Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Art Handlers Framework Agreement

Historic Environment Scotland

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

06 Aug 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Historic Environment Scotland is procuring an Art Handlers Framework Agreement for multiple suppliers. The service covers the careful movement and handling of heritage and cultural objects, including paintings, sculpture, photographs, furniture, weaponry and display cases. It is a services contract supporting the organisation’s heritage and conservation work, with delivery across Scotland. Suppliers should therefore be equipped to handle valuable, fragile and varied collections rather than providing a standard transport service. The buying organisation is Historic Environment Scotland, based in Edinburgh. The framework is intended to provide a pool of art-handling specialists who can support the movement of objects associated with Historic Environment Scotland’s sites, collections, exhibitions or related activities.

The procurement has reached tender: Historic Environment Scotland invited offers through an open procedure. Electronic responses are required in English, and variants are not allowed. The submission deadline and scheduled bid opening are 7 September 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The framework’s initial contract period is three years, with an option to extend it by a further 12 months. If all extensions are used and budget is available, renewal is expected in 2030. It is a single-lot, multi-supplier framework and may use electronic ordering and payment, with electronic invoicing allowed. Financial standing will be assessed through business credit information or, where necessary, audited accounts. The stated minimum insurance levels are £10 million public liability and £5 million employers’ liability.

This opportunity suits specialist art-handling, museum logistics, collection-movement and heritage transport businesses with experience of moving fragile, high-value or historically significant objects. Relevant capability includes secure packing, lifting, loading, transport, handling and placement of paintings, sculpture, photographs, furniture, weaponry and display cases. Suppliers should be able to work across Scotland and support varied requirements through a multi-supplier framework, potentially serving different Historic Environment Scotland locations and activities. Strong financial standing is important, with business credit checks or audited accounts used in evaluation. Competitors must hold, or be able to provide, public liability insurance of £10 million and employers’ liability insurance of £5 million. The contract also requires suppliers to work within Historic Environment Scotland’s terms and conditions.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Art Handlers Framework Agreement

Notice Description

HES is looking to set up a multi-supplier Framework Agreement for the movement of a range of objects including paintings, sculpture, photogrpahs, furniture, weaponry as well as display cases.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Please see Document 2 Specification for full requirements

Renewal: Once the initial 3 years is up, the contract may be extended for a further 12 months.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000839473
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG561769
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

92 - Recreational, cultural and sporting services

CPV Codes

92520000 - Museum services and preservation services of historical sites and buildings

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Aug 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
7 Sep 20262 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
If all extensions are used and if there is budget, then the contract would be up for renewal in 2030.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Historic Environment Scotland
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 1SH
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

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...