Grassland assessment and monitoring of NPWS land in the Glengarriff area 2026-2029

AI-generated analysis of the documents. Check the official notice and any amendments for current submission details.

1. At a glance

2. Scope of Work

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) seeks a suitably qualified ecologist or team of ecologists to conduct baseline botanical assessment and monitoring of grasslands and associated habitats within the Glengarriff Harbour and Woodland Special Area of Conservation (SAC: 000090). The contract spans from 2026 to 2029, with limited initial work in 2026 and the majority of fieldwork occurring in 2027, 2028, and 2029.

The core activities include:

• Botanical Assessment and Monitoring:
• Recording approximately 16 detailed botanical relevés annually across five specified grassland sites.
• Repeating these relevés in 2028 and 2029 to monitor habitat quality and conservation status, ideally using methodologies from the Irish Semi-Natural Grassland Survey and Grassland Monitoring Survey (Irish Wildlife Manuals 78 and 102).
• GIS mapping of identified Annex habitats and scrub cover, including native species.
• Assignment of Fossitt codes and Annex habitat codes, with desirable input on Irish Vegetation Classification (IVC) plant communities using the ERICA tool.
• Habitat Management and Planning:
• Assessment of pressures on habitats, including invasive alien species (IAS) and native scrub encroachment.
• Development of recommendations for future grassland management, including scrub and grazing management.
• Input into a long-term management plan for the sites, potentially aligning with a 100-year strategy for the surrounding woodland.
• Measures for preventing IAS recolonisation and managing grazing/scrub within the SAC.
• Data Management and Reporting:
• Data entry, management, and review, with GIS mapping and production of shapefiles (points and polygons) with agreed attribute fields.
• Submission of data and reporting in accordance with NPWS project delivery and data standards.
• Production of interim reports in 2027 and 2028, and a final report in 2029 summarising findings, recommendations, and outreach activities.
• Metadata submission in the NPWS resource catalogue.
• Outreach and Education:
• Conducting outreach and education activities for local landowners, gardeners, schools, and NPWS staff regarding the importance of grassland habitats.
• Potential production of information leaflets and web content. The Big Meadow is designated as the most suitable site for outreach events.
• Project Administration:
• Participation in project meetings and ongoing communications with NPWS staff.
• Production of draft reports, review of feedback, and liaison with NPWS data management staff.
• A kick-off meeting with the data management team is required.
• Annual progress reports with interim deliverables due in early November each year.
• A detailed final project report due by early November 2029.
• Specific Sites:
• Site 1: Cluain Cappaughna (0.5Ha), adjacent to N71, prone to annual flooding.
• Site 2 & 3: Lime House Field (0.7Ha) and Big Meadow (5Ha), south of Glengarriff River, prone to annual flooding.
• Site 4: Drum Derrynafulla (0.4Ha), within Glengarriff Woods Nature Reserve, historically grazed by horse, does not flood.
• Site 5: Gort Derrynafulla (0.6Ha), west of the nature reserve, adjacent to the river, prone to flooding.
• Discussion is also requested regarding three smaller grassland areas near NPWS offices and a picnic area.

Deliverables include a vegetation relevé dataset, photographs, GIS habitat mapping, metadata, interim and final reports, and content for an interpretive sign.

3. Background & buyer context

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) is issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The procurement addresses a need for ecological assessment and monitoring of grassland habitats within the Glengarriff area, Co. Cork. The project is driven by concerns regarding the degradation of these habitats due to invasive alien species (IAS), encroachment by rushes and woodland, and unmanaged deer populations. The initiative aligns with the NPWS's mandate for conservation and habitat management within designated areas like the Glengarriff Harbour and Woodland SAC. The project is framed within a broader context of developing long-term management plans, with a 100-year strategy being drafted for the surrounding woodland, suggesting a potential for future long-term funding for grassland sites.

4. Eligibility & selection criteria

• Turnover requirement: Not specified for this tender.
• Insurance: Not specified for this tender.
• Certifications: Not specified for this tender.
• Past experience:
• Relevant knowledge, expertise, and experience, particularly in botanical expertise, survey and assessment of Annex grassland, semi-natural grassland, and familiarity with grassland restoration.
• Evidence of previous management of projects of this scale and type.
• Personnel: Not specified for this tender.
• Geographic / facility constraints: Not specified for this tender.

5. Award criteria & scoring

Criterion Weight (%) Sub-criteria