Ground investigation work

Tender description

The procurement comprises the establishment of a Multi-supplier Framework Agreement (MFA) with a number of ground investigation contractors to carry out and report on ground investigation works of varying scope, complexity and value in connection with trunk road and other transport infrastructure schemes promoted by the Scottish Ministers through Transport Scotland. Once the MFA is concluded, individual ground investigation contracts can be called off by mini-competition or other procedures in accordance with the agreement. The MFA is divided into 2 Lots by estimated value of the individual ground investigation call-off contracts. The Scottish Ministers acting through Transport Scotland have identified a continuing need for ground investigation works to support the development and delivery of trunk road and other transport infrastructure schemes throughout Scotland. The procurement comprises the establishment of a Multi-supplier Framework Agreement (MFA) with a number of ground investigation contractors who have demonstrated their suitability, economic and financial standing and technical and professional ability to carry out and report on ground investigation works of varying scope, complexity and value in connection with trunk road and other transport infrastructure schemes promoted by the Scottish Ministers through Transport Scotland. Once the MFA is concluded, individual ground investigation contracts can be called off by mini-competition or other procedures in accordance with the agreement. The MFA is divided into 2 Lots by estimated value of the individual ground investigation call-off contracts. The framework shall be administered by Transport Scotland and shall be open to all its directorates, but it is anticipated that the majority of call-offs will relate to trunk road schemes managed by Major Projects and Roads directorates and their technical and professional advisors including Trunk Road Operating Companies. Ground investigation works required by individual call-off contracts may include but shall not be limited to any or all of the following. A. Works may require the supply and provision of: — suitably qualified and experienced professional and technical personnel — facilities (including for the Engineer/employer’s representative) — equipment — plant — materials — ancillaries — traffic management. B. Works may comprise a range of investigatory methods and associated activities including: — mobilising to site — accessing exploratory locations — breaking out — boring — drilling (including open-hole, cored and sonic) — pitting and trenching — probing and penetration testing — geotechnical sampling (including core samples) — geoenvironmental sampling (including water and gas) — logging — in-situ testing — geophysical testing — geophysical profiling and mapping — installing monitoring equipment — monitoring/sampling of installations during and after sitework — backfilling — site record keeping — geotechnical laboratory testing — geoenvironmental laboratory testing — photography — surveying hole locations — factual reporting — providing digital data. C. Works may be required in a range of locations including: — sites throughout mainland Scotland (and Skye) — sites subject to adverse weather conditions (cold/wet/windy) — forested/wooded/overgrown sites — agricultural sites, including those subject to biosecurity measures — environmentally-sensitive sites — urban sites — on and adjacent to trunk and local roads with live traffic — on and adjacent to railways, utility cables and pipelines — sites remote from the road network — steeply sloping ground — over water — ground affected by contamination — ground affected by underground voids. D. Works may encounter a range of ground conditions including: — peat — unconsolidated granular and cohesive soils — overconsolidated glacial till (‘boulder clay’) — coarse granular (‘cobble’) deposits — made ground and fill — contamination — hard (igneous and metamorphic) rocks — broken rock — underground voids — artesian groundwater. E. Works shall be required to comply with specific requirements including: — UK/Scottish legislation as appropriate including that relating to health and safety and environmental protection (including undertaking the role of Principal Contractor in accordance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations) — Eurocode 7 and other relevant CEN and BSI standards — the employer’s requirements (including the DMRB and MCHW) — the requirements of roads authorities — special requirements of UK/Scottish public and statutory bodies including utility undertakers — particular requirements of key stakeholders including landowners/occupiers.