Event Services Framework at the National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery · Central government
In brief
National Portrait Gallery is looking for suppliers for catering and grounds maintenance work (London).
It is a framework worth up to £7,639,200 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.
The contract runs for 4 years, up to 51 months with extensions, starting 1 May 2027.
It is split into 5 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.
The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Bids close at midday, Thursday 15 October 2026.
Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.
Can I win this?
Key dates
- Questions by
- midday, Friday 2 October 2026
- Bids by
- midday, Thursday 15 October 2026
How bids are scored
Catering
Operational Expertise 5% · Customer Service and Sales 5% · Social Value 10% · Lot Specific Question 15% · Case Studies 15% · Practical Assessment 20% · Price 30%
Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.
Floristry
Operational Expertise 5% · Customer Service and Sales 5% · Social Value 10% · Lot Specific Question 20% · Case Studies 30% · Price 30%
Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.
Production
Operational Expertise 5% · Customer Service and Sales 5% · Social Value 10% · Lot Specific Question 20% · Case Studies 20% · Practical Assessment 10% · Price 30%
Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.
Furniture Hire
Operational Expertise 5% · Customer Service and Sales 5% · Social Value 10% · Lot Specific Question 20% · Case Studies 30% · Price 30%
Quality matters most. You can win without being the cheapest.
1 more lot is scored in the official notice.
Competition
Typical: a median of 4 bids per contract for catering contracts in this region (from 73 awards in the last 12 months).
Framework
Winning puts you on a list of suppliers the buyer can call on; it does not guarantee work. The £7,639,200 is the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers over the framework's life, not one contract.
Conditions
- Suppliers pay a fee of 10% of the value of work won through this framework.
Tender documents
The buyer expects to buy this again around September 2030.
What the notice says
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…Read the full description
Should I bid?
Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.
How to bid
- Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
- Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
- Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: www.delta-esourcing.com.
- Send clarification questions before midday, Friday 2 October 2026.
- Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Thursday 15 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.
Lots
| Lot | Trade | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Catering 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031 What this lot coversProvision 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. | Catering, Leisure, culture and events | £4,720,000 |
| Floristry 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031 What this lot coversProvision 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 | Grounds maintenance and landscaping, Leisure, culture and events | £508,000 |
| Production 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031 What this lot coversProvision 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. | Leisure, culture and events | £2,240,000 |
| Furniture Hire 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031 What this lot coversProvision 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. | Furniture, Leisure, culture and events | £63,200 |
| Entertainment 1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031 What this lot coversProvision 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. | Leisure, culture and events | £108,000 |
Timeline
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 086713-2026
- Tender notice · UK4, notice 086933-2026
About the buyer
Procurements
1Awards
0Similar open tenders
All open catering tenders- £807kframework ceiling
- £240kestimated
From notice 086713-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 14 September 2026, last updated 14 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.