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Tenderpatch

DC1 Solar Wall Principal Contractor

Natural History Museum

Open Closes in 19 days

Key facts

Closing date
Wednesday 4 November 2026, 12:00 (UK time) Closes in 19 days
Buyer's estimated value
£950,000 (excl. VAT) The buyer's own estimate, not income to you.
Clarification questions deadline
16 October 2026, 17:00
Contract period
13 Dec 2026 to 29 Jul 2027
Procedure
Below threshold - open competition
Notice type
Tender notice (UK4)
Suitable for SMEs (per buyer)
Yes

Decision brief

Taken from the buyer's published notice (shown as written, shortened where long). Tenderpatch has not added to or interpreted it. Always read the official documents before bidding.

How bids will be scored
  • Price 40%
  • Social Value 5%
  • Project Specific Experience and expertise 55%
Conditions of participation (what you must show)
None published in the notice. They may be in the tender documents.
Contract length and extensions
13 Dec 2026 to 29 Jul 2027.
How to submit
Through www.delta-esourcing.com ↗ (the buyer's own portal). Electronic submission: allowed.
Tender documents
No document links in the notice. Use the official notice link.
New to public tenders? Plain-English guide to this page
Framework
An agreement that sets terms for work the buyer may order later, often from several suppliers. The value shown usually covers the whole agreement, not one job.
Open for bids / closing date
You must submit by the closing date and time, normally through the buyer's own online portal. Late bids are normally refused.
Clarification questions
A deadline for asking the buyer questions about the tender. It is earlier than the closing date.
Conditions of participation
What the buyer asks suppliers to show before they can be considered, such as experience, insurance or accreditations.
Bids are scored on
How the buyer will compare bids, usually a split between price and quality. A 60/40 split in favour of quality means the cheapest bid will not necessarily win.
Lots
A tender can be split into parts. You can often bid for only the lots that suit you.
Area (ITL)
The buyer names an official statistical area for where the work is, not a street address. Check the tender documents for the actual sites.
UK4 and other notice codes
Official codes for the type of notice. A "tender notice" means bids are being invited.

General explanations written by Tenderpatch, not part of this notice.

Description

The Museum is undertaking a procurement process to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Principal Contractor with specialist façade expertise on a Design and Build basis for the design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, installation and completion of the works associated with the upgrade and replacement of the DC1 Glass Solar Wall within the Museum estate. The Contractor shall provide all resources, specialist façade design input, management, supervision and coordination necessary to deliver the works in accordance with the Contract, detailed performance specification and Employer’s Requirements. The Darwin Centre Phase 1 (DC1) is a prominent building in the Museum complex visible from Queens Gate in South Kensington and overlooking the newly created and award winning UNP gardens. The replacement of this façade will enable this section of the site to be returned to operational functionality and integrated back into full use. An investigative study was commissioned by the Museum following the failure of three glass panels on the South Facing ‘Solar Wall’ elevation of the DC1. The solar wall was installed in 2002, and the secondary components within façade systems such as these usually have an expected service life of 25 years if correctly maintained. And NDA will be required before access to the tender documents can be granted. Please ensure NDAs are signed by authorised person in your organisation and returned to the NHM via the Message Centre for counter signature. Access to the tender documents will be granted when both parties have signed the NDA. For more information about this opportunity, please visit the eSourcing portal at: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Museum-construction-work./WHV9ZF52Y4 To respond to this opportunity, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/respond/WHV9ZF52Y4