--- title: "RSPB Minsmere: Scrape enhancement" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS" published: "2021-07-13" --- # RSPB Minsmere: Scrape enhancement Buyer: ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e121640-0f9d-4b0c-a982-f3bde789075b.json) ## Summary The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is seeking to enhance the scrape at Minsmere, focusing on rejuvenating existing islands and constructing new ones. This public procurement contract, classified under construction work (CPV code 45000000), is currently at the tender stage, with submissions due by 17:00 on 4th August 2021. The project aims to commence on 1st September 2021 and continue through to 1st November 2023, with a primary location specified as postal code IP17 3BY. This contract operates under an open procurement method, allowing any interested parties to submit tenders. This opportunity represents significant potential for businesses involved in construction and environmental enhancement, particularly those with expertise in habitat restoration and hydrological management. Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) would be well-positioned to compete, as the project requires collaboration with RSPB staff to ensure the outcomes align with ecological goals. Companies that can demonstrate proficiency in creating and managing wetland habitats, as well as experience in construction works, would find this tender particularly relevant for growth and networking opportunities within the conservation sector. ## Notice The objective of this project is to enhance the scrape at Minsmere by the rejuventation of existing islands, construction of new islands, constructing/removing/reprofiling bunds, installing new water control structures and creating variation in the topography of the bed of the lagoon. To achieve this, 27 islands will be rejuvenated/created/enlarged, and 9 new sluices installed. 100m of new bund to be created, 220m removed and 400m built up. 620m3 reed rhizomes to be relocated. Spoil will be won from locations both inside and outside the scrape and which will have to be transported around the site (approx. 4168m3). Details of how to apply in Tender document attached Additional information: The aim of the project is the rejuvenation of the iconic Minsmere 'Scrape' to benefit a range of breeding and wintering birds. The Scrape is old: the lagoons lack topographical variation and there are large areas of 'dead ground' (e.g. lagoon edge and encroaching reedbed) that are unsuitable for use by key species. Islands available for breeding birds are very small and make up a small proportion of the total scrape area. Hydrological management of the lagoon is a challenge at present and causes disturbance to wildlife, especially during the breeding season. There is a need to modify these and install new structures to increase hydrological flexibility in flooding and draining the lagoons and achieving optimum salinity. The project will make improvements to 24 ha of lagoon, by rejuvenating and enlarging islands, improving hydrological control and increasing the amount of lagoon habitat. Larger, remodelled islands will provide more nesting habitat for Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis, Common Tern S. hirundo, Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus and Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus. The topography of the larger islands will vary, with some higher areas sloping down into lower areas to allow more island to become exposed as the water level draws down over the breeding season. In general, these lower areas will be tilted towards the hides to maximise opportunity for the birds to be observed. It will also ensure a muddy feeding edge for wader chicks throughout the season. It will be important to work closely with RSPB staff throughout the creation of these islands to ensure that they are fit for purpose. The project will be carried out over three years, starting in the autumn of 2021. The ideal working window for this each year is end of Aug - mid November. This is due to nesting birds in the spring and early summer and the ground conditions which can deteriorate rapidly from mid-November, or earlier if we have a wet autumn. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1be7dba1-69cf-424d-ae27-456f4973a7d9 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Works | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure (below threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME, VCSE | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Jul 2021 | | Submission deadline | 4 Aug 2021 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Aug 2021 - 1 Nov 2023 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS | | Locality | SANDY | | Post town | Stevenage | | Postcode | SG19 2DL | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLH East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLH2 Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire | | ITL 3 | TLH25 Central Bedfordshire | | Local authority | Central Bedfordshire | | Electoral ward | Sandy | | Westminster constituency | North Bedfordshire | | Delivery location | Not specified | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 45 - Construction work ### Codes - 45000000 - Construction work ## Release History - 13 Jul 2021 at 13:24 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1be7dba1-69cf-424d-ae27-456f4973a7d9 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1be7dba1-69cf-424d-ae27-456f4973a7d9 13th July 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/303f74d3-8fc8-4015-9d20-8580dc94b698 Invitation to tender - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/4d25bad3-db32-4ed0-8c44-b19c28a226c4 Appendix 1, 4 and 5 (to be filled in by contractors) ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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