Peatland ACTION – Monitoring (RMN) survey framework 2024

Description

In January 2024 NatureScot Peatland ACTION will advertise the opportunity to tender for the Monitoring (RMN) survey framework 2024, we wish to appoint contractors from across Scotland creating a good geographical spread to ensure the efficiency, flexibility and sustainability of any survey work undertaken. The Peatland ACTION Restoration Monitoring Network (RMN) is establishing a cost effective, repeatable, long term monitoring approach on a subset of sites. The implementation of the RMN will be outlined in the statement of requirement when the full notice is published in January 2024. In summary sites are selected from across the country and monitoring is undertaken before and after restoration (1, 5 and 10 years). Restoration effectiveness will be assessed by measuring change across a range of indicators that reflect restoration objectives in terms of preventing further degradation and providing the conditions needed to enable recovery of the peatland ecosystem. On each site the contractors will be required to undertake an assessment of the monitoring area, take between 5 – 10 fixed point photographs along with 20 vegetation quadrats and 20 feature status assessments. In addition, during the post restoration surveys contractors will be required to install permanent markers on the vegetation quadrat corners. Surveys will be undertaken through commissioning of contractors to undertake sampling from May to October 2024. Sites will be added to the RMN with an annual programme of surveys, there is the possibility of extensions to this framework contract as required. A full notice will be published along with a statement of requirements (SOR) on PCS in January 2024. Bidders will be asked to complete the requirements of the SOR which will include a set of quality (technical) questions alongside indicative costs.