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Published 14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Event Services Framework at the National Portrait Gallery

Official notice

Authority: National Portrait Gallery (Central government)

Framework agreement5 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableVCSE suitable
Framework ceiling (notional)£7,639,200total for 5 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue
Submissions closed 15 Oct 2026
Lots 5see the lot list below
Framework period 4 yrsends 30 Apr 2031 · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensions · starts 1 May 2027

What is being bought5 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The Gallery wishes to establish a Framework Agreement for the provision of Event Services for events, which will be held at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) site(s). The Framework will consist of 5 lots, namely: Catering; Floristry; Production; Furniture; Entertainment

Note that the values for each Lot are estimates only and actuals may vary; these estimates include spend by external clients as well as Gallery spend. Inclusion on the Framework does not guarantee any minimum level of work either directly for the National Portrait Gallery or for clients who choose from the Approved Supplier List.

Inclusion on the Framework does not guarantee any minimum level of work either directly for the National Portrait Gallery or for clients who choose from the Approved Supplier List.

This framework will be for a four year period, with one option to extend for a three month period.

The Gallery hosts approximately 150 'out of hours' events per year. This includes a number of internal events, corporate partner and sponsor bookings and private Venue Hires. Events range from internal private views, fundraising dinners, Director's receptions, supporters' events, and portrait unveilings to external Venue Hire receptions and dinners and the occasional product launch and fashion show. In addition to events in the Main Gallery, the Weston Wing provides a separate events offer in the new home for our Contemporary collection, offering a more intimate space for out of hours events.

The Approved Supplier List covers events for external clients including Corporate Members and Sponsors, Venue Hire Clients and Donors. This spend does form part of the estimated Framework value, though any contracts awarded by external clients will be agreed by them directly, and shall be invoiced directly to the external client. Inclusion on the Approved Supplier List does not guarantee any minimum level of work - the decision on any award of contract is down to the external client. Commission at the rate of 10% is payable by the Supplier to the National Portrait Gallery on any contracts awarded from the Approved Supplier List.

  • The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Sept 2030, 23:59 BST.
  • How the procedure runs: A procurement specific questionnaire will establish conditions of participation, only those that pass will have their tender evaluated. Interviews may be held to clarify responses. For two lots, a further shortlisting of the top suppliers will take place; those shortlisted will have a practical assessment - full information can be found in the tender documents

CPV: Audio-visual equipment · Catering services · Entertainment services · Event services · Floral-display services · Miscellaneous furniture

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places
up to 28 suppliers
Framework period
4 yrs · up to 4 yrs 3 mo from 1 May 2027
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

10% of call-off value · Suppliers will pay commission of up to 10% of contracts with external clients.

There is no commission payable for contracts with the Gallery

Published description of the framework

Mini competition within the relevant lot or direct award.

Each lot has an anticipated number of suppliers as follows:

Lot 1 (Catering) - 10 suppliers

Lot 2 (Floristry) - 5 suppliers

Lot 3 (Production) - 5 suppliers

Lot 4 (Furniture Hire) - 3 suppliers

Lot 5 (Entertainment) - 3 - 5 suppliers

Lots and requirements (5)Procurement structure

5 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lot
Lot #1CateringRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£4,720,000

Provision of event catering services for events hosted in gallery premises.

The Gallery hosts a huge variety of events ranging from receptions for hundreds of people hosted by global companies and parties for private individuals, to major exhibition openings attended by high profile individuals from across the UK and internationally. As such the Supplier must be able to adapt swiftly and easily to a large range of briefs, budgets and clients, and deliver creative solutions that meet the Gallery's policies and procedures.

All caterers working on events at the Gallery must supply food that is of excellent quality (in terms of taste and presentation), using produce from sustainable sources and with evidence that food safety laws and procedures have been fully adhered to at every stage of the production journey. The ability to manage food allergies and specific dietary requirements that puts no strain on clients or guests is required, as well as managing such requests at the latest possible moment.

Contract period: 1 May 2027 – 30 Apr 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensionsValue: £4,720,000 exc. VAT · £5,664,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: LondonEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: if required for operational reasons
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

Lot #2FloristryRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£508,000

Provision of floral displays and other floristry services for events hosted within gallery premises.

The Gallery hosts a huge variety of events ranging from receptions for hundreds of people hosted by global companies and parties for private individuals, to major exhibition openings attended by high profile individuals from across the UK and internationally. As such the Supplier must be able to adapt swiftly and easily to a large range of briefs, budgets and clients, and deliver creative solutions that meet the Gallery's policies and procedures.

The Supplier shall keep ahead of industry trends and demonstrate innovation in their work on events. The floral displays supplied shall be of an exceptionally high standard and reflect the Gallery's reputation as one of the most important galleries in the world.

Moving floral displays within a building of significant national importance which houses priceless paintings requires Suppliers to have and maintain appropriate resources to enable the movement and assembly of floral arrangements in accordance with the Gallery's strict policies and procedures without exception

Contract period: 1 May 2027 – 30 Apr 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensionsValue: £508,000 exc. VAT · £610,210 inc. VAT
Delivery: LondonEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: if required for operational reasons
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

Lot #3ProductionRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£2,240,000

Provision of event production services such as audio visual setup for events hosted in gallery premises.

The Gallery hosts a huge variety of events ranging from receptions for hundreds of people hosted by global companies and parties for private individuals, to major exhibition openings attended by high profile individuals from across the UK and internationally. As such the Supplier must be able to adapt swiftly and easily to a large range of briefs, budgets and clients, and deliver creative solutions that meet the Gallery's policies and procedures.

The Supplier shall provide a range of technical services to the Gallery, which shall include: lighting, audio, video, rigging and staging, project management.

The Supplier shall have access to a suitable range of products, either as their own stock or via sub-contracted rental. The Supplier shall ensure that all products meet the regulatory Safety standards for use, and are appropriately maintained.

Delivering production, lighting and sound are some of the most high-risk activities at the Gallery. The Supplier shall work successfully within these additional policies and procedures, and shall be responsible for training any agency staff or sub-contractors so that all activity is safe and does not delay the start time of the event.

Contract period: 1 May 2027 – 30 Apr 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensionsValue: £2,240,000 exc. VAT · £2,688,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: LondonEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: if required for operational reasons
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

Lot #4Furniture HireRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£63,200

Provision of event furniture hire for events hosted on gallery premises.

The Gallery hosts a huge variety of events ranging from receptions for hundreds of people hosted by global companies and parties for private individuals, to major exhibition openings attended by high profile individuals from across the UK and internationally. As such the Supplier must be able to adapt swiftly and easily to a large range of briefs, budgets and clients, and deliver creative solutions that meet the Gallery's policies and procedures.

In a large and diverse marketplace, the Supplier will be required to meet a variety of briefs, budgets and needs. The Supplier shall provide a range of furniture hire services to the Gallery which shall include: lounge and dining furniture hire, bar and DJ booth hire, project management. The Supplier shall keep current ahead of industry trends and provide creative and appropriate solutions for events at the Gallery.

Contract period: 1 May 2027 – 30 Apr 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensionsValue: £63,200 exc. VAT · £75,840 inc. VAT
Delivery: LondonEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: if required for operational reasons
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

Lot #5EntertainmentRenewal 4 yrsSMEVCSEPublished value£108,000

Provision of entertainment services to events hosted on gallery premises.

The Gallery requires a range of entertainment options for private and corporate client events as well as to make use of for our own events. The Supplier must be able to respond to a range of briefs and budgets, providing entertainment that is befitting of the Gallery's unique and historic venue. With a 12am licence, often entertainment can run into the night, and the Supplier must be able to provide and manage appropriate levels of staff during the event, maintaining consistently high levels of service throughout.

Contract period: 1 May 2027 – 30 Apr 2031 (4 yrs) · up to 31 Jul 2031 with extensionsValue: £108,000 exc. VAT · £129,600 inc. VAT
Delivery: LondonEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible
Extensions: if required for operational reasons
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceSocial valueSplit
1 · Catering60%30%10%
2 · Floristry60%30%10%
3 · Production60%30%10%
4 · Furniture Hire60%30%10%
5 · Entertainment60%30%10%
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
  • Economic & financial standing

    as set out in tender documents

  • Technical & professional ability

    as set out in tender documents

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 30 points on every lot: a 10% discount moves about 3 points.
  • “Event Services Framework at the National Portrait Gallery” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 28 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible procedure
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Light touch regime
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Yes · next expected 1 Sept 2030
First published
14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BST
Last source update
14 Sept 2026, 14:35 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 1 Mar 2027
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-086713
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Audio-visual equipmentCatering servicesEntertainment servicesEvent servicesFloral-display servicesMiscellaneous furniture
Delivery area
London (UKI32)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f8c8 Find a Tender
How it runs

A procurement specific questionnaire will establish conditions of participation, only those that pass will have their tender evaluated.

Interviews may be held to clarify responses.

For two lots, a further shortlisting of the top suppliers will take place; those shortlisted will have a practical assessment - full information can be found in the tender documents

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Delta eSourcing · Who buys & how to bid on Delta
Public notice page · account needed to bidElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Select account; no DUNS asked at signup
Appointment period ends
15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)

call-off levy · 10% of call-off value · Suppliers will pay commission of up to 10% of contracts with external clients.

There is no commission payable for contracts with the Gallery

Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Timeline

14 Sept 2026 → 1 May 2027 · 5 dates
  1. Tender notice published43 days ago
    14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BST
  2. Clarification questions by25 days ago
    2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
  3. Admission / appointment period ends12 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
  4. Today
    27 Oct 2026
  5. Award decision expected byin 125 days
    1 Mar 2027, 23:59 GMT
  6. Contract startsin 185 days
    1 May 2027, 00:00 BST

Notice history

2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 Sept 2026
  1. Tender notice published
    14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BST
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    14 Sept 2026, 14:35 BST
    UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

National Portrait Gallery

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PNPD-3846-CXZR St Martin's Place, London, London, WC2H 0HEContact email

Official documents & specifications (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender