Bayeux Tapestry Showcase

Overview

The Museum seeks to award a contract for the design, manufacture, delivery and on-site assembly of a bespoke showcase to display the Bayeux Tapestry during its temporary exhibition at the British Museum, on display to the public from September 2026 - July 2027 (final dates to be confirmed). The appointed supplier will also be required to provide flexible and responsive support during the installation of the Tapestry into the showcase and conduct any necessary maintenance to the showcase for the duration of the exhibition. They will facilitate showcase access to enable the de-installation of the tapestry at the conclusion of the show and carry out the disassembly of the showcase. Circular economy principles should be applied throughout the design of the showcase to enable the most efficient reuse or recycling of components at the conclusion of the exhibition. The contract must be delivered to a demanding timescale with key milestones for the production of shop drawings, prototyping, and provision of material samples. The showcase must comply with stringent environmental control and monitoring requirements to maintain the tapestry in optimal conditions for its conservation throughout the installation, display and deinstallation periods. The showcase must meet, or exceed, the security requirements established under the UK Government Indemnity Scheme (GIS), or equivalent, for the loan of collection objects. Details of the GIS scheme can be found at https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/supporting-arts-museums-and-libraries/supporting-collections-and-cultural-property/government-indemnity. The design will need to accommodate physical and technological security measures details of which will be provided by the Museum as part of the tender documentation. The appointed supplier will collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders. The design will be developed in collaboration with the Museum's exhibition design team for this project led by Opera Amsterdam B.V. A dynamic and iterative approach to design development will be essential to the development of the showcase. The intended form of contract will be Design and Build from the Joint Contracts Tribunal 2024 suite, given the extent of design input required from the appointed supplier. Pre Construction Information, to be included in the tender documentation, will contain all of the site information including the role of the project's Principal Contractor, this role is subject to a separate appointment, in relation to obligations under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, details of which may be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/cdm/2015/index.htm. The site installation period will be limited, and the appointed supplier must allow for sufficient installation teams to ensure that the showcase is constructed and commissioned completely, prior to the installation of the Bayeux Tapestry. No extensions of time will be granted for late delivery.