Seed Collection & Associated Services

Notice Title

Seed Collection & Associated Services

Notice Description

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) look after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism, and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland's physical and mental health and well-being. The Authority also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who the Authority is and what it does can be found here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/. The Authority had a requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of Seed Collection and Associated Services (including, Processing and Testing and Seed Supply). Within this Framework Agreement specification, the Authority had a requirement for the provision of the following services: - Aerial Seed Collection; - Ground Seed Collection; - Rope Access Seed Collection; - Seed Processing, Testing and Storage; and - Seed Supply.

Lot Information

Aerial Seed Collection - North Region

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP's) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this. This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.. 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.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP's) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this. This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.. 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.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP's) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this. This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.. 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.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP's) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this. This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.. 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.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP's) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this. This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.. 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.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast. Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.. 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.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast. Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.. 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.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast. Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.. 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.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast. Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.. 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.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10) The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast. Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.. 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.

Planned Work - Rope Access Seed Collection (Lot 11) The Authority have determined where operations to gather seed from trees or shrubs on dangerously steep ground, crags from below or above, then the certification gained for IRATA/Mountain Climbing Instructor (MCI), Winter Mountain Climbing Instructor (WMCI) or equivalent will be the required certification where roped access is deemed necessary to ensure safe collection.. 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.

Planned Work - Seed Processing, Testing & Storage (Lot 12) Seed Processing Seed processing timings are crucial in order to ensure the highest possible seed germination is achieved. Seed Testing Seed testing of all extracted seed is also required prior to either direct sowing or intended storage. This work requires to be completed under controlled laboratory conditions and requires the use of some fairly specialist equipment. Seed Storage Seed storage should be appropriate to the particular species of tree. It is paramount that the required seed moisture content is attained for all seed capable of being stored for long periods in deep cold conditions. Recalcitrant seed such as Oak must be kept in conditions which maximise their germination percentage and longevity as far as reasonably practicable. Given the wide range of papers available with very different prescriptions for the proper storage of individual species, FLS are open to experimentation with small samples to test some of these hypotheses.. 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.

Planned Works - Seed Supply (Lot 13) The Authority have an ongoing annual requirement for the purchase of both conifer and broadleaf seed under this Framework Agreement. All seed purchases made will support annual plant production programmes at Newton Nursery and subsequently wider Authority Restocking and New Woodland creation programmes. The supply of appropriate plants to the forestry sector relies on a suitable supply of seed to the nurseries. The provenance of seed is an important factor, as forests planted in the area from which the seed is collected tend to be better adapted to local conditions. There is little predictability as to the quality of seed that will be produced in any given year and so, when a good seed production year occurs, the seed must be stored and used judiciously until another good seed year occurs. The Contractor will at all times be responsible for ensuring that it instructs and directs its staff, sub-contractors, and/or consortia members in order to meet the requirements of the Authority in relation to this Framework Agreement. The Authority will not be responsible for instructing and/or directing Contractor's operational staff, their sub-contractors, and/or their consortia members.. 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.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID

ocds-r6ebe6-0000771412

Publication Source

Public Contracts Scotland

Latest Notice

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB522988

Current Stage

Award

All Stages

Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type

OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice

Procurement Type

Framework

Procurement Category

Services

Procurement Method

Open

Procurement Method Details

Open procedure

Tender Suitability

Not specified

Awardee Scale

SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

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CPV Codes

77200000 - Forestry services

77211600 - Tree seeding

77300000 - Horticultural services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value

£3,210,000 £1M-£10M

Lots Value

£3,010,000 £1M-£10M

Awards Value

Not specified

Contracts Value

£2,540,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date

3 Feb 20251 years ago

Submission Deadline

25 Oct 2024Expired

Future Notice Date

1 Sep 2024Expired

Award Date

20 Jan 20251 years ago

Contract Period

Not specified - Not specified

Recurrence

Summer 2028

Notice Status

Tender Status

Complete

Lots Status

Complete

Awards Status

Not Specified

Contracts Status

Active

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

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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

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Local Authority

Highland

Electoral Ward

Inverness West

Westminster Constituency

Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers

18

Supplier Names

ARBCORE LTD

Catkin Ecology

Duncan Currie

Elsoms Trees Ltd

Forestart Ltd

Forestry Contractors Scotland

Forres Tree Services Ltd

Fyfe forestry ltd

HAKI Access Solutions Ltd

Highland Access ltd

M&H Tree Services Ltd

Murray Forestry Ltd

RH Tree Contractors

SM Foresty Ltd

Scotia Seeds

Squirrely Tree Carr

Sword Forestry Ltd

W M Shorthouse Forestry Limited

Notice Documents

• https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=JUL509034&idx=1
  3rd July 2024 - Supplier Engagement Questionnaire
• https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL509034
  Seed Collection & Associated Services - Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services. The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following: - Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access) - Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage - Seed Supply FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years. FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates. This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation). Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged. The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS. FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.
• https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP514231
  Seed Collection & Associated Services - Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) look after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism, and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland's physical and mental health and well-being. The Authority also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who the Authority is and what it does can be found here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/. The Authority has a requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of Seed Collection and Associated Services (including, Processing and Testing and Seed Supply). The Authority plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the National Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the Authority's owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The Authority also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, the Authority also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g., unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates. Within this Framework Agreement specification, the Authority has a requirement for the provision of the following services: - Aerial Seed Collection; - Ground Seed Collection; - Rope Access Seed Collection; - Seed Processing, Testing and Storage; and - Seed Supply.
• https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=FEB522988
  Seed Collection & Associated Services - Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) look after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism, and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland's physical and mental health and well-being. The Authority also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who the Authority is and what it does can be found here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/. The Authority had a requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of Seed Collection and Associated Services (including, Processing and Testing and Seed Supply). Within this Framework Agreement specification, the Authority had a requirement for the provision of the following services: - Aerial Seed Collection; - Ground Seed Collection; - Rope Access Seed Collection; - Seed Processing, Testing and Storage; and - Seed Supply.

Notice URLs

• http://
• https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000771412
• https://forestryandland.gov.scot
• https://forestryandland.gov.scot/
• https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk