Closed

Construction of a new laboratory building (Holt 2 Lab), designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3) standards

Forestry Commission · Local or regional public body

In brief

Forestry Commission was looking for suppliers for construction work. Bidding has closed and no award has been published yet.

The estimated value is £16,666,667 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 27 months, starting 4 January 2027.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

SCOPE OF WORKS: Construction of a new laboratory building designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3), on a greenfield site within the existing boundary of Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station in Farnham, Surrey, UK. The new 'Holt 2' research facility will be a purpose-built expansion of existing facilities at Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station, designed to significantly enhance the UK's capability and capacity to study tree pests and pathogens in controlled environments. The new facility will significantly increase the capacity of the existing Holt 1 containment laboratory. Full specifications will be provided in the Specification Documents once the…Read the full description
SCOPE OF WORKS: Construction of a new laboratory building designed and built to operate at Containment Level 3 (CL3), on a greenfield site within the existing boundary of Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station in Farnham, Surrey, UK. The new 'Holt 2' research facility will be a purpose-built expansion of existing facilities at Forest Research's Alice Holt Research Station, designed to significantly enhance the UK's capability and capacity to study tree pests and pathogens in controlled environments. The new facility will significantly increase the capacity of the existing Holt 1 containment laboratory. Full specifications will be provided in the Specification Documents once the Invitation to Tender is released. The project overview document is attached to this notice. CONTRACT STRATEGY: Traditional construction works, turnkey contract (Client-supplied detailed design & specification) on a fixed lump sum basis using the NEC4 ECC Main Option A - Priced contract with Activity Schedule. Performance Bond (10%), and Parent Company Guarantees (where applicable). Liquidated damages for delay are anticipated to be set at £700 per day, subject to confirmation in the ITT. DESIGN STRATEGY: At the time of issuing the ITT, detailed design and specification for all elements (RIBA Stage 4) will have been completed (and included in the ITT); the appointed turnkey contractor will take responsibility from, and progress from, the start of RIBA Stage 5 onwards. It is anticipated that the ITT may include an option (or alternative) for the novation of client‑supplied designs to the turnkey contractor. Note that certain proprietary equipment and supply chain requirements will be specified within the ITT where necessary to meet technical and operational requirements of the contract works. The new building is required to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating, demonstrating a high standard of environmental performance and sustainability. Note: A Planning Application has been submitted for this build. The contract scope includes all works and services required to deliver the laboratory as a fully operational, CL3‑validated containment facility, as outlined above, on a turnkey basis. This includes traditional building construction works—such as foundations, structural steelwork, cladding, building services and landscaping—as well as specialist laboratory and containment facility works. Included with this Notice are the following documents and drawings, which provide further information on the location and the overall laboratory building structure: 1.3434001 A (Location Plan) 2.3434009 (Proposed Block Plan) 3.3434010 D (Proposed Ground Floor Plan) 4.3434011 D (Proposed First Floor Plan) 5.3434012 C (Proposed Roof Plan) 6.3434015 B (Proposed North Elevation) 7.3434016 B (Proposed South Elevation) 8.3434017 A (Proposed East Elevation) 9.3434018 A (Proposed West Elevation) 10.8492PLGA110 (Proposed Site Plan) 11.G28553PERHL2XXDRS06001 P04 12.G28553PERHL2XXDRS06002 P04 13.Holt 2 project overview for tender - rev01

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 032066-2026

About the buyer

Forestry CommissionLast 12 months

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From notice 032066-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 8 April 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.