Harton Staithes, South Shields, Site Investigation

The Homes & Communities Agency are intending to carry our ground investigations on a site in Harton Staithes, South Shields and are seeking to appoint a contractor to carry out ground investigation and soils testing as detailed below:

Main works proposed and purpose of this contract

The purpose of the Contract is to obtain information on ground and groundwater conditions for the proposed construction activities. The information will be specifically used to:

• Confirm the ground profile and determine foundation depths and design parameters for foundation design.
• To obtain samples for chemical testing for human health and controlled waters risk assessment.
• Assess the previous remedial works on site within the made ground deposits.
• To install monitoring equipment to characterise the risk posed by ground gases on the development.

Scope of investigation

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:

• 4No. cable percussive boreholes with rotary follow on – comprising 4No. cable percussive boreholes to rock head (anticipated to be between 7m bgl and 36.5m bgl) with 4No. rotary follow on to 5m below rock head.
• 6No. machine excavated trial pits – comprising 6No. to 4.5-5mbgl (ground conditions allowing).
• 4No. window samples exploratory holes – comprising 4No. to 5mbgl.
• Combined ground gas and groundwater monitoring wells in all four cable percussive boreholes and four window sample exploratory holes.
• Geotechnical and chemical testing of selected samples.

In situ tests including Standard Penetration Tests and hand vane (HV) will be performed within the exploratory holes.

Further information and all procurement documentation is available to download at the end of this notice.

Additional information: Closing time for tenders is 1.00pm

All procurement documentation is available to download at the end of this notice.

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.

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.