Archaeological services

Tender description

Transport Scotland intends to undertake a public procurement competition for the provision of archaeology services, which are required on Transport Scotland projects. The services comprise of invasive archaeology services, non-invasive archaeology services, and advisory services. Over the forthcoming years, there a number of projects which shall require such archaeological services. These include, but are not limited to: — A9 Dualling Programme; and — A96 Dualling Programme Due to the repeat need for these services, coupled with the exact requirement and timings being unknown, it is considered that these services would be best met through the use of a framework agreement. Furthermore, due to the nature and quantum of the services it is intended that the services will be divided into 3 lots: Lot 1: Advisory services; Lot 2: Low value ‘Non-invasive and Invasive Investigations’ and ‘Post Excavation Services’ (contract values <GBP 100 000); Lot 3: High Value ‘Non-invasive and Invasive Investigations’ and ‘Post Excavation Services’ (contract values >GBP 100 000). Following an analysis of future spend, the current estimated spend values per lot is as follows: Lot 1: GBP 5 m Lot 2: GBP 0.5 m Lot 3: GBP 21 m Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Government and contracts in the name of and on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland will conduct the proposed procurement process on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Archaeological professional/technical advisory services, of which may comprise: (i) advising Transport Scotland on legislation, good industry practice and the processes and procedures which are required to be adhered to when conducting non-invasive and invasive investigations, and post excavation services; (ii) development and drafting of procurement and/or contract documents; (iii) advising Transport Scotland on appropriate form and conditions of contracts to be adopted, understanding the pitfalls of different types of contracts; and (iv) Support Transport Scotland in the management of archaeological contracts, addressing both technical and commercial issues. Non-invasive and invasive investigations Archaeological investigation, of which may comprise: (i) management of and co-ordination with, any other specialist sub-contractors appointed by the supplier, as required; (ii) preparation of health and safety risk assessments and reports for all services to be carried out on each site of interest; (iii) liaison and compliance with the directions of Transport Scotland, the relevant engineering consultant(s) and the relevant local authority archaeologist and, if required, with Historic Environment Scotland; (iv) preparation and submission of progress reports (frequency to be agreed with the project management team and supplier); (v) undertaking topographical/earthwork survey(s); geophysical survey(s); building survey(s); field walking survey(s); and/or metal detector survey(s) at each relevant site; (vi) trial trenching by machine (or by hand where specified) and subsequent evaluation and hand excavation; (vii) undertaking strip, map and sample at each relevant site; (viii) undertaking archaeological excavation(s) at each relevant site; (ix) undertaking palaeo-environmental assessment and/or analysis at each relevant site; and (x) seeking all necessary permissions prior to any work being undertaken. Post excavation services Post excavation services, of which may comprise: (i) undertaking of post–excavation assessment, analysis and reporting on the results of an archaeological investigation; (ii) publication at a level of detail appropriate to the significance of the results is required as well as ensuring submission of a summary of the works undertaken to the Archaeology Scotland publication Discovery and Excavation Scotland; (iii) dissemination of the results through deposition of an ordered archive at the RCAHMS (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland), OASIS and the deposition of a detailed report at Transport Scotland and local authorities offices; and (iv) liaison and compliance with the directions of Transport Scotland, their technical advisor and Historic Scotland. Non-invasive and invasive Investigations Archaeological investigation, of which may comprise: (i) management of and co-ordination with, any other specialist sub-contractors appointed by the supplier, as required; (ii) preparation of health and safety risk assessments and reports for all services to be carried out on each site of interest; (iii) liaison and compliance with the directions of Transport Scotland, the relevant engineering consultant(s) and the relevant local authority archaeologist and, if required, with Historic Environment Scotland; (iv) preparation and submission of progress reports (frequency to be agreed with the project management team and supplier); (v) undertaking topographical/earthwork survey(s); geophysical survey(s); building survey(s); field walking survey(s); and/or metal detector survey(s) at each relevant site; (vi) trial trenching by machine (or by hand where specified) and subsequent evaluation and hand excavation; (vii) undertaking strip, map and sample at each relevant site; (viii) undertaking archaeological excavation(s) at each relevant site; (ix) undertaking palaeo-environmental assessment and/or analysis at each relevant site; and (x) seeking all necessary permissions prior to any work being undertaken. Post excavation services Post excavation services, of which may comprise: (i) undertaking of post–excavation assessment, analysis and reporting on the results of an archaeological investigation; (ii) publication at a level of detail appropriate to the significance of the results is required as well as ensuring submission of a summary of the works undertaken to the Archaeology Scotland publication Discovery and Excavation Scotland; iii) dissemination of the results through deposition of an ordered archive at the RCAHMS (Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland), OASIS and the deposition of a detailed report at Transport Scotland and local authorities offices; and (iv) liaison and compliance with the directions of Transport Scotland, their technical advisor and Historic Scotland.