Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework

Scottish Natural Heritage

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

11 Sep 2026 at 01:00

OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Scottish Natural Heritage, operating as NatureScot, is procuring field ecology services for the Peatland ACTION programme across Scotland. The work supports peatland restoration sites and involves protected species surveys before restoration begins and ecological support during restoration works. Surveys may cover breeding birds, including Schedule 1 species, raptor roosts, mammals, freshwater pearl mussel, reptiles and plants. Field Ecologists will help identify protected species, inform restoration planning, advise on mitigation and licensing, set safe working distances and buffer zones, prepare species protection plans, and deliver toolbox talks to project personnel. The work supports NatureScot’s wider environmental objectives, including peatland recovery, biodiversity protection, carbon storage and climate resilience. This is a specialist environmental consultancy and ecological survey services opportunity, classified under environmental services (CPV 90700000).

The procurement has reached tender: Scottish Natural Heritage invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic submission. The tender deadline and bid opening are both 6 November 2026 at 12:00 UTC. The initial contract period is 18 January 2027 to 31 March 2027, with annual extensions available until 31 March 2031. The estimated total value is £450,000. This is a single-lot framework agreement with a maximum of 20 participants, and the buyer may use it for recurring requirements before the expiry of the contract and any extensions. Price carries 30% of the evaluation; geographic region is listed as an information-only criterion. Bids must be in English and remain valid for 120 days. Variants are not allowed, and electronic payment and ordering will be used.

This opportunity suits ecological consultancies, field survey practices and experienced independent ecologists able to provide responsive protected species advice across Scotland. Suppliers need demonstrable skill and experience in a broad range of species surveys, including ornithology, raptors, mammals, freshwater pearl mussel, reptiles and botanical surveys. The requirement is particularly relevant to teams familiar with peatland restoration, construction or land-management environments, where ecological findings must translate into practical mitigation and licensing advice. Capability should include working safely around active restoration operations, advising contractors and other site personnel, defining buffer zones and working distances, preparing species protection plans and delivering toolbox talks. Firms with sufficient breadth to respond to varied survey requests and support multiple restoration sites are well placed to compete, as are suppliers able to provide consistent ecological support throughout project delivery.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework

Notice Description

NatureScot work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. We work to ensure that all nature in Scotland - our key habitats and landscapes, all our green space and our native species - are maintained, enhanced and bring us benefits. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration. There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Peatlands are an iconic part of the Scottish landscape and have many benefits for people and nature. Healthy peatlands provide important ecosystem services including storing and sequestering carbon, supporting unique and specialised biodiversity, improving downstream water quality, and regulating water flow to provide natural flood management. In contrast, damage to peatlands reduces or reverses these benefits. For example, degraded peatlands release stored carbon and are a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions. Peatland ACTION is led and funded by Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Scottish Water. Since 2012, Peatland ACTION has set over 66,000 hectares of degraded peatland on the road to recovery, but this effort needs to accelerate rapidly in the coming years to help address the twin crises of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. The appointed Field Ecologists will work with the Peatland ACTION Technical Team and Project Officers located across Scotland to help support species and ecological survey requirements for Peatland ACTION restoration sites.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The primary role for the appointed Field Ecologists will be to carry out protected species surveys on request, which may include surveys for breeding birds (including Schedule 1 species), raptor roosts, mammals, freshwater pearl mussel, reptiles, or plants. Field Ecologists must be suitably skilled and experienced in carrying out a range of species surveys of this nature. Surveys conducted prior to peatland restoration work commencing on site will be used to plan the restoration work and ensure all project personnel (agents, contractors / workers) are aware of the presence of any protected species on site and any mitigation and licensing requirements. Surveys conducted during restoration works will also be used to provide continued ecological support to project personnel, including mitigation requirements, safe working distances/buffer zones, preparation of species protection plans and may include giving toolbox talks.. Scotland Excel is acting on behalf of NatureScot in the execution of this tender but will not be party to the contract or the management of the contract throughout its lifetime.

Renewal: Annual extension available until 31 March 2031

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564406
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
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

09 - Petroleum products, fuel, electricity and other sources of energy

45 - Construction work

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

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

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

09112000 - Lignite and peat

09112200 - Peat

45100000 - Site preparation work

45111230 - Ground-stabilisation work

45111240 - Ground-drainage work

71350000 - Engineering-related scientific and technical services

71354100 - Digital mapping services

77000000 - Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services

90700000 - Environmental services

90711000 - Environmental impact assessment other than for construction

90711300 - Environmental indicators analysis other than for construction

90711400 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services other than for construction

90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£450,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
11 Sep 20265 days ago
Submission Deadline
6 Nov 20262 months to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Prior to the expiry of the contract including any extension periods exercised.

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Scottish Natural Heritage
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
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

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564406
    Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework - NatureScot work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. We work to ensure that all nature in Scotland - our key habitats and landscapes, all our green space and our native species - are maintained, enhanced and bring us benefits. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. Peatland ACTION funding - from Scottish Government - primarily supports on-the-ground peatland restoration activities and is open for applications from eligible land managers who have peatlands that would benefit from restoration. There are no geographical restrictions or target areas for Peatland ACTION funding. Peatlands are an iconic part of the Scottish landscape and have many benefits for people and nature. Healthy peatlands provide important ecosystem services including storing and sequestering carbon, supporting unique and specialised biodiversity, improving downstream water quality, and regulating water flow to provide natural flood management. In contrast, damage to peatlands reduces or reverses these benefits. For example, degraded peatlands release stored carbon and are a major global source of greenhouse gas emissions. Peatland ACTION is led and funded by Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with NatureScot, Cairngorms National Park Authority, Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park Authority, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Scottish Water. Since 2012, Peatland ACTION has set over 66,000 hectares of degraded peatland on the road to recovery, but this effort needs to accelerate rapidly in the coming years to help address the twin crises of the climate emergency and biodiversity loss. The appointed Field Ecologists will work with the Peatland ACTION Technical Team and Project Officers located across Scotland to help support species and ecological survey requirements for Peatland ACTION restoration sites.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...