DC1 Solar Wall Principal Contractor
The contract covers the design-and-build upgrade and replacement of the DC1 Glass Solar Wall at the Natural History Museum, a UK cultural and scientific institution. The appointed Principal Contractor will provide specialist façade design and engineering, procurement, manufacture, installation and completion, together with all necessary resources, project management, supervision and coordination under the performance specification and Employer’s Requirements. The works address failures in three glass panels on the south-facing Solar Wall, originally installed in 2002, and are intended to return this part of the Darwin Centre Phase 1 building to operational use and integrate it fully into the Museum estate. The estimated contract value is £950,000, but the contract duration is not stated. Delivery is at the Museum’s Darwin Centre Phase 1 site in South Kensington, London, within the United Kingdom. The critical requirement is appointment as a suitably qualified and experienced Principal Contractor with specialist façade expertise capable of delivering the works on a Design and Build basis.
Buyer: Natural History Museum. Source: Find a Tender. Updated 2 Oct 2026.
Key facts
- Estimated value: £950k
- Bids close: 4 Nov 2026
- Location: London, Kensington & Chelsea and Hammersmith & Fulham
- Procedure: Below threshold - open competition
- Contract period: 13 Dec 2026 to 29 Jul 2027
- Category: Museum construction work (45212313)
From the official notice
The Museum is undertaking a procurement process to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Principal Contractor with specialist façade expertise on a Design and Build basis for the design, engineering, procurement, manufacture, installation and completion of the works associated with the upgrade and replacement of the DC1 Glass Solar Wall within the Museum estate. The Contractor shall provide all resources, specialist façade design input, management, supervision and coordination necessary to deliver the works in accordance with the Contract, detailed performance specification and Employer’s Requirements. The Darwin Centre Phase 1 (DC1) is a prominent building in the Museum complex visible from Queens Gate in South Kensington and overlooking the newly created and award winning UNP gardens. The replacement of this façade will enable this section of the site to be returned to operational functionality and integrated back into full use. An investigative study was commissioned by the Museum following the failure of three glass panels on the South Facing ‘Solar Wall’ elevation of the DC1. The solar wall was installed in 2002, and the secondary components within façade systems such as these usually have an expected service life of 25 years if correctly maintained. And NDA will be required before access to the tender documents can be granted. Please ensure NDAs are signed by authorised person in your organisation and returned to the NHM via the Message Centre for counter signatu...
View the official notice
Questions about this tender
When is the deadline?
Bids close on 4 Nov 2026.
What is it worth?
The estimated value is £950k.
Who can apply?
The buyer has marked it as suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
How do I bid?
Open the official notice, register on the buyer's portal and submit your bid before the deadline.
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