Planning

Seed Collection & Associated Services

  • Forestry and Land Scotland

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-020232

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-047a10

Published 3 July 2024, 10:44am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Forestry and Land Scotland

Great Glen House, Leachkin Road

Inverness

IV3 8NW

Email

procurement@forestryandland.gov.scot

Telephone

+44 3000676000

Country

United Kingdom

NUTS code

UKM - Scotland

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://forestryandland.gov.scot

Buyer's address

https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA30371

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Body governed by public law

one.5) Main activity

Environment


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Seed Collection & Associated Services

Reference number

FLS-093-F

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 77300000 - Horticultural services

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection

Lot No

1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Aerial Seed Collection

Lot No

2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Rope Access Seed Collection

Lot No

3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Seed Processing, Testing & Storage

Lot No

4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Seed Supply

Lot No

5

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) intends to appoint a Framework of contracts for Seed Collection and Associated Services.

The Framework will comprise Lots covering the following:

- Seed Collection (Ground, Aerial and Rope Access)

- Seed Extraction, Processing, Testing and Storage

- Seed Supply

FLS plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the FLS Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the FLS owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector. The nursery site is currently undergoing significant expansion, and it is anticipated that output from Newton Nursery will expand from the current 28% to 65% of our requirements over the next 3-5 years.

FLS also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, FLS also sells a proportion of the seed it collects and that is surplus to requirements in support of the wider UK forestry sector. Purchased seed typically includes; Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine, with seed sold to the sector being mainly improved Sitka spruce. Seed availability and plant demand however is subject to change due to the impact of multiple unpredictable variables; e.g. unpredictable mast years or changes in felling/restocking sites, disease etc. Purchased and sold seed may also require chemical treatment to ensure protection from pests, or indeed for seed primed or coated using new innovation technologies which can help to increase germination rates.

This Prior Information Notice (PIN) is intended to explore and better understand the supply base and potential contractual arrangements that would represent a best value solution for our seed operations. This means balancing cost, quality and sustainability (including innovation).

Currently our nursery costs are partly offset through the income we receive through the sale of seeds into the seed market. However, through use of this PIN process, we also seek to understand whether other innovative ideas exist within the marketplace that may further offset these costs. We therefore encourage you to put forward your ideas of any innovative and alternative ways that this work could be packaged.

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

1 September 2024


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes


Section six. Complementary information

six.3) Additional information

The PIN and associated questionnaire is for information gathering and market engagement only, this is not a call for competition and response to this questionnaire will not constitute any form of contract, or commitment to contract from FLS.

FLS are aware that your responses may contact commercially sensitive information pertaining to your business. FLS can confirm that any information provided will be held in strictest confidence and will be available only to the FLS team responsible for preparing this tender. No information will be divulged to any other party.

NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Public Contracts Scotland Web Site at https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=771412.

(SC Ref:771412)