Tender

Underwater Archaeology

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

19 Mar 2026 at 10:32

Summary of the contracting process

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is seeking tenders for a contract entitled "Underwater Archaeology", which falls under archaeological services. The procurement process is currently at the tender stage with an electronic submission method available through the Public Contracts Scotland portal. This contract is notable for its focus on services related to investigating, recording, conserving, protecting, and promoting historic assets in underwater and sub-tidal environments within the UK waters adjacent to Scotland, and occasionally, freshwater locations such as lochs. The tender is open under an "Open procedure" procurement method, and interested parties must submit their proposals by 20 April 2026, at 12:00 BST. The contract, initially for two years, offers the possibility for extension up to an additional four years, with annual reviews. HES promotes community benefits within this requirement; suppliers are encouraged to propose any community benefits they can offer throughout the contract's duration.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in archaeological services, particularly those with expertise in underwater research and conservation. Companies that can demonstrate a strong financial standing and possess necessary liability insurance can benefit from building a long-term relationship with a national agency like HES. With electronic ordering and invoicing permitted, the procurement process is streamlined, facilitating better engagement with digital-savvy businesses. The chance for a four-year extension after the initial contract period adds appeal for businesses seeking consistent work in the heritage and conservation industry. Suppliers able to showcase their capability to contribute positively to community benefits will also create valuable reputational and operational growth.

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

Notice Title

Underwater Archaeology

Notice Description

The aim of the contract is to provide quality information to HES to enable to carry out our functions in relation to investigating, recording, conserving, protecting and promoting historic assets under water, in sub tidal environments as far as the limit of UK water adjacent to Scotland (12 nautical miles), but also if required, in freshwater locations such as lochs.

Lot Information

Lot 1

For full details of the requirement please see Document 2 Specification

Renewal: After the initial 2 years, the contract has the option to be extended by a further 4 years (to be reviewed annually)

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066e89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025012-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

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
Not specified

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
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
20 Apr 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
If all extensions are used then the contract will be re-tendered in 2032

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

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

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-066e89-2026-03-19T10:32:29Z",
    "date": "2026-03-19T10:32:29Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066e89",
    "description": "Please note that HES will not sign up to supplier's Terms and Conditions. HES cannot negotaite at point of award or post contract award. NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=827016. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/ A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: Suppliers are asked to put forward any commnuity benefits that they can offer throughout the lifetime of the contract. (SC Ref:827016) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=827016",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "tender": {
        "id": "HES/C/4344",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "32014L0024",
            "scheme": "CELEX"
        },
        "title": "Underwater Archaeology",
        "status": "active",
        "classification": {
            "scheme": "CPV",
            "id": "71351914",
            "description": "Archaeological services"
        },
        "mainProcurementCategory": "services",
        "description": "The aim of the contract is to provide quality information to HES to enable to carry out our functions in relation to investigating, recording, conserving, protecting and promoting historic assets under water, in sub tidal environments as far as the limit of UK water adjacent to Scotland (12 nautical miles), but also if required, in freshwater locations such as lochs.",
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "description": "For full details of the requirement please see Document 2 Specification",
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "durationInDays": 720
                },
                "hasRenewal": true,
                "renewal": {
                    "description": "After the initial 2 years, the contract has the option to be extended by a further 4 years (to be reviewed annually)"
                },
                "submissionTerms": {
                    "variantPolicy": "notAllowed"
                },
                "hasOptions": false,
                "status": "active"
            }
        ],
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "71351914",
                        "description": "Archaeological services"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "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.",
                    "minimum": "Employers Liability Insurance - 5 million Public Liability Insurance - 10 million",
                    "appliesTo": [
                        "supplier"
                    ]
                }
            ]
        },
        "procurementMethod": "open",
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Open procedure",
        "coveredBy": [
            "GPA"
        ],
        "tenderPeriod": {
            "endDate": "2026-04-20T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "submissionTerms": {
            "languages": [
                "en"
            ]
        },
        "awardPeriod": {
            "startDate": "2026-04-20T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "bidOpening": {
            "date": "2026-04-20T12:00:00+01:00"
        },
        "hasRecurrence": true,
        "contractTerms": {
            "hasElectronicOrdering": true,
            "electronicInvoicingPolicy": "allowed",
            "hasElectronicPayment": true
        },
        "recurrence": {
            "description": "If all extensions are used then the contract will be re-tendered in 2032"
        }
    },
    "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": {
                "telephone": "+44 1316688866",
                "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": [
                    {
                        "id": "NATIONAL_AGENCY",
                        "scheme": "TED_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "National or federal agency/office"
                    },
                    {
                        "scheme": "COFOG",
                        "description": "Built Environment, Tourism, Conservation, Heritage"
                    }
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "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"
            ]
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-FTS-1169",
        "name": "Historic Environment Scotland"
    },
    "links": [
        {
            "rel": "canonical",
            "href": "https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016"
        }
    ],
    "language": "en"
}