British Museum has published a procurement opportunity for western range registered building control advisor with an estimated value of £185,000. The submission deadline is 5 May 2026, giving eligible UK suppliers a limited window to prepare and submit bids through the official Find a Tender portal.

Published on 2026-04-09, this contract is open to suitably qualified suppliers across the United Kingdom. All businesses interested in bidding should review the full tender documentation and confirm they meet all eligibility requirements before the closing date.

Contract overview

The British Museum wishes to appoint a Registered Building Control Approver to provide Building Control advice throughout the re-development of the Western Range and associated enabling works projects. The Western Range is a substantial part of the estate that is in urgent need of both repair and re-imagining. The re-development offers the Museum an opportunity to make a statement of its future intent, through reimagined galleries, new state-of-the-art storage facilities and engaging contemporary architecture, in juxtaposition to the highly significant and already celebrated listed buildings on the site. The Western Range comprises around 7,500m2 of gallery space and currently houses the Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece (including the Parthenon Sculptures), Rome, and Ancient Assyria and Middle East collections, along with 4,500m2 of back-of-house collection storage space. The estimated contract value is based on benchmarking against comparable projects and is provided for indicative purposes only.

British Museum is the contracting authority. The estimated value is £185,000 and the deadline is 5 May 2026. Download the full specification from the official portal before preparing a bid.

Is your business eligible?

This contract is most relevant to construction firms, contractors, specialist tradespeople. Suppliers typically need to demonstrate experience delivering similar contracts, appropriate financial standing, and hold trade certifications, public liability insurance, ISO 9001.

Under the Procurement Act 2023, British Museum must actively consider SME participation. Check whether this contract has been structured into lots.

• Proven track record in construction contracts of comparable scope
• Financial standing appropriate for a £185,000 contract
• Relevant certifications: trade certifications, public liability insurance, ISO 9001
• Capacity to mobilise within British Museum’s required timeframe
• Ability to meet the 5 May 2026 submission deadline

How to submit a bid

• Step 1 — Access the notice: Visit Find a Tender at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032587-2026
• Step 2 — Register free: Create or log in to your supplier account
• Step 3 — Download documents: Read the full ITT before preparing your response
• Step 4 — Raise clarifications: Submit questions early — Q&A typically closes 1–2 weeks before the deadline
• Step 5 — Submit before 5 May 2026: Late submissions are not accepted

What the buyer will evaluate

British Museum will assess all compliant bids against published criteria. Buyers typically apply a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. Under the Procurement Act 2023, social value is a mandatory evaluation criterion.

Writing a winning bid

• Lead with an executive summary addressing British Museum’s objectives directly
• Provide two or more case studies with measurable outcomes from comparable contracts
• Include specific, costed social value commitments
• Price to win but ensure your margin covers full delivery
• Submit at least 24 hours before 5 May 2026

Frequently asked questions

Can SMEs bid for this contract?

Yes. The Procurement Act 2023 requires British Museum to consider SME suitability and remove unnecessary barriers.

Is registration on the portal free?

Yes. Registering as a supplier on Find a Tender is completely free.

What happens if I miss the 5 May 2026 deadline?

Late submissions are not accepted. The deadline is absolute. Submit at least 24 hours early.

Where are the full tender documents?

All documents are on the official Find a Tender listing at https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032587-2026.

This article is for informational purposes only. Always verify all details on the official procurement portal before submitting a bid. Kael Tripton is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Museum or the UK government.