---
title: "Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DORSET COUNCIL"
published: "2025-08-08"
---

# Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services

Buyer: DORSET COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c

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## Summary

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.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047134-2025 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Planning, Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 8 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | 26 Mar 2025 |
| Future notice date | 20 Jan 2025 |
| Award date | 16 Jul 2025 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £4,000,000 |
| Lots value | £3,000,000 |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £4,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Cancelled |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DORSET COUNCIL |
| Additional buyers | BCP COUNCIL; BOURNEMOUTH CHRISTCHURCH & POOLE COUNCIL |
| Locality | DORCHESTER |
| Post town | Dorchester |
| Postcode | DT1 1XJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK64 Dorset |
| Local authority | Dorset |
| Electoral ward | Dorchester West |
| Westminster constituency | West Dorset |
| Delivery location | TLK25 Dorset |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 4 |
| Supplier names | ACS TESTING; JACKSON DRILLING HOLDINGS; LEYDEN KIRBY ASSOCIATES LIMITED T/A THE LK GROUP; SOCOTEC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 45 - Construction work
- 71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

### 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

## Release History

- 8 Aug 2025 at 08:32 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/047134-2025
- 19 Feb 2025 at 12:46 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005825-2025
- 20 Dec 2024 at 11:58 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/041162-2024

## Notice URLs

- http://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=56986abd-dfed-ef11-8134-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Advert?advertId=c5620e84-c7be-ef11-8133-005056b64545&p=696a9836-1895-e511-8105-000c29c9ba21
- https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/
- https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04ca0c.json.