Description of the contract
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority is seeking quotations from suitably experienced contractors to undertake habitat restoration works within the Traeth Mawr and Blaencamlais portions of Illtyd Pools SSSI. The works are intended to reduce the impact of encroaching trees and purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) on designated wetland, mire and bog habitats.
The successful Contractor will be required to undertake at least one pre-work site visit with the client and landowners before works commence. The purpose of the visit will be to confirm site access, identify and agree the detailed actions to be undertaken, identify sensitive areas, agree working methods, and map the specific treatment areas, access routes, dip wells, extraction routes, staging areas and any exclusion zones.
The Contractor must provide a simple pre-works map or annotated plan showing the agreed work areas and operational constraints. This must be agreed with the client and landowners before works begin.
Tenderers must provide separate priced quotations for each of the following components. Prices should include labour, machinery, mobilisation, access arrangements, materials, supervision, health and safety provision, environmental protection measures, waste handling, and any assumptions or exclusions.
Component 1: Felling Trees on Traeth Mawr
Fell trees identified for removal from the Traeth Mawr section of Illtyd Pools SSSI. Larger trees are expected to be cut approximately 10 cm above ground level using electric chainsaws or chainsaws using biofuels. Smaller trees and saplings may be removed using low-impact methods such as hand tools, tree poppers or other appropriate equipment agreed with the client. Small trees may be removed as part of the Molinia management strategy if deemed appropriate.
Component 2: Immediate Ecoplug Treatment of Cut Stumps on Traeth Mawr
Apply Ecoplugs to cut tree stumps immediately after felling, at the recommended dose for the stump diameter. Treatment must be undertaken in accordance with manufacturer guidance, relevant pesticide legislation, operator certification requirements and all environmental safeguards appropriate to an SSSI and peatland setting.
Component 3: Removal, Extraction and Chipping of Felled Trees from Traeth Mawr
Remove felled woody material from the bog using low-impact methods and the minimum number of trips practicable. Brash and timber should be moved to an agreed staging area outside the SSSI boundary, including the fence-line track to the south where appropriate. Brash is to be chipped for onward use or disposal as agreed with the client. Cut lengths may be stacked outside the SSSI or removed from site, subject to agreement.
Component 4: Molinia Management on Traeth Mawr
Undertake management of Molinia caerulea on Traeth Mawr using low ground-pressure, wide-tracked equipment such as a PistenBully or similar, and/or bog mats where necessary. The tenderer should specify the proposed method, machinery, ground protection measures and expected treatment area. Molinia mulch is expected to be left in situ unless otherwise agreed.
Component 5: Felling and Removal of Selected Trees at Blaencamlais Pool
Fell and remove selected trees from Blaencamlais Pool, including trees within the SSSI and around the edge of the floating mat bog. The specific trees to be removed will be identified during the pre-work site visit and mapped before works commence. Works must avoid disturbance to the floating mat, bog surface and associated rare plants. Trees on firmer ground around the edge may be removed using small machinery, chainsaws using electric power or biofuels, tree poppers and hand tools as appropriate.
Larger diameter trees at Blaencamlais Pool must be cut approximately 10 cm above ground level and treated immediately with Ecoplugs at the recommended dose, unless otherwise agreed with the client and any relevant consent conditions.
Environmental and Operational Requirements
All works must be undertaken in a manner appropriate to an SSSI, peatland and wetland setting.
Working methods must minimise ground disturbance, rutting, compaction, contamination and hydrological damage.
Access routes, machinery choice, staging areas and extraction methods must be agreed with the client before works commence.
Biofuels, electric equipment or other low-impact approaches should be used where practicable.
All herbicide use must comply with relevant legislation, product guidance and operator certification requirements.
No material is to be stored, chipped or disposed of within sensitive SSSI habitat unless explicitly agreed.
The Contractor must immediately report any incident, spill, damage to sensitive habitat, or discovery of previously unidentified constraints.
Deliverables
Attendance at one or more pre-work site visits as agreed.
Annotated pre-works map or plan identifying agreed work areas, trees or treatment zones, dip wells, access routes, exclusion zones and staging areas.
Completion of the agreed works under the separately quoted components.
Confirmation of Ecoplug application areas and any relevant pesticide records.
Post-works summary including photographs, confirmation of completed areas, any variations from the agreed plan and recommendations for follow-up management.
Indicative Programme
Works are expected to start on or after 1st October 2026 and be completed by 31st January 2027, subject to consent, weather, ground conditions, Contractor availability and agreement with the client. The notice of intent indicates an anticipated working period of approximately four weeks.
Tender Submission Requirements
Tenderers should submit a written quotation that includes the following information:
Separate prices for each of the five work components listed in Section 4.
A combined total price if all components are awarded together.
Day rates or variation rates for additional works, if applicable.
Proposed methodology, machinery and staffing for each component.
Evidence of relevant experience in SSSI, peatland, wetland, bog, mire or other sensitive habitat works.
Health and safety arrangements, including risk assessments and method statements to be finalised before works commence.
Any near misses, or accidents which occur whilst work is being carried out, should be reported to BBNPA immediately and these will be dealt with in accordance with BBNPA’s procedures. An Accident or near Miss Report Form must be completed for any incidents which occur.
Details of pesticide qualifications and Ecoplug application experience where relevant.
Insurance details, including public liability and employer’s liability cover to a minimum value of £1,000,000 to cover any claims arising from any third party in respect of damage or negligence on their part.
Insurance of all equipment and machinery used by Contractors on site must be the full responsibility of the Contractors.
Proposed programme and availability.
Any assumptions, exclusions, dependencies or access requirements.
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