Archaeology Framework

Highways England has highlighted the need for an archaeology framework with technically competent, capacity enabled suppliers, in order to provide a consistent route across programmes/ directorates, drive savings and build direct relationships with suppliers. The Framework will be enabled for use by Highways England other Contractors The Framework will be composed of 6 lots. Suppliers may be awarded up to a maximum of two lots from lots 1a, 2a and 3a. Work Orders will be undertaken through lots 1a, 2a,and 3a with values based on individual Schemes within each lot. Lot 1a: up to £2 Million Lot 2a: from £2 Million - up to £5 Million Lot 3a: > £5 Million

Time Charge Orders will be undertaken through lots 1b, 2b and 3b .

The scope of the services and works that will be delivered under the Framework will cover 6 stages:

Stage 1: The provision of general early-stage, desk-based advice on the production and costing of deliverables and interventions to inform a submission.

Stage 2: Includes the provision of detailed assessment from the framework suppliers. This would cover the range of skill sets not normally found 'in-house' within the Client's design-consultancy providers.

Stage 3: Detailed design and implementation of investigations. The framework suppliers supply non-intrusive and intrusive archaeological investigations as appropriate, at the direction of the Client .

Stage 4: Mitigation measures including - avoidance, preservation by burial, or investigation in the case of archaeological remains, - relocation, photographic or drawn to scale surveys in the case of historic buildings, - recording, information panels or landscape works in the case of impacts on historic landscapes and - reduction to impact on setting through screening or landscaping.

Stage 5: Archaeological mitigation for on-site works - preservation of archaeological sites in situ (some may require small scale investigation) and - archaeological recording of assets to be removed by the Package Contract.

Stage 6: Archaeological mitigation programme for off-site works - preliminary processing of excavated material and data, - post-fieldwork assessment, - analysis and publication and - public archaeology and community engagement.

Where archaeological remains are to be preserved in situ the archaeological Supplier may be required to undertake or monitor other suppliers' activities. The contract start and end dates are indicative and subject to change. Highways England reserves the right to transfer any unallocated value between lots to fund additional schemes.

Additional information: The Contracting Authority will use an eTendering system in this procurement exercise and reserves the right to use a reverse auction. How to take part in this Tender: 1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once) - visit https://highways.bravosolution.co.uk and click the link to register - Accept the terms and conditions and click 'continue' - Enter your business and user details - Note the username you chose and click 'Save' when complete - You will shortly receive an email with your unique password. 2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the portal - Click the 'PQQs/ITTs Open to All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier). Click on the relevant PQQ/ITT to access the content. Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of this page. This will move the PQQ/ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITT's page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only). You can access any attachments by clicking the 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ITT Details box. 3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ITT Details' , you can 'Create Response' or 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining). You can use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification. Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ITT. There may be a mixture of online and offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available). Submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance please consult online help, or contact the e-tendering help desk. An online tender event will be held w/c 13 July to to explain aspects of the tender process and documentation. if you are interested in attending please contact Alison Perrry: [email protected]