Ground Investigation -- Mowden Hall, Darlington

The Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) intends the professional services of a competent and qualified ground investigation contractor to undertake an intrusive investigation of the land at Mowden Hall located in Darlington.

The purpose of the Contract is to obtain information on the ground and groundwater conditions of the site in order to assess potential geo-environmental and geotechnical constraints and abnormals associated with the potential redevelopment of the land.

The intended scope of works for the site is detailed below: • The ground investigation shall comprise a detailed geotechnical and geo-environmental investigation of the ground conditions at the site.

The investigation shall comprise the following:4.No Cable Percussive boreholes to rockhead or 15m bgl, whichever is first;

• 5.No Window Sample holes to rockhead or 6mbgl, whichever is first; • 8.No Trial Pits to rockhead or 4mbgl, whichever is first; • 2.No. Hand-dug inspection pits to expose the base of the existing retaining wall. • Combined ground gas and groundwater monitoring wells in 7No. exploratory holes. • Geotechnical and chemical testing of selected samples.

In situ tests including Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and hand vanes will be performed within the exploratory holes and trial pits.

Utilities information will be provided in advance of commencement of the ground investigation

The specific CPV codes/description is 45111250 - Ground Investigation.

Additional information: AECOM are managing this tender on behalf of the HCA.

The closing time for tenders is 13:00hrs.

All discussions, meetings and communications will be conducted in English.

The contract will be subject to English law. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in GBP and all payments under the contract will be made in GBP.

The Conditions of Contract referred to in the Tender shall be the Infrastructure Conditions of Contract for Ground Investigation (First Edition) issued in 2011, jointly by the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Association of Consulting Engineers and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association.

A Principal Designer may need to be appointed by the client for this project, in accordance with CDM 2015 regulations. The Contractor will be appointed as the Principal Contractor under CDM 2015 regulations during the investigation.

This procurement and award is subject to the transparency arrangements being adopted by the UK Government. These arrangements include the publication of tender documentation issued by the HCA and the contract between the HCA and supplier. Bidders should highlight any areas they consider commercially sensitive in order for the HCA to be able to honour our transparency obligations without undermining the bidders commercial interests.

Candidates are advised that the HCA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("The Act"). If a candidate considers that any of the information supplied as part of this procurement procedure should not be disclosed because of its commercial sensitivity, confidential or otherwise, they must, when providing this information, clearly identify the specific information they do not wish to be disclosed and clearly specify the reasons for its sensitivity. The HCA shall take such statements into consideration in the event that it receives a request pursuant to the Act which relates to the information provided by the interested party. Please note, it is insufficient to include a statement of confidentiality encompassing all the information provided in the response.

The HCA takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and sets high standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the management of its activities. The principles contained within this policy apply to both internal and external audiences, including anyone wishing to undertake business or engage with the HCA. Please refer to our Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-bribery-and-corruption-policy for further information.