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Published 26 Aug 2026, 11:01 BST

Official UK procurement notice

RCC-1668 Palaeontology Gallery (Science Lab) Rutland County Museum

Official notice

Authority: Rutland County Council (Local council)

WorksBelow threshold - open competitionBelow thresholdSME suitableVCSE suitable
Published estimate£300,000≈ £277k / year · £360,000 inc. VAT
Submissions closed 8 Oct 2026
Contract term 1 yr 1 moends 31 Dec 2027 · starts 30 Nov 2026

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Rutland County Council ("the Council") is inviting proposals from suitably qualified and experienced suppliers to design, build, and install a new permanent gallery at Rutland County Museum.

The proposed gallery will form a key part of the Museum's future offer, presenting Rutland's early natural history through a dedicated Palaeontology Gallery. Central to the wider visitor experience will be a 10m x 10m immersive box installation, which will be procured through a separate tender process. This commission relates specifically to the design and delivery of a "Science Lab" Gallery which needs to complement and contextualise the immersive experience.

The gallery will explore life on Earth from approximately 400 million years ago through to the period preceding the Stone Age. It will provide visitors with a clear and engaging narrative of evolution, while also highlighting the role and work of palaeontologists in advancing our understanding of the natural world.

The Council's vision is to create a high-quality, "Science Lab" type gallery environment that complements the digital experience of the immersive box. The space should deliver an informative and engaging visitor experience, supporting learning, discovery, and curiosity for a broad and diverse audience.

The Council is seeking a supplier capable of delivering a fully integrated, end-to-end service, including concept design, detailed design development, technical design, fabrication, installation, and testing and handover. The completed gallery must be accessible, durable, and designed to a high standard, ensuring a long-lasting and impactful addition to Rutland Museum's offer.

Providers can access the tender opportunity using the below links:

www.eastmidstenders.org ↗

procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗

The tender submission deadline is: 12 noon 8th October 2026.

CPV: Museum construction work · Museum services

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · value published
Lot #1 1 yr 1 moSMEVCSEPublished value£300,000
Contract period: 30 Nov 2026 – 31 Dec 2027 (1 yr 1 mo)Value: £300,000 exc. VAT · £360,000 inc. VAT
Delivery: East MidlandsEligibility: SME eligibleVCSE eligible

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

Lot awarding rule: Quality Questions - 50% Question 1 - 15% Question 2 - 15% Question 3 - 5% Question 4 - 5% Question 5 - 5% Question 6 - 5% Social Value - 10% Price - 40%

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Below threshold - open competition
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Works
Notice status
Closed
Procurement threshold
Below threshold
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
26 Aug 2026, 11:01 BST
Last source update
26 Aug 2026, 11:01 BST
Authority reference
DN827460
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-081143
Latest notice
Tender notice (UK4)
Classification (CPV)
Museum construction workMuseum services
Delivery area
East Midlands (UKF22)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06ec29 Find a Tender

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: ProContract (Due North) · Who buys & how to bid on ProContract
Supplier login requiredElectronic submission allowed
Access & registration note: Free · short registration with manual review; public opportunity list
Submission deadline
8 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
Clarification deadline
25 Sept 2026, 16:00 BST
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

Advert for tender opportunity where suppliers can register their interest and submit a tender response.

procontract.due-north.com/Advert ↗

Timeline

26 Aug 2026 → 30 Nov 2026 · 4 dates
  1. Tender notice published63 days ago
    26 Aug 2026, 11:01 BST
  2. Clarification questions by33 days ago
    25 Sept 2026, 16:00 BST
  3. Submission deadline20 days ago
    8 Oct 2026, 12:00 BST
  4. Today
    29 Oct 2026
  5. Contract startsin 31 days
    30 Nov 2026

Notice history

1 event · 1 release on Find a Tender
  1. Tender notice published
    26 Aug 2026, 11:01 BST
    UK4

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

2 public bodies on the notice

Rutland County Council

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PMQJ-3429-NZWQ Catmos House, Oakham, East Midlands, LE15 6HPContact email

Other public bodies

  • Welland ProcurementProcess contact pointProcuring entityBuyerGB-PPON: PVMQ-1845-NYPP Melton Mowbray, East MidlandsContact email

Official documents & specifications (1)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender