Planning

Potential Impacts of Gamebird Release on Habitats and Invertebrates in Protected Sites

  • Defra and ALBs

F01: Prior information notice (prior information only)

Notice identifier: 2022/S 000-031574

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-038015

Published 8 November 2022, 2:46pm



Section one: Contracting authority

one.1) Name and addresses

Defra and ALBs

Smith Square

London

SW1P 3JR

Contact

Nina Brittain

Email

nina.brittain@defra.gov.uk

Telephone

+44 2087204558

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

one.3) Communication

Additional information can be obtained from the above-mentioned address

one.4) Type of the contracting authority

National or federal Agency/Office

one.5) Main activity

Environment


Section two: Object

two.1) Scope of the procurement

two.1.1) Title

Potential Impacts of Gamebird Release on Habitats and Invertebrates in Protected Sites

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

Natural England is seeking a contractor to deliver all aspects of planning, fieldwork, analysis and reporting. The project will cover two fieldwork seasons (spring / summer 2023 and 2024) across approximately 40 sites distributed across England. It is anticipated the study will include 20 sites with gamebird rearing and release activities and 20 paired control sites.

two.1.6) Information about lots

This contract is divided into lots: No

two.2) Description

two.2.3) Place of performance

NUTS codes
  • UK - United Kingdom

two.2.4) Description of the procurement

Natural England is delivering a piece of research for Defra, to investigate the potential impacts of releasing gamebirds (predominantly pheasants, also potentially red-legged partridges) on habitats and invertebrate species in protected sites. Predominantly these sites will be Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) but may also include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

Natural England is seeking a contractor to deliver all aspects of planning, fieldwork, analysis and reporting. The project will cover two fieldwork seasons (spring / summer 2023 and 2024) across approximately 40 sites distributed across England. It is anticipated the study will include 20 sites with gamebird rearing and release activities and 20 paired control sites. Methodologies are largely developed and will be specified within the Request For Quotation, but will include:

• Measurements of soil chemistry indicative of any eutrophication effects
• Measurements of ground vegetation, including tree growth and species composition
• Measurements of tree flora (e.g. bryophytes) indicative of air pollution effects
• Measurements of key invertebrate species within habitats close to gamebird activities

Following successful fieldwork campaigns, the contractor will be required to analyse data within an appropriate statistical framework, and report to Natural England.

two.2.14) Additional information

Expected Timeline:
ITT to be published by 25 November 2022
Proposals due by 23 December 2022
Project start by 1 March 2023
Update reports Throughout project
Steering group Throughout project
Full report by end November 2024
Defra would welcome feedback from the market to gauge the level of interest from potential bidders for the project.

two.3) Estimated date of publication of contract notice

25 November 2022


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: No