Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum is undertaking an exciting new project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Synergy Project aims to make our heritage accessible to new and underrepresented audiences in an entertaining and meaningful way. The project will physically redevelop the heritage galleries and transition spaces, as well as implement a heritage education offer to complement our already successful STEM programme. We are seeking to procure an Evaluation Consultant/Consultancy as part of this project.
Summary
These services will comprise the production of an evaluation plan and methodology, a range of evaluation materials, the collation of feedback and the production and presentation of mid-term and final evaluation reports.
Contract Details:
Value - Professional fees – maximum amount available £14,400
Payable 40% on appointment, 40% mid-contract and 20% upon completion of the evaluation report.
Contract is for a period ending June 2027
Contact Point Nikki Burton (nikki@catalyst.org.uk)
Closing Date for Submission 2nd September 25
Note that all amounts quoted in this document exclude VAT.
1.0 Introduction: Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum.
Catalyst is an interactive science centre and museum devoted to chemistry and how the products of chemistry are used in everyday life.
Our mission is to inform, educate and inspire the widest audience about the relevance of chemistry, through our unique offerings and hands-on experiences, our rich industrial heritage archives and our strong links to the local area.
Catalyst welcomes visitors from the local area and beyond, with special events for schools, families, and SEN groups all year round.
A charity launched in 1987, Catalyst celebrates the local chemical industry heritage and is home to a large number of archives and historic artefacts from firms such as ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) regionally and across the world.
2.0 Project Synergy
2.1 Overview
The Synergy Project is our vision for a new Heritage Offer with co-creation at its heart. Our Co-creation Group (COG) was instrumental in working with the co-creation consultants and consisted of representatives from our target audiences: 1. People living with mental health challenges and those experiencing isolation/loneliness, 2. People with learning and/or physical disabilities and their support networks, 3. Chemical industry community; local community; past and present workers, 4. Local primary schools; children, families and teachers
The themes for the heritage galleries recommended by the Co-creation Consultants are: Our Place, Our Industry, Our Lives/People, Your Chemicals.
Our target audiences were also consulted on display and accessibility requirements.
Outputs for the Synergy Project include:
- Highlighting the importance of the Northwest and its communities and how this influenced the development of the global chemical industry
- Enhancing our education and community engagement programmes by implementing a Heritage offer to complement our Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM) activity
- Creating new and improved heritage galleries and utilising unused transition spaces such as hallways and stairwells which will link the heritage galleries more coherently.
- Digitising our extensive archive, making it more accessible to the public than ever before.
The NLHF outcomes chosen for the project are:
A wider range of people will be involved in heritage
Heritage will be identified and better explained
People will have developed skills
People will have greater wellbeing
Funded organisation will be more resilient
Together, through the Synergy Project, we will create a place where locals feel proud of their history and where visitors everywhere are anxious to explore.
Through the stories and artefacts of its (chemical industry) workers, this project will enable us to share and inspire visitors about the chemical industry, the scientific pioneers and the inventions that have radically shaped our lives, past and present.
3.0 Scope of the Work
The Museum is looking to procure an Evaluation Consultant/Consultancy as part of the Delivery Phase of the Synergy project.
The successful consultancy will be appointed by the Museum (the Client) and be expected to work alongside the Client and the Core Operational (Delivery) Group comprising:
Synergy Project Manager TBA
Project Lead Nikki Burton
Heritage & Collections Manager Judith Wilde
Design & Build Consultant TBA
Digital Marketing Consultant TBA
Project Assistant TBA
Claims & Monitoring Support (HBC) Josie Fallon
The Evaluation services required will include the following:
· To undertake an ongoing and comprehensive evaluation of the delivery phase of our Synergy Project funded by NLHF; this will incorporate all aspects of the delivery stage, including the development of the exhibition content and design, the co-creation approach involving all target audiences, the delivery of the activity plan, the digitisation improvements and the design and delivery of the volunteer programme.
· Take responsibility for familiarising themselves with the delivery phase of the Synergy project and work closely with the project lead to plan the evaluation work, to develop evaluation materials and to enable the gathering of feedback, case studies and monitoring data from the programme to ensure learning outcomes are captured and standards of quality are maintained across the programme.
· The evaluation reporting will focus on what has been delivered; who is participating; what is going well; and what improvements could be made.
· Report on the delivery of the above Outcomes; this will include utilising and analysing approved methods of measuring wellbeing.
· Ensure all relevant stakeholders have the opportunity feed into the evaluation process.
· Ensure that evaluation is embedded into all aspects of the delivery programme.
· To provide regular project updates for the Project Management Group
· Meet the NLHF guidelines on evaluation - https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/funding/good-practice-guidance/evaluation-guidance
· Comply with Lottery branding requirements as this project is National Lottery Heritage funded.
· Adhere to The Heritage Fund’s digital guidance.
· Adhere to Heritage Fund’s guidelines on inclusion and interpretation good practice.
· To collate and produce comprehensive and high quality mid-term and final evaluation report. The mid-term report will include a clear set of recommendations for the remaining period of delivery and the final report a clear summary of achievements against outcomes and approved purposes.
3.1 Schedule of Services
Stage 1: within 1 month
Produce an evaluation plan and methodology
Stage 2: within 3 months
Develop a range of evaluation tools for the team to utilise; Including gathering of baseline data from staff, trustees, volunteers and visitors
Stage 3: within 12-15 months
Complete and present a mid-term evaluation identifying achievements and challenges to date, and making recommendations for the remainder of the programme
Stage 4: June-July 2027
Produce and present a comprehensive end of project evaluation report
Ongoing
Provide regular feedback to the Project Manager and Project Management Group
3.2 Catalyst Management of the Commission
The commission will be managed by the Synergy Project Manager. Regular communication is expected throughout the project, comprising a monthly update
4.0 Procurement budget, process and timescale
The maximum fee available for this commission is £14,400
4.2 Inclusions and Exclusions
The maximum fee for this commission is £14,400; there is no additional budget. Appointed consultants are expected to cover their own expenses e.g. travel.
4.3 Procurement Process
This is an open competitive tender led by Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Museum.
Please include in your written response to this Invitation to Tender:
- A written response of no more than 10 sides of A4 to the information within the criteria as outlined in Section 6.
· Please provide project examples with testimonials where possible. Please use recent and relevant projects, as outlined in Section 6. Where possible, examples should demonstrate relevance to the chemical or heritage sectors.
· A proposed timeline with key milestones.
· Please provide a lump sum fee proposal (inclusive of reasonable expenses, but exclusive of VAT) for the team to deliver the schedule of services found in Section 3 and details of how your time would be broken down against the fee. Please ensure that your fees include for any reasonable expenses and disbursements that Catalyst may require.
· Details of professional insurance.
Any enquiries or requests for information relating to this brief should be submitted to Nikki Burton, CEO at nikki@catalyst.org.uk by 5pm on 26th August 2025.
Your response must be submitted to Nikki Burton at nikki@catalyst.org.uk by 5pm Tuesday 2nd September 2025.
Site visits can be arranged by contacting Nikki Burton nikki@catalyst.org.uk
4.4 Procurement timetable
Proposed timetable
Invitation to Tender issued 8th August 25
ITT response deadline 2nd September 25
ITT evaluation and shortlisting deadline 11th September 25
Interviews 26th September 25
Contract start date ASAP
The award of this contract is subject to approval by our funding partners.
Full details can be found in this link https://www.catalyst.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Evaluation-Consultant-ITT.pdf
Job Type: Fixed term contract
Contract length: 22 months
Pay: £14,400.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 02/09/2025
Reference ID: EvalCons