Plant Lifting Machines for Newton Nursery

Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) look after the national forests and land to enhance biodiversity, support tourism and increase access to the green spaces that will help improve Scotland’s physical and mental health and well-being. FLS also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who FLS are and what we does can be found here - https://forestryandland.gov.scot/ Newton Nursery plays a key role within FLS, providing 7 million trees per year, which is around 28% of FLS’ total annual need. The Nursery covers approximately 50ha of land and has recently been successful is securing funding to double the nursery capacity. Due to this expansion, the team at Newton Nursery require four (4) plant lifting machines for use at Newton Nursery in Moray. This requirement includes familiarisation training on the use of these machines to be provided to FLS staff. The plant lifting machines need to be attached to and towed by a tractor. They should be capable of cutting the full bed when harvesting the plants (trees). Once the plants are mechanically grabbed and lifted, there should be a mechanical means of removing the maximum soil from the roots, without any damage to the plant or root systems. The lifted plants should then be easily transported by a height and speed adjustable conveyor, gathered and placed on a pallet. The delivery of the machines is expected before 31st August 2022 and the training shall take place during September 2022 for up to a maximum of 10 members of staff (operators and mechanics). Delivery and training will both take place at Newton Nursery, Moray IV30 8XR. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015.