Continuation of Great Crested Newt and Reptile Trapping at Cinderford Northern Quarter

As part of the progression of the Homes and Communities Agency's plans for the regeneration of the Cinderford Northern Quarter in Gloucestershire, a package of vegetation clearance is to be undertaken at the site. The site comprises a mixture of dense forest, open grassland and vegetated high ground. Due to the presence of Great Crested Newts (GCN) and a variety of other reptiles at the site, a trapping and translocation programme is required to facilitate the future vegetation clearance works.

An initial contract for the GCN & reptile trapping and translocation works has been undertaken. As part of this initial contract external semi-permanent perimeter GCN exclusion fence, internal compartment GCN exclusion fence, pitfall traps, refugia tiles and steel access channels, in accordance with defined licensing agreements, have been established to facilitate the trapping and translocation process.

Security fencing has also been installed to provide protection to the GCN perimeter exclusion fence to ensure its integrity throughout the translocation process.

The Contractor will be responsible for maintenance and repair of all existing fencing and trapping measures currently installed at the site in accordance with the requirements of the European Protected Species Licence and any associated best practice industry guidance.

As part of the contract’s maintenance works at the site the Contractor will be responsible for maintaining a 2m wide vegetation free zone along the perimeter of the installed fence lines. The Contractor will be required to control vegetation growth in these areas by hand. to ensure that vegetation does not provide a means of access across the fence line to translocated species. The use of herbicides will not be permitted.

The Contractor will be responsible for the continuation of the trapping and translocation of GCN and reptiles at the site.

The Contractor will be required to provide suitably qualified and licenced persons to carry out the works for the duration of the contract. The Contractor will be required to provide evidence of their proposed licensed personnel’s qualifications and experience to the Employer for acceptance prior to the commencement of the contract.

The Contractor will be required to liaise with the incumbent contractor in advance of the agreed contract commencement date to ensure the continuation of the trapping, translocation and documentation process.

All GCN trapping is to be undertaken in accordance with Natural England, Great crested newt mitigation guidelines and all reptile trapping in accordance with Herpetofauna Groups of Britain and Ireland, Evaluating Local Mitigation/Translocation Programmes Best Practice and Lawful Standards Advisory Note. Detailed daily translocation records shall be produced and maintained by the Contractor as part of the works in accordance with the contract’s translocation specification and industry best practices.

Additional information: The Invitation to Tender document and tender return label are attached. Please follow https://upload.hca-online.org.uk/tenders/Cinderford/re-tender-June-2015.zip for all other related documents.

All discussions, meetings and communications will be conducted in English.

The contract will be subject to English law. Tenders and all supporting documents must be priced in GBP and all payments under the contract will be made in GBP.

This procurement and award is subject to the transparency arrangements being adopted by the UK Government. These arrangements include the publication of tender documentation issued by the HCA and the contract between the HCA and supplier. Bidders should highlight any areas they consider commercially sensitive in order for the HCA to be able to honour our transparency obligations without undermining the bidders commercial interests.

Candidates are advised that the HCA is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 ("The Act"). If a candidate considers that any of the information supplied as part of this procurement procedure should not be disclosed because of its commercial sensitivity, confidential or otherwise, they must, when providing this information, clearly identify the specific information they do not wish to be disclosed and clearly specify the reasons for its sensitivity. The HCA shall take such statements into consideration in the event that it receives a request pursuant to the Act which relates to the information provided by the interested party. Please note, it is insufficient to include a statement of confidentiality encompassing all the information provided in the response.

The HCA takes a zero-tolerance approach to bribery and corruption and sets high standards of impartiality, integrity and objectivity in relation to the stewardship of public funds and the management of its activities. The principles contained within this policy apply to both internal and external audiences, including anyone wishing to undertake business or engage with the HCA. Please refer to our Anti-bribery and Corruption Policy by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/anti-bribery-and-corruption-policy for further information.

Candidates are advised that the estimated value of the contract given is Section 1 above is uncertain because the time for completion of the works may be prolonged in the event of unforeseen ecological or seasonal circumstances

Tenders must be returned by 1pm on 8th July 2015