Summary
Tavistock Town Council as Client and Accountable Body invites tenders from consultants with the relevant skills and capability to carry out planning and execution of archaeological excavations (CIfA standards), associated reporting writing, handling of finds and digital archiving of the areas shown on drawings Figure 2 and Figure 3.
Due to the time sensitivities relating to the overall wider project deliverables, on appointment, contractors are required to apply for the necessary consents to enable the excavation works to take place, which includes one scheduled monument application for the two sites, presenting a robust and focussed archaeological project design and Written Scheme of Investigation that poses the relevant research questions and provides clear justification for the works taking place under SMC. This will include full sections on human remains, archaeological science and proposals for post-excavation analysis. After the consultant has liaised with Historic England (site meeting with project team has already occurred with Historic England in August 2026), the target is to ensure that the SMC is submitted no later than end January 2027. The appointed consultant will also assist the client with the Faculty application relating to Abbey Cloisters Ruin excavation.
As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant conditions, when considering pricing the works an appropriate allowance should be made for working closely with volunteers, as it is the intention to deliver this project with a community engagement approach, pertaining to volunteers under supervision carrying out actual digging and on-site curation.
The consultant should allow for contacting sector specialists and statutory bodies as part of a desk top exercise to ascertain what previous equivalent survey work exists which will inform the works programme. In addition, the project team has commissioned a Ground Penetrating Radar Survey and the report should be available for the end of 2026, which will inform the strategy relating to the SMC application regarding the findings, especially within the Abbey Cloisters Ruin area.
On completion of the excavation works, the contractor will produce a written report which is suitable to inform next steps with regards to providing valuable insight to the research team and interpretation consultants. It should also be in an appropriate format for public perusal as the results will feed into a wider interpretation programme, both digital and physical. As a minimum the report should include: title page, summary of project background, executive summary of results, description and illustration of site locations, methodology, plans and reports of all documentary and other research, description of the results, interpretation of the results, summary and location of project archives, site layout plans, plans showing locations of excavations, detailed plans of areas where archaeological features are recognised along with adequate OD spot height information, section drawings of deposits and features, site matrices where appropriate, photographical records, consideration of evidence in wider context, summary table and descriptive text showing features, classes and number of artefacts recovered and soil and stonework profiles for interpretation and confidence rating.
The consultant must allow for the costs of data archiving, within 6 months of completion of the report, including completing the online OASIS entry and depositing the digital archive with the Archaeological Data Service.
The brief is also available on Contract Finder http://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/
The estimated budget allowance for this project scope is between £17,000 to £24,000 plus VAT.
The start date for contract and preparing for applying for consents is mid-December 2026, with excavation work targeted for either school summer holidays or just after in September 2027. The production of the report would need to follow shortly afterwards to inform the research and interpretation objectives of the project.
Submission requirements
Applicants should note that submissions should be made by post and must be received no later than the stated deadline. It is the tenderers responsibility to ensure that their tenders arrive at the office address and by this date and time. Tavistock Town Council does not undertake to consider late tenders.
If you are interested in tendering for this project please return your tender in writing in a sealed envelope by no later than midday on Monday 7th December 2026 marked:
CONFIDENTIAL – REDISCOVERING TAVISTOCK ABBEY PROJECT: ARCHAEOLOGICAL to:
The Proper Officer, Tavistock Town Council, Town Council Offices, Drake Road, TAVISTOCK, Devon, PL19 0AU.
For tender enquiries please contact Wayne Southall on 01822 616134 or via email [email protected]
For site access please contact Becky Rowe on 01822 616134 or via email [email protected]
Note – prospective tenderers are prohibited from contacting staff or councillors to canvass or encourage support for their tender outside of the prescribed process.
The tenders will be assessed 60% price, 40% technical return.
As part of the price submission, a half day rate and day rate should be included for any potential additional works commissioned.
The technical return should include:
- Methodology/programme for delivering the project scope, including health and safety considerations
- Evidence of suitable insurance cover, including professional indemnity
- Schedule of anticipated stage payments
- QA documentation relating to key personnel and communication arrangements
- Two suitable references
- Evidence of experience in delivering/and or managing two projects of a similar scope/size
- Evidence of experience in undertaking excavations within scheduled monument sites
The price return should include:
- All necessary work to apply for and secure consents relating to SMC and Faculty
- Desk top research to inform next steps relating to the above (including review of the GPR survey which may alter the SMC application strategy)
- Management and oversight of all excavations as listed above, working in conjunction with selected community volunteers, including provision of associated equipment and health and safety/site security interventions
- Production of Report as outlined above
- Management of finds and associated analysis
- Digital archiving as outlined above
- Allowance of three days post Sept 2027 for additional community engagement activities and liaison with research team/interpretation consultants