Delivery of Conservation Measures using the Natura Communities approach with a focus on control of Rhododendron ponticum, planning and implementation through measures in SACs within the Breifne region

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1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

The contractor will deliver conservation measures within Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) in the Breifne region, focusing on the control of Rhododendron ponticum and the planning and implementation of peatland restoration. This contract builds on foundational work conducted between 2021 and 2025, aiming to scale local capacity for restoration actions. All activities must align with Site Specific Conservation Objectives (SSCOs) for target SACs and address identified environmental pressures.

The core responsibilities of the successful contractor include:

• Stakeholder Engagement & Capacity Building:
• Lead engagement with landowners, local authorities, and NPWS and ACRES CP teams.
• Inform and engage landowners regarding peatland restoration.
• Manage expressions of interest (EOIs) for peatland restoration.
• Collaborate on a training programme for restoration methods.
• Upskill personnel, including farmers, in implementing restoration actions.
• Surveying & Mapping of Environmental Threats:
• Map invasive species, drainage, and bare peat across approximately 178 hectares of designated and bounding lands within the Ben Bulben, Gleniff, and Glenade Complex SAC (000623).
• Map the same threat categories across an additional 200 hectares entirely within the Ben Bulben, Gleniff, and Glenade Complex SAC (000623).
• Mapping methodologies must follow Higgins’ (2008) 5-point infestation scale for Rhododendron ponticum and Fossitt (2000) classification for habitat mapping.
• Deliver digitized GIS layers in NPWS-compatible formats.
• Invasive Species Management:
• Implement Rhododendron ponticum control across approximately 100 hectares of surveyed lands within and bounding the Ben Bulben, Gleniff, and Glenade Complex SAC (000623).
• Treatment works must adhere to Higgins, G.T. (2008) guidelines.
• Establish a post-treatment monitoring protocol to track regrowth and soil recovery.
• Peatland Restoration Planning:
• Employ a hydro-ecologist or suitably qualified expert to deliver three site-specific restoration plans covering approximately 150 hectares of blanket bog and associated peatland habitats.
• One plan will target approximately 25 hectares within the Arroo Mountain SAC, requiring liaison with ACRES Breifne and commonage shareholders.
• The contractor will identify and propose two additional SAC sites within the Breifne area for restoration planning, where blanket bog is a qualifying interest.
• Peatland Restoration Implementation:
• Implement advised peatland restoration measures for the Arroo Mountain SAC site (25ha) and at least one of the two additional identified sites (approximately 25ha).
• Communication, Dissemination, and Networking:
• Share project information and findings.
• Engage in knowledge exchange with stakeholders including other Natura Communities projects, Local Authorities, and NPWS.
• Project Administration and Governance:
• Appoint a Project Coordinator and establish a Project Steering Group.
• Establish a protocol to prevent double funding against other local initiatives (e.g., ACRES, Coillte, IFI).
• Regulatory Compliance and Consents:
• Provide Screening for Appropriate Assessment (AA) for proposed works.
• Secure necessary permissions from landowners and statutory bodies (NPWS/DAFM) before ground operations.
• Training and Capacity Building:
• Design and deliver certified training for local operatives (chainsaw/herbicide use, PPE, manual handling).
• Design and deliver training for farmers/landowners on peatland restoration techniques, including two demonstration days.
• Future Planning:
• Develop a proposal for restoration works in 2027 and 2028 based on project outputs.

3. Background & buyer context

This procurement is part of the Natura Communities initiative, a locally embedded nature conservation programme guided by national policies on biodiversity, climate, and water. The initiative aims to build local capacity to deliver restoration projects and improve the conservation status within the Natura 2000 network. This contract specifically addresses the need to scale local capacity for restoration actions, building on foundational work established between 2021 and 2025. The project responds to policy drivers including the Birds and Habitats Directive, National Biodiversity Action Plan, Nature Restoration Regulation, Common Agricultural Policy, Water Framework Directive, and Climate Action Plan. It also addresses local demand from farmers whose agri-environment payments were affected by Rhododendron ponticum. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, through the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), is the contracting authority.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

Tenderers must demonstrate they meet the following minimum requirements:

• Project Management & Administration Capacity:
• Project Coordinator Experience: Minimum of 3 years managing multi-stakeholder environmental or community-based projects of similar scale in a rural Irish context.
• Data Management & IT Infrastructure: Proven facilities and expertise for secure data handling (GDPR compliant) and processing spatial data in line with NPWS Project Data Standards.
• Financial Management: Evidence of internal financial controls capable of tracking and reporting on funding from various sources to avoid double funding conflicts.
• Community Engagement Expertise:
• Stakeholder Liaison Experience: Track record of successful formal and informal engagement with diverse stakeholders, including landowners, farmers, state agencies (NPWS, IFI, LAs), ACRES CP teams, and local NGOs.
• Natura Communities Integration: Proven experience or a clear plan for facilitating and promoting community-led conservation initiatives within the Natura 2000 network in the west of Ireland region.
• Ecological & Regulatory Compliance Expertise:
• Qualified Ecologists: Core project team must include at least one Certified Ecologist (e.g., CIEEM member) with experience in Irish habitat classification (Fossitt 2000).
• Habitats Directive Compliance: Demonstrable experience in performing screenings for Appropriate Assessment (AA) in line with the EU Habitats Directive for proposed restoration and invasive species clearance works within SACs.
• Peatland Restoration Expertise: Availability of services to deliver peatland restoration planning and capacity to implement best-practice peatland restoration measures, referencing guidelines from bodies like NatureScot Peatland Action.
• Invasive Species Management: Proven expertise in the management and disposal of invasive non-native species, specifically Rhododendron ponticum, compliant with Irish environmental legislation.
• Training & Fieldwork Capacity:
• Training Accreditations: Capacity to provide/coordinate certified training (e.g., chainsaw use, herbicide application, H&S requirements) to local operatives.
• GIS and Mapping Capacity: Proficiency in using GIS software for detailed mapping of species density, habitat types, and pressures at a suitable scale for action plan development.
• Physical Works Capacity: Access to sufficient expertise and labour to conduct physical Rhododendron control and subsequent retreatment across specified target areas in a timely manner.

5. Award criteria & scoring

The contract will be awarded on the basis of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT). Evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria