Ground Investigatiosn Framework

The primary objectives of the ground investigation framework include but are not limited to: - Investigation and identification of geotechnical hazards, - Providing information for geotechnical and geo-environmental risk assessments necessary for the planning and design submissions including supporting the establishment of the geotechnical design basis for design and construction, and - Providing information for the detailed design and construction.

It will be enabled for use by Local Authorities in England, that is county councils, district councils, unitary authorities, metropolitan districts and London boroughs.

The framework will consist of 4 Lots, one National and 3 Regional Lots.

Applicants may submit tenders for: - the National Lot (Lot 1), or - the National Lot (Lot 1) and one (1) Regional Lot (Lots 2-4), or - up to two of the (2) of the Regional Lots (Lots 2-4).

The maximum number of Lots which a supplier may be awarded is two Lots.

Additional information: Suppliers Instructions How to Express Interest in this Tender~: 1. Register your company on the eSourcing portal (this is only required once) - Browse to the eSourcing Portal: https://highways.bravosolution.co.uk and click the link to register - Accept the terms and conditions and click 'continue' - Enter your correct business and user details - Note the username you chose and click 'Save' when complete - You will shortly receive an email with your unique password (please keep this secure). 2. Express an Interest in the tender - Login to the portal with the username/password - Click the 'PQQs / ITTs Open To All Suppliers' link. (These are Pre-Qualification Questionnaires or Invitations to Tender open to any registered supplier) - Click on the relevant PQQ/ ITT to access the content. - Click the 'Express Interest' button at the top of the page. - This will move the PQQ /ITT into your 'My PQQs/ My ITTs' page. (This is a secure area reserved for your projects only) -You can now access any attachments by clicking 'Buyer Attachments' in the 'PQQ/ ITT Details' box. 3. Responding to the tender - Click 'My Response' under 'PQQ/ ITT Details', you can choose to 'Create Response' or to 'Decline to Respond' (please give a reason if declining) - You can now use the 'Messages' function to communicate with the buyer and seek any clarification - Note the deadline for completion, then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the PQQ/ ITT - There may be a mixture of online & offline actions for you to perform (there is detailed online help available) You must then submit your reply using the 'Submit Response' button at the top of the page. If you require any further assistance please consult the online help, or contact the eTendering help desk.

Suppliers should note that the deadline listed in this notice is the deadline for receipt of the Selection Questionnaire (SQ).

A Parent Company Guarantee or equivalent form of guarantee may be required at any time during the term of the contract.

Suppliers can only bid for, or be awarded, a maximum of 2 Lots. Partners within a JV are not permitted to: Applicants wishing to bid as part of a JV are not permitted to: a. be members of more than one JV b. apply as a sole applicant in the same lot as a JV of which they are a member c. apply as a sole applicant in the same lot as another partner in a JV of which they are a member. d. apply for more than 2 regional lots either in their own right or as part of the JV

Contract dates are indicative and subject to change.