Ecological Advice

Tender description

The Council requires ecological advice with respect to Local Wildlife Sites subject to planning applications, Local Plan allocations or other development proposals. This includes: • the assessment and analysis of potential impacts and advice and/or recommendations as to possible alternatives or mitigation. • work associated with Local Plan Examinations and planning inquiries, i.e. the preparation of supporting evidence, meetings and the appearance at the examination or inquiry if required or the provision of written evidence if required. • the assessment of all biodiversity metrics submitted by applicants prior to Biodiversity Net Gain becoming mandatory in November 2023. The Council also requires the maintenance of the existing Wildlife Sites System (the Derbyshire Biological Records Centre) used county-wide. Lot 1: The Council intends to enter into an agreement with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Limited (DWTL) for ongoing ecological advice and the maintenance of the existing Wildlife Sites System (the Derbyshire Biological Records Centre) used county-wide. The negotiated procedure without prior publication is being used and is justified under Regulation 32(2)(b) (iii) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 for the award of a public services contract. The services can only be carried out by the particular economic operator for the following reasons: 32(2)(b)(iii) the protection of exclusive rights, including intellectual property rights . Competition is absent as intellectual property in the Derbyshire Biological Records Centre is owned by DWTL. The contract is for an initial term of 18 months with the option to extend by a further period or periods of up to 42 Months. The contract value provided is based on the full 5 years Additional information: The Council will be observing a 10 day standstill period from the publication of this notice.