---
title: "Underwater Archaeology"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-066e89"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e89"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e89.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e89.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND"
published: "2026-03-19"
---

# Underwater Archaeology

Buyer: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-066e89

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e89)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e89.json)

## Summary

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.

## Notice

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)

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025012-2026 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 19 Mar 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | If all extensions are used then the contract will be re-tendered in 2032 |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND |
| Locality | EDINBURGH |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH9 1SH |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM13 City of Edinburgh |
| Local authority | City of Edinburgh |
| Electoral ward | Southside/Newington |
| Westminster constituency | Edinburgh South |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### Codes

- 71351914 - Archaeological services

## Release History

- 19 Mar 2026 at 10:32 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/025012-2026

## Notice URLs

- http://historicenvironment.scot
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016
- https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=827016
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=827016
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00164
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-066e89. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-066e89.json.