Open17 days left · closes midday, Thursday 15 October 2026

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
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 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.

Should I bid?

Tick what applies to you. Nothing is saved.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. 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.
  3. Submit your bid through the buyer's e-tendering portal: www.delta-esourcing.com.
  4. Send clarification questions before midday, Friday 2 October 2026.
  5. Make sure your bid arrives before midday, Thursday 15 October 2026. Late bids are usually rejected.

Lots

LotTradeValue
Catering
1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031
What this lot covers

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.

Catering, Leisure, culture and events£4,720,000
Floristry
1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031
What this lot covers

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

Grounds maintenance and landscaping, Leisure, culture and events£508,000
Production
1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031
What this lot covers

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.

Leisure, culture and events£2,240,000
Furniture Hire
1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031
What this lot covers

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.

Furniture, Leisure, culture and events£63,200
Entertainment
1 May 2027 to 30 April 2031
What this lot covers

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.

Leisure, culture and events£108,000

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 086713-2026
  2. Tender notice · UK4, notice 086933-2026

About the buyer

Similar open tenders

All open catering tenders
  1. Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Framework

    London Borough of HounslowLondonCatering, Social and domiciliary care

    Open9 days left4 lotsSuitable for SMEsFramework

    £807kframework ceiling
  2. Ice Cream and Catering Vending Concessions for London Borough of Richmond upon Thames

    London Borough of Richmond upon ThamesLondonCatering, Food and drink supplies

    Open23 days left2 lotsSuitable for SMEsSmall contract

    £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.