Ngaren Museum EOI
Ngaren Museum EOI
Ngaren Museum EOI
NGAREN INC
NEW YORK
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PART ONE – THE NGAREN PROJECT
INTRODUCTION
Ngaren, Inc. is launching this expression of interest for a limited competition for the design of
Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind, a ‘museum of the future’. Ngaren will be the world’s first
museum and online content dedicated to telling the story of humankind in the context of the
history of life on this planet, built in the place where this story symbolically begins: the Great Rift
Valley, Kenya. Spearheaded by renowned Kenyan conservationist, paleoanthropologist and
philanthropist, Richard E. Leakey, the museum is being developed in partnership with the Naturalis
Biodiversity Center in The Netherlands, winner of the European Museum of the Year 2021 award.
Exhibit design and digital content will be created and developed with the help of Weta Digital, the
world’s premier visual effects company.
Ngaren will invite people to join a journey into the origins of the universe and the story of our
planet through an innovative mix of different museum and digital assets to drive a unique narrative
of the science of human origins and evolution. Ngaren is one of the most innovative initiatives in
the museum and creative industries ever attempted and aims to show that Africa has the potential
to implement and host a world-class institution.
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Our vision is that Ngaren become a cultural icon in Kenya and Africa – a premiere institution that
creates world-class content globally accessible and respected for its scientific rigor and state-of-
the-art science storytelling, education and digital content that will transform our understanding
of museums.
The Ngaren Museum will be built on a spectacular 200 plus acre plot of land in Loodariak,
southwest of Nairobi in Kajiado County, overlooking the Great Rift Valley, within the Greater
Metropolitan Nairobi. The land was generously donated by Richard and Maeve Leakey to develop
the Ngaren Campus, a hub of museum galleries, education and conference centers, cafes, a public
park, and entertainment facilities anchored by Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind. The vision for
Ngaren is that it will be a stand-alone sustainable and planet positive institution.
Mission
Ngaren celebrates the beginnings of all humanity. Dedicated to educating humankind on our
shared past, Ngaren tells the story of our common ancestry, our epic journeys, and our future
obligation to protect the planet that is our only home.
Vision
Ngaren is in the process of creating a new dynamic identity for itself as a global scientific hub,
based in Kajiado County, Kenya. The vision of Ngaren is to host over 1,000,000 visitors a year and
to be the only museum in the world driven by the narrative of our amazing human journey,
designed to inform, inspire, and empower visitors to realize that we are all one human family and
part of an interconnected and fragile web of life.
Position
Ngaren will be an internationally recognized authority in the field of human origin and evolution,
a leader in science storytelling, education and digital content that will transform our
understanding of museums.
Core Promise
Ngaren will promote critical thinking and scientific inquiry, encouraging visitors to identify
problems and ask questions, evaluate information and data, and draw conclusions from evidence.
Only with the knowledge and empathy Ngaren gives people will they be better informed, inspired
and empowered to support the future of the human family.
Ambition
Ngaren will be a ‘museum of the future’. Though the content will in many ways be like traditional
natural history or science museums, Ngaren will employ an innovative mix of different museum
and digital assets to drive a unique narrative of the science of human origins and human evolution.
Ngaren will also strive to become a world-recognized and respected brand, producing online
content, exhibits, and educational materials on human origins and the evolution of life that will be
accessible globally. Ngaren will emphasize the importance of live science as a means of captivating
people’s imagination and curiosity – with the goal of bringing science to everyone and encouraging
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scientific inquiry and critical thinking. Ngaren will provide a platform and facility for state-of-the-
art science education and storytelling at a level never attempted before.
But the reality is that this science – the science of human origins and life on this planet – is often inaccessible
to people. We are emotional animals. We make sense of the world through stories that engage our curiosity,
emotions, and imagination - things that touch our heart and soul. A good story can change the world, which
is why stories have been used to hand down learning and knowledge for the thousands of years. Therefore,
the purpose at Ngaren is to tell the story of humankind a way that has never been attempted before – a
story where human evolution was not inevitable, where Africa plays a pivotal role; a story in which we are
all migrants, in which our differences are insignificant and irrelevant.
I believe that if we can make the science of the origins of humanity accessible and exciting to everyone, and
show people the amazing journey of humanity, we can shift paradigms and change the world.
To tell this amazing story, Ngaren has partnered with some of the world’s leading scientists, exhibit and
content designers, special effects creators, technology experts, and storytellers. We have brought together
a world-class Board of Directors representing academia, science, genetics, filmmaking, storytelling,
fundraising, sustainability, business, museum administration and design, technology, and non-profit
governance. Together we will invite people to join a journey into the origins of the universe, and the story of
our own planet, where the relentless forces of climate change are the backdrop to the evolution and the
species, large and small.
To stage this amazing story, we need a physical place. We will build Ngaren as a landmark, in the most
symbolic site of our human origins: Africa’s Great Rift Valley. I envision Ngaren as a repository for our
collective identity as members of one same species – humankind. It is time to celebrate our roots – as
brothers and sisters from a common home. Ngaren will be a ‘site of memory’, a vehicle for validating and
authenticating our shared past, and imagining a truly global society that together builds a just future.
Ngaren will be a more than a museum. It will be a complete immersion into our evolution – tracing the
history of life on earth from its very beginning to the present. Walking through history, meeting your first
ancestors, and dramatically realizing your brief role in our planet’s rich history will be awe inspiring – and
even life changing – for all visitors.
This is our goal, and I believe there has never been a more critical time for our mission.
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BACKGROUND, SITE AND CONTEXT
Ngaren means “the beginning”, a word from the
language of the Turkana in northern Kenya, where
Richard Leakey and his family have pioneered and made
extraordinarily significant scientific discoveries on
human origins and evolution for over 50 years. The word
ngaren can be best understood in the context of the
narrative of human origins, and as a “new beginning” of
worldwide recognition and appreciation of the Eastern
African art and culture.
The Great African Rift is the iconic landmark for the
human journey. One of the biggest tectonic systems in
the world, it sets the boundary between the African and
the Arabian plates, affecting the ecology and climate of
the whole African continent and beyond – for the past 15
million years. The dramatic scenery of the valley
connects us all to a deep past, to the relentless forces of
nature, and the origins of the vast and extraordinary
cultures and languages that constitute the breadth of
human nature. And the area continues to play an
extraordinary role today as a world-renowned
biodiversity hotspot.
We envision the Ngaren Museum galleries and spaces in
dynamic dialogue with the surrounding environment, to
comment repeatedly that we are inter-connected with it
and all nature – and products of evolution as much as
everything else alive and that ever lived on this planet.
The Ngaren Campus will redefine the Kenyan Rift Valley
on the world map, providing for a unique experience – a
place where visitors can experience an educational and
emotional journey that promises to transform the way
we think of ourselves in relation to nature, as well as the
way we understand and appreciate African art, culture
and our own creativity and ingenuity.
The concept for the Ngaren Campus is that it will fill a gap
in the art and science ecosystem of the African continent
by bringing together a number of new world-class
museums that celebrate humanity and all of its facets.
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The intention is that the Ngaren Campus will be a ‘site of memory’ for all humanity, a vehicle for
validating and authenticating all humans’ shared past and imagining a truly global society that
together commits to a just future based on values of equity, sustainability and global partnership
in fighting and resolving the climate crisis.
NGAREN BRIEF
Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind is intended to be the museum of the “human journey”. The
visit to the museum is being designed so that visitors to Ngaren will travel through the rooms and
galleries on a journey that mimics a real-life journey:
1. The Welcome Hall is where visitors will prepare for their journey – here they will buy
or check their tickets, take off their coats, and start planning their visit with the
assistance of helpful and welcoming Ngaren staff.
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2. In the Planetarium visitors will then be given a preview or overall glimpse of what the
Ngaren journey will entail. A digital show will help visitors develop a mindset for their
journey and further prepare for their voyage.
3. The Orientation Hall is where visitors will be able to create a connection with the
location, the Great Rift Valley, and their African ancestors. Here, visitors will also be
told important information on safety, and logistics, and be able to choose the path
through the museum that they prefer.
4. If desired, visitors can then go outside to the Exploration Stations, to explore the
surrounding landscape and get more information on its scientific interpretation. This
will allow them to take the most advantage of the museum galleries. This option will
be available at any time during the visit to the museum.
5. The five Research Rooms are the “proper” museum galleries – each is a container
holding unique stories. The stories are all introduced by “protagonists” that welcome
visitors into the galleries. The Research Rooms are connected to each other through
an underlying storyline that is detailed in the Strategic Roadmap and Content Overview
document available for downloading upon request.
6. The Evolutionary Game Room is a gallery full of individual and social/group interactive
games for visitors of all ages. The activities in the Game Room will be designed to help
deepening a visitor’s understanding of the mechanisms of evolution and cooperation,
in a playful, more approachable way. In this gallery visitors can discover new things
about themselves. They will realize that humans are inventive, smart, and cooperative,
as well as competitive, or perhaps feel empowered to make changes in their own
personal behaviors. Here, the message will be that individuals can change the world,
and that we live in a world worth being treasured.
7. The visit to Ngaren then continues with three Treasure Rooms which will be immersions
into the beauty and importance of biodiversity. These rooms will make visitors
experience that all humans are part of nature, and that we are all connected to each
other, and to the rest of life on this planet. These rooms will emphasize that we are
members of one big family of humans and illustrate the importance of taking care of
the planet which is our one and only home.
Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind will need a net floor area of about 21,700m 2 for the
planetarium and exhibitions, general facilities such as shops, toilets, cloakrooms, restaurants,
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conference rooms, classrooms, changing rooms and facility rooms. There should be adequate
open space as well, where visitors can freely move and gather.
For a complete overview of the museum concept and brief, use the complete Strategic Roadmap
and Content Overview along with the Appendix “Navigating the museum” provided in the
documentation package.
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PART TWO – SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
COMPETITION PROCESS
Ngaren has appointed Otto Mruttu + Partners Architects, project manager for building and
construction, as an independent expert to run a two-stage international design competition to
find an exceptional team, led by an architect for the design, documentation and contract
administration of the construction works of Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind.
Selection of the architectural consortium will be carried out in accordance with the published
guidelines of the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors in Kenya (BORAQS).
These regulations were drawn up to ensure that architectural competitions are properly
conducted, and that the selection of designs shall be on merit alone and shall satisfy the
requirements of the client. Ngaren wishes to appoint a design team capable of realizing this project
in ways that combine imagination and creativity with economy and sustainability.
Selection and appointment of the architectural team will be conducted through a two-step process
(1) a preliminary qualification process and (2) a limited design competition open to those
shortlisted in stage 1. A summary overview of the entire process is illustrated below.
The call will request information about the firm or team, in order to ascertain the bidders’ abilities
and qualifications. This stage will not involve the presentation of a design for the Ngaren Museum.
Rather, it will focus on the track record of the proposed submission. An independent assessor
approved by the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors Kenya (BORAQS) will
be incorporated into the selecting committee composed principally by members of the Ngaren’s
Board of Trustees. A shortlist of a maximum of six (6) submissions will be selected to proceed to
stage 2 for the proper design competition. Both successful and unsuccessful submissions will be
notified by Ngaren.
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If you wish to submit an Expression of Interest for the competition, you will need to submit your
application to the email admin@ngaren.org.
The competition is open to electronic submissions only; no paper documents will be accepted.
PROGRAMME SUMMARY
Expression of Interest, Stage 1
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COMPETITION INSTRUCTIONS
Only candidates who respond in accordance with the submission requirements will be considered.
During the Expression of Interest stage, the Ngaren staff should not be contacted, as this may lead
to disqualification from the competition. However, questions can be addressed to the project
manager for building and construction, Otto Mruttu + Partners Architects, the independent
project manager appointed to manage the process otto.mruttu@ottomruttu.com.
Please note that telephone enquiries will not be accepted.
Where application is made by a firm, the name of the registered partners must be given. In this
context a firm is defined as a partnership or limited liability company properly established for the
purpose of architectural practice or an association for the purpose of entering the current
competition if there is in existence a joint venture agreement for the purpose of carrying out the
project in the event of the association winning the competition.
Permissions
Ngaren and Otto Mruttu + Partners Architects reserve the right to make use of all presentation
materials submitted in any future publication about the competition, exhibition, or website. Any
use will be properly credited to the competitor and the competitor warrants that the material
submitted comprises solely their own work or that of any member of their team submitting to this
Expression of Interest. This non-exclusive license is irrevocable, shall survive the competitor’s exit
from the tendering process and is royalty-free.
Language
The official language of the competition is English. All entries must be in English.
Financial Data
Any financial data provided must be submitted in, or converted into, US dollars. Where official
documents include financial data in a foreign currency, a US dollar equivalent must be provided.
All estimates including professional fees must be inclusive of Kenyan taxes payable to the Kenya
Revenue Authority.
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Insurance
Ngaren Inc. and Otto Mruttu + Partners Architects will take reasonable steps to protect and care
for entries but neither organization will insure the proposals at any time. Respondents are urged
to maintain a complete record of their full entries and be able to make this available at any time
should adverse circumstances require this.
Deviations
Only submissions that meet the basic criteria of entry will be considered. Information or
supplementary material, unless specifically called for in subsequent communication, will not be
considered by the assessors.
Competition Materials
All the material submitted as part of your response to the Expression of Interest will be retained
by Ngaren and will not be returned to participants.
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STAGE 1 SUBMISSION GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS
Expressions of Interest (EOI) should be submitted electronically as PDF files with the Submission
Form at page 21 as the first page of the document and the Declaration Form at page 22 as the
second page. The EOI should be in PDF format, no larger than 10 MB in total, and submitted by
email to admin@ngaren.org – or by using an online file transfer service such as WeTransfer or
Dropbox to the same email address. No hard copies of the submission are required at this stage
of the competition.
The electronic submission must be received by 24:00 GMT of Thursday September 30th 2021.
Please see the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire section of this document (page 17).
This document should be completed by the lead consultant describing the qualification of the
team. The team, as a minimum, must include an architect (who will act as the lead consultant).
Other team members will include a quantity surveyor (cost consultant), structural engineer, civil
engineer, building services engineer (mechanical, electrical, electronic, ventilation, etc.),
landscaper architect, interior designer and any other consultants you deem fit to accomplish your
vision for Ngaren. Please provide details for each member of the team.
Firms not registered in Kenya will be required to seek registration or have an architect of record
registered in Kenya within their team.
Please note: Ngaren reserves the right to determine the final composition of the design team
appointed as the winner, and this may include the appointment of consultants that are not
suggested within the competitor’s bid. For avoidance of doubt, this is to ensure the correct mix of
skills and expertise, and will not be imposed unreasonably.
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Understanding of the Issues and Relevant Experience
Your application should be both professionally written and highly visual. Complete submissions must be
in the order shown below, should be submitted digitally only and not exceed 10 MB in size.
In order to demonstrate understanding of the issues posed by the project, please describe
previous experience to show both analytically and visually how you developed an exemplary,
original, and contemporary design, that reflected the status and purpose of the institution for
which it was created. Because Ngaren is looking for a sustainable design, please highlight any
experience in sustainable and planet positive architecture.
In your response, please provide references to your track record projects by specifying:
• Client name, email address and contact number.
• Date of project completion.
• Anticipated and final budget.
• Anticipated and final duration of the project.
• Aspects of the design or design approach that are relevant or showcase equivalent
challenges to Ngaren: The Museum of Humankind design project.
• Previous experience of working as a team – where possible, with the team members
proposed in your consortium for this EOI.
Please note that teams with experience of completing similar projects will be looked upon
favorably, although this is not a mandatory requirement.
Press statement
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Summary table of submission requirements
Requirement Format
1. Submission Form Page 21
2. Declaration Form Page 22
3. Pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) A4 pages as a PDF (page 17)
4. Team Composition and Project Delivery Ten sides A4 pages as a PDF
SELECTION CRITERIA
Teams must pass the mandatory questions in the prequalification questionnaire in order for their
submission to be evaluated further.
1. Understanding of the issues and relevant experience, including examples of previous work,
based on Question 3 of the Submission Requirements. (45%)
2. Team composition and project delivery, including technical and professional capability of
the proposed team and how it will deliver a successful project, based on Question 2 of the
Submission Requirements. (45%)
3. Ability to meet financial and business standards for the commission, based on Question 1
of the Submission Requirements. (10%)
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PRE-QUALIFICATION QUESTIONAIRE (PQQ)
The PQQ should be completed for the lead consultant only.
Please answer all the following questions. Teams may change the layout if they wish, but please
ensure that submitted answers are in the given order, with clear indications of any
appendices/supplementary information.
Practice Information
The questions below are for information only and will not be scored.
1. Company name
2. Address of registered office
3. Contact point for this Expression of Interest
4. Address, telephone number and email address of Contact.
5. Address of office where the services relating to this
appointment will be provided (if different from 2)
6. Telephone number including Country code.
7. Company status (Partnership, Limited Company, etc.)
8. Please provide details of any parent company or ultimate
holding company (if applicable).
9. If a Limited Company, please provide registration number
and date of incorporation.
1 Please state if any Director or Partner has been involved in any company that has Y/N
declared bankruptcy or been put into Administration, Liquidation or Receivership.
2 Is the organization in bankruptcy or being wound up, having its affairs administered Y/N
by the court, or have you entered an arrangement with creditors, suspended
business activities or any analogous situation arising from similar proceedings under
national laws or regulations?
3 Is the organization the subject of proceedings for a declaration of bankruptcy, for Y/N
compulsory winding-up or administration by the court or for an arrangement with
creditors or of any other similar proceedings under national laws or regulations?
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4 Has any employee whom you would propose to use to deliver this service been Y/N
convicted of an offence concerning his professional conduct by a judgement which
has the force of res judicata?
5 Has any employee whom you would propose to use to deliver this service been guilty Y/N
of grave professional misconduct?
6 Has the organization failed to fulfil obligations relating to the payment of taxes in Y/N
accordance with the legal provisions of the country in which it is established?
7 Are you or any member of your team related or connected in any way to any relevant Y/N
persons associated with the applicant who are in senior positions within the client
organization? Please note that if any conflict of interest is identified you are required
to inform Ngaren of the steps you would take to satisfy Ngaren that the conflict can
be resolved and comply with any steps required by the Museum to resolve the
conflict.
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b A statement of your turnover, profit and loss and Delete as For information only
cash flow position for the most recent full year of appropriate
trading (or part year if full year not applicable) and Enclosed /
an end period balance sheet, where this Not
information is not available in an audited form as Enclosed
set out in 3a above. If you are a subsidiary of a
group and you are relying on group resources for
the purposes of this PQQ, this information is
required for both the subsidiary and parent
company
c A statement of your cashflow forecast for the Delete as For information only
current year and a bank letter outlining the current appropriate
cash and credit facility position. If you are a Enclosed /
subsidiary of a group, and you are relying on group Not
resources for the purposes of this PQQ this Enclosed
information is required for both the subsidiary and
the parent company.
4 Please confirm you will supply a performance bond Y/N For information only
and/or guarantee if required by Ngaren and that
such bond and/or guarantee will be in form
approved by Ngaren.
5 Please confirm your organization has (or would be Y/N Pass/Fail
willing to obtain if awarded the contract) Employers This question requires a
Liability Insurance sufficient to achieve the level of Insurer: yes answer. If you cannot
Employer’s Liability Insurance required by Kenyan Policy answer yes to this
law. If this insurance is already in place please Number: question, you will be
provide details of this policy, along with a copy of Extent of scored 0 and your bid will
the certificate. Cover: not be evaluated further.
Expiry
Date:
6 Please confirm your organization has (or would be Y/N Pass/Fail
willing to obtain if awarded the contract) Public This question requires a
Liability cover. If this insurance is already in place, Insurer: yes answer. If you cannot
please provide details of this policy, along with a Policy answer yes to this
copy of the certificate. Number: question, you will be
Extent of scored 0 and your bid will
Cover: not be evaluated further.
Expiry
Date:
7 Please confirm your organization has (or would be Y/N Pass/Fail
willing to obtain if awarded the contract) This question requires a
Professional Indemnity Insurance for at least US Insurer: yes answer. If you cannot
$8,000,000 Professional Indemnity cover. If this answer yes to this
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insurance is already in place, please provide details Policy question, you will be
of this policy, along with a copy of the certificate. Number: scored 0 and your bid will
Extent of not be evaluated further.
Cover:
Expiry
Date:
Question Response
1 Does your organization hold a recognized quality Y/N
management certificate (ISO certificate or equivalent)? If Delete as
yes, please enclose a copy. appropriate
Enclosed / Not Enclosed
2 Please confirm you have a written health and safety at Y/N
work policy and enclose a copy of your organization’s Delete as
health and safety management system, enclosing any appropriate
certificates. Enclosed / Not Enclosed
2a If “No” please explain why.
3 Has any court/industrial/ employment tribunal or Y/N
equivalent body upheld a decision of unlawful
discrimination against the Bidder in the last 2 years?
4 Please confirm that you have an equal opportunity policy Y/N
which ensures compliance with all antidiscrimination Delete as
legislation, and sets out steps to treat all people fairly and appropriate
equally. Please provide details of this equal opportunities Enclosed / Not Enclosed
policy.
5 Has any court/industrial/ tribunal or equivalent body Y/N
upheld a decision under Health & Safety Legislation
against the Bidder in the last 2 years?
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SUBMISSION FORM
Competitors MUST complete the following form and include it at the FRONT of all copies of their
electronic submission:
______________________________________________________________________________
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DECLARATION FORM
The following declaration should be completed by the lead consultant only.
I declare that to the best of my knowledge all the answers submitted in the PQQ and any
supporting documents are true and correct. I understand that the information will be used in the
process to assess our suitability to be invited to compete for the Ngaren: Museum of Humankind’s
design competition and I acknowledge that Ngaren may reject this PQQ and/or disqualify this
consortium from the procurement process if there is a failure to answer all relevant questions
fully, or if I/we provide false/misleading information.
Signed________________________________________________________________________
Name_________________________________________________________________________
On behalf of____________________________________________________________________
Date__________________________________________________________________________
Telephone Number______________________________________________________________
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CONTACTS FOR THE CONTEST
Otto Mruttu
Ngaren Project Manager
Otto Mruttu & Partners Architects
Nairobi, Kenya
+ 254 722554624
otto.mruttu@ottomruttu.com
Ellen C. O’Connell
President and CEO
Ngaren
+1 646 321 3995
ellen@ngaren.org
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