This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

19 Jun 2026 at 09:06

Planning

31 Mar 2026 at 11:43

Summary of the contracting process

Forestry and Land Scotland, a public authority based in Inverness, is actively seeking to establish a Framework Agreement with external contractors to conduct soil surveys across Scotland. This invitation to tender falls under the horticultural services category, with an estimated contract value of £1,480,000. The tender is currently in the active stage and focuses on several regions: North, East, West, Central, and South. The procurement method being employed is an open procedure, with the tender period ending on 31st August 2026. Organisations wishing to participate must submit bids electronically via PCS-Tender by this deadline, with the award period commencing on 1st September 2026, where contracts will be awarded to successful bidders.

This procurement opportunity presents a significant prospect for businesses specialising in surveying and environmental services, offering them a chance to expand their reach within the public sector. Companies with expertise in site and soil surveys, particularly those capable of providing both standard and bespoke types of soil analyses, are well-suited to compete for these contracts. Given the framework agreement's scope – encompassing a range of surveying tasks across various landscapes, including reclaimed and newly acquired land – it is particularly attractive for businesses with robust GIS capabilities, technical proficiency, and a track record of managing large-scale environmental projects. The opportunity to engage in long-term contracts spanning multiple regions in Scotland can significantly boost a company's portfolio and market presence.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Soil Surveys

Notice Description

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) has an ongoing requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of soil surveys across all of Scotland. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to: * Undertake standard surveys, including: - Carry out site/soil/peat depth surveys of afforested, clear felled, open hill and ex-agricultural land (please note that a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell). * Undertake 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, the successful tenderer(s) will: - 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 ideally 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, together with associated attributes; and - Produce a written report for each survey site.

Lot Information

Soil Surveys - North Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) has an ongoing requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of soil surveys across all of Scotland. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to: * Undertake standard surveys, including: - Carry out site/soil/peat depth surveys of afforested, clear felled, open hill and ex-agricultural land (please note that a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell). * Undertake 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, the successful tenderer(s) will: - 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 ideally 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, together with associated attributes; and - Produce a written report for each survey site. Additional 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.

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. Additional 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.

Soil Surveys - West Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) has an ongoing requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of soil surveys across all of Scotland. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to: * Undertake standard surveys, including: - Carry out site/soil/peat depth surveys of afforested, clear felled, open hill and ex-agricultural land (please note that a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell). * Undertake 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, the successful tenderer(s) will: - 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 ideally 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, together with associated attributes; and - Produce a written report for each survey site. Additional 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.

Soil Surveys - Central Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) has an ongoing requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of soil surveys across all of Scotland. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to: * Undertake standard surveys, including: - Carry out site/soil/peat depth surveys of afforested, clear felled, open hill and ex-agricultural land (please note that a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell). * Undertake 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, the successful tenderer(s) will: - 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 ideally 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, together with associated attributes; and - Produce a written report for each survey site. Additional 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.

Soil Surveys - South Region

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) has an ongoing requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of soil surveys across all of Scotland. The successful tenderer(s) will be required to: * Undertake standard surveys, including: - Carry out site/soil/peat depth surveys of afforested, clear felled, open hill and ex-agricultural land (please note that a very large proportion will be either afforested or clear-fell). * Undertake 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, the successful tenderer(s) will: - 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 ideally 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, together with associated attributes; and - Produce a written report for each survey site. Additional 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.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0678d6
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057831-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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
£1,480,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,480,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Jun 20263 months ago
Submission Deadline
31 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
27 Jul 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Summer 2030

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
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)

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