Laboratory Services Radiocarbon Dating
AMS radiocarbon dating programme for English Heritage.
UK-London: research laboratory services
2012/S 82-134789
Contract notice
Services
Directive 2004/18/EC
Section I: Contracting authority
I.1)Name, addresses and contact point(s)
English Heritage
Waterhouse Square, 138-142 Holborn
For the attention of: Peter Marshall
EC1N 2ST London
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone: +44 17920781701
E-mail: Peter.Marshall@english-heritage.org.uk
Internet address(es):
General address of the contracting authority: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Further information can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Specifications and additional documents (including documents for competitive dialogue and a dynamic purchasing system) can be obtained from: The above mentioned contact point(s)
Tenders or requests to participate must be sent to: The above mentioned contact point(s)
I.2)Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local agency/office
I.3)Main activity
Recreation, culture and religion
I.4)Contract award on behalf of other contracting authorities
The contracting authority is purchasing on behalf of other contracting authorities: no
Section II: Object of the contract
II.1)Description
II.1.1)Title attributed to the contract by the contracting authority:
AMS radiocarbon dating programme.
II.1.2)Type of contract and location of works, place of delivery or of performance
Services
Service category No 26: Recreational, cultural and sporting services
NUTS code UK
Service category No 26: Recreational, cultural and sporting services
NUTS code UK
II.1.3)Information about a public contract, a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system (DPS)
The notice involves a public contract
II.1.4)Information on framework agreement
II.1.5)Short description of the contract or purchase(s)
Research laboratory services. Preservation services of historical sites and buildings. Research laboratory services. Preservation services of historical sites and buildings. English Heritage funds a programme of radiocarbon dating to support a range of research. 2000 – 2500 AMS measurements will be needed over the next 4 years (August 2012.7.2016). The majority of results will be integrated into Bayesian chronological models.
II.1.6)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73111000, 92522000
II.1.7)Information about Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The contract is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA): yes
II.1.8)Lots
This contract is divided into lots: yes
Tenders may be submitted for one lot only
Tenders may be submitted for one lot only
II.1.9)Information about variants
Variants will be accepted: no
II.2)Quantity or scope of the contract
II.2.1)Total quantity or scope:
English Heritage would like to invite collaboration on the AMS radiocarbon dating component of our research programme for 2012-16. Much of this research is funded through the National Heritage Protection Commission’s Programme although other research is also undertaken both by English Heritage staff and in support of the statutory responsibilities of the organisation. During the period of this contract, in collaboration with Cardiff University, we will also undertake a major research project funded by the European Research Council called “The Times of Their Lives: Towards Precise narratives of change in the European Neolithic through formal chronological modeling”.
The radiocarbon samples.
Details of the 2012-16 research programme are still being finalised, but it is likely that between 2000 – 2500 AMS measurements will be needed over the next four years (1.8.2012 – 31.7.2016). The vast majority of results will be integrated into Bayesian chronological models.
Collaborating laboratories will need to process a full range of samples, including bone collagen, charred organic residues on potsherds, charcoal and other charred plant material, cremated bone, and bulk sediments. Arrangements for the measurement of C:N ratios, ?13C, and ?15N will also be needed. It is possible that dating of a small number of samples of other materials (eg leather, chitin, and shell) may be required, and that some samples may have been conserved.
?13C measurements are required for all radiocarbon measurements. Quoted errors must be estimates of total error. It is anticipated that almost all samples will date to after 10,000 BP, the majority being of less than one half-life.
The contract will be split into 3 lots to allow inter laboratory comparison. Only one contractor will be awarded a lot. Each Lot will be made up of approximately 700 to 900 AMS measurements but this figure may vary.
Collaboration.
All samples will be selected, documented (using EH dating forms), and identified by members of the project teams and the EH Scientific Dating Team. From receipt by the collaborating laboratory, results are requested within 12–16 weeks (requested turnaround will be specified on submission).
Research input will be needed from collaborating laboratories over such issues as appropriate replication, selection of organic fractions, particularly low-collagen sites etc. All collaborators will need to provide full, written, methods statements which will be amended for use in publication texts as appropriate. Some input will be needed in publishing problematic or unexpected results, and in meeting particularly challenging dating problems. A representative of each collaborating laboratory will be a named author on publications arising from the research programme and on appropriate volumes in the English Heritage Radiocarbon Dates series. Collaborators will need to read and comment on draft publication texts as appropriate.
Evaluation criteria.
The contract will be split into three lots to allow inter-laboratory comparison, and will consist of approximately 700 – 900 AMS measurements over four years (this figure may vary). Only one contractor will be awarded each lot. Applications for the entire research programme will not be considered. All bids will be assessed using the criteria stated in the tender documentation, and the top three scoring tenderers will be awarded a lot each.
Expressions of Interest.
This contract has been advertised in the OJEU. Laboratories interested in this research opportunity should contact peter.marshall@english-heritage.org.uk so that English Heritage can issue you with an Invitation to Tender document for completion and return no later than 11am GMT on 18.6.2012.
The radiocarbon samples.
Details of the 2012-16 research programme are still being finalised, but it is likely that between 2000 – 2500 AMS measurements will be needed over the next four years (1.8.2012 – 31.7.2016). The vast majority of results will be integrated into Bayesian chronological models.
Collaborating laboratories will need to process a full range of samples, including bone collagen, charred organic residues on potsherds, charcoal and other charred plant material, cremated bone, and bulk sediments. Arrangements for the measurement of C:N ratios, ?13C, and ?15N will also be needed. It is possible that dating of a small number of samples of other materials (eg leather, chitin, and shell) may be required, and that some samples may have been conserved.
?13C measurements are required for all radiocarbon measurements. Quoted errors must be estimates of total error. It is anticipated that almost all samples will date to after 10,000 BP, the majority being of less than one half-life.
The contract will be split into 3 lots to allow inter laboratory comparison. Only one contractor will be awarded a lot. Each Lot will be made up of approximately 700 to 900 AMS measurements but this figure may vary.
Collaboration.
All samples will be selected, documented (using EH dating forms), and identified by members of the project teams and the EH Scientific Dating Team. From receipt by the collaborating laboratory, results are requested within 12–16 weeks (requested turnaround will be specified on submission).
Research input will be needed from collaborating laboratories over such issues as appropriate replication, selection of organic fractions, particularly low-collagen sites etc. All collaborators will need to provide full, written, methods statements which will be amended for use in publication texts as appropriate. Some input will be needed in publishing problematic or unexpected results, and in meeting particularly challenging dating problems. A representative of each collaborating laboratory will be a named author on publications arising from the research programme and on appropriate volumes in the English Heritage Radiocarbon Dates series. Collaborators will need to read and comment on draft publication texts as appropriate.
Evaluation criteria.
The contract will be split into three lots to allow inter-laboratory comparison, and will consist of approximately 700 – 900 AMS measurements over four years (this figure may vary). Only one contractor will be awarded each lot. Applications for the entire research programme will not be considered. All bids will be assessed using the criteria stated in the tender documentation, and the top three scoring tenderers will be awarded a lot each.
Expressions of Interest.
This contract has been advertised in the OJEU. Laboratories interested in this research opportunity should contact peter.marshall@english-heritage.org.uk so that English Heritage can issue you with an Invitation to Tender document for completion and return no later than 11am GMT on 18.6.2012.
II.2.2)Information about options
II.2.3)Information about renewals
This contract is subject to renewal: yes
Number of possible renewals: 1
In the case of renewable supplies or service contracts, estimated timeframe for subsequent contracts:
in months: 12 (from the award of the contract)
Number of possible renewals: 1
In the case of renewable supplies or service contracts, estimated timeframe for subsequent contracts:
in months: 12 (from the award of the contract)
II.3)Duration of the contract or time limit for completion
Duration in months: 60 (from the award of the contract)
Information about lots
Lot No: 1 Lot title: AMS radiocarbon dating programme
1)Short description
English heritage funds a programme of radiocarbon dating to support a range of research.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73111000
3)Quantity or scope
The contract will be split into 3 lots to allow inter laboratory comparison. Only one contractor will be awarded a lot. Each Lot will be made up of approximately 700 to 900 AMS measurements but this figure may vary.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Lot No: 2 Lot title: AMS radiocarbon dating programme
1)Short description
English heritage funds a programme of radiocarbon dating to support a range of research.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73111000
3)Quantity or scope
The contract will be split into 3 lots to allow inter laboratory comparison. Only one contractor will be awarded a lot. Each Lot will be made up of approximately 700 to 900 AMS measurements but this figure may vary.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Lot No: 3 Lot title: AMS Radiocarbon Dating Programme
1)Short description
English Heritage funds a programme of radiocarbon dating to support a range of research.
2)Common procurement vocabulary (CPV)
73111000
3)Quantity or scope
The contract will be split into 3 lots to allow inter laboratory comparison. Only one contractor will be awarded a lot. Each Lot will be made up of approximately 700 to 900 AMS measurements but this figure may vary.
4)Indication about different date for duration of contract or starting/completion
5)Additional information about lots
Section III: Legal, economic, financial and technical information
III.1)Conditions relating to the contract
III.1.1)Deposits and guarantees required:
III.1.2)Main financing conditions and payment arrangements and/or reference to the relevant provisions governing them:
Payments will be made in accordance with the standard terms of payment detailed in the tender documentation.
III.1.3)Legal form to be taken by the group of economic operators to whom the contract is to be awarded:
No special legal form is required but in the case of combined or consortium bids each service provider will be required to become jointly or severally liable.
III.1.4)Other particular conditions
The performance of the contract is subject to particular conditions: no
III.2)Conditions for participation
III.2.1)Personal situation of economic operators, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: The Authority will apply all the offences listed in Article 45(1) of Directive 2004/18/EC (implemented as Regulation 23(1) of the Public Contract Regulations (PCR) 2006 in the UK) and all of the professional misconducts listed at Article 45(2) of Directive 2004/18/EC (see also Regulation 23(2) in the PCR 2006) to the decision of whether a Candidate is eligible to be invited to tender.
A full list of the Regulation 23(1) and 23(2) criteria are at http://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/project/reasonsForExclusion.html#pcr.
A full list of the Regulation 23(1) and 23(2) criteria are at http://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/project/reasonsForExclusion.html#pcr.
Candidates will be required to answer these questions as part of the qualification process. For candidates who are registered overseas, you will need to declare if you have any offences/misconduct under your own countries laws, where these laws are equivalent to the Regulation 23 lists.
Candidates who have been convicted of any of the offences under Article 45(1) are ineligible and will not be selected to bid, unless there are overriding requirements in the general interest for doing so.
Candidates who are guilty of any of the offences, circumstances or misconduct under Article 45(2) may be excluded from being selected to bid at the discretion of the Authority.
III.2.2)Economic and financial ability
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met: As per tender document.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: As per tender document.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required: As per tender document.
III.2.3)Technical capacity
Information and formalities necessary for evaluating if the requirements are met:
As per tender document.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
As per tender document.
As per tender document.
Minimum level(s) of standards possibly required:
As per tender document.
III.2.4)Information about reserved contracts
III.3)Conditions specific to services contracts
III.3.1)Information about a particular profession
Execution of the service is reserved to a particular profession: no
III.3.2)Staff responsible for the execution of the service
Legal persons should indicate the names and professional qualifications of the staff responsible for the execution of the service: no
Section IV: Procedure
IV.1)Type of procedure
IV.1.1)Type of procedure
Open
IV.1.2)Limitations on the number of operators who will be invited to tender or to participate
IV.1.3)Reduction of the number of operators during the negotiation or dialogue
IV.2)Award criteria
IV.2.1)Award criteria
The most economically advantageous tender in terms of the criteria stated in the specifications, in the invitation to tender or to negotiate or in the descriptive document
IV.2.2)Information about electronic auction
An electronic auction will be used: no
IV.3)Administrative information
IV.3.1)File reference number attributed by the contracting authority:
C300940/001
IV.3.2)Previous publication(s) concerning the same contract
no
IV.3.3)Conditions for obtaining specifications and additional documents or descriptive document
Payable documents: no
IV.3.4)Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate
18.6.2012 – 11:00
IV.3.5)Date of dispatch of invitations to tender or to participate to selected candidates
IV.3.6)Language(s) in which tenders or requests to participate may be drawn up
English.
IV.3.7)Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender
in days: 90 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)
IV.3.8)Conditions for opening tenders
Date: 18.6.2012 – 11:01
Section VI: Complementary information
VI.1)Information about recurrence
This is a recurrent procurement: no
VI.2)Information about European Union funds
The contract is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: yes
Reference to project(s) and/or programme(s): The Times of Their Lives: Towards Precise narratives of change in the European Neolithic through formal chronological modeling.
Reference to project(s) and/or programme(s): The Times of Their Lives: Towards Precise narratives of change in the European Neolithic through formal chronological modeling.
VI.3)Additional information
The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement, and the contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender.
Tenders and all supporting documentation must be priced in Sterling and all payments made under the contract will be in Sterling. GO Reference: GO-2012424-PRO-3877073.
Tenders and all supporting documentation must be priced in Sterling and all payments made under the contract will be in Sterling. GO Reference: GO-2012424-PRO-3877073.
VI.4)Procedures for appeal
VI.4.1)Body responsible for appeal procedures
VI.4.2)Lodging of appeals
VI.4.3)Service from which information about the lodging of appeals may be obtained
VI.5)Date of dispatch of this notice:
24.4.2012