The AGS are hosting this webinar Spring 2025 entitled, Effective Procurement of Ground Investigations. Chaired by Julian Lovell , Managing Director, Equipe Group. This virtual event will take place on Wednesday 26^th March 2025 between 11:30-13.30, and will be free to attend for members of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists.

WEBINAR SYNOPSIS

In 2025 ICE Publishing will publish what will be a key reference document for the industry. Authored by the AGS in collaboration with the BGA and BDA.  Effective procurement of ground investigations is a client’s best practice guide to procuring good quality ground investigations to ensure that ground related and other risks are suitably and sufficiently assessed and that the required data is obtained to meet the project objectives.

This webinar will highlight that procurement of any size or type of investigation should follow a structured process, looking at:

• planning
• risk assessment
• choosing a suitable procurement approach
• adopting fair and appropriate conditions of contract
• development of a clear and concise specification

This webinar will also highlight key messages for clients including the importance of:

• adequate ground investigations
• creating the right team
• fair allocation of risk
• early contractor involvement
• collaboration and flexibility

Clients often underestimate the potential cost of not assessing and managing ground related risks and that inadequate or poor ground investigations can result in serious delays and additional costs to projects. This guide is aimed at clients but will be a useful tool for ground practitioners when promoting best practice. The guidance explains that clients who fairly allocate risks, obtain a more value for money ground investigation. The webinar demonstrates the value of adequate and timely ground investigation in the reduction of risk for the project and client.

TICKETS

The webinar is free to attend for Members and £50 (ex VAT) for Non-Members.

N.B. in order to obtain the AGS Member rate, please add the delegate place to your basket, select ‘proceed to checkout’, enter delegate details and under ‘billing details’, select your company from the AGS member company dropdown list. The rate at the end of the checkout page will then update to the AGS member rate.

 

PRESENTATIONS

Planning by Matthew Baldwin (Independent Consultant)  

This chapter highlights how important careful and robust planning is, in the whole procurement process. The construction of a competent team to scope, undertake and report on the results of a ground investigation is explained, with all of the key roles and responsibilities in this team identified including that of the ground investigation adviser.

The recognition and relevance of the three main elements of procurement, cost, time and quality, in relation to the ground investigation process is also given prominence, since together with risk, these three items provide the foundations for adequate planning.

Identifying and Managing Risk by Dr Phil Smith (Associate Director, Geotechnical Consulting Group)

Risk, or the perception of risk is often a key consideration for a client when considering any site for construction and by extension ground investigation. This section examines the numerous and varied sources of risk for any ground investigation, and highlights that these can come from the ground itself (soil and rock), ground water, mining and natural cavities and from unexpected sources such as existing structures, archaeology and unexploded ordnance etc.

Procurement Approaches by James Codd (Technical Director, Mott Macdonald) 

James will explain in this section of the webinar the most common procurement approaches, public, private and framework and the processes that are involved with each approach and how each differs. He will go on to present how seven key steps in procurement are identified and the importance of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI)  as a key to a successful investigation.

Establishing Effective Contracts by Neil Parry (Director, Geotechnical Engineering Limited)

For many ground investigation specialists the conditions of contract is often the most scrutinised document in the procurement process. Neil will present on how a well written, properly constructed and ‘transparent’ contract, is beneficial to all the parties involved with a ground investigation, and this section examines how this can be achieved. He will also signposts the most appropriate forms of contract  for ground investigations. The NEC suite of contracts and ICC contract for ground investigation will also be discussed.

Effective Specifications by Adam Latimer ( Director, Ian Farmer Associates) 

This presentation will highlight the importance of specifications and how they should always be developed for a ground investigation. In order to promote best practice, the UK Specification for ground investigation is championed as the best method of achieving a suitable and sufficient ground investigation. This section explains the typical specification coverage and the importance of collaboration, transparency and providing sufficient detail to allow the ground investigation specialists to establish appropriate costs.

Speakers