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Published 3 Jul 2024, 10:44 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Seed Collection & Associated Services

Official notice

Authority: Forestry and Land Scotland (Central government)

Framework agreement13 lotsServicesOpen procedureSME suitable
Sectors: Agricultural, forestry, horticultural, aquacultural and apicultural services (77) Delivery: Scotland (UKM)
Framework ceiling (notional)£3,210,000total for 13 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 25 Oct 2024awarded 3 Feb 2025
Lots 13see the lot list below

What is being bought13 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

Forestry and Land Scotland (the Authority) 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. The Authority also continues to provide vital timber supplies to support a sustainable rural economy. Further information on who the Authority is and what it does can be found here: forestryandland.gov.scot ↗.

The Authority had a requirement to place a Framework Agreement with external Contractors for the provision of Seed Collection and Associated Services (including, Processing and Testing and Seed Supply).

Within this Framework Agreement specification, the Authority had a requirement for the provision of the following services:

  • Aerial Seed Collection;
  • Ground Seed Collection;
  • Rope Access Seed Collection;
  • Seed Processing, Testing and Storage; and
  • Seed Supply.
  • Recurrence: Summer 2028

CPV: Forestry services · Horticultural services · Tree seeding

How this framework works

From the published notice
Bids received
9 bids on the busiest of 13 lots · 18 suppliers appointed

Lots and requirements (13)Procurement structure

13 lots · 12 with a published value · evaluation weights differ by lot

Every one of these 3 lots carries the same published figure, £100,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.

Lot #1Aerial Seed Collection - North RegionAwardedPublished value£80,000

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · North Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #2Aerial Seed Collection - East RegionAwardedPublished value£500,000

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · East Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #3Aerial Seed Collection - West RegionAwardedceiling above

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations. 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.

Delivery: Scotland
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #4Aerial Seed Collection - Central RegionAwardedPublished value£70,000

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · Central Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #5Aerial Seed Collection - South RegionAwardedPublished value£40,000

Planned Works - Aerial Seed Collection (Lots 1 to 5)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works by way of tree climbing using ropes or using Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWP’s) where ground conditions are suitable to permit this.

This work would relate mainly to Native Pinewood seed collections, but could also extend to other alternative seed collections such as Douglas Fir/Noble Fir, Omorika Spruce, etc. The work may also include crown reduction of Sitka Seed Orchard trees relating directly to subsequent ground seed collection operations. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · South Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #6Ground Seed Collection - North RegionAwardedLot estimate not published

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · North Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #7Ground Seed Collection - East RegionAwardedPublished value£400,000

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · East Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #8Ground Seed Collection - West RegionAwardedceiling above

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · West Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #9Ground Seed Collection - Central RegionAwardedPublished value£70,000

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · Central Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #10Ground Seed Collection - South RegionAwardedceiling above

Planned Work - Ground Seed Collection (Lots 6 to 10)

The purpose of this requirement is to carry out seed collection works which are ground based only. Such collections may be made from previously cut branches that have been made available from aerial arboriculture operations or through the use of pull sticks to collect cones from low level branches. The use of ground cover sheets can also be used for the collection of e.g. acorns or beech mast.

Ground seed collection works can relate to a wide range of both conifer and broadleaf species. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · South Region
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #11Rope Access Seed Collection - NationalAwardedPublished value£400,000

Planned Work - Rope Access Seed Collection (Lot 11)

The Authority have determined where operations to gather seed from trees or shrubs on dangerously steep ground, crags from below or above, then the certification gained for IRATA/Mountain Climbing Instructor (MCI), Winter Mountain Climbing Instructor (WMCI) or equivalent will be the required certification where roped access is deemed necessary to ensure safe collection. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · National
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #12Seed Processing, Testing & Storage - NationalAwardedPublished value£350,000

Planned Work – Seed Processing, Testing & Storage (Lot 12)

Seed Processing

Seed processing timings are crucial in order to ensure the highest possible seed germination is achieved.

Seed Testing

Seed testing of all extracted seed is also required prior to either direct sowing or intended storage. This work requires to be completed under controlled laboratory conditions and requires the use of some fairly specialist equipment.

Seed Storage

Seed storage should be appropriate to the particular species of tree. It is paramount that the required seed moisture content is attained for all seed capable of being stored for long periods in deep cold conditions. Recalcitrant seed such as Oak must be kept in conditions which maximise their germination percentage and longevity as far as reasonably practicable. Given the wide range of papers available with very different prescriptions for the proper storage of individual species, FLS are open to experimentation with small samples to test some of these hypotheses. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · National
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding
Lot #13Seed Supply - NationalAwardedPublished value£800,000

Planned Works - Seed Supply (Lot 13)

The Authority have an ongoing annual requirement for the purchase of both conifer and broadleaf seed under this Framework Agreement. All seed purchases made will support annual plant production programmes at Newton Nursery and subsequently wider Authority Restocking and New Woodland creation programmes.

The supply of appropriate plants to the forestry sector relies on a suitable supply of seed to the nurseries. The provenance of seed is an important factor, as forests planted in the area from which the seed is collected tend to be better adapted to local conditions. There is little predictability as to the quality of seed that will be produced in any given year and so, when a good seed production year occurs, the seed must be stored and used judiciously until another good seed year occurs.

The Contractor will at all times be responsible for ensuring that it instructs and directs its staff, sub-contractors, and/or consortia members in order to meet the requirements of the Authority in relation to this Framework Agreement. The Authority will not be responsible for instructing and/or directing Contractor’s operational staff, their sub-contractors, and/or their consortia members. 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.

Delivery: Scotland · National
Variant bids: not allowed
77200000 Forestry services77211600 Tree seeding

What it takes to win
i

How this buyer will score bids.

The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).

Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceEnvironmentalSplit
1 · Aerial Seed Collection - North Region95705
10 · Ground Seed Collection - South Region95705
11 · Rope Access Seed Collection - National95505
12 · Seed Processing, Testing & Storage - National95505
13 · Seed Supply - National95505
2 · Aerial Seed Collection - East Region95705
3 · Aerial Seed Collection - West Region95705
4 · Aerial Seed Collection - Central Region95705
5 · Aerial Seed Collection - South Region95705
6 · Ground Seed Collection - North Region95705
7 · Ground Seed Collection - East Region95705
8 · Ground Seed Collection - West Region95705

1 more lots publish their own split on the notice.

Conditions of participation3
  • Suitability

    Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

  • Economic & financial standing

    Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

  • Technical & professional ability

    Please see attached SPD statements as Annex B - Selection and Award Criteria of the FLS-093-F Invitation to Tender (ITT) document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 50–70 points depending on the lot; most lots put it at 70 points.
  • “Seed Collection & Associated Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record · publisher note attached
Procedure method
Open procedure
Legal basis
CELEX · 32014L0024 Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (Directive 2014/24/EU)
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Framework agreement
Who may use this agreement
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Yes (GPA)
Recurring procurement
Yes · Summer 2028
First published
3 Jul 2024, 10:44 BST
Last source update
3 Feb 2025, 09:27 GMT
Award evaluation window
28 Oct 2024 – …
Authority reference
FLS-093-F
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-003411
Classification (CPV)
Forestry servicesHorticultural servicesTree seeding
Delivery area
Scotland (UKM)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-047a10 Find a Tender
Contract terms
Electronic trading
e-invoicing allowed · electronic ordering · electronic payment
Performance terms

Key Performance Indications (KPIs) are detailed in Schedule 1, Part B of the FLS-093-F Framework Agreement T&Cs document, which is one of the document attachments making up the tender pack within PCS-Tender.

Review and risk notes
Review procedure

An economic operator that suffers, or is at risk of suffering, loss or damage attributable to a breach of duty under the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 or the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 , may bring proceedings in the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session.

Publisher note: (SC Ref:788249)

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Public Contracts Scotland · Who buys & how to bid on PCS
Supplier login requiredLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free single registration for Scotland; PCS-Tender (Jaggaer) for full bidding
Appointment period ends
25 Oct 2024, 17:00 BST
Submission channel
{"electronicSubmission"}
Accepted languages
en
Bid validity
3600 days from the deadline
Bids opened
28 Oct 2024, 08:00 GMT
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ↗

Timeline

1 Sept 2024 → 3 Feb 2025 · 4 dates
  1. Next notice expected
    1 Sept 2024, 00:00 BST
  2. Admission / appointment period endsperiod end, not a bid countdown
    25 Oct 2024, 17:00 BST
  3. Bids opened
    28 Oct 2024, 08:00 GMT
  4. Notice published
    3 Feb 2025, 09:27 GMT

Notice history

5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 13 Sept 2024
  1. Published value published: £3,210,000
    13 Sept 2024, 12:30 BST
  2. Status changed to active
    13 Sept 2024, 12:30 BST
  3. Procurement method changed
    13 Sept 2024, 12:30 BST
  4. Deadline published: 25 Oct 2024, 17:00 BST
    13 Sept 2024, 12:30 BST
  5. Status changed to complete
    3 Feb 2025, 09:27 GMT

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 18admitted to the panel · see the list ↓
Bids received 99 from SMEs · busiest of 13 lots
Contracts signed 13latest 3 Feb 2025

13 suppliers are admitted to this framework without individual award values or dates, see the supplier list below.

Contracts

All 3 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £100,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.

  • Ground Seed Collection - North Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £200,000
    Status
    active

  • Ground Seed Collection - East Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £400,000
    Status
    active

  • Ground Seed Collection - West Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Ground Seed Collection - Central Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £70,000
    Status
    active

  • Aerial Seed Collection - North Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £80,000
    Status
    active

  • Ground Seed Collection - South Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Seed Processing, Testing & Storage - National

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £350,000
    Status
    active

  • Aerial Seed Collection - East Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £500,000
    Status
    active

  • Rope Access Seed Collection - National

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £400,000
    Status
    active

  • Aerial Seed Collection - West Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    ceiling above
    Status
    active

  • Aerial Seed Collection - Central Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £70,000
    Status
    active

  • Aerial Seed Collection - South Region

    Signed
    3 Feb 2025
    Value
    £40,000
    Status
    active

  • Seed Supply - National

    Signed
    20 Jan 2025
    Value
    £800,000
    Status
    active

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
1 · Aerial Seed Collection - North Region4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad4——
2 · Aerial Seed Collection - East Region6bids · 6 electronic · 6 from abroad6——
3 · Aerial Seed Collection - West Region5bids · 5 electronic · 5 from abroad5——
4 · Aerial Seed Collection - Central Region5bids · 5 electronic · 5 from abroad5——
5 · Aerial Seed Collection - South Region3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad3——
6 · Ground Seed Collection - North Region6bids · 6 electronic · 6 from abroad6——
7 · Ground Seed Collection - East Region9bids · 9 electronic · 9 from abroad9——
8 · Ground Seed Collection - West Region5bids · 5 electronic · 5 from abroad5——
9 · Ground Seed Collection - Central Region5bids · 5 electronic · 5 from abroad5——
10 · Ground Seed Collection - South Region4bids · 4 electronic · 4 from abroad4——
11 · Rope Access Seed Collection - National5bids · 5 electronic · 5 from abroad5——
12 · Seed Processing, Testing & Storage - National3bids · 3 electronic · 3 from abroad3——
13 · Seed Supply - National2bids · 2 electronic · 2 from abroad2——

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Forestry and Land Scotland

Contracting authorityCentral GovernmentBody governed by public lawEnvironmental protection Great Glen House, Leachkin Road, Inverness, Scotland, IV3 8NWContact email, phone Published organisation website ↗

Dispute resolution & review bodies

  • Court of SessionReview contact point EdinburghContact email, phone
  • The Inverness Justice CentreReview body InvernessContact email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

18 commercial parties on the notice
  • ARBCORE LTDFramework contractor ysgol trefeurig, penbontrhydybeddau, ABERYSTWYTH, Wales, SY23 3EZ
  • Catkin EcologyFramework contractor 7 Kinlochard Cottages, Kinlochard, Kinlochard, Stirling, Scotland, FK8 3TW
  • Duncan CurrieFramework contractor 3 New Buildings, Arisaig, Inverness-shire, Scotland, PH394NP
  • Elsoms Trees LtdFramework contractor 9a High Street, Haddington, UK, EH41 3ES
  • Forestart LtdFramework contractor The Seed Unit, Ladymas Lane, Hadnall, Shrewsbury, UK, sy4 4al
  • Forestry Contractors ScotlandFramework contractor Mo-Dhachaidh, Mill Lane, Strachur, UK, PA27 8DG
  • Forres Tree Services LtdFramework contractor The Tree House, 55 Farquhar Street, Hopeman, Elgin, Scotland, IV30 5SL
  • Fyfe forestry ltdFramework contractor 24 Marine Terrace, Rosemarkie, Inverness, Scotland, IV108UL
  • HAKI Access Solutions LtdFramework contractor The Hub, Clashburn CLose, Kinross Business Park, Perthshire, Scotland, KY13 8GF
  • Highland Access ltdFramework contractor Oir Na Mara, Arisaig, Scotland, PH39 4NH
Show 8 more suppliers
  • M&H Tree Services LtdFramework contractor The Willows, Rowanburn, Canonbie, Scotland, DG14 0RE
  • Murray Forestry LtdFramework contractor 19 Nicoll Drive, Bankfoot, Perth, Scotland, PH14BL
  • RH Tree ContractorsFramework contractor Crossburn Cottage, Engliston Muir, Inverness, Scotland, IV3 8RQ
  • SM Foresty LtdFramework contractor Easter balinluig of dunfallandy, Dunfallandy, Pitlochry, UK, Ph165na
  • Scotia SeedsFramework contractor Mavisbank, Farnell, Brechin, Scotland, DD9 6TR
  • Squirrely Tree CarrFramework contractor Northview, Woodriffe road, Newburgh, Cupar, UK, KY146DW
  • Sword Forestry LtdFramework contractor Hargan, Waterloo, Perth, Scotland, PH1 4AP
  • W M Shorthouse Forestry LimitedFramework contractor Balmore house, Dunalistair estate, Kinloch Rannoch, Pitlochry,, Scotland, PH16 5PD

Official documents & specifications

Official links; attachments are not copied

No document links were published on the notice.