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Underwater Archaeology

Historic Environment Scotland

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

27 Jul 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

19 Mar 2026 at 00:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Historic Environment Scotland procured specialist underwater archaeological services to provide information supporting its work to investigate, record, conserve, protect and promote submerged historic assets. The requirement covers sub-tidal environments in UK waters adjacent to Scotland, extending to the 12-nautical-mile limit, and may also include freshwater locations such as lochs. This is a heritage conservation and archaeological investigation service, classified under CPV 71351914. The work is for Historic Environment Scotland, whose base is in Edinburgh, with delivery across the relevant Scottish marine and freshwater locations. The requirement is focused on producing reliable archaeological information about underwater historic assets rather than general construction, diving or environmental services.

This procurement is complete and has been awarded following an open procedure. The tender deadline and bid opening were both 20 April 2026 at 12:00. One lot was awarded to MSDS Marine and MSDS Heritage. The award date and contract signing date were 27 July 2026, and the active contract value is £37,663.40. The initial contract period is 720 days, with an option to extend for a further four years, reviewed annually. Evaluation was weighted 80% to quality and 20% to price. Four electronic bids were received, including three from SMEs. English was the submission language, variants were not allowed, and electronic payment and ordering apply, with electronic invoicing allowed.

This award demonstrates a defined requirement for specialist underwater archaeology supporting a national heritage body. Credible suppliers for a future requirement would need practical capability to investigate and record submerged historic assets in sub-tidal Scottish waters, including work up to the 12-nautical-mile limit, and to undertake comparable surveys or investigations in lochs where required. Experience should translate into high-quality information that can inform conservation, protection and promotion decisions, not simply fieldwork or diving activity. The strong quality weighting favours organisations able to show robust archaeological methods, reporting and evidence of reliable delivery. Suppliers would also need sound financial standing, Employers’ Liability Insurance of £5 million and Public Liability Insurance of £10 million. The successful supplier is an SME, indicating that specialist smaller firms can compete.

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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-r6ebe6-0000827016
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL560956
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award 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
Complete
Awards Status
Not Specified
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

Notice Documents

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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