Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
Dorset Council
Dorset Council, County Hall, Colliton Park
Dorchester
DT1 1XJ
Contact
Mrs Bryony Blair
bryony.blair@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Telephone
+44 1305225532
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UKK25 - Dorset
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
Buyer's address
https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
Regional or local authority
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services
Reference number
DN756722
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 71510000 - Site-investigation services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short 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.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £4,000,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 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
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UKK25 - Dorset
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
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.
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 40
Quality criterion - Name: Social value / Weighting: 5
Price - Weighting: 55
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Open procedure
four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system
The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
four.2) Administrative information
four.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure
Notice number: 2025/S 000-005825
four.2.9) Information about termination of call for competition in the form of a prior information notice
The contracting authority will not award any further contracts based on the above prior information notice
Section five. Award of contract
Title
Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 July 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
Number of tenders received from SMEs: 9
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
ACS Testing Limited
Poole
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK25 - Dorset
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,000,000
Section five. Award of contract
Title
Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 July 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Jackson Drilling Holdings Limited
Shepton Mallett
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKK23 - Somerset
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,000,000
Section five. Award of contract
Title
Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 July 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Leyden Kirby Associates Limited T/A The LK Group
Radcliffe
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKD3 - Greater Manchester
The contractor is an SME
Yes
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,000,000
Section five. Award of contract
Title
Framework for Site Investigation and Materials Testing Services
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
17 July 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 10
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
SOCOTEC UK Limited
Burton upon Trent
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UKG24 - Staffordshire CC
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £4,000,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
Dorset Council
Dorchester
Country
United Kingdom