Landscape Planting & Establishment Works including Highways Environments Framework for Hampshire

Tender description

The establishment of a new single lotted Multi-Contractor Framework for the delivery of mainly native species, large scale planting schemes, the majority of which will be associated with Highway projects although not necessarily on Highway land. This Framework is for a four-year duration commencing September 2023 and will deliver Call-Offs up to the value of £4.5 Million pounds. The works projects delivered through the Framework will consist of mainly native species planting and habitat creation together with establishment maintenance (up to 5 years) for small to large scale projects, with a typical value between £500 and £500K. There may be associated small scale hard landscape items such as fencing, drainage and paving. A three-to-five year establishment phase will typically be attached to each project. The Contractor is expected to provide adequate labour to resource the ongoing maintenance of each, and every planting scheme awarded under this Framework for the duration of the establishment period. Works projects may be in any of the following locations: • Adjacent to a live Highway. • Within a live construction site. • Other project areas. Lot 1: Contractors will be working in a live highway environment and/or in conjunction with a main, civil engineering project. Special requirements: In response to new requirements relating to biodiversity net gain (BNG), projects may be required to deliver habitat enhancements taking into account ecological sensitivities likely to be encountered on sites in Hampshire. Specific works include but are not limited to: • Preparation of ground for planting: weed control, cultivation, fertilising (topsoiling usually carried out by others). • Seeding: amenity and/or specialist wildflower mixes including wetland mixes for swales and SuDS features. • Wildflower plug planting appropriate to the local area. • Bulb planting • Mass planting native species whips and transplants on highway verges and adjacent areas. • Specimen tree planting: from standard to semi mature stock into tree pits prepared by others. • Horticultural sundries: rabbit/tree guards, stakes & ties, tree pit irrigation pipes; mulching etc. • Creation of hibernacula, erection of bird and bat boxes, habitat piles etc. • Protective fencing: timber and mesh fencing for planting areas. • Ancillary works: small scale hard landscape items as required, typically small areas of paving or drainage. • Post planting establishment - usually 3-to-5 year maintenance periods (including replacement of plant failures), to include weed control (typically herbicide treatment and/or strimming), hedge trimming, checking tree stakes/guards, re-mulching, watering, regular inspections. • Grassland maintenance: amenity and wildflower types including embankments, verges, roundabouts, SuDS features. Arisings from wildflower areas to be removed off site. Legislative requirements: The delivery of Landscape projects on Highway land is constrained by legislative requirements under the Highways Act of 1980. Contractors are required to have competent operatives, with the required organisational processes in place to meet the legislation: • The design, operation and management of traffic management in accordance with the Traffic Signs Manual Chapter 8: Traffic Safety Measures Road Works and Temporary Situations (2009) and the Safety at Street Works and Road Works: A Code of Practice (2013) (SSWRW), and any other applicable regulatory and advisory standards.