Tender

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Monitoring Framework

  • NATURAL ENGLAND (Defra Network eTendering Portal)

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2023/S 000-026572

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-03fb17

Published 8 September 2023, 9:47am



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

NATURAL ENGLAND (Defra Network eTendering Portal)

17 Nobel House

London

SW1P 3JR

Contact

Andrew Barkhouse

Email

andrew.barkhouse@defra.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Region code

UK - United Kingdom

Internet address(es)

Main address

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs

Buyer's address

https://defra-family.force.com/s/Welcome

one.3) Communication

The procurement documents are available for unrestricted and full direct access, free of charge, at

https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted to the above-mentioned address

Electronic communication requires the use of tools and devices that are not generally available. Unrestricted and full direct access to these tools and devices is possible, free of charge, at

https://atamis-9529.my.site.com/s/Welcome

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

Ministry or any other national or federal authority

one.5) Main activity

Environment


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Monitoring Framework

Reference number

C20945

two.1.2) Main CPV code

  • 90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

two.1.3) Type of contract

Services

two.1.4) Short description

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Monitoring Framework

Natural England SSSI Monitoring Aims

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's work on protected sites as it enables us to understand the impacts of management and other pressures on the notified features. We have moved to a Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) approach, aligning with all other UK Statutory Nature Conservation bodies, to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. We will still be able to report at the unit scale to support conversations with land managers.

Interim targets of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published in January include the delivery of an up-to-date condition assessment for every SSSI (feature) by the beginning of 2028.

SSSI Monitoring Programme

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's overall monitoring programme. It provides evidence that helps us deliver our statutory functions for SSSIs and other designated sites. We use this evidence to advise land managers, partners and stakeholders, and help them sustain SSSIs in favourable condition, or restore those in unfavourable condition. We are reforming these processes to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. The SSSI Monitoring and Evaluation Programme tackles the decline in SSSI monitoring frequency in recent years and our SSSI evidence base. It aims to provide robust evidence to support site management, local nature recovery projects, and national policy delivery and reporting.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £4,900,000

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: Yes

Tenders may be submitted for all lots

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 1 - North

Lot No

Lot 1

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Natural England SSSI Monitoring Aims

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's work on protected sites as it enables us to understand the impacts of management and other pressures on the notified features. We have moved to a Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) approach, aligning with all other UK Statutory Nature Conservation bodies, to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. We will still be able to report at the unit scale to support conversations with land managers.

Interim targets of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published in January include the delivery of an up-to-date condition assessment for every SSSI (feature) by the beginning of 2028.

SSSI Monitoring Programme

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's overall monitoring programme. It provides evidence that helps us deliver our statutory functions for SSSIs and other designated sites. We use this evidence to advise land managers, partners and stakeholders, and help them sustain SSSIs in favourable condition, or restore those in unfavourable condition. We are reforming these processes to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. The SSSI Monitoring and Evaluation Programme tackles the decline in SSSI monitoring frequency in recent years and our SSSI evidence base. It aims to provide robust evidence to support site management, local nature recovery projects, and national policy delivery and reporting.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £4,900,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

1 April 2024

End date

31 March 2028

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

4+2

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 2 - East

Lot No

Lot 2

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Natural England SSSI Monitoring Aims

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's work on protected sites as it enables us to understand the impacts of management and other pressures on the notified features. We have moved to a Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) approach, aligning with all other UK Statutory Nature Conservation bodies, to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. We will still be able to report at the unit scale to support conversations with land managers.

Interim targets of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published in January include the delivery of an up-to-date condition assessment for every SSSI (feature) by the beginning of 2028.

SSSI Monitoring Programme

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's overall monitoring programme. It provides evidence that helps us deliver our statutory functions for SSSIs and other designated sites. We use this evidence to advise land managers, partners and stakeholders, and help them sustain SSSIs in favourable condition, or restore those in unfavourable condition. We are reforming these processes to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. The SSSI Monitoring and Evaluation Programme tackles the decline in SSSI monitoring frequency in recent years and our SSSI evidence base. It aims to provide robust evidence to support site management, local nature recovery projects, and national policy delivery and reporting.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £4,900,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

1 April 2024

End date

31 March 2028

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

4+2

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 3 - South

Lot No

Lot 3

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Natural England SSSI Monitoring Aims

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's work on protected sites as it enables us to understand the impacts of management and other pressures on the notified features. We have moved to a Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) approach, aligning with all other UK Statutory Nature Conservation bodies, to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. We will still be able to report at the unit scale to support conversations with land managers.

Interim targets of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published in January include the delivery of an up-to-date condition assessment for every SSSI (feature) by the beginning of 2028.

SSSI Monitoring Programme

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's overall monitoring programme. It provides evidence that helps us deliver our statutory functions for SSSIs and other designated sites. We use this evidence to advise land managers, partners and stakeholders, and help them sustain SSSIs in favourable condition, or restore those in unfavourable condition. We are reforming these processes to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. The SSSI Monitoring and Evaluation Programme tackles the decline in SSSI monitoring frequency in recent years and our SSSI evidence base. It aims to provide robust evidence to support site management, local nature recovery projects, and national policy delivery and reporting.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £4,900,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

1 May 2024

End date

31 March 2028

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

4+2

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Lot 4 - West

Lot No

Lot 4

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 90711500 - Environmental monitoring other than for construction

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Natural England SSSI Monitoring Aims

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's work on protected sites as it enables us to understand the impacts of management and other pressures on the notified features. We have moved to a Whole Feature Assessment (WFA) approach, aligning with all other UK Statutory Nature Conservation bodies, to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. We will still be able to report at the unit scale to support conversations with land managers.

Interim targets of the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) published in January include the delivery of an up-to-date condition assessment for every SSSI (feature) by the beginning of 2028.

SSSI Monitoring Programme

Monitoring and evaluation of SSSIs is an important aspect of Natural England's overall monitoring programme. It provides evidence that helps us deliver our statutory functions for SSSIs and other designated sites. We use this evidence to advise land managers, partners and stakeholders, and help them sustain SSSIs in favourable condition, or restore those in unfavourable condition. We are reforming these processes to obtain feature-scale data and understand the bigger picture. The SSSI Monitoring and Evaluation Programme tackles the decline in SSSI monitoring frequency in recent years and our SSSI evidence base. It aims to provide robust evidence to support site management, local nature recovery projects, and national policy delivery and reporting.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Price is not the only award criterion and all criteria are stated only in the procurement documents

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £4,900,000

two.2.7) Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

Start date

1 April 2024

End date

31 March 2028

This contract is subject to renewal

No

two.2.10) Information about variants

Variants will be accepted: No

two.2.11) Information about options

Options: Yes

Description of options

4+2

two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds

The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No


Section four. Procedure

four.1) Description

four.1.1) Type of procedure

Open procedure

four.1.3) Information about a framework agreement or a dynamic purchasing system

The procurement involves the establishment of a framework agreement

Framework agreement with several operators

Envisaged maximum number of participants to the framework agreement: 40

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

The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes

four.2) Administrative information

four.2.2) Time limit for receipt of tenders or requests to participate

Date

23 October 2023

Local time

1:30pm

four.2.4) Languages in which tenders or requests to participate may be submitted

English

four.2.6) Minimum time frame during which the tenderer must maintain the tender

Duration in months: 4 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

23 October 2023

Local time

2:00pm


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: No

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

Public Procurement Review Body

N/A

N/A

N/A

Email

publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit

six.4.2) Body responsible for mediation procedures

Public Procurement Review Body

N/A

N/A

N/A

Email

publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit

six.4.4) Service from which information about the review procedure may be obtained

Public Procurement Review Body

N/A

N/A

N/A

Email

publicprocurementreview@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Country

United Kingdom

Internet address

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/public-procurement-review-service-scope-and-remit