--- title: "Public Address and Voice Alarm Design Consultant" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM" published: "2026-04-30" --- # Public Address and Voice Alarm Design Consultant Buyer: NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9.json) ## Summary The Natural History Museum, located in London, is seeking to appoint a Lead Design Consultant for the upgrade and replacement of its Public Address and Voice Alarm (PAVA) system. This open tender process, classified under services within the building services consultancy and safety consultancy industry categories, includes a project value estimated at GBP 200,000 to GBP 240,000. The tender stage commenced on 30th April 2026, with submissions due by 4th June 2026, and queries permitted until 28th May 2026. The project spans from RIBA Stage 1 through Stage 7, though guaranteed services currently extend to RIBA Stages 1-4, as funding is subject to availability. The consultancy services will be executed within the UKI region, with a proposed award decision by 10th August 2026 and contract commencement on 17th August 2026, potentially extending the project until 2030 based on funding renewals. This tender poses significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in electrical design, alarm systems, or building services consultancy, especially those experienced with complex institutional projects. Suitable candidates should be capable of fulfilling the Principal Designer role and managing substantial contracts, with portions of the work possibly sub-contracted as necessary. SMEs and VCSEs are encouraged, as the contract specifications and criteria are designed to allow competitive opportunities for smaller entities that can demonstrate quality, value, and the capability to manage the extensive scope outlined. Interested parties will participate in a transparent open procurement method, with the opportunity to engage via the Delta e-Sourcing platform. Completion of a Non-Disclosure Agreement is required to access the full tender documentation, facilitating the secure transfer of sensitive information. ## Notice 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. 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 download and complete the NDA in the link below and send this back via the Message Centre for counter signature. Once the NDA has been completed by both parties, the Tenderer will be granted access to the tender documentation. To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/VYU4S6NZ25 ### 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. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040167-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 30 Apr 2026 | | Submission deadline | 4 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | 27 Apr 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 16 Aug 2026 - 30 Apr 2027 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £200,000 | | Lots value | £200,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM | | Locality | LONDON | | Post town | South West London | | Postcode | SW7 5BD | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLI London | | ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West | | ITL 3 | TLI33 Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham | | Local authority | Kensington and Chelsea | | Electoral ward | Brompton & Hans Town | | Westminster constituency | Kensington and Bayswater | | Delivery location | TLI London | ## CPV Codes ### 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 ### 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 ## Release History - 30 Apr 2026 at 16:01 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040167-2026 - 20 Apr 2026 at 15:23 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035795-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/040167-2026 30th April 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035795-2026 20th April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://www.delta-esourcing.com/ - https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/VYU4S6NZ25 - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0686b9.json.