Archaeological Processing and Archive Services

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This framework agreement is for archaeological processing and archive services for accession and storage within the National Museum of Ireland (NMI). The NMI requires services to manage and prepare archaeological collections and related archives for long-term storage and integration into its national collections. The framework will be established with two economic operators.

The scope of services includes:

• Archaeological Assemblage Processing: Sorting, packing, documenting, and preparing archaeological assemblages from excavated or stored collections. This work must meet NMI contract specifications and standards. A typical project duration is at least 6 months.
• Archive Processing: Sorting, packing, documenting, and transferring archaeological and museum-related archives, documents, and reports from various storage locations. A typical work package duration is 6 months to 1 year.
• Osteological Analysis and Reporting: Washing, drying, processing, packing, and delivering osteological analysis and reporting on human remains assemblages. This includes selecting samples for C14, Isotope, or other analyses. Services cover varying sizes of human remains, from single bones to large assemblages.
• Risk Assessment: Completion of risk assessments for the working environment to ensure the safety of personnel, NMI staff, and collections.
• Project Management and Liaison: Supervision and guidance of framework personnel by a contractor-appointed supervisor who will liaise with relevant NMI staff.
• Human Remains Treatment: Adherence to the NMI Policy on Human Remains and international reporting standards (e.g., CiFA Updated Guidelines, Buikstra & Ubelaker).
• Documentation: Creation of documentary records using NMI MS Excel templates for upload to internal databases.
• Archival Services: Provision of Archivists with demonstrable knowledge of the Archives Act 1986.
• IT Compliance: Compliance with NMI Information Technology protocols for safe data storage.
• Transportation and Packing: Responsible for the appropriate transport of archaeological objects between sites, including method statements for packing. Vehicles must have air suspension. Access to a variety of vehicles (rigid box vans, trucks, flatbeds) with environmental controls and varying access options (tail lift, walk-in ramps) is required. Hiring vehicles is acceptable.
• Processing and Temporary Storage: Provision of appropriate processing, drying, and off-site temporary storage for human remains and archaeological object assemblages at the contractor's premises. Storage facilities must be secure, weatherproof, pest-protected, and equipped with appropriate shelving and security measures. Washing and drying facilities must prevent mould and pest ingress. A system for documenting and locating stored assemblages is required.

Services may be based at NMI locations including the Museum of Archaeology (Kildare Street), Collins Barracks (Dublin), Collections Resource Centre (Swords, Co. Dublin), and stores in Daingean (Co. Offaly). Processing and analysis may also occur at the contractor's premises.

3. Background & buyer context

The National Museum of Ireland (NMI), established under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997, is responsible for maintaining, managing, protecting, preserving, recording, researching, and enlarging its collections. Its principal functions include increasing knowledge of Irish life, natural history, and international relations in these respects. The NMI operates five primary locations and several smaller off-site storage areas. This procurement is driven by the need to manage and process archaeological collections and archives, facilitating the restructuring of storage and office spaces for critical capital construction projects. It also addresses the NMI's statutory function to ensure archaeological collections from licensed excavations are processed to required standards before accession, and to manage chance discoveries of human remains and previously unreported assemblages.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must demonstrate the required level of financial and technical capacity. The following are minimum requirements:

• Turnover requirement: A minimum average annual turnover of €800,000 during one of the last three years.
• Insurance:
• Employer's Liability: €13 million
• Public Liability: €6.5 million
• Professional Indemnity: €1 million
• Certifications: Professional membership of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland or equivalent is required.
• Past experience: Previous and demonstrable experience of at least 6 months working in post-excavation processing and archive services is required. Experience in preparing archaeological assemblages for storage in the National Museum of Ireland is necessary. Knowledge of relevant legislation (National Monuments Acts 1930-2014, Historic and Archaeological Heritage and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023) and NMI policies is required.
• Personnel: Minimum staffing requirements include:
• 1 Supervisor (Archaeologist)
• 2 Archaeological Assistants
• 1 Archivist
• 1 Senior Osteoarchaeologist
• 2 Osteoarchaeologists (for larger assemblages) All personnel must be qualified in Irish archaeology, have relevant experience, be trained in risk assessment, and possess valid Safe Pass cards.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Off-site storage facilities must meet minimum requirements: large, indoor, secure, clean, fully weatherproof, pest-protected, with compliant shelving, monitored security, and appropriate washing/drying facilities. Storage in metal container units is not suitable.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The framework agreement will be awarded based on a combination of quality and price. The specific scoring mechanism for mini-tenders is detailed below, but the initial framework award will be based on the tenderer's ability to meet minimum requirements and their overall submission.

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria