Contract notice
Section I: Contracting
authority
I.1) Name and addresses
Historic Environment Scotland
Longmore House, Salisbury Place
Edinburgh
EH9 1SH
UK
Telephone: +44 1316688866
E-mail: procurement@hes.scot
NUTS: UKM75
Internet address(es)
Main address: http://historicenvironment.scot
Address of the buyer profile: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA00164
I.3) Communication
The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge at:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
Additional information can be obtained from the abovementioned address
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent electronically to:
www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk
I.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal agency/office
I.5) Main activity
Other: Built Environment, Tourism, Conservation, Heritage
Section II: Object
II.1) Scope of the procurement
II.1.1) Title
Underwater Archaeology
Reference number: HES/C/4344
II.1.2) Main CPV code
71351914
II.1.3) Type of contract
Services
II.1.4) Short description
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.
II.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots:
No
II.2) Description
II.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
71351914
II.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS code:
UKM
II.2.4) Description of the procurement
For full details of the requirement please see Document 2 Specification
II.2.5) Award criteria
Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents
II.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system
Duration in months: 24
This contract is subject to renewal: Yes
Description of renewals:
After the initial 2 years, the contract has the option to be extended by a further 4 years (to be reviewed annually)
II.2.9) Information about the limits on the number of candidates to be invited
II.2.10) Information about variants
Variants will be accepted:
No
II.2.11) Information about options
Options:
No
II.2.13) Information about European Union funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds:
No
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1) Conditions for participation
III.1.2) Economic and financial standing
List and brief description of selection criteria:
HES use Scotbis, an independent provider of business credit reports, to assess the financial standing of tenderers. The overall aim of this assessment is to ensure, as far as possible, that any potential Supplier will not have financial difficulties that endanger their ability to perform the Contract. If financial information cannot be gained from that source Historic Environment Scotland will request that you provide full audited accounts for the last full financial year. If Suppliers cannot provide any of the assurances as detailed above, and it is determined by HES that your financial strength is not adequate, then your company may not pass the financial evaluation. If you can provide the assurances as detailed above, HES may explore these options with you before determining whether your company can be taken forward in this procurement exercise. Bank details may also be sought to support the above.
Minimum level(s) of standards required:
Employers Liability Insurance - 5 million
Public Liability Insurance - 10 million
III.2) Conditions related to the contract
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1) Description
IV.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
IV.1.8) Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement:
Yes
IV.2) Administrative information
IV.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
Date:
20/04/2026
Local time: 12:00
IV.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted
EN
IV.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders
Date:
20/04/2026
Local time: 12:00
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1) Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement:
Yes
Estimated timing for further notices to be published:
If all extensions are used then the contract will be re-tendered in 2032
VI.2) Information about electronic workflows
Electronic ordering will be used
Electronic invoicing will be accepted
Electronic payment will be used
VI.3) Additional information
Please note that HES will not sign up to supplier's Terms and Conditions. HES cannot negotaite at point of award or post contract award.
NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=827016.
The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx.
Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems.
Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-procurement/
A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows:
Suppliers are asked to put forward any commnuity benefits that they can offer throughout the lifetime of the contract.
(SC Ref:827016)
Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=827016
VI.4) Procedures for review
VI.4.1) Review body
Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace Court
Edinburgh
UK
VI.5) Date of dispatch of this notice
19/03/2026