Conclusion of a framework agreement from 2026 to 2029 for the geotechnical site investigation in the German EEZ including laboratory tests and documentation (FERKL 2026) including the initial calls for tenders for the years 2027 and 2028 with the option of repetition according to § 3a EU para. 3 no. 5 VOB/A

Geotechnical exploration in the German North Sea EEZ including documentation within the scope of the preliminary investigation according to § 10 para. 1 no. 2 WindSeeG. The geotechnical exploration includes continuous cone penetration tests, discrete cone penetration tests, borehole geophysical measurements, boreholes for sampling including soil classification, as well as laboratory tests. The areas to be investigated per year are specified by the site development plan (FEP). Within the respective investigation area, the exploration should start with the continuous cone penetration tests. The depth of the continuous cone penetration test should be carried out until the procedure limit is reached. Subsequently, the target depth (max. 80 m below the seabed) of the exploration is reached by performing discrete cone penetration tests. Before sampling boreholes can be started, all cone penetration test results must be collected. The explorations must be carried out in a logistically optimized and coherent manner per FEP area. The contracting authority reserves the right to determine the order of the exploration work. The depth of the indirect and direct exposures is max. 80 m below the seabed. The depths to be explored at the individual locations of the cone penetration tests will be determined in advance by the separately commissioned geotechnical support. After the complete collection of the cone penetration test results, these will be evaluated by the geotechnical support, so that the number and depth of the boreholes for sampling can be determined. It is expected that only non-cohesive soils will be sampled in sections and cohesive soils will be sampled continuously. Sampling boreholes will be carried out at selected cone penetration test locations. Based on the results of the borehole core classification, the specified laboratory program, which includes classification and soil and rock mechanical tests, must be defined by the geotechnical support and carried out by the contractor of this tender. The field investigations, as well as the documentation, must be carried out according to DIN EN ISO 19901-8:2024-01. The laboratory tests should be carried out according to current standards. The results of the field investigations are to be presented in a summary in an Investigation Report. The laboratory results are to be documented in a Laboratory Data Report. For the year 2027, an estimated 33 cone penetration test locations (17 locations up to 80 m and 16 locations up to 60 m) and 17 locations for boreholes with sampling up to 80 m depth are to be investigated. For the year 2028, it is expected to carry out cone penetration tests at 47 locations (24 locations up to 80 m and 23 locations up to 60 m) and boreholes for sampling at 24 locations (6 locations up to 80 m and 18 locations up to 60 m). The exploration locations for 2027 will be in FEP area N-12.6 and the exploration locations for 2028 will be in investigation area N-16 Ost. The estimated quantities of the exploration scope for further calls for tenders in subsequent exploration years will depend on the specifications of the WindSeeG and the site development plan and cannot be estimated at present. http://www.bsh.de/webcode/593368