---
title: "WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL"
published: "2026-01-28"
---

# WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement

Buyer: WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595

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## Summary

West Lothian Council, a regional local authority in the UK, has awarded the "WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement," visible in its recent procurement process. The project, under the industry category of general public services, is located within the West Lothian Council area. It was initiated using an open procurement method, aligning with standard public works categories, and reached its award stage on 26th January 2026. This framework involves comprehensive works including road surfacing, testing for materials like coal tar, and examining structural materials, structured under four primary lots. Notably, this tender was initially announced with a submission deadline of 20th November 2025 and is set to span from January 2026 to December 2028, with an option for a 12-month extension.

This contract presents significant opportunities for businesses, especially those proficient in civil engineering material testing and analysis. Enterprises capable of conducting extensive material assessments, such as road construction testing, structural inspections, and ground investigation, would fit well with this project. Companies with UKAS accreditation for laboratory testing have a competitive edge, although those with robust quality management systems are also encouraged. The diverse nature of testing, including concrete analysis, site investigation, and coring, broadens the scope for SMEs like Mattest Site Services Limited and SOCOTEC UK LTD, who are already partaking in the contract. By engaging in this framework, businesses not only partake in vital regional development works but also enhance their portfolios through the successful delivery and management of substantial public sector contracts, opening doors to further projects across the UK.

## Notice

Award of framework. Roads and Transportation delivers an extensive programme of works, including carriageway surfacing and structural maintenance. As part of this maintenance programme, following guidance from the Scottish Road Research Board (January 2018), the council is required to test for coal tar in its roads prior to the commencement of any related works. There is also a need to carry out testing on other materials to pre-inform design work, and to check the specification of materials being supplied during works. Material testing prior to and during the works will identify issues during the design stage and ensure the quality of the finished product. The current Framework Agreement provides this range of services across four lots, as detailed below. - Coring on the existing carriageway network within West Lothian and the identification of the presence of coal tar within these cores. - Sampling and testing of aggregates. - Sampling and testing of soil materials and ground conditions including minor site investigation work and detection of voids. - Testing of bituminous materials used during various carriageway resurfacing schemes throughout West Lothian (including surface dressing). - Measurement and testing of thermoplastic road marking materials. - Road pavement testing to determine residual characteristics. - Sampling, testing and analysis of structural concrete and cementitious materials (includes both fresh and hardened materials). - Sampling and testing of paint and coating materials used on structures. - Provide reports and all test certificates. Whilst the current framework does have extensions, there are changes in requirements which means the service prefer to retender the framework to increase the specification and allow new market entrants to be considered.

### Lot Information

Coring and testing to determine Coal Tar Content in bituminous pavements

Award of lot which will cover the sampling and testing of bituminous road pavement materials (generally by extracted road pavement core) to determine if coal tar is present within the layers of the road pavement. The procedure will include for an initial test (generally using the PAK marker paint method) to determine the presence of coal tar and, if coal tar is indicated, laboratory analysis to determine and confirm if coal tar is present and, if so, the amount of coal tar present. The principal testing objective is to determine: - if coal tar is present in the samples; - that coal tar indications are not 'false positive' indications caused by contaminants such as diesel, kerosene, petroleum-based materials etc; - when coal tar is found, the concentration levels of Benzo[a]pyrene and coal tar expressed as both a percentage and mg/kg. We will, in general, be following "The Transport Scotland Guidance Note: 'Dealing with coal tar bound arisings" for the methods of coal tar sampling, sample preparation, testing and reporting of results. Bidding laboratories will be expected to work in accordance with that guidance note and our own specific requirements. Further detail is provided under the Schedule of Tests, Clause 3. The Guidance Note requires that the laboratory involved in the sample preparation and testing must be UKAS accredited as a minimum.. Re: SPD Q3D.1, 3D.2 and 3D.3 Bidders should answer these questions on Environmental, social and labour law in relation to compliance with the regulations covering Scotland and the UK.

Renewal: Option to renew for up to 12 months

Investigation of concrete structures

Award of Lot which is primarily targeted at the testing of existing concrete structural assets such as road bridges and underpasses. The work will include the sampling and analysis of hardened concrete and structural paint coatings and will include a range of (mostly non-destructive) tests. The tests will include, but not be limited to the following: - The determination of chloride content, sulfate content, depth of carbonation and the cement and aggregate content of hardened concrete. - Cover meter survey (to locate reinforcement in a structure and measure the depth to the reinforcement from the concrete surface). - Half-cell potentiometer testing (to determine condition and corrosion of reinforcement in hardened concrete). - Schmidt/Rebound spring driven hammer survey (to measure surface hardness of concrete as a means of estimating the concrete strength). - Petrographic sampling, testing and analysis of concrete (to determine mineralogical and chemical characteristics and to determine whether the aggregates therein are susceptible to Alkali Silica Reaction). Also required will be the sampling and testing of structural coatings including paint sampling and analysis for lead content, paint thickness testing and paint adhesion/pull off testing.. Re: SPD Q3D.1, 3D.2 and 3D.3 Bidders should answer these questions on Environmental, social and labour law in relation to compliance with the regulations covering Scotland and the UK.

Renewal: Option to extend for up to 12 months

Site Investigation

Award of lot which will encompass a small range of site investigation services, that will include, but not be limited to: - Trial pits to determine ground conditions, material layers, and for material sampling in both superficial deposits/soils and in bituminous pavements. - Extraction of soil samples using hand auger techniques. - Ground Penetrating Radar survey to identify changes in ground conditions and voids. All services to include for the technical reporting of findings with all reports and test certificates to be provided to the Client within 3 weeks of testing.. Re: SPD Q3D.1, 3D.2 and 3D.3 Bidders should answer these questions on Environmental, social and labour law in relation to compliance with the regulations covering Scotland and the UK.

Renewal: Option to extend for up to 12 months

Sampling and Testing of Civil Engineering Construction Materials

Award of Lot which will primarily encompass the sampling, testing and analysis of a variety of road construction materials including, but not limited to, the following: - Unbound stone/aggregate materials; - bituminous pavement materials including surface dressing; - bituminous pavement characteristics (e.g. skid resistance, texture depth, surface regularity); - fresh concrete materials and kerbs; - soils/sub-base/formation materials to determine ground conditions (e.g. grading, moisture content, shear strength, density, compaction, CBR testing etc). It is expected that the bidding laboratory will have a current UKAS accreditation but bids from non-UKAS accredited labs may be considered if they can demonstrate they have adequate quality management systems in place.. Re: SPD Q3D.1, 3D.2 and 3D.3 Bidders should answer these questions on Environmental, social and labour law in relation to compliance with the regulations covering Scotland and the UK.

Renewal: Option for up to 12 month extension

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548282 |
| Notice type | PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Works |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 28 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 20 Nov 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 26 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2028 |
| Recurrence | September 2028 or 2029 if extension is used |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £400,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £200,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | WEST LOTHIAN COUNCIL |
| Locality | LIVINGSTON |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Postcode | EH54 6FF |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM1 East Central Scotland |
| ITL 3 | TLM14 West Lothian |
| Local authority | West Lothian |
| Electoral ward | Livingston South |
| Westminster constituency | Livingston |
| Delivery location | TLM78 West Lothian |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 5 |
| Supplier names | CRL SURVEYS; MATTEST SITE SERVICES; NATIONAL TESTING SERVICES; SIS GROUP; SOCOTEC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 24327310 - Coal tar
- 45111250 - Ground investigation work
- 45120000 - Test drilling and boring work
- 45214620 - Research and testing facilities construction work
- 71351500 - Ground investigation services
- 71510000 - Site-investigation services
- 71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services
- 71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services

## Release History

- 28 Jan 2026 at 00:00 - Award - PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548282
- 21 Oct 2025 at 00:00 - Tender - PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT541830

## Documents

- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT541830
  WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement - Roads and Transportation delivers an extensive programme of works, including carriageway surfacing and structural maintenance. As part of this maintenance programme, following guidance from the Scottish Road Research Board (January 2018), the council is required to test for coal tar in its roads prior to the commencement of any related works. There is also a need to carry out testing on other materials to pre-inform design work, and to check the specification of materials being supplied during works. Material testing prior to and during the works will identify issues during the design stage and ensure the quality of the finished product. The current Framework Agreement provides this range of services across four lots, as detailed below. - Coring on the existing carriageway network within West Lothian and the identification of the presence of coal tar within these cores. - Sampling and testing of aggregates. - Sampling and testing of soil materials and ground conditions including minor site investigation work and detection of voids. - Testing of bituminous materials used during various carriageway resurfacing schemes throughout West Lothian (including surface dressing). - Measurement and testing of thermoplastic road marking materials. - Road pavement testing to determine residual characteristics. - Sampling, testing and analysis of structural concrete and cementitious materials (includes both fresh and hardened materials). - Sampling and testing of paint and coating materials used on structures. - Provide reports and all test certificates. Whilst the current framework does have extensions, there are changes in requirements which means the service prefer to retender the framework to increase the specification and allow new market entrants to be considered.
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JAN548282
  WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement - Award of framework. Roads and Transportation delivers an extensive programme of works, including carriageway surfacing and structural maintenance. As part of this maintenance programme, following guidance from the Scottish Road Research Board (January 2018), the council is required to test for coal tar in its roads prior to the commencement of any related works. There is also a need to carry out testing on other materials to pre-inform design work, and to check the specification of materials being supplied during works. Material testing prior to and during the works will identify issues during the design stage and ensure the quality of the finished product. The current Framework Agreement provides this range of services across four lots, as detailed below. - Coring on the existing carriageway network within West Lothian and the identification of the presence of coal tar within these cores. - Sampling and testing of aggregates. - Sampling and testing of soil materials and ground conditions including minor site investigation work and detection of voids. - Testing of bituminous materials used during various carriageway resurfacing schemes throughout West Lothian (including surface dressing). - Measurement and testing of thermoplastic road marking materials. - Road pavement testing to determine residual characteristics. - Sampling, testing and analysis of structural concrete and cementitious materials (includes both fresh and hardened materials). - Sampling and testing of paint and coating materials used on structures. - Provide reports and all test certificates. Whilst the current framework does have extensions, there are changes in requirements which means the service prefer to retender the framework to increase the specification and allow new market entrants to be considered.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.westlothian.gov.uk
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595
- https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/esop/pts-host/public/pts/web/login.html

## 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-r6ebe6-0000813595. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000813595.json.