Tender

DAERA - Forest Service - GROUND PREPARATION ON FOREST SERVICE LANDS

  • DAERA - Forest Service

UK4: Tender notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-085282

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05fb47

Published 22 December 2025, 11:03am



Scope

Reference

ID 5957522

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation across Forest Service sites in Northern Ireland. The services required are divided into 3 work areas as follows: • Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites • Mulching • Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites. Within each, there are 4 county groupings: (a) Down / Armagh; (b) Antrim / Derry; (c) East Fermanagh / Tyrone; and (d) West Fermanagh. Therefore, there are 12 Lots in total for the Framework.

Commercial tool

Establishes a framework

Total value (estimated)

  • £1,700,000 excluding VAT
  • £2,040,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 19 February 2026 to 18 February 2028
  • Possible extension to 18 February 2030
  • 4 years

Description of possible extension:

There is one option to extend for any period up to 2 years.

Main procurement category

Services

CPV classifications

  • 77200000 - Forestry services
  • 77231600 - Afforestation services
  • 77312000 - Weed-clearance services

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Down/Armagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites on Forest Service establishment sites in Down/Armagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £200,000 excluding VAT
  • £240,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 2. Lot 2 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Antrim/Derry

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites on Forest Service establishment sites in Antrim/Derry.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £300,000 excluding VAT
  • £360,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 3. Lot 3 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites on Forest Service establishment sites in East Fermanagh/Tyrone.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £400,000 excluding VAT
  • £480,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 4. Lot 4 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - West Fermanagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites on Forest Service establishment sites in West Fermanagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £400,000 excluding VAT
  • £480,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 5. Lot 5 - Mulching - Down/Armagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out Mulching on Forest Service establishment sites in Down/Armagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £20,000 excluding VAT
  • £24,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 6. Lot 6 - Mulching - Antrim/Derry

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out Mulching on Forest Service establishment sites in Antrim/Derry.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £20,000 excluding VAT
  • £24,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 7. Lot 7 - Mulching - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out Mulching on Forest Service establishment sites in East Fermanagh/Tyrone.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £80,000 excluding VAT
  • £96,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 8. Lot 8 - Mulching - West Fermanagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out Mulching on Forest Service establishment sites in West Fermanagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £30,000 excluding VAT
  • £36,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 9. Lot 9 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Down/Armagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Peatland or other sites on Forest Service establishment sites in Down/Armagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £50,000 excluding VAT
  • £60,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 10. Lot 10 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Antrim/Derry

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Peatland or other sites on Forest Service establishment sites in Antrim/Derry.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £50,000 excluding VAT
  • £60,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 11. Lot 11 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Peatland or other sites on Forest Service establishment sites in East Fermanagh/Tyrone.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £100,000 excluding VAT
  • £120,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Lot 12. Lot 12 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - West Fermanagh

Description

DAERA Forest Service are seeking to establish a Framework Agreement to appoint a list of Suppliers to carry out ground preparation of Peatland or other sites on Forest Service establishment sites in West Fermanagh.

Lot value (estimated)

  • £50,000 excluding VAT
  • £60,000 including VAT

Framework lot values may be shared with other lots

Same for all lots

CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.


Framework

Maximum number of suppliers

Unlimited

Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers

0%

Framework operation description

The term of framework will be 2 years, with one option to extend by any period up to 2

Years.

This framework will operate as below:

Forest Service aims to appoint a maximum of 6 Suppliers per Lot for Work area 1 and a maximum of 4 Suppliers per Lot for Work area 2 and Work area 3 respectively. These Suppliers will be ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th for Work area 1 and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th for Work area 2 and 3 on the basis of the Most Advantageous Tender (MAT) being the 1st ranked.

Work will be allocated on a call off basis. For each Lot, the work package based on timescale and operational constraints will be awarded to the Supplier ranked 1st. The Supplier ranked 2nd will be required to deliver in the event of:

1. Supplier 1 not having capacity to deliver the work package within the specified required timeframe and operational constraints set by Forest Service; or

2. Supplier 1 not accepting the offer of work for whatever reason, or not responding to the offer of work within 2 working days; or

3. Supplier 1 having been removed from the call-off list.

The Supplier ranked 3rd will be required to deliver in the event of:

1. Supplier 2 having a Conflict of Interest or not having capacity to deliver the training within the specified required timeframe and operational constraints set by Forest Service; or

2. Supplier 2 not accepting the offer of work for whatever reason, or not responding to the offer of work within 2 working days: or

3. Supplier 2 having been removed from the call-off list.

This process will continue until the list is exhausted. The next work package will again be offered to the Supplier ranked 1st even if they did not accept the previous assignment.

Full details on the Call-Off Procedure can be found in 'ID 5957522 - Terms and Conditions for Framework Arrangements'.

Award method when using the framework

Without competition

Contracting authorities that may use the framework

Establishing party only


Participation

Technical ability conditions of participation

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Down/Armagh

Lot 2. Lot 2 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Antrim/Derry

Lot 3. Lot 3 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 4. Lot 4 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - West Fermanagh

Lot 5. Lot 5 - Mulching - Down/Armagh

Lot 6. Lot 6 - Mulching - Antrim/Derry

Lot 7. Lot 7 - Mulching - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 8. Lot 8 - Mulching - West Fermanagh

Lot 9. Lot 9 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Down/Armagh

Lot 10. Lot 10 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Antrim/Derry

Lot 11. Lot 11 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 12. Lot 12 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - West Fermanagh

TA1 - Company Experience

TA2 - Health & Safety Policy Statement

TA3 - First Aid +F (Forestry)

Particular suitability

Lot 1. Lot 1 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Down/Armagh

Lot 2. Lot 2 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - Antrim/Derry

Lot 3. Lot 3 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 4. Lot 4 - Ground Preparation of Restock and Afforestation sites - West Fermanagh

Lot 5. Lot 5 - Mulching - Down/Armagh

Lot 6. Lot 6 - Mulching - Antrim/Derry

Lot 7. Lot 7 - Mulching - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 8. Lot 8 - Mulching - West Fermanagh

Lot 9. Lot 9 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Down/Armagh

Lot 10. Lot 10 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - Antrim/Derry

Lot 11. Lot 11 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - East Fermanagh/Tyrone

Lot 12. Lot 12 - Ground Preparation of Peatland or other sites - West Fermanagh

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
  • Voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)

Submission

Enquiry deadline

28 January 2026, 3:00pm

Tender submission deadline

4 February 2026, 3:00pm

Submission address and any special instructions

Tenders must be submitted electronically via the relevant Call for Tender (CfT)

opportunity on eTendersNI, website details immediately below.

Paper submissions will not be accepted or considered and will be rejected by the

Contracting Authority / Buyer.

The tender documents are available with unrestricted and full direct access, free of

charge, at: URL https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps

Tenders may be submitted electronically

Yes

Languages that may be used for submission

English

Award decision date (estimated)

12 February 2026


Award criteria

This table displays the award criteria of the lot
Name Description Type
AC1 - Managing Health and Safety

This is a Pass/Fail Criterion with 0 Percent Weighting.

Quality
AC2 - Sustainability

This is a Pass/Fail Criterion with 0 Percent Weighting.

Quality
AC3 - Contract Management

This is a scored Criterion with a 10% Weighting.

Quality
AC4 - Total Contract Price

90% Weighting.

Cost

Weighting description

The weighting for this tender will be split as below:

10 Percent Qualitative - 90 Percent Quantitative

This competition also includes a number of Mandatory Requirement Award Criterion

which will be scored on a Pass/Fail basis. Please refer to the Instructions to Tender

document for further information on all criteria.


Other information

Payment terms

For further details on invoicing procedures please see : https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice

Applicable trade agreements

  • Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Open procedure


Contracting authority

DAERA - Forest Service

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHJH-3999-HVRY

Inishkeen House, Killyhevlin

Enniskillen

BT74 4EJ

United Kingdom

Region: UKN0G - Fermanagh and Omagh

Organisation type: Public authority - central government

Devolved regulations that apply: Northern Ireland


Other organisation

These organisations are carrying out the procurement, or part of it, on behalf of the contracting authorities.

CPD - Supplies & Services Division

Summary of their role in this procurement: Construction and Procurement Delivery -Supplies and Services Division, is a Centre of Procurement Expertise and provides a central procurement function for central government in Northern Ireland

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVWG-8426-YWXV

Clare House, 303 Airport Road West

Belfast

BT3 9ED

United Kingdom

Region: UKN06 - Belfast


Contact organisation

Contact CPD - Supplies & Services Division for any enquiries.