Five line up for Science Museum

Five firms are lined up to tender for the œ44 million contract to construct a new wing for the Science Museum in London. The contractors are: Bovis, Balfour Beatty/Heery, Shepherd, Tarmac/Schal and Kier.

Tender documents were sent out at the beginning of this week and are due back in about 40 days. A spokeswoman for the Museum said the bids would be processed as fast as possible. Preliminary site work, including piling should start before Christmas with the main work beginning in early 1998.

The contract involves a preliminary construction management period, when the design team will be novated to the contractor. Once detailed prices have been established the contract will be turned into a guaranteed maximum price contract.

The work comprises the construction of the new 11,300m2 Wellcome Wing, which will incorporate 4,000m2 of exhibition space and a 450-seat Imax cinema, plus a possible 2,000m2 free-standing office building.

Architect is MacCormac Jamieson Prichard, Ove Arup & Partners is structural and service engineer. Quantity Surveyor is Davis Langdon & Everest.