---
title: "Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework"
ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768.json"
source: "Public Contracts Scotland"
current_stage: "Tender"
buyer: "Scottish Natural Heritage"
published: "2026-09-11"
---

# Peatland ACTION FW02 Field Ecologists Framework

Buyer: Scottish Natural Heritage  
Current stage: Tender  
OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768.json)

## Summary

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.

## Notice

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

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland |
| Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564406 |
| 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 |
| All stages | Tender |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 11 Sep 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Nov 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 18 Jan 2027 - 31 Mar 2027 |
| Recurrence | Prior to the expiry of the contract including any extension periods exercised. |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £450,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Active |
| Lots status | Active |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | Scottish Natural Heritage |
| Locality | INVERNESS |
| Postcode area | Inverness |
| Postcode | IV3 8NW |
| Country | Scotland |
| ITL 1 | TLM Scotland |
| ITL 2 | TLM2 Highlands and Islands |
| ITL 3 | TLM20 Highlands and Islands |
| Local authority | Highland |
| Electoral ward | Inverness West |
| Westminster constituency | Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire |
| Delivery location | TLM Scotland |

## CPV Codes

### 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

### 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

## Release History

- 11 Sep 2026 at 01:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564406

## 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.

## Notice URLs

- http://
- http://www.nature.scot
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=842768
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2363
- http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx
- https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/
- https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=842768

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000842768.json.