Award

Human Remains and Emergency Excavations

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

12 Aug 2025 at 14:46

Tender

12 May 2025 at 13:39

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the contract titled "Human Remains and Emergency Excavations" was managed by Historic Environment Scotland, a national agency located in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. This contract pertains to archaeological services and involves rapid-reaction, small-scale investigation and post-excavation work after unexpected discoveries of human remains. The process followed an open procedure and covered the region of UKM. The procurement stage has been completed, with the contract being awarded on 23rd July 2025 to AOC Archaeology for a value of £38,200. The tender initially began on the 12th of May 2025 with a submission deadline on the 11th of June 2025.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in archaeological services, particularly those that can provide skills in excavation and post-excavation processes. The award criteria highlighted the importance of quality factors such as skills, conservation practices, and partnerships, which are weighed against the price. Given the nature of the services required, companies with expertise in archaeological investigations, especially those with innovative conservation techniques, would be well-positioned to benefit from such contracts. In addition, the procurement method favored electronic submissions, providing a streamlined process for interested small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) aiming to expand their business within the archaeological sector in the UK.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Notice Title

Human Remains and Emergency Excavations

Notice Description

The contract is for rapid- reaction, small-scale investigation and post-excavation work after unexpected discoveries of human remains on sites.

Lot Information

Lot 1

For full description of the procurement please see Document 2 - Specification.

Renewal: Once the initial 3 years are up, the contract will be available for a further 1 year extension.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-051108
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/048132-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

71351914 - Archaeological services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£38,200 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 Aug 20256 months ago
Submission Deadline
11 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
If all extensions are used up then this contract will be up for renewal in 2029.

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
procurement@hes.scot
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH9 1SH
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Southside/Newington
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

Download

The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-051108-2025-08-12T15:46:56+01:00",
    "date": "2025-08-12T15:46:56+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-051108",
    "description": "Please ensure that you have read the HES Terms and Conditions. HES can not negotiate at point of award or post contract award. (SC Ref:807163)",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "HES/C/4302",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Human Remains and Emergency Excavations",
        "status": "complete",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "71351914",
            "description": "Archaeological services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The contract is for rapid- reaction, small-scale investigation and post-excavation work after unexpected discoveries of human remains on sites.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "For full description of the procurement please see Document 2 - Specification.",
                "awardCriteria": {
                    "criteria": [
                        {
                            "name": "Skills",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "20%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Finds and samples conservation",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "15%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Partnerships and sub-contracting",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "5%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Reporting protocols and timescales",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "10%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Risk Assessments/Health and Safety",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "5%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Environmental Policies",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "3%"
                        },
                        {
                            "name": "Fair Work Practices",
                            "type": "quality",
                            "description": "2%"
                        },
                        {
                            "type": "price",
                            "description": "40%"
                        }
                    ]
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 1080
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "Once the initial 3 years are up, the contract will be available for a further 1 year extension."
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "cancelled"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71351914",
                        "description": "Archaeological services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    },
                    {
                        "region": "UKM"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "submissionMethod": [
            "electronicSubmission"
        ],
        "submissionMethodDetails": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk",
        "selectionCriteria": {
            "criteria": [
                {
                    "type": "economic",
                    "description": "HES use Scotbis, an independent provider of business credit reports, to assess the financial standing of tenderers. The overall aim of this assessment is to ensure, as far as possible, that any potential Supplier will not have financial difficulties that endanger their ability to perform the Contract. If financial information cannot be gained from that source Historic Environment Scotland will request that you provide full audited accounts for the last full financial year. If Suppliers cannot provide any of the assurances as detailed above, and it is determined by HES that your financial strength is not adequate, then your company may not pass the financial evaluation. If you can provide the assurances as detailed above, HES may explore these options with you before determining whether your company can be taken forward in this procurement exercise. Bank details may also be sought to support the above.",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2025-06-11T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2025-06-11T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2025-06-11T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "contractTerms": {
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "If all extensions are used up then this contract will be up for renewal in 2029."
        }
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-1169",
            "name": "Historic Environment Scotland",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Historic Environment Scotland"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Longmore House, Salisbury Place",
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "region": "UKM75",
                "postalCode": "EH9 1SH",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "procurement@hes.scot",
                "url": "http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "http://historicenvironment.scot",
                "buyerProfile": "https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00164",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "id": "NATIONAL_AGENCY",
                        "description": "National or federal agency/office"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Tourism, Heritage, Conservation, Built Environment"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-595",
            "name": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court"
            },
            "address": {
                "locality": "Edinburgh",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "reviewBody"
            ]
        },
        {
            "id": "GB-FTS-38521",
            "name": "AOC Archaeology",
            "identifier": {
                "legalName": "AOC Archaeology"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "Edgefield Industrial Estate",
                "locality": "Loanhead",
                "region": "UKM",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom"
            },
            "roles": [
                "supplier"
            ],
            "details": {
                "scale": "sme"
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-1169",
        "name": "Historic Environment Scotland"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000798058"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en",
    "awards": [
        {
            "id": "048132-2025-HES/C/4302-1",
            "relatedLots": [
                "1"
            ],
            "status": "active",
            "suppliers": [
                {
                    "id": "GB-FTS-38521",
                    "name": "AOC Archaeology"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "contracts": [
        {
            "id": "048132-2025-HES/C/4302-1",
            "awardID": "048132-2025-HES/C/4302-1",
            "status": "active",
            "value": {
                "amount": 38200,
                "currency": "GBP"
            },
            "dateSigned": "2025-07-23T00:00:00+01:00"
        }
    ],
    "bids": {
        "statistics": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "measure": "bids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "2",
                "measure": "smeBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "3",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 0
            },
            {
                "id": "4",
                "measure": "foreignBidsFromNonEU",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            },
            {
                "id": "5",
                "measure": "electronicBids",
                "relatedLot": "1",
                "value": 4
            }
        ]
    }
}