Langley Wood National Nature Reserve - tree felling contract

Description

Background to the job: Natural England is managing ash dieback and hazardous trees along roads and footpaths. The amount of felling is causing concern amongst members of the public, so it is important that work is carried out sensitively and as specified, ensuring unnecessary damage to the woodland is avoided. Timing: Work must be completed by 28th February 2025, to avoid disturbance to nesting birds. Nature of the job: • Climbing ash trees is not permitted. • The supplier will have the responsibility for carrying out checks of PRFs (Potential Roost Features). The supplier must have a trained person on site who is qualified to inspect PRFs for bat roosts. Supporting documentation of relevant training to be submitted with quote. • With reference to the attached spreadsheet (Felling list 2024_25): - Trees with PRFs will require inspection by a qualified person immediately prior to felling. If the PRF is identified as an active roost, work must stop on that tree immediately. If no active roost is present, the tree can be felled. - Trees with no PRFs to be felled from the ground. These can be felled without further inspection. • Any trees with PRFs that cannot be checked due to access issues should not be felled. A record of these trees must be kept and submitted to your contacts at Natural England. • Most trees are sprayed with an obvious pink X. • If a PRF has been identified, a small yellow circle is also sprayed on the trunk. • Secondary identification by tag or sprayed number will also be present. • No felling over the NNR boundary is permitted unless agreed in advance. • Trees must be felled to minimise damage to adjacent trees. The following is acceptable: o Coppicing hazel or felling birch to clear the direction of fell o Damage to oak branches below 10cm in diameter - providing no potential bat roosts are disturbed and no branches are left hanging from the canopy. • For trees with approximate diameters of 15cm or more, the main bole should be left whole if not on a path or boundary. • All other timber (below 15cm diameter) to be stacked in 2m lengths where convenient. Everything else can go into brash piles. Site considerations: Access by vehicle is only permitted as per the attached access map, vehicles must not be driven off the hard standing. N.B. The purple track is suitable for ATV/quad bikes only. 4 x 4 pick-ups/Land Rovers should not be used. Any track or ground damage must be made good at the expense of the contractor. Supporting documentation: The successful contractor will be required to provide: • Detailed methodology outlining exactly how they intend to fulfil the requirements of the contract. • Operator competency certificates for all machinery used in completion of the job. • Proof of certification from an accredited course on inspecting PRFs • Proof of membership to accredited organisations or schemes e.g. Arboricultural Association or CHAS DESCRIPTION CONTINUED IN ADDITIONAL TEXT FIELD Additional information: • Job risk assessment (taking into account all specific site risks, please see Langley Wood Site RA) and evidence of relevant health and safety policies. • Current public liability and employer's liability insurance To apply for this opportunity you must submit your quotation meeting the requirements detailed in the Request for Quotation (RFQ) attached. Your response must be sent to sarah.mcauliffe@naturalengland.org.uk by 23:59 on 08/09/2024. If you have any clarification questions linked to this opportunity or the procurement process please submit these via email to sarah.mcauliffe@naturalengland.org.uk. Please note that, unless commercially sensitive, both the question and the response will be circulated to all tenderers.