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Underwater Archaeology

Historic Environment Scotland

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Jul 2026 at 13:47

Award Notice
Tender

19 Mar 2026 at 10:32

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Historic Environment Scotland procured underwater archaeological services to support its statutory functions for historic assets in sub-tidal environments. The scope covers investigating, recording, conserving, protecting and promoting underwater historic assets as far as the UK’s waters adjacent to Scotland, up to 12 nautical miles offshore. Work may also be required in freshwater locations, including lochs. The service falls within archaeological services and is delivered in Scotland. The buyer is Historic Environment Scotland, based in Edinburgh. The requirement is for quality archaeological information and expertise rather than construction or general environmental services, so it is most relevant to suppliers specialising in maritime archaeology, underwater cultural heritage, archaeological investigation, recording and conservation.

The procurement reached completion through an open procedure. Bids closed on 20 April 2026 at 12:00, with evaluation and bid opening starting at that time. Four electronic bids were received, including three from SMEs. The contract was awarded to MSDS Marine and MSDS Heritage, and the contract was signed on 27 July 2026. The active contract is worth £37,663.40. The initial contract period is two years, with an option to extend by a further four years, reviewed annually; if all extensions are used, the requirement is due to be re-tendered in 2032. Evaluation weighted quality at 80% and price at 20%. One lot was used, and variant bids were not allowed.

This award indicates demand for specialist underwater archaeology supporting a national heritage body across Scottish coastal waters and freshwater lochs. A credible competitor would need practical capability in sub-tidal and freshwater archaeological investigation, survey, recording, conservation, protection and interpretation of historic assets. The requirement favoured quality heavily, so evidence of technically strong methods, reliable reporting and the ability to provide information that supports statutory heritage decisions would be important. Suppliers should also be able to demonstrate sound financial standing, with business credit assessment or audited accounts available where required. Employers’ liability insurance of £5 million and public liability insurance of £10 million were required. The successful supplier was an SME, indicating that specialist smaller firms can compete for this type of work.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

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)

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066e89
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070795-2026
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
£37,663 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Jul 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
20 Apr 2026Expired
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
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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

MSDS Marine and MSDS Heritage

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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.

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