Tender

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

FOREST RESEARCH

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Feb 2021 at 09:32

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process involves Forest Research, based in Edinburgh, which is seeking to award a contract for the "Third Cycle of the Field Data Collection Survey for the National Forest Inventory (NFI) of Great Britain." This project falls under the services category, specifically focusing on forest inventory services. The procurement is currently in the Tender stage, with the submission deadline for interested suppliers set for 22 March 2021. The total estimated value of the contract is £3,500,000, and it encompasses a wide geographical area across the United Kingdom. Interested participants are required to engage in field trials as part of the selection process.

This tender presents significant opportunities for growth, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the forestry and environmental services industry. Companies with expertise in forest surveying, data collection, and ecological research would be well-positioned to compete, particularly those with a track record in delivering similar projects. Further, businesses should prepare to demonstrate their staff qualifications and relevant past performance, ensuring compliance with the selection criteria, which emphasises the importance of past conduct and experience in similar projects.

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Notice Title

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

Notice 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).

Lot Information

Lot 0

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. 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 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. 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', 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

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

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-02953e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003542-2021
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Restricted procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

77 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services


CPV Codes

77231400 - Forest inventory services

77231500 - Forest monitoring or evaluation services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£3,500,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Feb 20215 years ago
Submission Deadline
22 Mar 2021Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
c6 months prior to the end of any framework agreement implemented as a result of this procurement

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FOREST RESEARCH
Contact Name
Geoff McCatty
Contact Email
geoff.mccatty@forestresearch.gov.uk
Contact Phone
+44 3000674419

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH12 7AT
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Corstorphine/Murrayfield
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh West

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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