Improving offshore wind environmental assessments by better understanding how seabird populations respond to additional mortality caused by avian influenza

Concepts

• environmental issues
• glasgow
• date seabird colony population size
• population sizes
• population size
• seabird populations
• relevant seabird colony counts
• environmental assessments
• offshore wind environmental assessments
• additional mortality

Location

Glasgow

Description

Improving offshore wind environmental assessments by better understanding how seabird populations respond to additional mortality caused by avian influenza

Total Quantity or Scope

This project will obtain up to date counts of species within colonies known to be impacted by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and which also are a potential consenting constraint for offshore wind farm (OWF) projects. Monitoring of numbers of breeding birds/pairs at a range of colonies and across several years (2024-2026) will provide robust estimates of Special Protection Area (SPA) population sizes that have been affected by HPAI for use in environmental assessments. This project will help document any further substantial changes to population sizes caused by outbreaks of HPAI during 2023 and beyond. This project will build upon colony counts undertaken during 2023 to help assess the ongoing impacts of HPAI. The project will also gather productivity data from a representative set of colonies, examine how these may vary temporally and spatially, and compare them with historic estimates. Consideration must also be given to how this updated information will be used in environmental assessments. Particular attention must be given to the need to consider SPA and non-SPA colonies in apportioning calculations and in determining whether, if not all colonies can be counted, how representative sampling of population size and productivity will be ensured. Given uncertainties about colony monitoring work that will be undertaken by other organisations in the future, as well as uncertainties around the future areas impacted by HPAI, the development of a thorough and clear monitoring plan by the contractor on an annual basis will be key to this work. Engagement with other bodies who may be planning on undertaking monitoring will also be crucial to avoid duplication of effort. The overarching objectives of the project are therefore: A. Develop and maintain a clear monitoring plan for relevant seabird colony counts; B. Obtain up to date seabird colony population size and productivity data for agreed colonies; C. Identify any spatial and temporal variation or patterns in changes in population size or productivity as a result of HPAI; D. Consider how the new information collected should be incorporated into environmental assessments

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The Authority reserves the right to extend the period of contract for an additional period of up to 6 months ( 1 x 6 months), to no later than 30 September 2027.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 90713000 - Environmental issues consultancy services
• 73110000 - Research services
• 73112000 - Marine research services
• 73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

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. Question Scoring Methodology for Award Criteria outlined in invitation to tender 0 Unacceptable. Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement. 1 Poor. Response is partially relevant but generally poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled. 2 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. 3 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. 4 Excellent. Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. Tenderers are required to respond to Q4C.1.2 - Examples of similar service contracts, Q4C.4 relating to Supply Chain Management and Q4C.7 - Environmental Management and will also be asked to confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract, at least the real Living Wage. Tenderers who do not pass these questions will not be subject to Commercial Analysis. As a result the tender will not be considered further. Bidders must complete the SPD (Scotland) to demonstrate adherence to the Exclusion and Selection Criteria for this procurement. If there are named subcontractors/technicians upon which the bidder will rely to meet the selection criteria, these named parties must complete and reattach the SPD Supplier Response Form attached to SPD. (SC Ref:770703)