--- title: "Underwater Archaeology" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND" published: "2026-03-19" --- # Underwater Archaeology Buyer: HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016.json) ## Summary Historic Environment Scotland is inviting tenders for a contract titled "Underwater Archaeology," which falls under the Built Environment, Tourism, Heritage, and Conservation industry category. The buying organisation is based in Edinburgh, UK, and aims to gather quality information for investigating and conserving historic underwater assets within Scotland's waters. This tender, currently at the tender stage, follows an open procedure which allows for electronic submissions. Interested parties should submit their tenders by 20th April 2026, with the award period commencing on the same date. The contract could run for up to six years after initial service period evaluations, offering a significant project duration for successful bidders. This tender presents business growth opportunities for entities involved in archaeological services, marine and environmental research, and conservation, including firms specialising in underwater exploration and documentation. The open procurement method used by Historic Environment Scotland encourages wider participation, offering chances for newer and established businesses alike to secure a role in a government contract. To be well-suited to compete, businesses should possess strong financial standings, as evidenced by Scotbis assessments, with requirements of substantial liability insurance coverage to assure continuity and reliability in service delivery. Community benefits throughout the contract term could further boost opportunities for local engagement and sustainable business practices. ## 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 | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552037 | | 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 | | 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 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552037 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR552037 Underwater Archaeology - 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. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://historicenvironment.scot - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=827016 - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx - 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 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000827016. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000827016.json.