Tender

Ant Captive Rearing

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

19 May 2025 at 00:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Cairngorms National Park Authority is inviting tenders for a project titled "Ant Captive Rearing" within the Environmental Protection category, located in the Cairngorms National Park region (UKM62). This procurement process is currently at the Tender stage, with electronic submissions required by 3rd June 2025, 12:00 PM. The anticipated start date for award activities is the same day, suggesting an immediate decision-making process. The procurement method being utilised is an open procedure, providing equal opportunity for all qualified suppliers to participate. The project's estimated value is £50,000, aiming to establish captive ant nests whilst maintaining them under controlled environments.

This tender represents a significant business growth opportunity for organisations specialised in environmental and wildlife services, particularly those with expertise in the captive rearing of insects. Suitable businesses should have the capability to create and maintain environments that simulate natural conditions, identifying and collecting target ant species within Cairngorms National Park. Firms with a background in ecological sciences, specifically in Scotland's Formica ants or those familiar with biodiversity conservation practices, will be well-positioned to compete. Moreover, the contract includes a potential for extension till March 2028, depending on available funding and project outcomes, further enhancing long-term business prospects.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Ant Captive Rearing

Notice Description

Ant Captive Rearing, please see ITT Brief for more information about scope and outputs.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The chosen contractor will be expected to establish captive nests from scratch, with collection of males and queens, maintain these nests through to stage where they can be considered self-sustaining. Experience of captive rearing insects is essential and experience of captive rearing ants is highly desirable. Space to house at least 50 colonies is required and this needs to be of a standard to provide sufficient light and warmth, maintain stable conditions and adjust accordingly for winter months when the nests are less active. Where relevant, costs associated with creating such a space for the ant colonies must be itemised in the tender for this project, alongside all other overheads, e.g., electricity, ant food etc. The chosen contractor will need to be able to commence fieldwork in June to collect winged queens and males of the target species. This will require a knowledge of the Cairngorms National Park and the habitats that support the target species. Ability to identify the target ant species is essential. Knowledge of the ecology of mound-building Formica ants in Scotland is essential, as is understanding their biology and how nests reproduce. Fieldwork will involve multiple visits to sites on Deeside and Strathspey. Narrow-headed ants are anticipated to be collected from RSPB Abernethy and Mar Lodge Estate for ultimate release at Mar Lodge Estate. Wood ants are likely to be collected from a number of locations in Deeside and Strathspey.

Renewal: Estimated duration: Initial contract period of June 2025 to March 2026 with potential extension till 31 March 2028 depending on funding and quality of outputs.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000799250
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY530644
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

90721700 - Endangered species protection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£50,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 May 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
3 Jun 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Additional Buyers

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Contact Name
Kate Townsley, Mikko Olavi Saari
Contact Email
kate.townsley@gov.scot, mikkosaari@cairngorms.co.uk
Contact Phone
+44 1479873535

Buyer Location

Locality
GRANTOWN-ON-SPEY
Postcode
PH26 3HG
Post Town
Perth
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM62 Inverness and Nairn, Moray, and Badenoch and Strathspey
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Sighthill/Gorgie
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South West

Further Information

Notice Documents

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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