Invitation to Tender: 26078 Library Services Engage, Design and Fit out Contract - East Barnwell, Darwin Green, Whittlesey

The Cambridgeshire County Council is inviting specialist suppliers to design and fit out three library sites – East Barnwell, Darwin Green and Whittlesey – as part of a broader initiative to transform these facilities into community hubs that provide study areas, event spaces and public engagement venues. Each site will receive a bespoke design that includes furniture, signage, pathway elements and all required fittings, and the awarded contractor will be responsible for delivering the final design and completing the fit‑out work. The supply chain will be structured as three separate contracts, each with an anticipated six‑month design and construction period, subject to optional extensions of up to six months and a defect period of up to twelve months after handover.

The contract process requires close collaboration with the Library Service team and other stakeholders to ascertain local needs and desired outcomes. Submissions must outline an engagement strategy, present agreed final design concepts, and provide a comprehensive plan for delivering and installing all furnishings and fit‑out elements within the agreed timeframe. Technical compliance with the Council's design and accessibility standards is mandatory.

The Library service operates thirty-three (33) locations around the county of Cambridgeshire, excluding Peterborough region who have different arrangements. The locations provide the traditional library services, but the services are evolving to become more of a local community centre providing places to study, or hold events, or talks. Many of the locations act as a ‘warm and cool spaces’, and are used by other County services to meet and discuss issues with residents about such services.
This contract is to instruct suitable and sufficient bidder(s) who are able to engage with the Library team, and other stakeholders to understand the needs and intended outcome of the redevelopment of each of the library sites, and create designs which the successful bidder(s) can deliver.
This contract will include the design and fit out of East Barnwell, Darwin Green, and Whittlesey.
The key part of this contract is the engagement with the Library team to create final design options and approaches covering furniture, way points and signage etc…for each library site
The Authority proposes to award up to three separate contracts, and enter into three (3) separate contracts (one for each library site).
East Barnwell is expected to be the first project ,and it is anticipated to commence on 1st December2026.
Each contract will have its own contract duration agreed following contract award, anticipated to be six (6) months, and each will continue for a period of six (6) months unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract.
Bidders can bid for multiple lots, and may be awarded multiple lots.
Each contract will have its own contract duration agreed following contract award, anticipated to be six (6) months, and each will continue for a period of six (6) months unless terminated in accordance with the Conditions of Contract.
Bidders can access this opportunity by going to our Etendering system - Intend
https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/cambridgeshire/home
Bidders is not already registered on the Cambridgeshire's Intend system will need to register before accessing the opportunity.

Contract location: UKH12
Communication: 1. Visit https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/cambridgeshire/home to access the In-Tend supplier portal; 2. Register/log-in and access the Cambridgeshire County Council company portal; 3. Search for current tender opportunities - this procurement is named 26078 Library Service Engage, Design and Fit Out - East Barnwell, Darwin Green, Whittlesey
Enquiry deadline: 2026-10-26T12:00:00+00:00
Submission address and any special instructions: 1. Visit https://sell2.in-tend.co.uk/cambridgeshire/home to access the In-Tend supplier portal; 2. Register/log-in and access the Cambridgeshire County Council company portal; 3. Search for current tender opportunities - this procurement is named 26078 Library Service Engage, Design and Fit Out - East Barnwell, Darwin Green, Whittlesey
Tenders may be submitted electronically: allowed
Award decision date (estimated): 2026-11-16T23:59:59+00:00

Lot: 1
Description: To Engage with the library services and key stakeholders to understand the requirements, provide suitable and agreed final design for the library and then deliver on that design, supplying the furniture, fittings
Lot value (estimated)
60.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
72.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: there is an option to extend for up to 6 months a defect period for up to 12 months following completion of project and handover, separate from the extension.
Information about options. Options: Yes

Lot: 2
Description: To Engage with the library services and key stakeholders to understand the requirements, provide suitable and agreed final design for the library and then deliver on that design, supplying the furniture, fittings etc...
Lot value (estimated)
150.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
180.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: a 6 month extension could be applied. a defect period of up to 12 months will be undertaken following the completion and handover of the project separate to the extension.
Information about options. Options: Yes

Lot: 3
Description: To Engage with the library services and key stakeholders to understand the requirements, provide suitable and agreed final design for the library and then deliver on that design, supplying the furniture.
Lot value (estimated)
60.000,00 GBP excluding VAT
72.000,00 GBP including VAT
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals: there is a 6 month option to extension a defects period of 12 months which will start following the completion and handover of the project.
Information about options. Options: Yes

Award criteria:

Name	Type	Weighting
Quality	quality	50%
Price	cost	50%

Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted: En