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Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance

National Museums Scotland

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

27 Aug 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

National Museums Scotland is seeking a principal contractor for the Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance exhibition. The requirement covers design development, the supply and installation of the exhibition build and graphics, and taking the exhibition down afterwards. The work includes production drawings and information, setting out, wall preparation and gallery painting, installation of wall systems, joinery, setwork structures, audiovisual housings and screens, display-case interiors, graphics, and electrical and audiovisual installation. The exhibition will be delivered at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, Edinburgh, in Special Exhibitions Gallery 1. This is a museum exhibition fit-out and de-installation services contract, suited to contractors combining exhibition construction, specialist installation and project delivery capabilities.

The buyer has reached the tender stage and invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. Bids must be submitted by 12:00 on 21 September 2026; they will be opened electronically at the same time in Glasgow. The contract period is 23 October 2026 to 3 December 2027, covering the design, fit-out and take-down phases. The estimated contract value is £150,000. Bids must remain valid for 120 days after the submission deadline, and variants are not allowed. The buyer requires the names and professional qualifications of staff assigned to the work. A tenderer site visit is scheduled for 09:00–10:00 on 7 September 2026 in Edinburgh, with attendance limited to two representatives per company and advance confirmation required.

This opportunity suits an experienced principal contractor able to manage a museum exhibition project from design development through installation and later de-installation. Relevant suppliers will need practical capability in exhibition build, graphics production and installation, joinery, wall systems, setwork structures, display cases, gallery finishes, electrical systems and audiovisual equipment. The scope also favours firms that can coordinate production drawings, technical information, setting out and multiple specialist trades on a live cultural venue project. Bidders must identify the staff assigned to the contract and provide their professional qualifications, so a suitably qualified delivery team is important. Contractors with proven exhibition fit-out and take-down experience, supported by reliable installation and project-management capacity, are well placed to compete.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance

Notice Description

National Museums Scotland wishes to engage a Principal Contractor for design development, fit-out and de-install for the Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance Exhibition

Lot Information

Lot 1

National Museums Scotland (the Client) wishes to engage a suitably qualified Principal Contractor to supply and install the build and graphics for the exhibition Mary, Queen of Scots: Renaissance and Resistance Exhibition which will be shown in Special Exhibitions Gallery 1 from the 12 June 2027 until the 14 November 2027 at the National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. The contract will be delivered in three phases as follows: Phase 1 - Design Development Phase 2 - Exhibition Fit-out (including production drawings and information, setting out, wall preparation and gallery painting, installation of wall system, joinery, setwork structures, AV housings, AV screens, display case interiors, graphics and electrical and AV installation) Phase 3 - Exhibition Take-down. A site visit is available for tenderers to attend at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, 09:00-10:00 on Monday 7th September 2026. Maximum of 2 representatives per company may attend. Attendance must be confirmed in advance, see Schedule 1 for further details.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000840688
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563267
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

92521100 - Museum-exhibition services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£150,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
21 Sep 20264 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
23 Oct 2026 - 3 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
National Museums 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
EH1 1JF
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
TLM75 City of Edinburgh
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

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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