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Horizon scanning and pathways analysis for invasive non-native species for Scotland's islands, hydrological and marine regions

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

26 Aug 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is commissioning specialist environmental research on invasive non-native species (INNS) affecting Scotland’s islands, river catchments and marine regions. The work covers terrestrial, freshwater and marine plants and animals that could threaten biodiversity and ecosystem services. It has two linked elements: horizon scanning to identify species likely to establish in the next ten years, and pathways analysis covering how established and newly identified INNS could be introduced and spread, both within Scotland and from further afield. The supplier must produce a written report for the island regions, hydrological regions and Scottish Marine Regions, plus a separate report with recommendations for future actions to protect island environments and communities from biosecurity threats. The Scottish Government is the buying organisation, with delivery across Scotland.

The buyer has reached the tender stage and invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. The tender deadline set by the buyer is 21 September 2026 at 12:00 UTC; bids are due to be opened at 13:00 UTC the same day. The contract is scheduled to run from 12 October 2026 to 31 March 2027. There is one lot covering both research work packages, ranked species and pathway lists, raw scoring and ranking data, and the two published reports. The evaluation requires staff names and professional qualifications, and participation is reserved for a sheltered workshop. Bidders need employer’s liability insurance of £5 million, public liability insurance of £1 million and professional indemnity insurance of £1 million. Technical selection covers supply-chain management or tracking systems and environmental management measures. Bids must be in English and remain valid for 120 days.

This opportunity suits environmental consultancies, ecological research organisations and specialist contractors with experience of invasive species, biodiversity, biosecurity, freshwater, marine and island environments. Strong candidates will be able to carry out structured horizon scanning, assess and rank ecological risks, identify and prioritise introduction and spread pathways, and work across terrestrial, hydrological and marine settings. They should be capable of applying the pathway terminology and assessment methodology used in the previous Scottish pathways analysis, handling raw research data and presenting transparent scoring and rankings. The work also requires report writing for government publication and the ability to develop practical recommendations for protecting island communities and environments. Bidders should have suitably qualified staff, effective supply-chain or tracking systems, and documented environmental management measures.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Horizon scanning and pathways analysis for invasive non-native species for Scotland's islands, hydrological and marine regions

Notice Description

Work Package 1 - Horizon scanning for island, hydrological and marine regions This work package will assess non-native plants and animals (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) with potentially negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are likely to be introduced to Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions in the next ten years. Work package 2 - Pathways analysis for Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions. Potential pathways of non-native species introduction into Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions should be compiled for a) established INNS in Scotland and b) INNS identified through the horizon scanning exercise in Work package 1. This work package should apply the pathway terminology and assessment methodology used in the previous Scottish pathways analysis (Roy & Carvalho, 2023). Pathways of introduction of INNS may operate both within Scotland and from further afield.

Lot Information

Lot 1

A written report covering horizon scanning and pathways analysis for Scotland's island, hydrological and marine regions, which should include the following: - A ranked list of top 30 INNS most likely to become established and have a negative impact on biodiversity within the next 10 years in each of the six island local authority regions, five hydrological regions and 11 Scottish Marine Regions (where feasible). - Prioritised list of pathways for likely introduction and spread of INNS into each of the six island local authority regions, five hydrological regions and 11 Scottish Marine Regions (where feasible) - Raw data used for the scoring and ranking of species and pathways in this project A separate written report covering horizon scanning and pathways analysis for Scotland's islands. This report should include recommendations for future targeted actions to protect island environments and communities from biosecurity threats. This is required to fulfil the commitments set out in Scotland's Island Plan 2026. The two written reports will be published on the Scottish Government's website.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000841158
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563090
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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
26 Aug 2026Yesterday
Submission Deadline
21 Sep 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
12 Oct 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
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
Scottish Government
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH11 3XD
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
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
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Sighthill/Gorgie
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh South West

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG563090
    Horizon scanning and pathways analysis for invasive non-native species for Scotland's islands, hydrological and marine regions - Work Package 1 - Horizon scanning for island, hydrological and marine regions This work package will assess non-native plants and animals (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) with potentially negative impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services, which are likely to be introduced to Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions in the next ten years. Work package 2 - Pathways analysis for Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions. Potential pathways of non-native species introduction into Scotland's island, river catchments and marine regions should be compiled for a) established INNS in Scotland and b) INNS identified through the horizon scanning exercise in Work package 1. This work package should apply the pathway terminology and assessment methodology used in the previous Scottish pathways analysis (Roy & Carvalho, 2023). Pathways of introduction of INNS may operate both within Scotland and from further afield.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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