Northstowe Phase 2 — Archaeology Mitigation (Excavation).

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is procuring archaeological investigation and archaeological mitigation works (identify and record/recover) at our Northstowe site; which is a proposed new town development located 10km north-west of Cambridge, UK. The underlying geology is comprised of 3rd and 4th terrace river gravels above Kimmeridge and Ampthill clay formations. The site has been subject to geophysical survey and trial trench evaluation, which has identified numerous sites of archaeological interest. These are predominantly of Iron Age and Roman date, although there is also evidence for Bronze Age activity. Late Saxon and Medieval archaeology has also been identified, but these known sites will not be impacted by thedevelopment. Recent adjacent fieldwork has also identified evidence for extensive Saxon settlement andburials.

A full brief for the works has been prepared by Cambridgeshire Historic Environment Team (CHET), the principal elements are: — Open Area excavation of identified sites; — Strip/map/record area of water-park; — Strip/map/record new access and haulage roads; — Transect investigation of areas where remains not identified in evaluation or geophysical survey; — Post-excavation assessment and analysis leading to the production of an archive report and publication of the excavation results. The Contractor shall prepare a Written Schemeof Investigation (WSI) for the whole of the works which shall include, but not be limited to: — the Contractor's method for surveying and establishing the site grid; — the Contractor's retention and disposal policies for samples and artefacts recovered during the Works; — the Contractor's method for excavating and recording inhumations and cremations; — the Contractor's method for palaeoenvironmental site sampling and processing procedures (to include recovery of samples for chronometric dating); — the Contractor's procedures for liaison with the Principal Contractor on appointment; — the Contractors Methods and Procedures for quality control and assurance; — the Contractors methods for ensuring the quality of work undertaken by subcontractors; and— the Contractor's methods for undertaking post excavation, assessment, analysis and reporting. The WSI shall be issued in draft as part of the Contractor's response to the Invitation to Tender. A revised draft shall be issued within 5 working days of contract award. The WSI shall clearly identify all Standards and Guidance thatthe Contractor intends to comply with in the delivery of the Works. The finalised WSI will be issued to CHET bythe Client for agreement.

Detailed CPV Code - 45112450, Excavation work at archaeological sites.

Additional information: The Contract will be subject to English law. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in GBP and all payments under the contract will be made in GBP.

This procurement and award is subject to the transparency arrangements being adopted by the UK government.These arrangements include the publication of tender documentation issued by the HCA and the Contract between the HCA and developer. Bidders should highlight any areas they consider commercially sensitive in order for the HCA to be able to honour our transparency obligations without undermining the bidders commercial interests.

Candidates are advised that the HCA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (‘The Act’). If a candidate considers that any of the information supplied as part of this procurement procedure should not be disclosed because of its commercial sensitivity, confidential or otherwise; they must when providing this information, clearly identify the specific information they do not wish to be disclosed and clearly specify the reasons for its sensitivity. The HCA shall take such statements into consideration in the event that it receives a request pursuant to the Act which relates to the information provided by the interested party. Please note, it is insufficient to include a statement of confidentiality encompassing all the information provided in the response.

The HCA takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and sets high standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the management of its activities. The principles contained within this policy apply to both internal and external audiences including anyone wishing to undertake business or engage with the HCA. Please refer to our anti-bribery and corruption policy by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-bribery-and-corruption-policy for further information.

All dates included in this notice are provisional and potentially subject to revision.