Tender

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Restoration Operatives to Control Invasive Plants, Isle of Raasay

Raasay Development Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

16 Oct 2026 at 01:00

PCS Notice - Website Contract Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Raasay Development Trust is seeking self-employed contractors to control invasive non-native plants across approximately 145 hectares on the Isle of Raasay. The work continues a habitat restoration programme and focuses mainly on rhododendron, with Japanese knotweed and pampas grass also included. Treatment operators will carry out control work; separate duties include coordinating work packages and delivering repeat Japanese knotweed treatment. Work is issued in packages, with each appointed contractor holding an individual contract on common terms. The buying organisation is a community development trust. The work takes place on the Isle of Raasay, Highland, and is funded through a Scottish Government island carbon fund, with some further work dependent on Forestry and Land Scotland funding.

The buyer invited applications through an open procedure. Up to five contractors, including any trainee places, are to be appointed. Applications were due by 12 noon on 30 October 2026, with appointments expected to be confirmed by 12 noon on 4 November 2026. The stated contract period runs from 5 November 2026 to 31 March 2028. The estimated total budget is £129,068 including VAT; this includes a committed core of about £54,068 and optional further rhododendron work of up to £75,000, subject to funding and at the buyer’s discretion. Payment is at buyer-set hourly rates, and selection is based on quality, with a minimum score of 2 out of 4 on every question. Trainee applicants are assessed separately from other applicants.

This opportunity suits land-management and habitat-restoration operators able to work across dispersed sites and deliver treatment to a defined scope. Applicants for operator roles need certificates of competence for pesticide application; trainees can apply without them and begin with a paid trial alongside experienced operators, under direct supervision by a certificate holder whenever herbicides are used. A Japanese knotweed specialist is needed for repeat treatment during the July–September window, and one operator will also coordinate work packages. Contractors must meet health and safety, herbicide-use, COSHH, biosecurity and watercourse-protection requirements, keep hours records, report weekly and take part in reviews. Sole traders are welcome, and packages are designed to support their participation. Travel, ferry, accommodation and subsistence costs are not recoverable; only productive hours on site are paid.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Restoration Operatives to Control Invasive Plants, Isle of Raasay

Notice Description

Raasay Development Trust is appointing up to five self-employed contractors to treat invasive non-native plants on the Isle of Raasay, mainly rhododendron, with Japanese knotweed and pampas grass, across approximately 145 hectares. Work is instructed through work packages and paid at hourly rates set by RDT, so applicants are chosen on quality only. Each contractor holds their own contract on identical terms. A trainee route is open to people new to the work. Bidders do not need a PCS account. Request the Application Pack by email to tom@raasaydevelopmenttrust.org.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The work continues an established habitat restoration programme on the Isle of Raasay, funded by the Scottish Government Carbon Neutral Islands Capital Fund, with optional further work funded by Forestry and Land Scotland. Three roles are available. Treatment operators control rhododendron and pampas grass. One operator will also act as coordination lead, paid a fixed coordination allowance per work package. One operator will also act as knotweed specialist, delivering a repeat treatment programme in the July to September window. Certificates of competence for pesticide application are required for all roles except trainee places. Up to five contractors will be appointed, including any trainee places. Trainees are assessed only against other trainee applicants and start with a paid trial alongside experienced operators. Work is issued as work package orders. The first package is approximately 15000 GBP. Contractors keep an hours log and report weekly. Hours paid are productive hours on site. Travel, ferry, accommodation and subsistence are not recoverable. Treatment must meet the standard set out in the Scope of Works. The contract runs until 31 March 2028. The estimated value includes a committed core of approximately 54068 GBP and optional packages of further rhododendron control of up to 75000 GBP, subject to Forestry and Land Scotland funding. RDT is under no obligation to instruct the optional packages. A help session is available by arrangement from 19 to 23 October 2026 at Raasay Community Hall, Inverarish. Bidders do not need a PCS account. Request the Application Pack by email to tom@raasaydevelopmenttrust.org. Responses may be returned by email or on paper. Operator places may be reopened annually or as required due to contractor reduced availibility to new applicants on the same terms. Scoring: at least 2 out of 4 on every question required. The estimated value is RDT's total budget for this contract, inclusive of any VAT. Rates set by RDT are inclusive of VAT where applicable.

Options: Optional work packages of further rhododendron control up to 75000 GBP, funded by Forestry and Land Scotland, instructed at the same rates and terms if funding is confirmed. RDT is under no obligation to instruct these packages.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000845916
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566809
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

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

CPV Codes

77231000 - Forestry management services

77312000 - Weed-clearance services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£129,068 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£129,068 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
30 Oct 20262 days to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
5 Nov 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
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
Raasay Development Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
ISLE OF RAASAY
Postcode
IV40 8PA
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
TLM6 Highlands and Islands
Local Authority
Highland
Electoral Ward
Eilean á Chèo
Westminster Constituency
Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=OCT566809
    Restoration Operatives to Control Invasive Plants, Isle of Raasay - Raasay Development Trust is appointing up to five self-employed contractors to treat invasive non-native plants on the Isle of Raasay, mainly rhododendron, with Japanese knotweed and pampas grass, across approximately 145 hectares. Work is instructed through work packages and paid at hourly rates set by RDT, so applicants are chosen on quality only. Each contractor holds their own contract on identical terms. A trainee route is open to people new to the work. Bidders do not need a PCS account. Request the Application Pack by email to tom@raasaydevelopmenttrust.org.

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...