Larch Removal Benmore

Concepts

• agriculture, fishing and forestry
• argyll
• benmore botanic garden
• benmore
• larch trees
• removed
• larch
• removal
• forestry services
• forestry management

Location

Benmore has the largest number of Larch which need to be removed. Other RBGE Sites may have future requirements

Description

RBGE has a legal requirement to comply with a Statutory plant health notice which has been issued by Scottish Forestry. The notice identifies that Phytophthora ramorum has spread to the larch trees at Benmore. (Appendix 7 STH22_0957a SPGN) The notice requires the removal of Larch trees from Benmore Botanic Garden. Due to the geographic topology and the requirement to protect the scientific plant collection of Benmore Botanic Garden, forestry style commercial harvesting will not be possible. The removal of trees will need to be undertaken by a combination of manual chainsaw operations and aerial arboriculture. Commercial harvesting equipment will have limited access. Felled trees will need to be removed from site for sale or disposal subject to controls of the Statutory plant health notice. The outcome of this piece of work will be removal of approximately 300 larch trees by July 2026 in compliance with the SPHN.

Total Quantity or Scope

What we need Felling of approximately 300 larch trees at Benmore Botanic Garden. The trees to be felled are located in various parts of the garden, many of which have an understory of a valuable scientific plant collection. Damage to these plants must be avoided. The larch range in size and age. The majority were planted circa 1900, some date back to 1820 and are of considerable size. Where feasible, timber should be cut to commercial lengths to maximize commercial value. Arisings are to be chipped on site at agreed locations. Chips are not to block water waterways or ditches. Removal of felled timber to agreed stacking sites at Benmore, will have to be carried out with minimal ground damage and compaction. Sale and movement of timber to commercial mills will be a requirement. Compliance with all RBGE operational requirements, including the ecology survey and biosecurity measures will be necessary.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services
• 77200000 - Forestry services
• 77231000 - Forestry management services

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• Renewals are not available.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=772823. The buyer has indicated that it will accept electronic responses to this notice via the Postbox facility. A user guide is available at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx. Suppliers are advised to allow adequate time for uploading documents and to dispatch the electronic response well in advance of the closing time to avoid any last minute problems. 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 supplier is expected to delivery community benefits as part of the contract. These may include but limited to Supply Chain Initiatives, Apprenticeships, Work placements etc. (SC Ref:772823) Download the ESPD document here: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=772823