--- title: "7902 Flag Fen: investigating the survival and preservation of the archaeological remains to inform a management strategy" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "HISTORIC ENGLAND" published: "2021-01-12" --- # 7902 Flag Fen: investigating the survival and preservation of the archaeological remains to inform a management strategy Buyer: HISTORIC ENGLAND Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-44e4b85d-7f6e-4a20-a039-31df1c3c760e.json) ## Summary The procurement process titled "7902 Flag Fen: investigating the survival and preservation of the archaeological remains to inform a management strategy" is managed by Historic England, located in Swindon, United Kingdom. This project, classified under the industry category of research and development services, is currently in the Tender stage, with bids due by 12th February 2021. The overarching aim is to assess and preserve a nationally significant archaeological site, ensuring its management strategy leads to the removal of the site from the Heritage at Risk Register. The contract, valued at £75,000 with a minimum value of £50,000, is set to commence on 22nd February 2021 and will conclude on 31st May 2022. The procurement method is an open procedure, specifically below threshold, allowing a wide range of suppliers to participate. This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses, particularly those specialising in archaeological services, environmental assessments, and consultancy related to heritage preservation and management. Suppliers capable of conducting detailed excavations and assessments or providing strategic management advice could find this an advantageous tender to pursue. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly encouraged to apply, as the contracting authority has indicated suitability for such suppliers. This tender not only allows for business growth in a niche market but also contributes to the preservation of important cultural heritage, making it a meaningful venture for prospective bidders. ## Notice Flag Fen, near Peterborough, is a nationally important wooden Bronze Age post alignment and timber platform with associated artefacts and palaeoenvironmental remains. The archaeology is preserved within an embayment of low-lying wetland known as the Flag Fen basin. It is designated as a scheduled monument, along with adjacent dry-land Bronze Age remains at Northey (List entry 1406460; Figure 1). Preliminary work has indicated that the fragile organic remains are degrading in some parts of the site and, if unchecked, there may be catastrophic loss of rare organic archaeological evidence (Brittain 2010; Wilkinson et al. 2013; Brittain in press). The remains are currently included on the Historic England Heritage at Risk Register and there is a pressing need to formulate and implement a formal management strategy to sustain the site's potential for future research, through continued physical preservation, archaeological excavation, or a combination of the two. In order to determine the most appropriate management option, further preservation assessments are required to address the weaknesses/gaps present in our understanding. Only limited information is currently available about the preservation of the archaeological remains and how this may have changed since the site was first investigated in the 1980s. In addition, there is some ambiguity regarding the extent of the Platform, particularly the lack of timber in the trenches positioned on its northern side which has led to Brittain et al. (in press) suggesting a reduced extent of c.15,000 sqm, compared to the estimate of 22,100sqm proposed by Pryor (2001, 426). The excavation of key areas of the Platform will allow questions about the extent this feature to be investigated. This brief addresses recommendations made in (Brittain et al. in press), a desk-based project commissioned by Historic England that modelled what is currently known about the survival and preservation of the archaeological remains at Flag Fen. Targeted excavations were recommended to address gaps in our understanding and to recover objective, scientific information about the preservation of the archaeological remains. The information is needed to aid the development of an appropriate management strategy to ensure that future generations can enjoy and understand the important archaeological remains. The ultimate aim is the removal of the scheduled monument from the Heritage at Risk Register. This brief covers the excavation and assessment stage of the project. Additional information: Suppliers interested in this opportunity should register at https://in-tendhost.co.uk/historic-england/aspx/Home in order to express interest and download documentation. Is a Recurrent Procurement Type? : No ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1999e668-2242-4bf9-b3af-c3a3a0bb4d2f | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 12 Jan 2021 | | Submission deadline | 12 Feb 2021 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 22 Feb 2021 - 31 May 2022 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £75,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | HISTORIC ENGLAND | | Locality | SWINDON | | Post town | Swindon | | Postcode | SN2 2EH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire | | ITL 3 | TLK71 Swindon | | Local authority | Swindon | | Electoral ward | Mannington and Western | | Westminster constituency | Swindon South | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ### Codes - 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services ## Release History - 12 Jan 2021 at 19:26 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1999e668-2242-4bf9-b3af-c3a3a0bb4d2f ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1999e668-2242-4bf9-b3af-c3a3a0bb4d2f 12th January 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/historic-england/aspx/Home Additional information on how to apply for this contract ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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