Award

Development of an operational plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides

SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Natural Heritage has conducted a public procurement process under the title "Development of an operational plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides," focusing on environmental protection. The procurement type was services, following an open procedure. With the award to RPS Consulting Services Ltd signed on 3rd July 2025, this initiative seeks to address the unsustainable progress of the current mink eradication efforts. The procurement process concluded in the "Award" stage, with Inverness, UKM, specified as the region of interest. The contract, valued at £74,910, emphasises strategic environmental initiatives based on prior reviews by experts for sustainable eradication efforts.

This tender presents opportunities for organisations engaged in environmental management, specifically those with expertise in wildlife protection and management. Businesses specialising in strategic planning and execution of conservation programmes would find this project beneficial for growth as it requires a step-change approach in mink eradication. Companies skilled in innovative environmental solutions or those experienced with wildlife control measures, especially large enterprises given the scale and complexity involved, are well-suited to contribute to and benefit from this initiative in the Outer Hebrides.

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Notice Title

Development of an operational plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides

Notice Description

NatureScot plan to commission the development of an Operational Plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides. A strategic review in 2024 carried out by Lambin X. (University of Aberdeen) and Martin A.R. (Independent) concluded that the current project is unsustainable and the current level of activity will not deliver eradication. It also concluded that the removal of all mink from the Outer Hebrides archipelago is feasible, albeit challenging. In the long term, eradication is not only far better value for money than the alternative of control in perpetuity, but it offers far more effective protection for native wildlife. To achieve eradication requires a step change - a new project - and this is what we want to develop over the coming year. We can draw upon the experience since 2001, and pull in expertise from other projects, to design a new approach and a funding plan. Full details are in the Statement of Requirements document attached to this Notice.

Lot Information

Lot 1

Nature Scot plan to commission the development of an Operational Plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides. A strategic review in 2024 carried out by Lambin X. (University of Aberdeen) and Martin A.R. (Independent) concluded that the current project is unsustainable and the current level of activity will not deliver eradication. It also concluded that the removal of all mink from the Outer Hebrides archipelago is feasible, albeit challenging. In the long term, eradication is not only far better value for money than the alternative of control in perpetuity, but it offers far more effective protection for native wildlife. To achieve eradication requires a step change - a new project - and this is what we want to develop over the coming year. We can draw upon the experience since 2001, and pull in expertise from other projects, to design a new approach and a funding plan. Full details are in the Statement of Requirements document attached to this Notice.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000797028
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL533979
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£74,910 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
4 Jul 20257 months ago
Submission Deadline
30 May 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Jul 20257 months ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH NATURAL HERITAGE
Contact Name
Cerian Baldwin, Procurement Team
Contact Email
cerian.baldwin@nature.scot, contract.advertising@nature.scot
Contact Phone
+44 1463725097

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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

RPS CONSULTING SERVICES

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=MAY529364&idx=3
    20th May 2025 - Hebridean mink project strategic review. Relates to question asked on 20/05/25 (see Notice Q&A).
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY529364
    Development of an operational plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides - NatureScot plan to commission the development of an Operational Plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides. A strategic review in 2024 carried out by Lambin X. (University of Aberdeen) and Martin A.R. (Independent) concluded that the current project is unsustainable and the current level of activity will not deliver eradication. It also concluded that the removal of all mink from the Outer Hebrides archipelago is feasible, albeit challenging. In the long term, eradication is not only far better value for money than the alternative of control in perpetuity, but it offers far more effective protection for native wildlife. To achieve eradication requires a step change - a new project - and this is what we want to develop over the coming year. We can draw upon the experience since 2001, and pull in expertise from other projects, to design a new approach and a funding plan. Full details are in the Statement of Requirements document attached to this Notice.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUL533979
    Development of an operational plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides - NatureScot plan to commission the development of an Operational Plan for mink eradication in the Outer Hebrides. A strategic review in 2024 carried out by Lambin X. (University of Aberdeen) and Martin A.R. (Independent) concluded that the current project is unsustainable and the current level of activity will not deliver eradication. It also concluded that the removal of all mink from the Outer Hebrides archipelago is feasible, albeit challenging. In the long term, eradication is not only far better value for money than the alternative of control in perpetuity, but it offers far more effective protection for native wildlife. To achieve eradication requires a step change - a new project - and this is what we want to develop over the coming year. We can draw upon the experience since 2001, and pull in expertise from other projects, to design a new approach and a funding plan. Full details are in the Statement of Requirements document attached to this Notice.

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