Appointment of Archaeological Geophysical Surveyor

Tavistock Town Council as Client and Accountable Body invites tenders from consultants with the relevant skills and capability to carry out an archaeological geophysical survey (CIfA standards) of the area shown on drawing J26.014. The method suggested and to be priced for, due to the site conditions and project aims, is Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR).

Alternative methods, with associated rationale as an addition to the price schedule will be accepted as part of the tender submission. 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 survey work to take place, which includes the Section 42 licence and production of the accompanying method statement.

When considering pricing the works and the drafting of the method statement, the locations and associated activities need to be considered. e.g. The site plan include a churchyard which has funerals and ceremonies, a highway/public footpaths and a busy public realm (Bedford Square which has regular markets). Allowance should be made when surveying the highway for unsociable hrs/traffic management arrangements.

As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant conditions, the project has complimentary initiatives relating to community engagement. The appointed consultant should allow when surveying the churchyard/or Bedford Square for two half days working with community groups.

(Note: this will include small groups, no more than 5 in No., either from the Youth Café or Heritage community partners). The contractor 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.

On completion of the survey work, the contractor will produce a written report which is suitable to inform next steps with work commissioned to an appointed archaeologist, regarding possible excavation works as well and being in a 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: tile page, summary of results, introduction, methods (techniques and methodologies), results, conclusions, acknowledgements, statement of indemnity, references, appendices and associated plots and plans, including interpretative plans/diagrams.

These plans should be cross referenced to Blaylock's plan of the Abbey. The contractor 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 estimated budget allowance for this project for the Geophysical Surveyor's fees is between £13,000 to £20,000 plus VAT. The start date for contract and applying for consents is early October 2026 with survey work and completion of the report targeted for the end of December 2026.