City of Payerne - District Heating - Archaeological Monitoring and Preventive Excavations - Phases 1 to 8 - 2026-2028

Archaeological monitoring (supervision of earthworks, excavations and archaeological documentation) and archaeological analysis of the built heritage. i. The Phase 1 intervention and its lessons The old town of Payerne is registered in the cantonal archaeological region and presents an archaeological potential of prime importance, attested by historical sources and previous interventions. The Abbey Church of Payerne, a Cluniac monument of European significance, forms the core of a medieval urban fabric whose stratigraphic density ranks among the richest in the canton. The district heating project (CAD) in the old town of Payerne led to an initial public inquiry (CAMAC No. 240610) concerning connection works in the Derrière La Tour sector (Rue de la Tour, Rue Derrière la Tour and Chemin Neuf). The CAMAC synthesis No. 240610 issued on 15 July 2025 was positive. It included the special permit issued by the Cantonal Archaeology Department (DAC), which required archaeological monitoring including supervision of earthworks, extensive excavations and archaeological documentation, in order to verify that the project would not harm elements worthy of protection under Art. 3 and 4 of the Law on the Protection of Immovable Cultural Heritage (LPrPCI; BLV 451.16) and to define any necessary measures. This archaeological monitoring began in 2025 and continued in early 2026. The corresponding contract, valued at CHF 57,022.– including VAT, was awarded to Archéotech SA, which has recognized expertise in archaeological excavations and studies of medieval period structures. This operation was carried out to the entire satisfaction of all parties. ii. The overall extension of the project and its archaeological scope Meanwhile, a second public inquiry (CAMAC No. 241396) covered extensions of the district heating network under Grand'Rue, Rue du Temple, Place de la Concorde, Rue de la Gare and Rue de la Boverie. The corresponding CAMAC synthesis, issued on 21 August 2025, was positive and incorporated the same archaeological monitoring conditions required by the DAC. Following receipt of an initial estimate from Archéotech SA for the first part of this phase (Grand'Rue, CHF 57,455.– including VAT), the DAC concluded that the project could no longer be handled step by step and must now be approached as a whole. Discussions between the City of Payerne as the project owner and the DAC, held in autumn 2025, established that the entire project comprises 8 phases planned from 2026 to 2028, with several phases running in parallel during certain years. The archaeological potential of the extensions is substantially greater than that of Phase 1 already completed. The streets in question form the backbone of the historic centre of the medieval city of Payerne: they contain numerous expected remains, both in the subsoil and in the elevations of adjacent buildings, some of which present proven archaeological interest. The overall estimate from Archéotech SA dated 21 November 2025, covering all project phases, related archaeological excavations, archaeological analysis of the built heritage and the preparation of a comprehensive final archaeological report, amounts to CHF 1,213,000.– including VAT. Given the threshold of CHF 350,000.– including VAT applicable to service contracts subject to international treaties, this contract is subject to the international open procedure. According to the conclusions of the explanatory report – available upon request – the conditions for awarding by way of exceptional direct negotiation under Art. 21 para. 2 let. c) and e) A-IMP (BLV 726.91) are met, and the contract is therefore awarded in this manner to Archéotech SA.

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