, novelty and working of the interactive. For more information, please see the tender documents.

Lot Information

Manchester Machine

The Manchester Machine will be a spectacular feature where visitors will be mesmerised and go home talking about it. It will be a large scale interactive in which many visitors can interact at multiple points (think hand cranks, levers, pulleys) each creating its own immediate effect, providing instant gratification. Balls will roll, tracks will switch direction, pulleys will rotate, flaps will open and pistons will rise and fall, creating an ever-moving spectacle of engineering, inspired by Manchester's history of innovation.

Digital Loom

This exhibit will be visually striking and will catch visitors' eye as they enter the gallery. The beautiful projection will grab their attention with its attractive, graphic presence.

Loco Race

This exhibit will be visually striking from a distance, as the racing lines sweep and curve around the historic pillars, creating a sense of movement, as well as connecting visitors to the beautiful architecture of the gallery.

Cogs Pulleys Levers

Visitors explore a range of loose parts to create moving mechanisms using cogs, pulleys and levers.

Whirlwind Room

Multiple visitors enter a space where air jets blow and visitors can use scarves or other objects to explore the impact and power of the air jets.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06b846
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057651-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services


CPV Codes

92521000 - Museum services

92521100 - Museum-exhibition services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£410,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£410,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Jun 20266 days ago
Submission Deadline
13 Jul 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
10 Aug 2026 - 10 Aug 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

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
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
Not specified

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

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.

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