Scope
Reference
MFF162 2025-2031 supply and delivery of sphagnum plugs
Description
This Invitation for Tender ("ITT") is to Supply & Deliver Sphagnum Moss Plugs to Delivery Sites within the Peak District National Park and South Pennines SAC.
The Contract Period shall be 3 September 2025 to 31 August 2031, ("the Contract Period").
The Material for the purposes of this ITT shall consist of Sphagnum moss ("Sphagnum")
1. ITT quantities:
1.1 Lot 1 - A quantity of up to 18,000,000 plugs over 6 years (up to 3,000,000 per year)- over the Contract Period. It is anticipated that the requirement each year will be no less than 300,000 Plugs per annum.
1.2 Lot 2 - A quantity of up to 300,000 plugs over 6 years (up to 50,000 per year)- over the Contract Period. It is anticipated that the requirement each year will be no less than 10,000 Plugs per annum.
The list of species requirements of the sphagnum plugs is set out in Section 1 of the Invitation to Tender
Total value (estimated)
- £9,150,000 excluding VAT
- £10,980,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 3 September 2025 to 31 August 2031
- 5 years, 11 months, 28 days
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 03120000 - Horticultural and nursery products
Contract locations
- UKC - North East (England)
- UKD - North West (England)
- UKE - Yorkshire and the Humber
- UKF - East Midlands (England)
Lot 1. Lot 1
Description
Supply and delivery of a quantity of up to 18,000,000 plugs over 6 years (up to 3,000,000 per year)- over the Contract Period. It is anticipated that the requirement each year will be no less than 300,000 Plugs per annum.
1. Specification
1. Sphagnum Plugs must be supplied in whole growing plant form as Plugs. The form and method for production of Plugs must be detailed in the Tender Return.
2. Sphagnum Plugs must be grown peat-free with the exception of paludiculture, in which case a detailed method statement should be included to demonstrate how peat is used sustainably and not extracted in the production of sphagnum plugs
3. A Sphagnum Plug may consist of a single species or a mix of species. The Authority prefer a mix of species suitable for growing on blanket bog in the Peak District and South Pennines with a dominance of peat forming species as set out in the table below. The species mixes can be seen in Table 1 contained in Section 1 of the ITT.
4. The Authority will permit a tolerance of up to 5% above or below the percentages set out in Table 1 contained in Section 1 of the ITT.
5. Bidders may recommend in the Itemised Costs at Appendix 1 of the ITT other species or species mixes that in their opinion fits the Authority's requirements specified in the Specification.
6. Important peat building hummock species are preferred. However, our requirements will vary and all species/combinations of bog surface and flush species will be considered.
7. Plugs of a single species may also be considered, please detail in your Tender return which species can be provided. E.g. S. cuspidatum must form Plugs of this species only.
8. The Material must only contain Sphagnum native to the United Kingdom.
9. Plugs containing a proportion of foreign materials (e.g. soil, grass or other plant materials other than Sphagnum) as deemed inappropriate by the Nominated Officer may be rejected. The decision of the Nominated Officer shall be final.
10. A Sphagnum Plug should consist of several Sphagnum plants and have a minimum diameter of 2.5cm, and a minimum height of 5cm, and a maximum height of 12cm.
11. Propagated Sphagnum must be free from disease or pest which may be associated with growing in glass house conditions. How the absence of disease and pest will be assured should be covered in the Tenderer's Method Statement.
The list of species requirements of the sphagnum plugs is set out in Table 1 of Section 1 of the Invitation to Tender
2. Sphagnum Plug packaging
1. Sphagnum Plugs should NOT be supplied in trays.
2. Packaged Plugs should be placed into bags of a suitable size to a total weight not exceeding 10 kg. The bags should be placed into crates suitable for stacking.
3. The Sphagnum must be produced and packaged to a suitable standard to withstand:
3.1. multiple handling during the delivery process to the Delivery Site and Lift Site;
3.2. stacking multiple crates at Delivery or Lift Site;
3.3. preparation for transport;
3.4. transport of the Material by helicopter, terrestrial vehicle or hand.
4. Tenderers should specify how Plugs will be packaged/bundled in their Method Statement.
Please see Invitation to Tender for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £9,000,000 excluding VAT
- £10,800,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Lot 2
Description
Supply and delivery of a quantity of up to 300,000 plugs over 6 years (up to 50,000 per year)- over the Contract Period. It is anticipated that the requirement each year will be no less than 10,000 Plugs per annum.
1. Specification
1. Sphagnum Plugs must be supplied in whole growing plant form as Plugs. The form and method for production of Plugs must be detailed in the Tender Return.
2. Sphagnum Plugs must be grown peat-free with the exception of paludiculture, in which case a detailed method statement should be included to demonstrate how peat is used sustainably and not extracted in the production of sphagnum plugs
3. A Sphagnum Plug may consist of a single species or a mix of species. The Authority prefer a mix of species suitable for growing on blanket bog in the Peak District and South Pennines with a dominance of peat forming species as set out in the table below. The species mixes can be seen in Table 1 contained in Section 1 of the ITT.
4. The Authority will permit a tolerance of up to 5% above or below the percentages set out in Table 1 contained in Section 1 of the ITT.
5. Bidders may recommend in the Itemised Costs at Appendix 1 of the ITT other species or species mixes that in their opinion fits the Authority's requirements specified in the Specification.
6. Important peat building hummock species are preferred. However, our requirements will vary and all species/combinations of bog surface and flush species will be considered.
7. Plugs of a single species may also be considered, please detail in your Tender return which species can be provided. E.g. S. cuspidatum must form Plugs of this species only.
8. The Material must only contain Sphagnum native to the United Kingdom.
9. Plugs containing a proportion of foreign materials (e.g. soil, grass or other plant materials other than Sphagnum) as deemed inappropriate by the Nominated Officer may be rejected. The decision of the Nominated Officer shall be final.
10. A Sphagnum Plug should consist of several Sphagnum plants and have a minimum diameter of 2.5cm, and a minimum height of 5cm, and a maximum height of 12cm.
11. Propagated Sphagnum must be free from disease or pest which may be associated with growing in glass house conditions. How the absence of disease and pest will be assured should be covered in the Tenderer's Method Statement.
The list of species requirements of the sphagnum plugs is set out in Table 1 of Section 1 of the Invitation to Tender
2. Sphagnum Plug packaging
1. Sphagnum Plugs should NOT be supplied in trays.
2. Packaged Plugs should be placed into bags of a suitable size to a total weight not exceeding 10 kg. The bags should be placed into crates suitable for stacking.
3. The Sphagnum must be produced and packaged to a suitable standard to withstand:
3.1. multiple handling during the delivery process to the Delivery Site and Lift Site;
3.2. stacking multiple crates at Delivery or Lift Site;
3.3. preparation for transport;
3.4. transport of the Material by helicopter, terrestrial vehicle or hand.
4. Tenderers should specify how Plugs will be packaged/bundled in their Method Statement.
Please see Invitation to Tender for more details.
Lot value (estimated)
- £150,000 excluding VAT
- £180,000 including VAT
Same for all lots
CPV classifications, contract locations and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. Lot 1
Lot 2. Lot 2
no lots have conditions of participation
Particular suitability
Lot 1. Lot 1
Lot 2. Lot 2
- Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
8 August 2025, 4:00pm
Tender submission deadline
10 August 2025, 5:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Submission
Tenders must be submitted by e mail to Tenders@peakdistrict.gov.uk
By 17.00pm 10 August 2025
The following, and only the following, must be used in the subject line:
REF: MFF162 2025-2031 supply and delivery of sphagnum plugs
Please see link to the Tender Notice and Invitation to Tender at
https://www.moorsforthefuture.org.uk/tenders
a link is also provided at
- https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/looking-after/about-us/open-government/tenders
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
25 August 2025
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| QC1 | Quality criteria 1: Experience, past Performance and ability to supply Materials to meet the contract objectives and specifications Provision of evidence detailing previous relevant experience of... |
Quality | 40% |
| Price | Price | 30% | |
| QC2 | Quality Criteria 2 Technical and Delivery Capability Provision of methodology and production schedule detailing how you will meet the Contract Objectives and Specification |
Quality | 29% |
| QC3 | Quality Criteria 3 Social Value - Explanation as to how the supply of sphagnum plugs is actively working to tackle environmental impacts |
Quality | 1% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Contracting authority
Peak District National Park Authority
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PRMG-9537-GCRD
Aldern House, Baslow Road
Bakewell
DE45 1AE
United Kingdom
Region: UKF13 - South and West Derbyshire
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government