Condition Audit and Conservation Services Framework

The House of Lords Library invites tender applications from qualified suppliers to undertake a comprehensive audit and/or subsequent interventive conservation of the House of Lords Library's Palace of Westminster print collections and physical holdings. The findings of the audit will determine the condition of the collections and recommendations for decant packing and interventive conservation requirements. Subsequently, the Library will use this data to estimate the cost of packing materials and how long each collection will take to pack and move. The collection audit will cover the assessment of approximately 2,114 linear meters equating to approximately 80,000 items (the majority of which are modern 20th/21st century bindings). The estimated amount of recommended conservation work equates to approximately 1,600 items ranging in complexity: from under 2 hours of work to over 8 hours of work. The selected supplier/s appointed to the framework will be responsible for conducting the audit, preparing a summary report, and providing actionable recommendations to improve preservation and/or undertaking recommended interventive conservation treatment/s to make the collection safe to be moved. There will be an information day onsite at the Houses of Parliament on Friday 22nd November 2024 to discuss further details and offer an insight into the context of the collections and their locations. This is an opportunity for potential tenderers to ask questions and gather further information. Please contact pcd@parliament.uk to confirm your interest in this future procurement and to confirm your attendance at the onsite information day on Friday 22nd November 2024.