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PROVISION OF OCEAN LEARNING HUB DESIGN TEAM

Scottish Association for Marine Science ('SAMS')

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 Oct 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) seeks a multidisciplinary design team for its Ocean Learning Hub at its site in Oban, Argyll. The project combines refurbishment and repurposing of the existing OEB building with an extension, alterations to the Ocean Explorer Centre and external groundworks. The team will develop the design for an expanded marine-environment exhibition and learning facility, including flexible spaces aimed particularly at school groups while serving people of all ages. The work covers plans, specifications, cost estimates, construction design and management duties, and building contracts. The completed hub is intended to support learning through activities including exploring, making, experimenting, debating, performing and exhibitions, as well as films and presentations. The design should fit the existing exhibition facility and allow for changing educational and technology needs.

SAMS invited offers through an open procedure for one design-services contract. The procurement reached the tender stage; bids were to be submitted electronically by 2 November 2026 at 16:00, with the same time set for bid opening. The stated contract period runs from 18 November 2026 to 19 March 2027, with design completion targeted by 19 March 2027 and the main contractor due to be onboarded by 25 May 2027. The contract value is £80,000. Following construction approval, the design team is expected to lead RIBA stages 5 and 6 through handover by the end of February 2028, subject to the buyer’s right to extend the contract for those stages. Named staff and qualifications are required. Selection includes a pass/fail assessment of professional suitability and financial standing; technical and professional qualifications are evaluated against relevant industry standards.

This opportunity suits an established, multidisciplinary building-design consultancy able to take a public-facing education and exhibition project from concept through detailed design and into construction and handover. The team must be capable of producing coordinated plans and specifications, cost estimates, construction planning and cost control, preparing building contracts, and undertaking duties under CDM 2015. Staff assigned to the work must hold appropriate industry-standard qualifications; examples named include RIBA, RICS, RIAS, CIBSE and IET, or equivalent. Bidders must be able to demonstrate financial capacity with two years of audited accounts, including profit and loss statements, or an alternative signed financial statement covering turnover, resources and available funds. Required insurance includes employers’ liability of £5 million or the statutory amount, public liability of £5 million and professional indemnity of £2 million. The design challenge calls for adaptable learning spaces integrated with an existing marine exhibition facility.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PROVISION OF OCEAN LEARNING HUB DESIGN TEAM

Notice Description

SAMS require to procure a Design team to fully design and specify the new Ocean Learning Hub at SAMS. This is a combination of refurbishment and repurposing of the existing OEB building and provision of an extension, alterations to OEC area and associated external groundworks.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Funded through the Argyll & Bute Rural Growth Deal and supported further by charitable donations, the Scottish Association for Marine Science seeks to appoint a full inter-disciplinary Design Team to create all necessary plans, specifications, cost estimation, CDM 2015 duties and building contracts to bring our vision for an Ocean Learning Hub through RIBA stages 1-4 with Key Milestones for Design Completion by Friday 19 March 2027 and main contractor onboarded by 25 May 2027. On project final construction approval, the supplier will continue to lead the project through RIBA stages 5 and 6 handover to SAMS by the end of February 2028. The contractor is to design, specify, plan and cost control the expansion of SAMS' Ocean Explorer Centre, an exhibition space about the marine environment, to include learning spaces. The Ocean Learning Hub will provide different spaces where people of all ages (but with a focus on schools) can learn about the marine environment through playing, imagining, exploring, making, experimenting, debating, performing, exhibiting as well as through watching films and presentations. Flexibility of the spaces is essential given fast changing education and technology requirements and opportunities. The hub's style will fit with the existing exhibition facility.. This project is funded through the Argyll & Bute Rural Growth Deal and supported further by charitable donations.

Renewal: The Authority reserve the right to formally extend the contract, in respect of Riba Stages 5 and 6.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000845452
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566486
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

71220000 - Architectural design services

71240000 - Architectural, engineering and planning services

71312000 - Structural engineering consultancy services

71324000 - Quantity surveying services

71334000 - Mechanical and electrical engineering services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£80,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Oct 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
2 Nov 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Nov 2026 - 19 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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
Scottish Association for Marine Science ('SAMS')
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ARGYLL
Postcode
PA37 1QA
Postcode Area
Paisley
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM63 Lochaber, Skye and Lochalsh, Arran and Cumbrae, and Argyll and Bute
Local Authority
Argyll and Bute
Electoral Ward
Oban North and Lorn
Westminster Constituency
Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber

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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