Freshwater Pearl Mussel Population Genetics Study

Tender description

The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), part of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (DCHG), is seeking tenders for the provision of a study of the genetic diversity/variability and differentiation of populations of the Critically Endangered Freshwater Pearl Mussel across Ireland. The project will follow the methods and recommendations of a successful study of nine Irish populations in 2015 and 2016 (Feind et al., 2016; Geist et al., 2018). Genetic sampling and analyses will be completed for populations including of the Suir system, north-west and the remaining ‘top eight’ or priority SAC populations. The results of the study will be used to inform the Freshwater Pearl Mussel National Conservation Strategy, in relation to prioritising of catchment protection and restoration measures and, particularly, captive and other assisted breeding measures. Tenderers are advised that any and all travel required for the undertaking of these surveys is currently (April 2020) considered to be non-essential, in the context of Government’s Covid-19 guidance and restrictions. These are changing frequently to respond to the developing situation and these surveys may and will only be undertaken as and when non-essential travel is permitted. This RFT is being issued in anticipation that such restrictions may be partly lifted during the appropriate field survey period (i.e. May to late October) and for a sufficient duration to allow the surveys to be completed. The Department is not obliged to award a contract, and this includes in the circumstance that such restrictions, specifically around non-essential travel, are not lifted. A strict schedule of deliverables, in line with Section 3 below, will be agreed with the successful Tenderer. If Covid-19 restrictions prevent the completion of tasks scheduled for 2020, these should be accommodated within the 2021 and 2022. The contract will run from June 2020 to June 2023 See RfT document for further information.