Tender

Seed Collection & Associated Services

  • Forestry and Land Scotland

F02: Contract notice

Notice identifier: 2024/S 000-029384

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

Published 13 September 2024, 12:30pm



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

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

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

Tenders or requests to participate must be submitted electronically via

https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk

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 (the Authority) look after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism, and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland’s physical and mental health and well-being. The Authority also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who the Authority is and what it does can be found here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/.

The Authority has a requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of Seed Collection and Associated Services (including, Processing and Testing and Seed Supply).

The Authority plants an estimated 25 million trees per annum across the National Forest Estate. Presently 28% of these trees are grown at the Authority’s owned Newton Nursery with the remaining 72% currently contract grown or purchased within the private nursery sector.

The Authority also purchases a proportion of seed externally to support the production of stock from its Newton Nursery operation. However, the Authority 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.

Within this Framework Agreement specification, the Authority has a requirement for the provision of the following services:

- Aerial Seed Collection;

- Ground Seed Collection;

- Rope Access Seed Collection;

- Seed Processing, Testing and Storage; and

- Seed Supply.

two.1.5) Estimated total value

Value excluding VAT: £3,210,000

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

Aerial Seed Collection - North Region

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
Main site or place of performance

North Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario - Topping Seed Trees / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Use of Chainsaws / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £80,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in Regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Aerial Seed Collection - East Region

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
Main site or place of performance

East Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario - Topping Seed Trees / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Use of Chainsaws / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £500,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Aerial Seed Collection - West Region

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

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario - Topping Seed Trees / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Use of Chainsaws / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £100,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Aerial Seed Collection - Central Region

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
Main site or place of performance

Central Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario - Topping Seed Trees / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Use of Chainsaws / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £70,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Aerial Seed Collection - South Region

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
Main site or place of performance

South Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario - Topping Seed Trees / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Use of Chainsaws / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £40,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection - North Region

Lot No

6

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

North Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Health & Safety / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection - East Region

Lot No

7

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

East Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Health & Safety / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £400,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection - West Region

Lot No

8

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

West Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Health & Safety / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £100,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection - Central Region

Lot No

9

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

Central Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Health & Safety / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £70,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Ground Seed Collection - South Region

Lot No

10

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

South Region

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Quality criterion - Name: Health & Safety / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 70%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £100,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Rope Access Seed Collection - National

Lot No

11

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

National

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Seed Collection

Seed collection is a necessary and fundamental part of growing trees. It is, however, subject to the vagaries of multiple natural factors affecting success in producing viable seed. The Authority do not fully understand all the factors or their inter-relationships which go towards successful production of seed and therefore predicting when a species will produce seed is not an exact science and local knowledge and intelligence can be extremely useful.

Each species can have very different types of seed, some produce seed every year in collectable quantities, but some may not seed for decades. Each species’ seeds can also be very different in how and when they can be collected, handled, and stored to ensure germination is optimised.

Some species such as willows and poplars cannot be stored easily and must be collected at the precise moment of seed release and then sown within days of collection, therefore it is vital that collectors have or are given the requisite knowledge to maximise the collection of viable seed.

Planned Work - Rope Access Seed Collection (Lot 11)

The Authority are happy to accept keen but inexperienced collectors as well as experienced collectors to ensure maximum coverage and capacity.

These works reflect the difference between traditional arboriculture operations and the type of operations where IRATA/Mountain Climbing Instructor (MCI)/ Winter Mountain Climbing Instructor (WMCI) or equivalent certified climbers could be used.

The Authority have determined where operations to gather seed from trees or shrubs on dangerously steep ground, crags from below or above, then the certification gained for IRATA/Mountain Climbing Instructor (MCI), Winter Mountain Climbing Instructor (WMCI) or equivalent will be the required certification where roped access is deemed necessary to ensure safe collection.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Team / Weighting: 30%

Quality criterion - Name: Standards / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Timescales / Weighting: 20%

Price - Weighting: 50%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £400,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Seed Processing, Testing & Storage - National

Lot No

12

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

National

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Planned Work – Seed Processing, Testing & Storage (Lot 12)

Seed Processing

Seed processing timings are crucial in order to ensure the highest possible seed germination is achieved.

Seed Testing

Seed testing of all extracted seed is also required prior to either direct sowing or intended storage. This work requires to be completed under controlled laboratory conditions and requires the use of some fairly specialist equipment.

Seed Storage

Seed storage should be appropriate to the particular species of tree. It is paramount that the required seed moisture content is attained for all seed capable of being stored for long periods in deep cold conditions. Recalcitrant seed such as Oak must be kept in conditions which maximise their germination percentage and longevity as far as reasonably practicable. Given the wide range of papers available with very different prescriptions for the proper storage of individual species, FLS are open to experimentation with small samples to test some of these hypotheses.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Scenario / Weighting: 90%

Price - Weighting: 50%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £350,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

two.2) Description

two.2.1) Title

Seed Supply - National

Lot No

13

two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77211600 - Tree seeding

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UKM - Scotland
Main site or place of performance

National

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Planned Works - Seed Supply (Lot 13)

The Authority have an ongoing annual requirement for the purchase of both conifer and broadleaf seed under this Framework Agreement. All seed purchases made will support annual plant production programmes at Newton Nursery and subsequently wider Authority Restocking and New Woodland creation programmes.

The supply of appropriate plants to the forestry sector relies on a suitable supply of seed to the nurseries. The provenance of seed is an important factor, as forests planted in the area from which the seed is collected tend to be better adapted to local conditions. There is little predictability as to the quality of seed that will be produced in any given year and so, when a good seed production year occurs, the seed must be stored and used judiciously until another good seed year occurs.

The Contractor will at all times be responsible for ensuring that it instructs and directs its staff, sub-contractors, and/or consortia members in order to meet the requirements of the Authority in relation to this Framework Agreement. The Authority will not be responsible for instructing and/or directing Contractor’s operational staff, their sub-contractors, and/or their consortia members.

two.2.5) Award criteria

Quality criterion - Name: Fair Work First / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Sustainability & Net Zero / Weighting: 5%

Quality criterion - Name: Prompt Payment in the Supply Chain / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Real Living Wage / Weighting: Pass/Fail

Quality criterion - Name: Accredited Living Wage Employer / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Scottish Business Pledge / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) / Weighting: Not Scored

Quality criterion - Name: Appendices / Weighting: Mandatory

Quality criterion - Name: Seed Supply, Storage and Innovation / Weighting: 25%

Quality criterion - Name: Document Control / Weighting: 40%

Quality criterion - Name: Delivery Management / Weighting: 25%

Price - Weighting: 50%

two.2.6) Estimated value

Value excluding VAT: £800,000

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

Duration in months

48

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: No

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.2.14) Additional information

Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.


Section three. Legal, economic, financial and technical information

three.1) Conditions for participation

three.1.1) Suitability to pursue the professional activity, including requirements relating to enrolment on professional or trade registers

List and brief description of conditions

Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

three.1.2) Economic and financial standing

List and brief description of selection criteria

Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

three.1.3) Technical and professional ability

List and brief description of selection criteria

Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

three.2) Conditions related to the contract

three.2.2) Contract performance conditions

Key Performance Indications (KPIs) are detailed in Schedule 1, Part B of the FLS-093-F Framework Agreement T&Cs document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.


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

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.2.1) Previous publication concerning this procedure

Notice number: 2024/S 000-020232

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

Date

25 October 2024

Local time

5:00pm

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: 120 (from the date stated for receipt of tender)

four.2.7) Conditions for opening of tenders

Date

28 October 2024

Local time

8:00am

Place

This will be done at a private residence with no public access.

Information about authorised persons and opening procedure

Opening of tenders is through PCS-Tender by an FLS Procurement Specialist and a full audit trail is maintained.


Section six. Complementary information

six.1) Information about recurrence

This is a recurrent procurement: Yes

Estimated timing for further notices to be published: Summer 2028

six.2) Information about electronic workflows

Electronic ordering will be used

Electronic invoicing will be accepted

Electronic payment will be used

six.3) Additional information

Question Scoring Methodology for Technical Criteria:

0 - Unacceptable - Nil or inadequate response. Fails to demonstrate an ability to meet the requirement.

25 - Poor - Response is partially relevant and poor. The response addresses some elements of the requirement but contains insufficient/limited detail or explanation to demonstrate how the requirement will be fulfilled.

50 - Acceptable - Response is relevant and acceptable. The response addresses a broad understanding of the requirement but may lack details on how the requirement will be fulfilled in certain areas.

75 - Good - Response is relevant and good. The response is sufficiently detailed to demonstrate a good understanding and provides details on how the requirements will be fulfilled.

100 - Excellent - Response is completely relevant and excellent overall. The response is comprehensive, unambiguous and demonstrates a thorough understanding of the requirement and provides details of how the requirement will be met in full.

Any bidder that receives a score of ONE or LESS for one or more for the lot specific technical questions will be excluded from the tender.

Any bidder that receives a total technical score below 50% out of 100% will be excluded from the tender.

Please refer to Section 7.2 of the FLS-093-F Framework Agreement T&Cs document, which in one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender, for a full list of operational reasons for modification.

The Scottish Government Supplier Journey: www.supplierjourney.scot

The Buyer Help and Guidance on PCS-T here: https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/web/buyerhelp.html

The Supplier Development Programme is available to assist suppliers with public procurement including training events: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/

The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 27421. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343

(SC Ref:775895)

six.4) Procedures for review

six.4.1) Review body

The Inverness Justice Centre

Longman Road

Inverness

IV1 1AH

Email

inverness@scotcourts.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1463230782

Country

United Kingdom

six.4.3) Review procedure

Precise information on deadline(s) for review procedures

An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.

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

Court of Session

Parliament House, Parliament Square

Edinburgh

EH1 1RQ

Email

supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 1312252595

Country

United Kingdom