Third Cycle of the Field Data Collection Survey for the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of Great Britain

Concepts

• forest inventory
• national forest inventory
• edinburgh
• nfi
• survey work
• forest monitoring or evaluation
• great britain
• mandatory field trials
• field trials
• depth surveys

Location

United Kingdom: UNITED KINGDOM

Description

Survey work for the third 5-year cycle of field data collection for the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of Great Britain. The National Forest Inventory (NFI) programme monitors woodland and trees within Great Britain. It involves a 5-year cycle, rolling programme of in-depth surveys designed to provide accurate information about the size, distribution, composition and condition of Great Britain’s forests and woodlands, and also about the changes taking place through time. The NFI is essential for developing and monitoring the policies and guidance that support the sustainable management of forest and woodland. Forest Research manages the NFI programme and is responsible for this procurement. NFI survey contractors will gather a variety of information, such as tree species, heights and ages, and the woodland area within each 1-ha sample square. They will also input the survey results data and information directly into a Forest Research geo database programme (part of Forester GIS).

Total Quantity or Scope

Survey work for the third 5-year cycle of field data collection for the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of Great Britain The NFI programme monitors woodland and trees within Great Britain. It involves a 5-year cycle, rolling programme of in-depth surveys designed to provide accurate information about the size, distribution, composition and condition of GB’s forests and woodlands, and also about the changes taking place through time. … Forest Research manages the NFI programme and is responsible for this procurement Procurement of a non-exclusive, multi-Lot, multi-supplier framework agreement for forest surveying services covering, in the main, the 3rd 5-year cycle of NFI field data collection. Under this framework the intention is to re-survey at least 10,000 1st & 2nd cycle 1-hectare sample squares but there will also be a volume of new sample squares to be assessed and significant, but as yet unquantified, woodland survey work in England relating to the Natural Capital Ecosystem Accounts programme, plus possible reactive, ad hoc survey work (e.g. in response to storm damage or disease). The framework covers the whole of GB and is broken down into 108 individual geographical-based hexagon-shaped Lots (most of comparable size and approximately 36 miles across at the widest point – see map of Lots along with the Field Manual summary document here https://www.dropbox.com/sh/akroyfcvzdipqh0/AABpGd_IerrPjSjHvfGpmZtya?dl=0 ), offering potential opportunities for work for the full range of experienced surveyors and forestry specialists, small and large, from sole traders to multinationals. Suppliers will be required to tender for at least 3 Lots. Where there are multiple bids for the same Lot, multiple suppliers may be allocated to that Lot on a ranked basis based on the tender assessment, with the 1st ranked supplier being the primary supplier for that Lot. Suppliers will only be appointed to the framework if they have been successful in being assessed as primary in 3 or more Lots. Each primary supplier will be awarded the work within their given Lots and a forward work schedule agreed with them. Framework suppliers will be considered for ad hoc survey work in areas that are covered by their Lots and, depending on the nature of the work, it will be carried out at framework rates or for a quoted price. … They will also input the survey results data and information directly into a Forest Research geo database programme (part of 'Forester GIS', details here https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/tools-and-resources/forester/), for which training and software-loaded hardware (Toughbooks) will be provided by Forest Research. The NFI Survey Manual provides the detailed specification for the work required and appointed suppliers will be required to comply with the Manual in delivering the survey services. Suppliers considering expressing an interest in this framework are urged to first familiarise themselves with the requirements of the NFI Survey Manual contained in the summary document. The tendering process for this procurement will involve mandatory field trials. The field trials will test the candidates’ knowledge and understanding relevant to the competencies needed to successfully undertake the survey work. The trials, which will be conducted during the tendering period, will be carried out in the field or possibly on-line, if necessary. Tenderers will be required to make themselves available for the field trials and at least one representative of the tenderer must pass the mandatory field test in order for its tender submission to be considered for evaluation. Additional information: To respond to this opportunity please click here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/akroyfcvzdipqh0/AABpGd_IerrPjSjHvfGpmZtya?dl=0

Renewal Options

The term of the framework will be an initial three (3) years with options to extend the term up to five (5) years

CPV Codes

• 77231400 - Forest inventory services
• 77231500 - Forest monitoring or evaluation services

Indicators

• Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
• This is a recurring contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are not available.
• Financial restrictions apply.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.
• Technical restrictions apply.

Legal Justification

The NFI Survey operates on a 5-year cycle (this is the third cycle) and the agreement is to correspond to the scope of work i.e. the full five year survey

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement. Assessment of peoples’ qualifications, competencies (skills, knowledge & experience) and past conduct/performance will feature strongly in the tender list selection and tender assessment. This includes persons involved in the contract and undertaking the work, both actual on-the-ground survey work and the broader data handling, planning, reporting and work supervision and contract management activities. In order to respond to the Selection Questionnaire, participate in the field trials and ultimately submit a tender, interested suppliers will need to begin to engage with prospective staff and potential subcontractors now. The Selection Questionnaire requires suppliers to state whether there is any known or potential conflict of interest in relation to this procurement, for example if any of those involved or likely to be involved with the tender list selection process, tendering, managing the contract or performing the work share private interests with anyone within Forest Research such as family, friends, membership of societies, clubs and other organisations. The tender list selection criteria are stated in the Selection Questionnaire. The contract award criteria, weightings and scoring method will be stated in the Invitation to Tender. To view this notice, please click here: https://www.delta-esourcing.com/delta/viewNotice.html?noticeId=534707313 GO Reference: GO-2021223-PRO-17829239