Published date: 18 November 2025

Open opportunity - This means that the contract is currently active, and the buying department is looking for potential suppliers to fulfil the contract.


Closing: 25 November 2025, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Soil - 14212400

  • Agricultural and forestry machinery for soil preparation or cultivation - 16100000

  • Specialist agricultural or forestry machinery - 16600000

    • Ground investigation work - 45111250

    • Laboratory services - 71900000

    • Environmental impact assessment other than for construction - 90711000

Location of contract

East of England, South East

Value of contract

£50,000

Procurement reference

RNT-LTC-ST-01

Published date

18 November 2025

Closing date

25 November 2025

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

1 April 2026

Contract end date

1 August 2028

Contract type

Works

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

We are inviting expressions of interest from qualified and experienced subcontractors for the delivery of Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) surveys, soil texture testing, and soil nutrient analysis as part of the Lower Thames Crossing Roads North of the Thames infrastructure programme.
This package will include:

ALC Surveys at predictive auger locations not previously assessed during earlier surveys, including collection of topsoil samples for texture testing.

Soil Texture Testing at existing auger locations where laboratory data is currently unavailable.

Soil Nutrient Testing through topsoil and subsoil sampling at various locations to inform habitat creation, Ancient Woodland translocation, and agricultural land reinstatement.

The subcontractor must comply with the technical requirements outlined in the project specification, including:

Adherence to DEFRA ALC guidelines and relevant British Standards (e.g., BS 3882 for topsoil).
Accredited laboratory testing for soil texture and nutrient analysis (ISO 17025 or equivalent).
Preparation and submission of sampling plans, inspection and test plans, and quality assurance documentation.
Coordination of logistics for sample collection and delivery, ensuring compliance with health and safety requirements.

Interested subcontractors must demonstrate:

Proven experience in ALC surveys and soil testing for major infrastructure projects.
Technical competence in soil classification, texture, and nutrient analysis to British and European standards.
Robust health, safety, environmental, and quality management systems.
Appropriate certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001) and familiarity with environmental and agricultural reinstatement requirements.
Capability to support the project's sustainability and biodiversity objectives.

To express your interest and receive further details-including pre-qualification requirements and tender timelines-please respond to this notice by 25.11.2025.

More information

Attachments

  • Soil & ALC Testing Eligibility Criteria.xlsx
  • Eligibility criteria
  • How to apply, please complete the attached Soil & ALC testing Surveys Eligibility Criteria by the 25.11.25. then submit to the Supply Chain Team at BBLTCProcurementandSupplyChain@balfourbeatty.com.

    Please make
    Show less description
    sure to complete the eligibility criteria section of the PQQ fully, as missing information might affect your chance to move forward to the next stage. The following questions are designed as 'Qualification Questions' to assess your organisations ability to meet Balfour Beatty's and Lower Thames Crossing's supply chain requirements requirements.

    Please note this is by no means a guarantee of any work

Additional text

The Lower Thames Crossing (LTC) is a new road to better connect Essex and Kent through a tunnel beneath the River Thames. Our purpose is to drive a change in how we deliver - connecting people to jobs and businesses to opportunities, leaving a skills legacy for the local community and construction industry, all whilst restoring nature and drawing a new blueprint for low-carbon construction.

Our ambition is to deliver the UK's greenest road, and to do the right thing for local communities and the environment. We can only achieve this with the support of our supply chain, and it is therefore critical that for any supplier to be successful in winning work on LTC, they must demonstrate commitments to supporting delivery of our ambitions:

• Delivering the works through a 'zero emissions' solution, and not using diesel on site in any plant or machinery.

• Supporting us to leave a skills legacy for the local community, by not only recruiting locally, but upskilling your workforce to enable meaningful progression into higher paid higher skilled work.

• Helping to facilitate successful opportunities by providing early careers roles, as well as inspiring young people into construction through delivery of STEM engagement.

How to apply

Follow the instructions given in the description or the more information section.

About the buyer

Contact name

BB LTC Procurement and Supply Chain Team

Address

5 Churchill Pl
London
E145HU
England

Email

BBLTCProcurementandSupplyChain@balfourbeatty.com