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Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework

Scottish Natural Heritage

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

11 Sep 2026 at 16:04

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Scottish Natural Heritage, known as NatureScot, is procuring field ecology services for the Peatland ACTION programme across Scotland. The appointed ecologists will support the Peatland ACTION Technical Team and Project Officers at peatland restoration sites. Work includes protected species surveys before restoration begins, covering breeding birds including Schedule 1 species, raptor roosts, mammals, freshwater pearl mussels, reptiles and plants. Ecologists will use findings to inform restoration planning, identify mitigation and licensing needs, and brief site personnel on protected species. During restoration, they will provide ongoing ecological support, including setting safe working distances and buffer zones, preparing species protection plans and delivering toolbox talks. The procurement is for environmental monitoring and related ecological survey services.

The process has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission required. It is a single-lot framework agreement for up to 20 participants. The tender deadline was 6 November 2026 at 12:00, when bids were also due to be opened and evaluation was scheduled to begin. The framework has an initial contract period from 18 January to 31 March 2027, with annual extensions available until 31 March 2031. Its estimated value is £450,000. Evaluation is based on 30% price and 70% quality: key personnel, data management and submission processes, and capacity and resourcing each carry 25%; health, safety and remote-site working carries 15%; sustainability and Fair Work First each carry 5%. The framework is recurrent before expiry.

This opportunity suits ecological consultancies and field ecologists experienced in protected species work and peatland or environmental restoration sites. Suppliers need the skills and practical experience to survey a broad range of species, including breeding birds, raptors, mammals, freshwater pearl mussels, reptiles and plants. They should be able to interpret survey findings for restoration planning, mitigation and licensing, and provide ecological advice while works are under way. Useful delivery capabilities include preparing species protection plans, defining safe working distances and buffer zones, supporting project personnel and giving toolbox talks. Bidders should be able to demonstrate suitably qualified key personnel, reliable capacity and resourcing, robust data management and submission processes, and safe working arrangements for remote sites. Sustainability and fair-work practices also form part of the evaluation.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework

Notice Description

NatureScot work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. We work to ensure that all nature in Scotland - our key habitats and landscapes, all our green space and our native species - are maintained, enhanced and bring us benefits. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration. There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Peatlands are an iconic part of the Scottish landscape and have many benefits for people and nature. Healthy peatlands provide important ecosystem services including storing and sequestering carbon, supporting unique and specialised biodiversity, improving downstream water quality, and regulating water flow to provide natural flood management. In contrast, damage to peatlands reduces or reverses these benefits. For example, degraded peatlands release stored carbon and are a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions. Peatland ACTION is led and funded by Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Scottish Water. Since 2012, Peatland ACTION has set over 66,000 hectares of degraded peatland on the road to recovery, but this effort needs to accelerate rapidly in the coming years to help address the twin crises of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. The appointed Field Ecologists will work with the Peatland ACTION Technical Team and Project Officers located across Scotland to help support species and ecological survey requirements for Peatland ACTION restoration sites.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The primary role for the appointed Field Ecologists will be to carry out protected species surveys on request, which may include surveys for breeding birds (including Schedule 1 species), raptor roosts, mammals, freshwater pearl mussel, reptiles, or plants. Field Ecologists must be suitably skilled and experienced in carrying out a range of species surveys of this nature. Surveys conducted prior to peatland restoration work commencing on site will be used to plan the restoration work and ensure all project personnel (agents, contractors / workers) are aware of the presence of any protected species on site and any mitigation and licensing requirements. Surveys conducted during restoration works will also be used to provide continued ecological support to project personnel, including mitigation requirements, safe working distances/buffer zones, preparation of species protection plans and may include giving toolbox talks. Additional information: Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of NatureScot in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: Annual extension available until 31 March 2031

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f877
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/086589-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
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

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

09112000 - Lignite and peat

09112200 - Peat

45100000 - Site preparation work

45111230 - Ground-stabilisation work

45111240 - Ground-drainage work

71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services

71354100 - Digital mapping services

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

90700000 - Environmental services

90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction

90711300 - Environmental indicators analysis other than for construction

90711400 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services other than for construction

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
6 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Prior to the expiry of the contract including any extension periods exercised.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Natural Heritage
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

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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