UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

Ulster Wildlife and Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council are seeking to appoint an experienced contractor to carry out invasive rhododendron control and removal from two raised bog Special Areas of Conservation (SAC’s) (Drumnafallow Bog, one of the Fairy Water Bogs, and Peatlands Park). Drumnafallow Bog was badly covered with rhododendron in 2017 in a number of areas. Control and removal was actioned through the CANN project in 2019, 20, and 21 with high success. However, there are still some areas of the site where rhododendron has continued to re-grow. These are mostly young shoots and small plants. If not controlled now they will however continue to grow and eventually recover to their full extent. Peatlands Park SAC is badly impacted by rhododendron in many areas. As with Drumnafallow there was significant control carried out in 2019, 20 and 21 on numerous areas. There is again regrowth which has come back which requires control but here there are also areas of more mature rhododendron which require initial control to try and expand the area that isn’t impacted by this invasive species. The ground conditions on both of these sites are both sensitive and high risk. Bogs by their nature are very wet and due to constraints around nesting birds’ works must be carried out between Sep and March which are the wettest months. These types of site require very specialist vehicles and equipment to operate on as well as experienced operators. Please see ITT documents for full details and instructions for submitting a tender.

Ulster Wildlife has been awarded funding through the DAERA Natural Heritage Environmental Challenge Fund 2022/23, to develop restoration plans for a selection of blanket and raised bogs Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSIs) across NI, as well as afforested priority peatland habitat adjacent to these designated sites. Ulster Wildlife are seeking to appoint a qualified and experienced provider to deliver remote sensing LiDAR/photogrammetry and a range of hydrological restoration plans for drained, cutover, afforested and eroded blanket bog and raised bog sites. As the plans will be used to inform future funding bids for the delivery of peatland restoration works, they will include a detailed specification of works, cost range estimates and suggested monitoring protocols to measure improvements in hydrological functionality. The plans will draw on best practice and include prioritisation of works per site in terms of cost/benefit and potential for restoration success. This information will allow proposed restoration works to be prioritised and tailored to fit future funding budgets as necessary. The objective is to have a restoration works specification of sufficient detail to allow Ulster Wildlife to create a future tender documents for the delivery of the works. Please see ITT documents for full details and instructions for submitting a tender.

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to procure: A portable CH4 and CO2 gas analyser and compatible flux chamber. Ulster Wildlife would be using these in the field to precisely measure greenhouse gas emission of peatland sites pre and post restoration, in particular CH4 and CO2. Using a portable machine will be necessary as we are working in remote areas and are planning to measure emissions on several points on each site, before and after restoration. Moreover, as we are interested in flux measurements as well, we are looking for a portable, self-powered, compatible flux chamber. Please see e-sourcingni link for more information

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint an experienced contractor to source and obtain PVCu plastic pile sheeting (a full specification is included in ITT), transport these materials to Kilmore Robinson Bog and install them at marked locations. There are a total of 145 dams to be installed in total as part of the contract. 128 of these are on Claragh Bog and 17 of these are on Tully Bog. The 145 standard plastic dams will be required to span a minimum width of 1.5m which will require approx. 5 piles per dam depending on pile dimensions. These piles should be standard Z ribbed or box format in profile with tongue and groove fittings at either side. Each pile must be a minimum of 1.5m in length. Plastic piling should be PVCu plastic and black or grey in colour. The location of each dam will be marked with a coloured flag on site. Access to a mobile mapping service will be provided to the successful contractor so that they can view the locations of the dams in the field. Because of the very fragile nature of these raised bogs, no machinery access is permitted at these sites with the exception of low ground pressure or tracked machinery, e.g. Argocat type vehicle or tracked dumper. Installation should follow best practice guidance outlined in the Raised Bog Restoration Guidance Note (Mackin et al 2017). No equipment or materials are to be stored on the bog but materials could be stacked at the woodland edge.

Ulster Wildlife has been awarded funding through the DAERA Environment Fund 2023-28, to develop restoration plans for a selection of blanket bog and raised bog sites across Northern Ireland including afforested peatland areas over a 4-year period (Lot 1). Lot 2 also includes the collection of aerial imagery to inform the development of these restoration plans for a selection of sites for which Ulster Wildlife have not already collected the data or do not have the capability to collect the data. These sites include both designated sites (including SAC’s and ASSI’s) but also non designated areas of priority peatland habitat. All of them have been modified or impacted by features including drainage channels, turf cutting or erosion. Ulster Wildlife are seeking to appoint a provider(s) to develop restoration plans over the period 2023-2028, which aim to restore the hydrological functionality of these degraded peatland sites. These plans will be used to inform future project funding bids for peatland restoration works in NI. Aerial imagery required to inform the development of these restoration plans will be provide by Ulster Wildlife (and from Lot 2 of this contract) to the successful supplier. Some of this data will be collected by Ulster Wildlife directly through the use of UAV equipment and some will be collected via Lot 2 of this contract. Please see ITT documents for full details and instructions for submitting a tender.

Ulster Wildlife has been awarded funding through the DAERA Environment Fund 2023-28, to carry out targeted species restoration of native oyster in Northern Ireland’s coastal marine area. The project is within the wider work area of ‘Accelerating Blue Recovery’. Native oyster (Ostrea edulis) populations have in many regions been severely impacted by overfishing, habitat loss, pollution, and disease. Conservation and restoration efforts are crucial to protect and enhance native oysters in natural ecosystems, helping to restore and recover the marine environment. Ulster Wildlife are committed to the restoration of native oyster communities as these keystone species provide important ecosystem services, improving biodiversity, aiding coastal protection, and helping mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Ulster Wildlife wishes to invite tenders from suitably experienced and qualified service providers for the supply and delivery of two MG5 Battery Electric Vehicles for use within the Environment Fund Accelerating Peatland Restoration Project. This vehicle will be used for transporting field staff and field monitoring equipment to remote locations.

Ulster Wildlife wishes to invite tenders from suitably experienced and qualified service providers for the supply and delivery of two MG5 Battery Electric Vehicles for use within the Environment Fund Accelerating Peatland Restoration Project. This vehicle will be used for transporting field staff and field monitoring equipment to remote locations.

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint a supplier to quote for: Stock proof fencing and gate works, matching the DAERA EFS specification, set out in section 2.1 at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve (Co. Antrim). The total length of stock proof fencing, and gates, required is outlined in section 2.2 and the maps in Appendix 1 show the location of the works required. The successful supplier will provide separate costings for the following options: 1. Removal of old fence and erection of new fence to EFS standard – cost/m. 2. Construction of internal gates. 3. Total cost of fencing / construction materials only e.g. strainers, intermediate posts, wire, staples etc. - The successful tenderer will work closely with Ulster Wildlife staff and the site graziers. - A site visit must be completed before the tender submission. - All works must be completed before 31st December 2024.

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint a supplier to quote for: Stock proof fencing and gate works, matching the DAERA EFS specification, set out in section 2.1 at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve (Co. Antrim). The total length of stock proof fencing, and gates, required is outlined in section 2.2 and the maps in Appendix 1 show the location of the works required. The successful supplier will provide separate costings for the following options: 1. Removal of old fence and erection of new fence to EFS standard – cost/m. 2. Construction of internal gates. 3. Total cost of fencing / construction materials only e.g. strainers, intermediate posts, wire, staples etc. - The successful tenderer will work closely with Ulster Wildlife staff and the site graziers. - A site visit must be completed before the tender submission. - All works must be completed before 31st December 2024.

Ulster Wildlife has been awarded funding through the DAERA Environment Fund 2023-28, to develop a pipeline of peatland restoration projects that can be implemented using future funding. A key part of developing peatland restoration plans for sites involves mapping drainage channels, bare peat, peat haggs, turf banks and mapping flowpaths. This process is made much easier with the aid of LiDAR data and high resolution orthophotography. This contract includes the collection of both LiDAR data and high resolution orthophotography for a large area in the northern Sperrins, Co Londonderry. Much of the area is made up of Carn Glenshane Special Area of Conservation but also includes a large area of publicly owned land to the south of the A6 road surrounding Glenshane Forest. The specification, timeframes and other requirements as part of the contract are outlined in the ITT documents

Non-native conifer growth is a major pressure on the active raised bog habitats across NI with many areas suffering this issue in the south Sperrins and Carrickmore plateau. Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint an experienced contractor to carry out control of self-seeded conifers trees on Black Bog ASSI, Co Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The full specification of works is outlined below in the ITT documents including methodologies, locations, access and areas of work. Operators will be expected to observe closely the conditions of work outlined in this tender and its attachments to ensure there is minimum disturbance to the priority habitats. Conditions (such as time of works, use of biodegradable oils and tracked vehicles) are fully outlined in sections 3-5 of the ITT and should be examined closely by contractors wishing to tender for this work.

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint an experienced contractor to carry out the peatland restoration works listed below: - Construction of peat dams at predetermined locations across Cranny Bogs SAC - Construction of peat bunds at predetermined locations across Cranny Bogs SAC - Any ancillary works required to carry out the works outlined above including tree and scrub clearance. Many of the areas of Cranny bogs periphery have been cutover in the past and as a result have developed unfavourable vegetation dominated by purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea), bog myrtle (Myrica gale) and both immature and more established scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and silver birch (Betula pendula). The aim of this contract is to use peat dams to block lower priority drains in the cutover and high bog edge as well as bunding in key areas of cutover based on flowpaths derived from the LiDAR imagery. These peat dams will raise the water table in the same way that existing dams have and the cell bunding will create shallow pools of water within the cutover areas. This will improve conditions for sphagnum species and cotton grasses and hinder the growth and persistence of purple moor grass and scrub. Operators will be expected to observe closely the conditions of work outlined in this tender and its attachments to ensure there is minimum disturbance to the priority habitats. Conditions (such as time of works, use of biodegradable oils and tracked vehicles) are fully outlined in Section 3 of the ITT and should be examined closely by contractors wishing to tender for this work.

Ulster Wildlife is seeking to appoint an experienced contractor to carry out the works listed below. - Construction of peat dams at predetermined locations across Black Bog ASSI - Construction of peat bunds at predetermined locations across Black Bog ASSI - Any ancillary works required to carry out the works outlined above. Black Bog ASSI is one of the best examples of active raised bog habitat in NI and one of the areas that still retains a natural lagg along the southern edge parallel with the Owenreagh River. The site lies in the southern edge of the Sperrins AONB and within the Beaghmore Moors and Marsh landscape character area. The site is a mix of both private ownership and government ownership in the form of Forest Service Northern Ireland (FSNI). While the site is one of the best examples of this habitat in NI it has still undergone modification in the past which will be having an impact on the habitats and species. There are numerous drainage channels across the bog which will be lowering the water table and inhibiting peat forming conditions and the associated active raised bog vegetation. There are also a number of areas of historical peat cutting particularly along the western side of the site which again have negatively impacted the sites hydrological regime and therefore its habitats and species. A significant area in the north of the site was drained close to the time of designation however, NIEA in cooperation with the landowner blocked these drainage channels using peat dams along as well as blocking a large drain in the south east of the site on FSNI land. In 2020-22 Ulster Wildlife worked with RPS Ireland to develop a restoration plan for Black Bog SAC which has formed the basis for this contract.

Ulster Wildlife wishes to invite suitably experienced contractors to carry out the works listed below on Garry Bog SAC: - Construction of peat dams at predetermined locations across Garry Bog SAC - Any ancillary works required to carry out the works outlined above including tree and scrub clearance. All the information on the specification for this contract as well as instructions for suppliers on how to submit a tender can be found in the Invitation to Tender: ITT_38148

The Contracting Authority (Ulster Wildlife) wishes to purchase The a Wingtra One Gen II and additional equipment including payload to be supplied and delivered as set out in section 3 of the RFT. Ulster Wildlife are one of the organisations leading the way in peatland restoration and conservation works in Northern Ireland. Restoring peatland habitats requires detailed preliminary survey work in order to develop bespoke plans for conservation efforts. The hydrology of the sites is key to restoration measures and conservation success. One of the crucial tools we use in order to map sites including their flowpaths, drainage channels, bare peat areas and invasive species pressures is using UAV’s or drones. The Wingtra One Gen II would allow Ulster Wildlife to capture orthophotography and develop digital surface models for much larger areas than we currently have capability and equipment for which in turn will allow us to carry out more widespread restoration efforts and make our workflow more efficient.