The Galleries require fine art transport agents to provide all services associated with the transportation of works of art between various sites. Works of art may be from the permanent collections of the Galleries or may be borrowed from other institutions, organisations and private individuals. Most movements of Objects are within the UK and mainland Europe but all regions of the world can be included.
The Galleries have categorized their transportation requirements into three Lots, which increase increase in complexity, plus a fourth lot for the medium to long term storage of objects
The Galleries are committed to ensuring that the works of art in the collections and the cultural objects it borrows are handled, transported, stored and displayed in the safest and most appropriate ways possible, and the successful suppliers shall be able to demonstrate understanding and experience of the handling and transportation of high value fine art objects.
Transport arrangements involving road transportation only. This may be for simple point-to-point transportation, transportation between different Gallery sites, or a small exhibition. Objects will be sourced and transported by road within UK & Ireland only; transportation shall involve some planning and scheduling considerations.
The Galleries expect the Contractor to have expertise in co-ordinating the transport of Objects, scheduling with small-scale projects and provide a range of technical services for museums nationally and to have knowledge of security measures and institutional and private Lenders.
Transport arrangements involving road, sea or airfreight for small one-off or exhibition projects such as international loans involving months of detailed advanced planning, security measures and some scheduling considerations.
The Galleries require the Contractor to have expertise in co-ordinating the transport for UK and international loans and exhibitions of Objects; to provide a range of technical services for museums both nationally and internationally; to have knowledge of institutional and private Lenders; and experience arranging supervised airfreight and occasional coordination of accompanying lender couriers.
The Contractor shall have the expertise, authorisations and guarantees required to deal with the temporary or permanent import and export of Objects which may be for temporary exhibition, for long loan, study or acquisition, and the Contractor should have knowledge of Customs and export licensing procedures.
The Contractor shall act as a Regulated Agent and shall ensure full compliance with the requirements of the Regulated Agent and Known Consignor Schemes
Transport arrangements involving road, sea or airfreight for major multi-partite international exhibitions (typically involving a high number of couriers – physical and virtual) including exhibition tours or high-profile projects involving many months of detailed advanced planning, stringent security measures, requirements set out by institutional lenders and skilful orchestration of scheduling considerations.
The Galleries require the Contractor to have substantial expertise in co-ordinating the transport for major international loans, complex exhibitions with numerous Objects; to provide highly skilled technical services, experienced coordination and technical staff; be well resourced for the scope of work with museums both nationally and internationally; to have extensive knowledge of institutional and private Lenders; and substantial experience arranging supervised airfreight and extensive coordination of large numbers of accompanying lender couriers.
The Contractor shall have the expertise, authorisations and guarantees required to deal with the temporary or permanent import and export of Objects which may be for temporary exhibition, for long loan, study or acquisition, and the Contractor should have extensive knowledge of Customs and export licensing procedures
Storage arrangements for complex and one-off collection moves requiring advance planning and skilful orchestration throughout.
The Galleries require the Contractor to have substantial experience, expertise in providing and coordinating storage for a wide range of Objects, as reflected by the broad scope of the Galleries collections and projects.
The Galleries require the Contractor to be well resourced for the safe storage, tracking and management of a wide range of Objects, as well as empty crates and packing materials.
The Galleries require the Contractor to have facilities which meet museum and UK Government Indemnity standards for the storage and management of a range of Objects or equipment as appropriate.
The Galleries require the Contractor to have viewing room facilities as well as sufficient staff to enable audits, viewings including handling and wrapping of works at agreed times and short notice viewings.