Official UK procurement notice
Radiocarbon Dating and Bayesian Analysis
Authority: Historic Environment Scotland
What is being bought
Published requirement descriptionThe contract is for radiocarbon dating and Bayesian analysis of an estimated 150 to 300 archaeological and related palaeoenvironmental samples per year.
- Recurrence: If all extensions are used up then the contract will be re-tendered in 2030.
CPV: Archaeological services
The lotProcurement structure
single lot · no lot value publishedLot #1Renewal
Please see Document 2 - Specification for full requirements
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Published award criteria (2)
- Quality: 70%
- Price: 30%
- Economic & financial standing
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: Employers Liability Insurance - 5 million Public Liability Insurance - 10 million
- Price carries 30 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 3 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record · publisher note attached- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Closed
- Procurement threshold
- Unspecified in notice
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Stand-alone contract (no framework)
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · If all extensions are used up then the contract will be re-tendered in 2030.
- First published
- 8 Jun 2026, 10:57 BST
- Last source update
- 8 Jun 2026, 10:57 BST
- Award evaluation window
- 8 Jul 2026 – …
- Authority reference
HES/C/4361- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-053673- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-06af77Find a Tender
- Electronic trading
- e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Publisher note: Please note that HES cannot sign up to suppliers terms and conditions. HES will not negotiate at point of award or post contract award. Any concerns with the terms and conditions should be highlight in your tender response. 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=834017. 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 consider what community benefits they could bring to the contract. This could be in the form of apprenticeships, work placements. (SC Ref:834017) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=834017
How it was run
Official notice- Submission deadline
- 8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- {"electronicSubmission"}
- Accepted languages
- en
- Bids opened
- 8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
Timeline
8 Jun 2026 → 1 Sept 2026 · 4 dates- Notice published136 days ago8 Jun 2026, 10:57 BST
- Submission deadline106 days ago8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Bids opened106 days ago8 Jul 2026, 12:00 BST
- Contract starts52 days ago1 Sept 2026, 00:00 BST
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Dispute resolution & review bodies
- Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Justice of the Peace CourtReview body
Official documents & specifications
Official links; attachments are not copiedNo document links were published on the notice.