A66 Northern Trans Pennine Upgrade: Archaeological Trenching

Expressions of interest are sought from suitably qualified and experienced archaeological contractors to provide advance archaeological investigation (archaeological trenching) in connection with the above contract. All works are to be undertaken in accordance with the relevant CIfA Standards and Guidance.

A provisional trenching plan has been drawn up and will be supplied to the preferred supplier (s). The provisional trenching totals 1547 trenches comprising 81,217.5 sq m or 46410 linear metres. This represents a 2.5% sample of the land within the current red line boundary for the scheme.

It is anticipated that the chosen supplier (s) will be appointed in March 2021 and commence on site in April 2021.

The contractor will be expected to supply all plant and welfare facilities; and the manpower and equipment necessary to undertake the cleaning, sampling and recording of the proposed trenches.

The contractor will be required to lay out and supervise the opening of all the proposed trenches and to supervise the backfilling and making good of the proposed trenches.

The contractor will be expected to undertake reporting on the results of the evaluation. This is to include ongoing reporting during fieldwork at weekly intervals, an interim report available within one month of completing field work at any location and a final report incorporating dating, finds and palaeo-environmental assessments within 6 weeks of completing all fieldwork.

The contractor is to be responsible for the preparation of all necessary Health and Safety documents. The contractor will be required to liaise with the Amey/Arup land access and heritage teams to arrange access to the land required for trenching.

The appointed contractor(s) will be required to fulfil the duties of Principal Contractor as defined in CDM(2015).

Lots: Lot 1:M6 Junction 40 to Kemplay Bank Roundabout and Penrith to Temple Sowerby (Center Parcs). A provisional total of 208 trenches.

Lot 2:Temple Sowerby to Appleby and Appleby to Brough (Warcop). A provisional total of 680 trenches.

Lot 3:Bowes Bypass (A66/A67), Cross Lanes to Rokeby and Stephen Bank to Carkin Moor. A provisional total of 332 trenches.

How to Apply:

Interested parties are requested to complete the attached/linked brief questionnaire. A minimum of three and a maximum of six Tenderers will be shortlisted from evaluated applicants and invited to submit competitive tenders, the works being divided into three lots as described above. Tenderers will be required to submit returns for all lots.

Additional information: The following archaeological expertise will be required:

Site Manager - Similar site management experience Archaeological Project Manager - MCIfA with at least 10 years experience Archaeological Project Officer - ACIfA, with at least 2 years' experience of managing archaeological fieldwork Provide Archaeological Site Supervisor - PCIfA, with at least 2 years' experience of archaeological fieldwork Archaeological Site Assistant /technician - At least 6 months' professional experience of archaeological fieldwork Surveyor - PCIfA, with at least 2 years' experience of archaeological fieldwork Osteoarchaeologist/ Environmental/Geoarchaeological Archaeologist /Finds specialist - MA/MSc with at least 10 years' experience

Suppliers must be able to demonstrate a proven track history in delivering similar archaeological works in excess of £250,000. Supplier must have the following: •Membership of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists •All staff working on or visiting the site are to hold suitable industry standard accreditation such as CSCS cards and any other requirement as may be stipulated by the Principal Contractor through their tender documentation •Any resources used by the supplier must be PAYE employees of the Supplier, any non-PAYE employees will be subject to an IR35 test (to be paid for by the supplier) •All suppliers must be registered on the HE Passport Scheme •All suppliers must have Constructionline Gold standard or be registered on the Amey evaluation system Curtis Fitch in order to be considered for any opportunity, any successful supplier will need to have either Constructionline Gold standard or be fully evaluated on the Curtis Fitch system (No work can be carried out with Amey without fully completing the evaluation process)

Insurance Levels (Minimum requirements): Employers Liability Insurance - £10m Public / Products, Third Party Liability Insurance - £10m Professional Indemnity Insurance - £5m