Forest pest control services

Tender description

NRW is required to carry out surveillance and regulation of quarantined organisms such as Phytophthora ramorum, as well as monitoring for organisms not currently in Wales. NRW do not have sufficient staff to carry out this work, without suitably trained and skilled staff, NRW would not be in a position to manage the current disease problems in Wales as well as not being able to re-act to any new threats. The supplier must be able to provide a suit of tree health activities: 1) Field surveyors; 2) Laboratory analysis; 3) Lead photographer on helicopter flights; 4) Process aerial photos; 5) P&D expertise; 6) Tree health training; 7) Monitor lab results; 8) Compliance field visits; 9) Manage the field data; 10) Carry out seminars; 11) Compliance with GDPA. This includes the work noted below. NRW do not have sufficient staff to carry out this work without suitably trained and skilled staff, NRW would not be in a position to manage the current disease problems in Wales as well as not being able to re-act to any new The supplier must be able to provide a suit of tree health activities: 1) Field surveyors: Supply trained field surveyors to carry out site visits, collect good quality samples and identify pest and diseases and complete field survey reports. Liaise with land owners for access or act under NRW authority to enter land. (power of entry under plant health order). Surveys must be trained to identify all key pests and disease and know how to collect samples of unknown pests. Training must be carried out for all new pests by suitably qualified pathologists/entomologists. 2) Laboratory analysis Carry out laboratory analysis (PCR) to the required European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO/International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) or industry standards for NRW samples (300+/annum) and identify 90 % pathogen/pest within 4 weeks; 3) Lead photographer on helicopter flights: Must be trained (crew resource management) and experienced in identify pest and disease from the air. Must be able to respond to requests at short notice; 4) Process aerial photos: Catalogue photos (5 000/annum), map suspect sites (on ArcGIS) and create field work packs for all suspect sites within 1 week of flight. Provide NRW with copies of all photos (1000/flight) through Sharefile. 5) P&D expertise Provide expertise in pathology and entomology to provide advice to NRW. This may include site visits as required. 6) Tree health training Carry out training of NRW staff on new pests and diseases or for new starters. 7) Monitor lab results Carry out regular review of samples and provide analysis on trends if noted. 8) Compliance field visits Carry out compliance field assessments for both public and private estates, providing detailed reports to allow enforcement by NRW. Must not have conflict of interest through other contracts. Supplier must be considered as independent by forestry agents. 9) Manage the field data Review all survey field sheets (Reports), update GIS data and provided weekly GIS information to NRW. Also provide electronic copies of the reports including photos. 10) Carry out seminars Act as lead speakers for least 2 seminars/annum. 11) Compliance with GDPA The data held may be sensitive and supplier must manage the data appropriately.