Specialist Peatland Restoration

A Tender Notice
by FORESTRY AND LAND SCOTLAND

Source: Find a Tender
Type: Contract (Services)
Duration: 35.5 month
Value: £66M

Sector: ENVIRONMENT
Published: 14 Apr 2023
Delivery: To 06 Nov 2026 (est.)
Deadline: 12 May 2023 11:00

Concepts

Location

Scotland: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross)

Geochart for 1 buyers and 0 suppliers

1 buyer

Forestry & Land Scotland Inverness

Description

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) looks after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland’s physical and mental health and well-being. FLS also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who FLS are and what it does can be found here https://forestryandland.gov.scot/https://forestryandland.gov.scot/ There are extensive areas of deep peat on Scotland’s Forests & Land, including many which are afforested. FLS has committed to manage all peatlands on Scotland’s forests and land in a sustainable manner, maximising the delivery of ecosystem services for the benefit of Scotland’s people and environment. The aim of this contract is to provide specialist peatland restoration services to deliver our programme of restoration of degraded peatlands in line with targets agreed with Scottish Government as part of the wider Peatland Action delivery programme. These services are split into two distinct types of operation. Part A: Lots 1-11 Site Rewetting, and Part B: Lots 12-14 Specialised Peatland Harvesting By 2027 onwards we expect to be restoring at least 3,000 hectares annually, thereby reducing carbon emissions, capturing additional carbon and restoring valuable priority habitats that support priority species in the process. Alongside this is our duty to help deliver Scottish Government’s policy in relation to the Climate Emergency, and to do our part in delivering ecosystem services spanning environmental, social, and economical benefits. The contract term is a maximum of five (5) years (three (3) initial years plus one optional extension of 24 months).

Lot Division

1	North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) Value: £10M Region: North Lot Description: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 1 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
2	Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire Value: £5M Region: North Lot Description: Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 2 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
3	Lochaber Value: £4M Region: West Lot Description: Lochaber Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 3 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
4	Mull & Lochaline Value: £3M Region: West Lot Description: Mull & Lochaline Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 4 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
5	North & Mid Argyll (inc North Knapdale) Value: £2M Region: West Lot Description: North & Mid Argyll (inc North Knapdale) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 5 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
6	Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Value: £2M Region: West Lot Description: Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 6 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
7	Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal) Value: £5M Region: Central Lot Description: Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 7 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
8	North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Value: £4M Region: East Lot Description: North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 8 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
9	Tay, Angus & Mearns Value: £4M Region: East Lot Description: Tay, Angus & Mearns Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 9 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
10	South East (Dumfriesshire & the Borders) Value: £2M Region: South Lot Description: South East (Dumfriesshire & the Borders) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 10 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
11	South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Value: £2M Region: South Lot Description: South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Covering Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching) - Site modification works to interrupt existing forestry drainage patterns and influence site hydrology, for the purpose of mire restoration. This service also includes repair and restoration of peatland modifications and features found on open habitat areas, such as the hagged and eroding gullies found on Upland areas in Scotland. Additional information: Lot 11 is for Part A: Site Rewetting Works (Cleared site and Open Hill Restoration) (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
12	Lochaber, Mull & Lochaline, North & Mid Argyll (inc Noth Knapdale) and Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Value: £10M Region: West Lot Description: Lochaber, Mull & Lochaline, North & Mid Argyll (inc Noth Knapdale) and Kintyre (inc South Knapdale) Covering Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching) - The recycling of failed forestry crops and/or naturally regenerated areas of woodland, for the purpose of mire restoration (mulching). Fibre Recovery Harvesting: Harvesting of marginal tree crops that may include brash and/or stump biomass on deep peat sites using techniques designed to minimise ground disturbance, for the purpose of mire restoration. Additional information: Lot 12 is for Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
13	North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), Skye, Wester Ross, Inverness-shire and North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Value: £7M Region: North & East Lot Description: North Highland (Caithness, Sutherland & Easter Ross), Skye, Wester Ross & Inverness-shire and North East (Aberdeenshire & Moray) Covering Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching) - The recycling of failed forestry crops and/or naturally regenerated areas of woodland, for the purpose of mire restoration (mulching). Fibre Recovery Harvesting: Harvesting of marginal tree crops that may include brash and/or stump biomass on deep peat sites using techniques designed to minimise ground disturbance, for the purpose of mire restoration. Additional information: Lot 13 is for Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.
14	Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal), Tay, Angus, Mearns, South East (Dumfriessshire & the Borders) & South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Value: £6M Region: Central, East & South Lot Description: Central Region (inc Trossachs & Cowal), Tay, Angus & Mearns, South East (Dumfriessshire & the Borders) abd South West (Galloway, Ayrshire & Arran) Covering Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching) - The recycling of failed forestry crops and/or naturally regenerated areas of woodland, for the purpose of mire restoration (mulching). Fibre Recovery Harvesting: Harvesting of marginal tree crops that may include brash and/or stump biomass on deep peat sites using techniques designed to minimise ground disturbance, for the purpose of mire restoration. Additional information: Lot 14 is for Part B: Specialist Peatland Harvesting (inc Mulching). Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

Renewal Options

Initial 3 years plus 1 x 24 month optional extension.

Award Criteria

Quality	70%
price	30

CPV Codes

77200000 - Forestry services
77300000 - Horticultural services

Indicators

Restrictions apply to the lot award allocation.
This is a recurring contract.
Renewals are available.
Financial restrictions apply.
Technical restrictions apply.

Other Information

** PREVIEW NOTICE, please check Find a Tender for full details. ** Scoring Methodology Technical: 0-Unacceptable-Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement. 25-Poor-Response is partially relevant and poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled. 50-Acceptable-Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas. 75-Good-Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled. 100-Excellent-Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. The response is comprehensive, unambiguous and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the requirement and provides details of how the requirement will be met in full. Any Bidder that receives a score of zero for one or more Technical criteria will be excluded from the tender. Any bidder that receives a total Technical score below 50% out of 100% will be excluded from the tender. Tenderers should note that although the value of the Contract has been estimated at 66,334,775.00 GBP excluding VAT over the maximum five year contract period, the Authority reserves the right to modify the Contract – irrespective of the monetary value of modifications – within the scope permitted under Regulation 72 (1) of The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015, should operational reasons require it. Please refer to the "Specification" Document; Section 3.14 contained within the Tender Pack on PCS-T for a full list of operational reasons for modifications. Scottish Government Supplier Journey: https://www.supplierjourney.scot/ Buyer Help and Guidance on PCS-Tender here: https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/web/buyerhelp.h... Supplier Developer Programme https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/region/public-bodies-forestry-commission/ The Supplier Development Programme is holding a mandatory webinar on 19-Apr-23https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/events/talking-tenders-with-forestry-and-land-scotland-1441/ The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 23105. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 The Contracting Authority does not intend to include a sub-contract clause as part of community benefits (as per Section 25 of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014) in this contract for the following reason: It will be encouraged for prime contractors to advertise sub-contracting opportunities via PCS, however it will not be mandated as use of PCS to advertise sub-contracting opportunities is not intended to cut across supply chain arrangements that the prime contractor may already have in place. The PIN responses and sub-contracting pattern have evidenced an established sub-contracting network. Whilst it does represent best practice, use of PCS in this instance is unlikely to add any additional value and may delay mobilisation. Community benefits are included in this requirement. For more information see: https://www.gov.scot/policies/public-sector-procurement/community-benefits-in-pr... A summary of the expected community benefits has been provided as follows: The exponential growth in delivery of peatland restoration required to meet the target of 250,000ha restored by 2030 means that there is an urgent need to address the skills shortages and workforce capacity issues in the peatland restoration sector. Community Benefits are a mandatory requirement of this contract. The Purchaser will be looking for Service Provider to deliver community benefits in building workforce capacity. The list of community benefits that are particularly relevant and proportionate to this contract are detailed within the Evaluation and Award Criteria document, attached on PCS-Tender (SC Ref:716756)

Reference

ocds-h6vhtk-03bea7
FTS 010745-2023