Tender

Architect Partner - Public Space Programme - The National Archives

  • The National Archives

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-019233

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03df37

Published 6 July 2023, 9:46am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

The National Archives

RUSKIN AVENUE

RICHMOND

TW94DU

Email

procurement@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UKI75 - Hounslow and Richmond upon Thames

Justification for not providing organisation identifier

Not on any register

Internet address(es)

Main address

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0388855e-f2bc-4514-ba7f-e363b9d76cc1

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/0388855e-f2bc-4514-ba7f-e363b9d76cc1

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

General public services


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Architect Partner - Public Space Programme - The National Archives

Reference number

TNA566

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 71000000 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short 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.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £2,000,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKI - London
  • UKJ - South East (England)

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

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.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £2,000,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Duration in months

60

This contract is subject to renewal

Yes

Description of renewals

Three optional extension periods of up to 12 months each.

two.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited

Envisaged minimum number: 3

Maximum number: 6

Objective criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates:

As specified in procurement documents.

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: Yes

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

Three optional extension periods of up to 12 months each.


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Competitive procedure with negotiation

four.1.4) Information about reduction of the number of solutions or tenders during negotiation or dialogue

Recourse to staged procedure to gradually reduce the number of solutions to be discussed or tenders to be negotiated

four.1.5) Information about negotiation

The contracting authority reserves the right to award the contract on the basis of the initial tenders without conducting negotiations

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

11 August 2023

Local time

12:00pm

four.2.3) Estimated date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates

4 September 2023

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The National Archives

Kew

Richmond

TW9 4DU

Email

procurement@nationalarchives.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk