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Minor Archaeological Services Call-Off Contract

Historic Environment Scotland

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

25 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is buying minor archaeological services across its estate in Scotland. The estate includes Properties in Care, related properties and depots managed by HES on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Most work is expected to be small watching briefs and archaeological evaluations, together with written schemes of investigation, post-fieldwork analysis and reporting. The contract may also cover larger excavations, community archaeology, archaeological surveys, historic-building recording, geophysical surveys and dendrochronology. This is a broad heritage archaeology requirement, suited to firms able to provide both fieldwork and associated technical reporting. HES is the buying organisation and the services are to be delivered across its estate; individual delivery locations will depend on the property or site requiring work.

HES invited offers through an open procedure for one contract lot. The tender deadline was 27 October 2026 at 12:00 UTC, with the award period starting at that time. The contract is initially for 24 months, with four optional 12-month extensions, giving a potential maximum duration of six years. The estimated value is £480,000. Quality carries 60% of the evaluation and price 40%; community benefits form part of the scored quality assessment. Bidders must provide named staff and their qualifications. HES assesses financial standing using credit reports and may request audited accounts and bank details. The tender requires public liability cover of at least £5 million, professional indemnity cover of at least £10 million, employers’ liability cover of at least £5 million and product liability cover of at least £10 million, held or obtainable before contract start.

This opportunity suits archaeological contractors with the breadth to respond to routine watching briefs and evaluations as well as occasional larger or specialist assignments. Relevant capability includes preparing written schemes of investigation, carrying out fieldwork, analysing finds and evidence, and producing post-fieldwork reports. Firms with experience in excavation, community archaeology, archaeological and geophysical survey, historic-building recording or dendrochronology may be well placed to cover the full range of potential call-offs. The requirement spans HES-managed heritage properties and supporting sites across Scotland, so suppliers need to organise suitably qualified staff for varied locations and project types. Bidders should be able to demonstrate adequate financial standing and meet the specified insurance thresholds by contract commencement. Quality is the larger part of the assessment, and community-benefit proposals also contribute to the quality score.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Minor Archaeological Services Call-Off Contract

Notice Description

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) requires a call off contract to be put in place for minor archaeological services.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The proposed contract is for the provision of minor archaeological services on the HES estate. The HES Estate comprises the Properties in Care, ancillary properties and depots managed by Historic Environment Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers. It is expected that the majority of the services required will be for small scale watching briefs and evaluations, along with the provision of requisite Written Schemes of Investigations and post-fieldwork analyses and reporting. However, larger scale excavation, community archaeology projects, archaeological survey, historic building recording, geophysical surveys or dendrochronology may be required as part of this contract.

Options: The Contracting Authority reserves the right to request additional deliveries by the Successful Tenderer, either intended as partial replacement of supplies or installations or as extensions of existing supplies and installations. The Contracting Authority may at it's sole discretion exercise this option.

Renewal: The contract will be in place for an initial period of twenty-four months, with the option to extend the contract by four further twelve month periods at the discretion of HES, giving a total potential contract length of seventy-two months.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000843197
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP565296
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract 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

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

CPV Codes

45112450 - Excavation work at archaeological sites

71351720 - Geophysical surveys of archaeological sites

71351914 - Archaeological services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£480,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
27 Oct 20263 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Six years from contract award

Notice Status

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

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

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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