SECTION 1

PROJECT OBJECTIVES, DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS

MFF 19 2016-18

Terrestrial Bracken Spraying – Crowden

Tender Return Date 1PM 1st July 2016

MFF 19 2016-18

Terrestrial Bracken Spraying

Page 1 of 34

PART A – PROJECT OBJECTIVES

The Project aims to improve the biodiversity on a maximum total of 5 hectares of moorland on Crowden Moor. This area is currently threatened by the spread of bracken (Pteridium sp.), a highly invasive moorland plant that reduces biodiversity in areas in which it has become dominant, and the Project aims to reduce the cover of this species and halt its spread.

  1. It is proposed that this be achieved through the following Contract Objectives:
  1. The supply of Asulox and appropriate wetting agents for the treatment of bracken; and
  1. The treatment of the above moorland locations with the supplied chemical, in accordance with the manufacturer’s label and with regard to protection of the environment (particularly watercourses) for a period of 3 years.

PART B – DETAILED SPECIFICATION OF WORKS

  1. Techniques

1.1.To reduce bracken dominance: Asulam (sodium salt) treatment using Asulox or similar branded chemical suited to the treatment ofbracken (Pteridium sp.) to treat up to 5 hectares of moorland in Treatment Areas at the Works Site (see Map 1 below).

1.2.The Asulox shall be applied at the rate of 11litres per hectare.

1.3.The Asulox shall be applied for a total of 3 years consecutively in 2016, 2017 and 2018

1.4.The Asulox shall be applied after full frond expansion, but before tip die back. This is to ensure maximum absorption of the Asulox.

1.5.Treatment shall be carried out using a knapsack sprayer or other suitable Equipment.

1.6.No spraying can be carried out within 10 metres of a watercourse (if using a low-drift system), or within 20 metres if using a conventional spraying system.

1.7.These requirements are absolute and take precedence over any conflict between this requirement and indicative Treatment Areas on the location maps provided in this Tender.

1.8.It is the responsibility of the Contractor to identify No-Spray Areas. In the event of any uncertainty the Contractor must seek prior approval of the Nominated Officer before commencing spraying. The Tenderer must specify in their Method Statement(s) how they intend to identify and mark No-Spray Areas on the ground.

1.9.Contractors are to provide Risk Assessments and Method Statements for this activity detailing the proposed treatment methodology; these must be included with the Tender Return. No Tender will be considered without these documents.

1.10.It is the responsibility of the Contractor to ensure they have the required Equipment to complete the Works. The Contractor must be capable of getting the Equipment required to the Treatment Areas.

1.11.The exact locations and extent of the Treatment Areas to be treated will be confirmed in advance of the Works Commencement Date by the Nominated Officer

  1. Materials

2.1.Asulox (Asulam) The Contractor will be required to supply the Asulox and co-operate with any conditions stipulated in the relevant Environment Agency, Natural England and the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Chemical Regulation Directorate (CRD) consents.

2.2.The Contractor will arrange the required consents for the Works following the award of the Contract. Evidence of the relevant consents from the Environment Agency & the CRD will be required before Works Commencement Date.

2.3.The Authority has already obtained the relevant consent from Natural England for these works

2.4.The Contractor should arrange for the safe transport, storage and application of Asulox to the Works Areas.

2.5.Wetting Agent

2.5.1.The Contractor will be required to supply an appropriate Wetting Agent and mix it with the Asulox in the correct proportions to facilitate uptake of the Asulam by the bracken.

2.5.2.The Asulox shall be applied at the rate of 11litres per hectare.

  1. Site Details, Conditions & Hazards for all Work sites

3.1.The Works Sites associated with the Works are located at Crowden Moor, Kinder. See Location Map 1.

3.1.1.There is a total of 5 hectares to be treated by knapsack application. These are split over the six Work Sites shown in green on the Map 1.

3.1.2.The Work Sites are on popular Open Access land (pursuant to CRoW) so the Contractor must be aware and have due regard to members of the public that may be present.

3.1.3.No vehicles (other than helicopters) are permitted on any Works Site.

3.1.4.The Works Sites are at high altitude and may include rough ground, waterlogged areas, deep peat, steep slopes and stream channels.

MFF 19 2016-18

Terrestrial Bracken Spraying

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Location Map 1 Works areas for Bracken Spraying

MFF 19 2016-18

Terrestrial Bracken Spraying

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PART C – DETAILED CONDITIONS

  1. Timing of Project Delivery
  1. Timing of Works to be as follows:

The Works will be undertaken during the Contract Period as follows:

  1. Starting on or after the Works Commencement Date: 16th July 2016
  1. Completion by no later than 31st August 2018 (the Target Completion Date).
  1. The works shall take place between 16th July and 31st August in each of the three years of application
  1. The Nominated Officer shall notify the Contractor of dates which the Contractor must not carry out any Works on the Works Sites (the Restricted Dates).
  1. Prior to each day’s work, the Contractor must inform the Nominated Officer of their intention to carry out the Works on that particular day, and the approximate area in which they intend to work. This is to allow the Nominated Officer to liaise with Landowners and Users and confirm that there will be no disruptions to the activities of any party. (The Landowners and Users are supportive of these Works but want to minimise disruption to their own activities). It also enables the Nominated Officer to keep track of the progress of the Works.
  1. The Contractor shall not carry out any Works in such locations if required by the Nominated Officer until such time as the Nominated Officer informs the Contractor that such Works are permitted. In the meantime the Contractor shall carry out the Works at such alternative Works Sites as shall be agreed by the Nominated Officer.
  1. Access and Egress
  1. In all cases, the Contractor is to satisfy themselves prior to the Works Commencement Date as to the suitability of access routes in line with their chosen works methods and choice of Equipment.
  1. Any access routes are to be agreed with the Nominated Officer prior to Works Commencement.
  1. Environmental Requirements
  1. All works to be undertaken by the Contractor must comply with the codes of practice for Operations on Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Water Catchment Land, Environment Agency Regulations, Regulations issued by Dept. Of Environment, DEFRA and all current Health and Safety Regulations.
  1. In the event of spillage of fuel or any Materials the Contractor will immediately take appropriate measures to eradicate or minimise the effects of such spillage (including any requirements of the Environment Agency in that regard) and shall notify the Nominated Officer and comply with the requirements of the Nominated Officer.
  1. The Contractor must ensure compliance with all Statutory obligations with respect to herbicide application, including, but not limited to, safe distance from watercourses and appropriate training and certification of those individuals that are undertaking the work.
  1. No Asulox may be stored unattended at the Works Site. Contractors are responsible for sourcing appropriate locations nearby to accommodate their Asulox and operatives whilst the Works are not being undertaken.
  1. No spraying may be carried out within 10 metres of a watercourse (if using a low-drift system), or within 20 metres if using a conventional spraying system. This requirement is absolute and takes precedence over any conflict between this requirement and indicative spraying areas on the location maps provided in this Tender.
  1. Health and Safety
  1. The Contractor will be responsible for health and safety during the course of the Contract. The Method Statements will need to be included with the Tender Return and approved by the Nominated Officer. Method Statements should include operational Risks Assessments, copies of which are to be submitted with this Tender. Failure to submit Method Statements and Risk Assessments will result in the disqualification of the Tender.
  1. Material Safety Data sheets, if required, will be supplied by the successful Contractor.
  1. The Contractor is to provide their own welfare facilities for the duration of the Works.
  1. The Contractor should identify all potential hazards associated with the Works and provide risk assessments and Method Statements for the mitigation of these with the Tender Return. Hazards should be considered in terms of:
  1. the Site(s) and any other locations utilised during the delivery of the Works;
  1. Work(s) and operations and activities undertaken when delivering the Works and the potential impacts of these on the Site(s) and the users; and
  1. Users, any and all individuals, groups, organisations and companies that may have reason to visit the Site(s) on which the Work(s) are being undertaken.
  1. Liquidated Damages
  1. In the event that the Works are not completed by the Target Completion Date (save where the delay is caused by a Force Majeure Event or the negligence or omission of the Authority) the Contractor shall be liable to pay on demand to the Authority in liquidated damages such costs as the Authority may reasonably incur (including but not limited to the costs of the Authority suspending this Contract and obtaining the services of another contractor to perform the Works) as a result of such delay whether in relation to this Contract or such other dependant contract where the delay has an adverse effect on the Project.
  1. Retention
  1. Payments will be made for the amount of work completed, according to the rates and prices submitted in the Tender.
  1. Defects Liability
  1. The Defects Liability Period in respect of the Works shall be as set out in the Agreement Particulars.
  1. The Authority shall have the right at any time during the Works and the Defects Liability Period, to inspect the Works, make representations and require remediation in accordance with the Standard Conditions.
  1. Insurance
  1. The Contractor (and any Sub-contractors) shall be required to maintain and provide evidence of insurance in accordance with the Standard Conditions in the sum of £5,000,000 (Five million pounds).
  1. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  1. Moors for the Future will provide the Contractor with the GIS files necessary to carry out the Works at least seven days before the Works Commencement Date.
  1. The Tenderer must specify in the Form of Tendertheir GPS Co-ordinate requirements (General Items and Preliminaries, Item 9).
  1. Moors for the Future use MapInfo and British Projection (BNG EPSG: 27700). If the Tenderer does not specify a system in Item 9 then Moors for the Future shall send GIS information to the Contractor in MapInfo format and British Projection.
  1. The Contractor is responsible for ensuring that all received GIS Information works on their system. The Contractor must report any faults to the Nominated Officer within 48 hours of receiving the GIS Information.
  1. If a fault is reported to the Nominated Officer within 48 hours of receiving the GIS Information, then Moors for the Future shall re-supply the GIS Information. The Contractor must check the functionality of the new GIS Information as soon as is reasonably practicable, and in any event within 48 hours of receiving it.
  1. The above step shall be repeated as often as necessary until the Contractor is satisfied that the GIS Information functions to their satisfaction.
  1. If the Contractor fails to report any fault in received GIS Information within 48 hours of having received it, then Moors for the Future may, at their discretion, charge the Contractor up to £70 per hour (or part thereof) of time spent per MFF or PDNPA Officer involved in re-submitting this information (being reasonable associated costs) to re-supply the GIS Information.
  1. Upon completion of the Works at each Site, the Contractor must supply the Nominated Officer with GIS Information regarding the treated areas.
  1. Moors for the Future prefer that the GIS Information be sent in MapInfo format with British Projection (BNG EPSG: 27700).
  1. The Contractor may send the GIS Information in an alternative format but they must state the projection used.
  1. The GIS Information sent by the Contractor must have the date of each application line in the data table associated with the GIS software.
  1. No Works will be signed off as completed until the above information has been received by Moors for the Future.
  1. Downtime Expenses
  1. Downtime Expenses will not be paid by the Authority.
  1. Foreman
  1. The Contractor shall ensure that a dedicated Foreman is assigned to the Works for the entire Contract Period to ensure continuity management. The identity of the Foreman will be notified to the Nominated Officer on or before the Works Commencement Date. The Contractor shall not change the Foreman without the prior approval of the Nominated Officer.

PART D – ITEMISED COSTS, MFF 19 2016-18 Terrestrial Bracken Spraying - Crowden

GENERAL ITEMS AND PRELIMINARIES
Item / Contractual Requirements / Unit / Quantity / Rate
(£ per Unit) / Total Cost £
(ex. VAT)
1 / Insurance against damage to persons or property (£ 5,000,000) / Item / 1
2 / Provision of all relevant consents from the Environment Agency & the CRD (Chemicals Regulation Directorate) / Item / 1
3 / Preparation of Method Statements, Operational Risk Assessments and Safety Policy / Item / 1
4 / Preparation of Site Risk Assessments and COSHH Assessments / Item / 1
5 / Provision of welfare facilities for Contractor’s employees / Item / 1
6 / Provision of materials within Health and Safety Plan (specify below): / Item
Application method to be used (Please specify)
e.g. Knapsack/ Rotary
7 / Navigation system to be used (Please specify):
8 / GPS co-ordinate requirements (Please specify):
9 / Additional items to complete Contract to Specifications (specify below): / Item
TOTAL CARRIED FORWARD TO COLLECTION / n/a / n/a / n/a
MATERIALS AND WORKS
Item / Materials & Works – YEAR 1 / Unit / Quantity / Rate
(£ per Unit) / Total Cost £
(ex. VAT)
1 / Supply of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
2 / Supply of wetting agents for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
3 / Cost of Knapsack Application of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
TOTAL CARRIED FORWARD TO COLLECTION
MATERIALS AND WORKS
Item / Materials & Works – YEAR 2 / Unit / Quantity / Rate
(£ per Unit) / Total Cost £
(ex. VAT)
1 / Supply of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
2 / Supply of wetting agents for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
3 / Cost of Knapsack Application of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
TOTAL CARRIED FORWARD TO COLLECTION
MATERIALS AND WORKS
Item / Materials & Works – YEAR 3 / Unit / Quantity / Rate
(£ per Unit) / Total Cost £
(ex. VAT)
1 / Supply of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
2 / Supply of wetting agents for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
3 / Cost of Knapsack Application of Asulox for Crowden Moor / Hectare / 5
TOTAL CARRIED FORWARD TO COLLECTION
Collection / No. / Total Cost (ex VAT) £'s
General Items and Preliminaries / Total
Material and Works costs - YEAR 1 / Total
Material and Works costs - YEAR 2 / Total
Material and Works costs - YEAR 3 / Total
Grand Total / Total
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
Documentation / Copies enclosed?
Public Liability and Employers Liability Insurance Certificates / Yes / No
Certificate of Competence in the Use of Pesticides issued under the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986 / Yes / No
Method Statement – Herbicide Application – particularly adjacent to watercourses / Yes / No
Risk Assessments, including for Herbicide Application and (if applicable) Vehicle Use / Yes / No

FORM OF TENDER (To be completed by the Tenderer)RELATING TO MFF 19 Terrestrial Bracken Spraying20106-18 (“the Works”)

We offer to execute the whole of the Works described in the Invitation to Tender for:
Total Price excluding VAT: [ ]

Period of Works: [ days per year]

  1. We confirm that we have not communicated and will not communicate with any person under any agreement or arrangement, the amount of this Tender and that the amount of this Tender has not been adjusted under any agreement or arrangement with any person.
  2. Having examined the Tender Documentation we offer to complete the Works for the Total Price set out above and in the Itemised Costs (if any) attached.
  3. We undertake to complete the Works within the timescale stated in the Invitation to Tender.
  4. Unless and until the Form of Agreement is prepared, executed and completed we agree that any Purchase Order (which shall incorporate this Invitation to Tender and the Form of Tender) shall constitute a binding contract between us.
  5. We understand that you are not bound to accept the lowest or any tender you may receive.

The Tender should be submitted by post or by electronic means if instructed by the Authority by 1pm on 1st July 2016.

Name of Tenderer:………………………………………………………….

Of:………………………………………………………………………...(if a limited company, please state address of Registered Office).

Signature......
(for and on behalf of the Tenderer)

Date……………………………......

SUB-CONTRACTORS

The Tenderer must indicate the names and addresses of those sub-contractors to whom it proposes to sub-let any portion of the Works.

The Tenderer is to include copies of all relevant insurance certificates for those sub-contractors listed below.

No sub-contractors may be used without the written consent of the Authority and compliance with its requirements.

The Authority reserves the right to reject any proposed sub-contractor.
IF NO SUB-CONTRACTING IS TO BE UNDERTAKEN STATE NONE BELOW.
Sub-contractorSection or nature of Works

Name and addressto be sub-let

SECTION 2: INSTRUCTIONS ON SUBMITTING A TENDER (WORKS)

Tenders should be submitted in accordance with the following instructions.

  1. Invitation to Tender

The Authority is seeking tenders from suitably experienced and equipped contractors to undertake the Works.