Proposal for habitat surveys and condition assessments for blanket bog SACs in counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal

Tender description

This request for tender seeks a suitable contractor to complete habitat surveys and condition assessments of blanket bog and associated habitats within 11 SACs in the northwest of Ireland. Lot 1: This request for tender seeks a suitable contractor to complete habitat surveys and condition assessments of blanket bog and associated habitats within 11 SACs in the northwest of Ireland (See Table 1). The contractor will classify habitats and record quadrats at pre-defined locations across these sites. Scope 1. Location: A total of 11 sites should be surveyed over the course of the three years (2023-2025) in counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Donegal. A full list of the 11 sites is presented in Table 2. In 2023, habitat and condition assessment surveys will occur in 5 blanket bog SACs in counties Galway, Mayo and Donegal. These are Cloghernagore Bog and Glenveagh National Park SAC (Glenveagh NP only), Slieve Tooey/ Tormore Island/ Loughros Beg Bay SAC; Glenamoy Bog Complex SAC; Owenduff-Nephin Complex SAC (incl. Wild Nephin NP); and The Twelve Bens/ Garraun Complex SAC (Connemara NP only), as listed in Table 1. This is the maximum area to be surveyed in 2023, however, it is acceptable to survey less than this, provided it’s clearly demonstrated that the remaining project sites listed in Table 2 will be surveyed over 2024 and 2025. 2. Extent The target area for 2023 is to survey a maximum of 5 of the 11 project sites within the WAN target area. This accounts for c.63,000 ha of blanket bog and associated habitats. The remaining project sites (c.73,000 ha) will be surveyed over 2024 and 2025. 3. Timing: The habitat surveys will generally be run over the 5 month period (May-Sept) with completion of summary reports and GIS outputs by year end. From provisional work completed in 2022, the estimated rate of coverage is approximately 150 ha per day per surveyor. 4. Communications and consultations: The contractor is expected to attend project start-up meeting with WAN to discuss project management details and any changes to methodologies and if necessary to review data requirements and agree data structures and standards, including GIS requirements. They should arrange consultations with regional NPWS staff, lando