Planning

Soil Surveys

FORESTRY AND LAND SCOTLAND

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

31 Mar 2026 at 10:43

Summary of the contracting process

The buying organisation, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), is planning a procurement process for soil surveys to manage the National Forest Estate across several regions in the UK. This is currently at the planning stage, with a future notice date set for 27th July 2026, and encompasses the horticultural services industry category. The procurement process includes surveys in five regions: North, East, West, Central, and South. This information gathering phase aims to identify indicative current market rates for budgeting purposes, and potential suppliers are encouraged to participate in this market engagement although it does not constitute a formal call for competition or contract commitment.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for businesses specialising in horticultural, forestry, surveying, environmental and related services to engage with Forestry and Land Scotland's extensive soil survey requirements. Suitable businesses could range from large enterprises equipped to handle multiple regional surveys to specialised firms focusing on unique survey techniques such as peat depth probing or assessments of newly acquired or reclaimed lands. By participating in this questionnaire, firms can position themselves favorably for future bidding opportunities, allowing them to expand their activities across the UK regions under the framework agreement. The planned surveys provide an avenue for innovation and technical expertise in digital GIS mapping and soil classification, which could be pivotal for businesses seeking growth in environmental services sectors.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Soil Surveys

Notice Description

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Lot Information

Soil Surveys - North Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Soil Surveys - East Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Soil Surveys - West Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Soil Surveys - Central Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Soil Surveys - South Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) have a requirement to procure Soil Surveys to meet our requirement to manage the National Forest Estate. Survey requirements under this Framework Agreement may include: - Standard Surveys including Site/Soil/Peat Depth Surveys of afforested, clear felled, open land and ex-agricultural land (please note a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell); - Non-Standard Surveys including, but not limited to: * Bespoke type of soil survey e.g. peat depth probing; or * Assessment of newly acquired land including possibly reclaimed land such as old mine works. For each survey, you will be required to: - Record the site/soil patterns and associated specific data, using the FC soil classification; - Map Soil Polygons and associated linear and point data in a digital format; - Peat Depths to be recorded in the Peat Depth layer via supplied digital layer (currently via ESRI Fieldmaps). Access to which, plus any necessary training to use the app, will be provided by FLS. - Deliver all data outputs from the survey, as specific digital GIS format directly into Foresterweb (a bespoke version of GIS Forester), together with associated attribute; and - Producing written reports for each site.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0678d6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029545-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

71355000 - Surveying services

77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

77200000 - Forestry services

77300000 - Horticultural services

79311000 - Survey services

79311200 - Survey conduction services

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
31 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
26 Jul 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
FORESTRY AND LAND SCOTLAND
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
INVERNESS
Postcode
IV3 8NW
Post Town
Inverness
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM2 Highlands and Islands
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM20 Highlands and Islands
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Inverness West
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

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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