Published date: 6 July 2023

Last edited date: 31 July 2023

This notice was replaced on 11 July 2024

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 11 July 2024)

Closed opportunity - This means that the contract is currently closed. The buying department may be considering suppliers that have already applied, or no suitable offers were made.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services - 71000000

Location of contract

TW9 4DU

Value of contract

£1 to £2,000,000

Procurement reference

TNA566

Published date

6 July 2023

Closing date

11 August 2023

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

6 November 2023

Contract end date

5 November 2028

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold)

Anyone may ask to participate, but only those who are pre-selected will be invited to submit initial tenders and to negotiate.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

The National Archives is a non-ministerial government department. As the government's national archive for England, Wales and the United Kingdom, we hold over 1,000 years of the nation's records for everyone to discover and use and are guardians of some of our most iconic national documents. Our strategy Archives for Everyone, sets out how we intend to become the 21st century national archive: the inclusive, entrepreneurial and disruptive archive. In 2021, we restated our belief that archives are for everyone by foregrounding our commitment to Becoming the Inclusive Archive, available to all and enriched by those who work with and for archives of all kinds. As the living, growing and trusted home of our nation's stories, our obligation is to be an archive for everyone, past, present and future.

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to appoint an architectural practice to work with us on our public space programme. Since 2015, we have been examining how to update our 1977 Brutalist building, and attached entrance space from 1995, in order to better serve the public and to provide the best visitor experience. During the past eight years we have developed a new Auditorium, learning spaces embedded within core areas of the building, as well as a brand new Clore Learning Centre designed for broadcast and other digital learning activities. Other projects have involved recapturing of the essence of the original structure (e.g., revealing the original coffered ceilings on the ground floor, taking away later accretions) and installing new seating to make the space more inviting to our visitors. This has all been informed by an overall masterplan.

In addition, since 2022, we have embarked on smaller projects in the public areas, such as improving the entrance area, interpretation (such as a 'Cabinet Table' feature and our '1920s Zone' which coincided with the launch of the 1921 census) as well as proposals to improve the approach to the building and how we present what the National Archives holds more clearly and invitingly to the public within our grounds.

In the coming years we have a running list of these smaller projects which we will continue, as well as ambitions for new Exhibition Galleries and a second phase of the Clore Learning Centre which we wish to realise, funding permitting. This contract will involve supporting us in such projects, small to large, as well as other architectural, spatial design and visitor experience projects as our thinking develops. The contracted practice will drive forward our masterplan with us, work with key stakeholders and support us to create a thriving, welcoming, visitor experience for this key national institution.

Information on how to respond is attached to this notice as 'Instructions to Bidders'.

More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Architect Partner - Public Space Programme - The National Archives

  • Early engagement
  • Published 5 April 2023

Attachments

About the buyer

Address

RUSKIN AVENUE
RICHMOND
TW94DU
England

Email

procurement@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Website

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk