Official UK procurement notice
Event Services Framework at the National Portrait Gallery
Authority: National Portrait Gallery (Central government)
What is being bought5 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe 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 lotLot #1CateringRenewalPublished 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.
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
Lot #2FloristryRenewalPublished 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
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
Lot #3ProductionRenewalPublished 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.
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
Lot #4Furniture HireRenewalPublished 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.
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
Lot #5EntertainmentRenewalPublished 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.
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.
| Lot | Quality | Price | Social value | Split |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Catering | 60% | 30% | 10% | |
| 2 · Floristry | 60% | 30% | 10% | |
| 3 · Production | 60% | 30% | 10% | |
| 4 · Furniture Hire | 60% | 30% | 10% | |
| 5 · Entertainment | 60% | 30% | 10% |
- Economic & financial standing
as set out in tender documents
- Technical & professional ability
as set out in tender documents
- 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)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f8c8Find 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- 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
Timeline
14 Sept 2026 → 1 May 2027 · 5 dates- Tender notice published43 days ago14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BST
- Clarification questions by25 days ago2 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends12 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown15 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
- Today27 Oct 2026
- Award decision expected byin 125 days1 Mar 2027, 23:59 GMT
- Contract startsin 185 days1 May 2027, 00:00 BST
Notice history
2 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 14 Sept 2026- Tender notice published14 Sept 2026, 10:00 BSTUK4
- Tender notice published14 Sept 2026, 14:35 BSTUK4
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Official documents & specifications (4)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
Notices published for this procedure
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender