--- title: "Natural flood management and infrastructure improvement works at Blean Woods." ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS" published: "2021-08-03" --- # Natural flood management and infrastructure improvement works at Blean Woods. Buyer: ROYAL SOCIETY FOR THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-60c8a528-f7f6-4b2b-a2e3-641606dfcbd6.json) ## Summary The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is currently undertaking a tender process for natural flood management and infrastructure improvement works at Blean Woods. This project falls under the construction industry category, focusing on enhancing the ecological resilience of the area against climate change. The tender period is open until 16 August 2021, with the contract expected to commence on 1 September 2021 and continue until 28 February 2022. The procurement method is open, allowing for a range of bidders to participate, particularly for the three lots detailing specialised work at different sites, with delivery addresses located in Kent (postal code CT5 3BJ). This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in construction, ecological restoration, and landscape management. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary community sector enterprises (VCSEs) would be particularly well-suited to compete, given the focus on sustainable practices and innovative flood management solutions. The works involve techniques such as creating earth and wood dams, which could appeal to businesses with experience in environmental project delivery, habitat restoration, and outdoor infrastructure enhancements. ## Notice The RSPB has secured funding through the Green Recovery Challenge Fund to deliver the 'Climate Resilience for Blean Woods and Seasalter Levels' project. The funding is administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency. The overall aim of the works within this document is to enhance the resilience of Blean Woods to projected changes in climate, through reversing the effects of man-made drainage and increasing water retention within the woodland, in addition to improving accessibility. The work will be carried out across one RSPB reserve and two Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) reserves, which total 1328ha of woodland, 999ha of which is designated as SSSI. Climate change projections predict increased rainfall in winter, but hotter and drier summers, particularly in the south of England. Drier spring and summers coupled with man-made drainage features in the woodland will result in Blean Woods drying out at an accelerated rate in the spring. The lack of moist soil and standing water will result in fewer invertebrates, less deadwood generation and fewer drinking opportunities - all vital to support a healthy woodland for wildlife. To mitigate against this, we aim to slow the drainage of high rainfall events from Blean Woods to retain that water on site for longer as both standing water and moisture content in soils. The project will create earth and wood dams in primary watercourses to achieve this aim, using site-won materials. The work will focus on using Natural Flood Management (NFM) principles that have been used for flood management projects - working along key watercourses at all 3 sites to slow the flow using predominantly wood dams and some earth dams. This tender also includes works for 2 exciting sub-projects using the same principles: restoration of the Sarre Penn at RSPB Blean and a raised bog at KWT South Blean. The Sarre Penn is the largest watercourse at RSPB Blean that has been artificially straightened for drainage in certain locations - leaving the historic meanders 'high and dry'. This project will aim to restore these natural meanders to their former glory, as well as slowing the high winter flows of the overall channel. The bog restoration will involve increasing water retention using wood and earth dams, and tree clearance to create a diverse mosaic of wet woodland and ancient bog habitats. In addition to the exciting and unique habitat works, we also have infrastructure improvements to complete that involve trackside ditching, crossing point improvements and the construction of a boardwalk - all to improve the accessibility and overall visitor experience of our sites. Details of how to apply in Tender document attached Additional information: The tender document is divided into 3 lots due to the different and specialised nature of the project. The lots correspond with the 3 different sites the contractor(s) will be working on. These lots are then divided into subsections based on the type of work, and contractors are welcome to bid for these individual subsections, or one or more entire lots. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6aa1f892-f64a-466c-b73c-7b74b12ff9fd | | 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 | 3 Aug 2021 | | Submission deadline | 16 Aug 2021 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Aug 2021 - 28 Feb 2022 | | 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 - 3 Aug 2021 at 09:06 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6aa1f892-f64a-466c-b73c-7b74b12ff9fd - 26 Jul 2021 at 11:38 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6aa1f892-f64a-466c-b73c-7b74b12ff9fd ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/6aa1f892-f64a-466c-b73c-7b74b12ff9fd 3rd August 2021 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/84564ae3-2897-4e23-8eab-93bb8d90fbf5 Appendix 1: Maps - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/1ea83cd3-2ad5-4feb-bc5b-f801b12f513c Appendix 2: Designs - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/db501a2c-affc-4dd4-857c-1ed29e2b168c Appendix 3: photos - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/8750b10e-5bf8-49d3-9718-2002c66493b1 Invitation to Tender document - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/274befae-1bc3-47f2-9c61-ac0d523e10ec Appendix 4: Additional Designs ## Provenance This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. 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