WLC Material Coring and Testing Framework Agreement

Award of framework. Roads and Transportation delivers an extensive programme of works, including carriageway surfacing and structural maintenance. As part of this maintenance programme, following guidance from the Scottish Road Research Board (January 2018), the council is required to test for coal tar in its roads prior to the commencement of any related works.

There is also a need to carry out testing on other materials to pre-inform design work, and to check the specification of materials being supplied during works. Material testing prior to and during the works will identify issues during the design stage and ensure the quality of the finished product. The current Framework Agreement provides this range of services across four lots, as detailed below.

• Coring on the existing carriageway network within West Lothian and the identification of the presence of coal tar within these cores.
• Sampling and testing of aggregates.
• Sampling and testing of soil materials and ground conditions including minor site investigation work and detection of voids.
• Testing of bituminous materials used during various carriageway resurfacing schemes throughout West Lothian (including surface dressing).
• Measurement and testing of thermoplastic road marking materials.
• Road pavement testing to determine residual characteristics.
• Sampling, testing and analysis of structural concrete and cementitious materials (includes both fresh and hardened materials).
• Sampling and testing of paint and coating materials used on structures.
• Provide reports and all test certificates.

Whilst the current framework does have extensions, there are changes in requirements which means the service prefer to retender the framework to increase the specification and allow new market entrants to be considered.