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Construction of a new laboratory building (Holt 2 Lab), designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3) standards

Forestry Commission

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

08 Apr 2026 at 15:42

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Forestry Commission is inviting tenders for the construction of a new laboratory building, "Holt 2 Lab," at their Alice Holt Research Station in Farnham, Surrey, UK. This facility, designed to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3) standards, aims to expand research capabilities for tree pests and pathogens. This active tender stage requires submissions by 6th May 2026, with the Tender Invitation anticipated around mid-July 2026. Enquiries are open until 28th April 2026. The project spans a contract period from January 2027 to March 2029. The tender is being carried out under a competitive flexible procedure, seeking a fixed lump sum priced contract with a focus on both quality and cost. Key documents include detailed design plans provided at RIBA Stage 4.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for firms experienced in laboratory building construction and environmental sustainability. With a gross value of £20 million, companies with a strong financial and operational background in infrastructure projects, aligning with BREEAM Excellent standards, are well-suited. The contract necessitates robust public liability and professional indemnity insurances, reflecting the project's complexity and scale. Firms with prior experience as Principal Contractors under CDM Regulations and a certified Quality Management System (ISO9001:2015) will find themselves advantaged in meeting the selection criteria for this substantial public authority project.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Construction of a new laboratory building (Holt 2 Lab), designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3) standards

Notice Description

SCOPE OF WORKS: Construction of a new laboratory building designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3), on a greenfield site within the existing boundary of Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station in Farnham, Surrey, UK. The new 'Holt 2' research facility will be a purpose-built expansion of existing facilities at Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station, designed to significantly enhance the UK's capability and capacity to study tree pests and pathogens in controlled environments. The new facility will significantly increase the capacity of the existing Holt 1 containment laboratory. Full specifications will be provided in the Specification Documents once the Invitation to Tender is released. The project overview document is attached to this notice. CONTRACT STRATEGY: Traditional construction works, turnkey contract (Client-supplied detailed design & specification) on a fixed lump sum basis using the NEC4 ECC Main Option A - Priced contract with Activity Schedule. Performance Bond (10%), and Parent Company Guarantees (where applicable). Liquidated damages for delay are anticipated to be set at PS700 per day, subject to confirmation in the ITT. DESIGN STRATEGY: At the time of issuing the ITT, detailed design and specification for all elements (RIBA Stage 4) will have been completed (and included in the ITT); the appointed turnkey contractor will take responsibility from, and progress from, the start of RIBA Stage 5 onwards. It is anticipated that the ITT may include an option (or alternative) for the novation of client-supplied designs to the turnkey contractor. Note that certain proprietary equipment and supply chain requirements will be specified within the ITT where necessary to meet technical and operational requirements of the contract works. The new building is required to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, demonstrating a high standard of environmental performance and sustainability. Note: A Planning Application has been submitted for this build. The contract scope includes all works and services required to deliver the laboratory as a fully operational, CL3-validated containment facility, as outlined above, on a turnkey basis. This includes traditional building construction works--such as foundations, structural steelwork, cladding, building services and landscaping--as well as specialist laboratory and containment facility works. Included with this Notice are the following documents and drawings, which provide further information on the location and the overall laboratory building structure: 1.3434001 A (Location Plan) 2.3434009 (Proposed Block Plan) 3.3434010 D (Proposed Ground Floor Plan) 4.3434011 D (Proposed First Floor Plan) 5.3434012 C (Proposed Roof Plan) 6.3434015 B (Proposed North Elevation) 7.3434016 B (Proposed South Elevation) 8.3434017 A (Proposed East Elevation) 9.3434018 A (Proposed West Elevation) 10.8492PLGA110 (Proposed Site Plan) 11.G28553PERHL2XXDRS06001 P04 12.G28553PERHL2XXDRS06002 P04 13.Holt 2 project overview for tender - rev01

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-067e4a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032066-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Works
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

45 - Construction work

CPV Codes

45214610 - Laboratory building construction work

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£16,666,667 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£16,666,667 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20266 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
4 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2029 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Forestry Commission
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS16 1EJ
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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