Award

Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services

DORSET COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

08 Aug 2025 at 08:32

Tender

19 Feb 2025 at 12:46

Planning

20 Dec 2024 at 11:58

Summary of the contracting process

Dorset Council recently completed the procurement process for a "Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services," aimed at supporting construction and maintenance projects. The framework, which belongs to the services industry category, was accessible to both Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole Council. It followed an open procurement procedure and was established as a multi-supplier framework agreement with four suppliers—ACS Testing Limited, Jackson Drilling Holdings Limited, Leyden Kirby Associates Limited T/A The LK Group, and SOCOTEC UK Limited. The process progressed to the award stage, and contracts were signed on 17 July 2025. The services encompass geotechnical site investigation, material testing, and related technical consultancy, mainly benefiting Dorset Highways.

This framework presents a substantial opportunity for businesses specialising in site investigation and materials testing to engage with regional authorities, promoting business growth through long-term partnerships. Companies with expertise in civil engineering materials testing, geotechnical investigation, and environmental testing are well-positioned to benefit, particularly SMEs, which have been successful in this award. The ability to provide comprehensive testing solutions and specialist advice positions these businesses strategically to collaborate on public infrastructure projects, thereby expanding their market presence in the Dorset and adjacent regions.

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Notice Title

Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services

Notice Description

Dorset Council went out to tender for site investigation and materials testing services in the delivery of construction/maintenance projects. The requirements included; * Field and laboratory testing of civil engineering materials (including but not limited to; bituminous materials, aggregates, concrete), geotechnical site investigation and soils testing which will require factual and interpretative reporting. * Geo-environmental site investigation and testing which will require factual reporting, interpretative reporting and risk assessment. * Investigation of existing highways and structures (including but not limited to core sampling of carriageways and structures). * Provision of specialist advice and representation (on materials, pavement design and geotechnical/geo-environmental matters) The requirements are primarily for Dorset Highways however other areas of the Council share the requirements. The Council sought to establish a multi-supplier Framework agreement for provision of the services. The Framework will also be accessible to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, who are named in the Tender Notice. A maximum of 4 suppliers have been awarded on to the Framework Agreement. During the term of the Framework, call-off orders will be placed by means of direct award or further competition. The advertised value of the Framework is estimated is based upon the Councils' estimated needs over the full Framework term however this may change due to changing needs and circumstances during the Framework term: This may include expansion of the scope, budget, or duration if additional services are needed or may include reduction of the scope, budget, or duration if circumstances change, such as reduced funding, lower-than-expected demand, or strategic shifts.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Dorset Council went out to tender for site investigation and materials testing services in the delivery of construction/maintenance projects. The requirements included; * Field and laboratory testing of civil engineering materials (including but not limited to; bituminous materials, aggregates, concrete), geotechnical site investigation and soils testing which will require factual and interpretative reporting. * Geo-environmental site investigation and testing which will require factual reporting, interpretative reporting and risk assessment. * Investigation of existing highways and structures (including but not limited to core sampling of carriageways and structures). * Provision of specialist advice and representation (on materials, pavement design and geotechnical/geo-environmental matters) The requirements are primarily for Dorset Highways however other areas of the Council share the requirements. The Council sought to establish a multi-supplier Framework agreement for provision of the services. The Framework will also be accessible to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, who are named in the Tender Notice. A maximum of 4 suppliers have been awarded on to the Framework Agreement. During the term of the Framework, call-off orders will be placed by means of direct award or further competition. The advertised value of the Framework is estimated is based upon the Councils' estimated needs over the full Framework term however this may change due to changing needs and circumstances during the Framework term: This may include expansion of the scope, budget, or duration if additional services are needed or may include reduction of the scope, budget, or duration if circumstances change, such as reduced funding, lower-than-expected demand, or strategic shifts.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047134-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services


CPV Codes

45120000 - Test drilling and boring work

71332000 - Geotechnical engineering services

71351500 - Ground investigation services

71510000 - Site-investigation services

71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Aug 20258 months ago
Submission Deadline
26 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
20 Jan 2025Expired
Award Date
16 Jul 20258 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DORSET COUNCIL
Additional Buyers

BCP COUNCIL

BOURNEMOUTH CHRISTCHURCH & POOLE COUNCIL

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DORCHESTER
Postcode
DT1 1XJ
Post Town
Dorchester
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK64 Dorset
Delivery Location
TLK25 Dorset

Local Authority
Dorset
Electoral Ward
Dorchester West
Westminster Constituency
West Dorset

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
4
Supplier Names

ACS TESTING

JACKSON DRILLING HOLDINGS

LEYDEN KIRBY ASSOCIATES LIMITED T/A THE LK GROUP

SOCOTEC

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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