Award

River Dee Freshwater Pearl Mussel Surveys for population recovery work

CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The Cairngorms National Park Authority, in collaboration with the Scottish Government, has initiated a tender under an open procedure for the "River Dee Freshwater Pearl Mussel Surveys for Population Recovery Work". The procurement falls within the environmental protection and general public services categories, with a focus on services within the Cairngorms National Park region, UKM62. The tender seeks to re-survey 17 sites for pearl mussel population recovery, assess site conditions, and identify threats and restoration potential. The deadline for electronic submissions is 13th October 2025 by 12:00 PM, following which the award period begins. The total contract value is set at £30,000, with the possibility of renewal for a summer survey in 2026.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in environmental surveys, conservation, and habitat assessment. Companies with expertise in conducting flora and fauna surveys, particularly in freshwater ecosystems, would find this project well-suited to their capabilities. The project not only requires detailed assessments and reporting but also involves identifying potential ark sites that could safeguard mussel populations. This opens up possibilities for firms to contribute to vital environmental conservation efforts, thereby enhancing their portfolio in government projects and gaining recognition within the field of ecological sustainability.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

River Dee Freshwater Pearl Mussel Surveys for population recovery work

Notice Description

Re-survey of 2023 Site Condition Monitoring Sites containing pearl mussels (17 sites). Produce report on all sites to include condition, restoration potential and threats. Identify potential ARK sites within tributaries.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract is to continue two of the activities based on recommendations arising from the report (Cooksley et al., 2025). 1. Assessment of selected pearl mussel sites - The 2022 SCM survey established the broad distribution of pearl mussels along the mainstem of the Dee. This involved spot-checks (5 x 1 m transects) made every 100m followed by a 50m transect at 27 sites to gather more detailed information about the population. - In 2024 ten sites were chosen for further analysis being those with the highest numbers of mussels and most suitable habitat. Range of age class, habitat and ongoing recruitment was recorded (Cooksley et al., 2025). - We would like to find out more detailed information on the remaining 17 SCM sites and two further identified sites including population structure at that site, juvenile recruitment/ habitat stability/suitability, host fish habitat presence and pressures. 2. Identification of Ark/refuge sites - The pearl mussels remaining in the main stem are vulnerable to future flood events and also drought as they are located in the very edges of the riverbed, twenty years ago mussels could be found across the width of the main stem in many places and now they are largely confined to the edges as much of the centre of the river now has unstable unsuitable habitat. - We would like to identify ark or refuge sites within the tributaries which would be suitable locations to transfer mussels from captive breeding or translocation, this will help provide a safeguard against losing the whole population if another large flood event were to further impact on the main stem population. - Selected tributaries will be assessed using a desk-based methodology based on available LiDAR survey data (10cm resolution and including photo grammatic images) to identify suitable stable habitat without obvious pressures or pressures which can be remedied which could serve as future potential refuge or ark sites. - Killeen & Moorkens (2016) have identified that suitable receptor sites may have been formerly occupied by mussels and now have now been restored or pressures removed, have a suitable flow regime providing hydrological and hydraulic conditions that encourage stable habitats, and the geomorphological conditions must be suitable or have the ability to be made suitable. - Concurrently a study is being undertaken by NatureScot to identify the best methods to undertake population recovery these are to include analysis of conservation breeding and translocation, the information provided from this survey will feed into the study and provide a baseline for future work.

Renewal: Potential extension for summer survey 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000810692
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC545000
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

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services


CPV Codes

71355000 - Surveying services

79311000 - Survey services

79311200 - Survey conduction services

90720000 - Environmental protection

90721700 - Endangered species protection services

90721800 - Natural risks or hazards protection services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Lots Value
£30,000 Under £100K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£58,201 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Dec 20252 days ago
Submission Deadline
13 Oct 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
12 Nov 20253 weeks 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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CAIRNGORMS NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY
Additional Buyers

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT

Contact Name
Mikko Olavi Saari
Contact Email
mikkosaari@cairngorms.co.uk, mpip@gov.scot
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)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM62 Inverness and Nairn, Moray, and Badenoch and Strathspey

Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

JAMES HUTTON

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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