Framework for Archaeology Services at Transport Scotland

Description

Transport Scotland undertook 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 was 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, the services are divided into 3 lots: - Lot 1 – Advisory Services; - Lot 2 – Low Value ‘Non-invasive and Invasive Investigations’ and ‘Post Excavation Services’ (contract values <100k GBP) - Lot 3 – High Value ‘Non-invasive and Invasive Investigations’ and ‘Post Excavation Services’ (contract values >100k GBP) Following an analysis of future spend, the current estimated spend values per lot is as follows: - Lot 1, 5M GBP - Lot 2, 0.25M GBP - Lot 3, 21M GBP Transport Scotland is an agency of the Scottish Government and contracts in the name of and on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. Transport Scotland conducted the proposed procurement process on behalf of the Scottish Ministers. The services for Lot 2 are likely to include the following: 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 relevant and appropriate publications; iii) Dissemination of the results through deposition of an ordered archive at the relevant public bodies 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 all relevant public authorities. It is envisaged that the services shall be provided at the Supplier’s construction sites with attendance required on an ad-hoc basis at Transport Scotland’s offices. However, on occasion, the Supplier may be required to undertake the following duties: i. attend the offices, other construction sites or other locations within Scotland as and when required; ii. attend meetings at Transport Scotland’s main office in George House, Glasgow or construction site offices as and when may be required; iii. liaison with other Transport Scotland advisers/ consultants/ contractors at their specific offices/sites. The Supplier was procured through the restricted procedure, a procedure under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. This is a two-stage procedure, comprising a prequalification stage and a tender stage. This Contract Notice and ESPD sets out the prequalification stage and Section II.2.9 of this Contract Notice describes the criteria for choosing the limited number of candidates that were taken forward to tender stage. In order to be considered for this procurement competition, economic operators had to complete and submit an ESPD via the Public Contracts Scotland portal (www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk). A total of 3 economic operators were invited to tender stage for Lot 2, and the most economically advantageous tenderer was awarded onto the Framework Agreement.