DECC Appraisal of Peat Landslide Hazard Risk Assessments

Location

Glasgow

Description

The Scottish Government Energy Consents Unit is seeking expert technical advice from qualified professionals on peat stability matters in relation to development proposals under section 36, 36C and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989.

Total Quantity or Scope

The Scottish Ministers are the consenting authority for applications for the construction and operation of generating stations, and the installation of overhead lines, under sections 36 and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 ("Electricity Act Applications"). The Energy Consents Unit processes a number of Electricity Act Applications (including some on peatland) which require an Environmental Impact Assessment, including wind farms with installed capacity in excess of 50 megawatts and overhead electric lines. In peatland areas, aside from potential ecological impacts there can be the risk of peat landslide as a result of the proposal, its engineering operations and its associated infrastructure (such as roads, access tracks, anemometer masts, substations and foundations) with the potential for risk to population and public safety where paths, roadways or properties may be impacted, or environmental pollution, especially where there is the potential for peat landslides to impact on nearby watercourses. As a result, where Electricity Act Applications are proposed on peatland habitats, comprehensive peat landslide hazard risk assessments (PLHRA) are required to be carried out in accordance with the Scottish Government “Peat Landslide Hazard and Risk Assessments: Best Practice Guide for Proposed Electricity Generation Developments" (published at https://www.gov.scot/publications/peat-landslide-hazard-risk-assessments-best-pr...) and details are required to be included in EIA reports provided with the applications. In addition to processing Electricity Act Applications for consent, the Energy Consents Unit also has a role in considering proposals at pre-application stage, facilitating discussions with environmental stakeholders to enable design iterations to be made in light of environmental sensitivities, and establishing where mitigation measures may overcome environmental impacts which may arise from the deployment of projects. In order to determine the applications described above, the Energy Consents Unit requires access to technical expertise to audit the environmental information provided by developers against the Scottish Government Best Practice Guide referred to above; to make recommendations to Scottish Ministers on how any matters which fall short of best practice should be addressed; to provide advice and drafting input to Scottish Ministers on planning conditions which may be required to mitigate peat landslide risks; and to provide advice to Scottish Ministers on requirements for PLHRAs during EIA screening and scoping. These services may be required in the context on any of the applications under the Electricity Act which are determined by Scottish Ministers.

Renewal Options

The contract will be for a period of 24 months commencing in July 2026. The Scottish Government may, by giving 30 days notice to the Service Provider, extend the period of the contract for up to 12 months. Subject to that constraint, the Scottish Government may extend the period of the Contract on more than one occasion. It is not possible to predict the number of Electricity Act Applications or the number of peat landslide hazard risk assessments that will require appraisal during the term of the contract. This is dependent on the volume and nature of applications submitted by developers, over which the Scottish Government has no control. The total value of the contract, including any extension periods, is not anticipated to exceed 500,000 GBP excluding VAT. The Scottish Government may however, at its sole discretion, increase the value of the contract by up to 20% to a maximum of 600,000 GBP excluding VAT. Any increase to the contract value may only be applied where actual demand for the services exceeds 500,000 GBP during the contract term and/or any extension periods. Any increase shall not modify the nature, scope, or specification of the services, nor shall it alter the pricing mechanism, rates, or basis of payment set out in the contract.

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 90714000 - Environmental auditing
• 90711400 - Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) services other than for construction

Indicators

• Bids should cover the whole contract.
• This is a recurring contract.
• Options are available.
• Renewals are available.
• Financial restrictions apply.
• Professional qualifications are sought.
• Staff qualifications are relevant.
• Award on basis of price.

Other Information

The Single Procurement Document (Scotland) is a standard qualification questionnaire supplied by Scottish Ministers for all regulated procurements. The SPD (Scotland) is used to self-certify for the minimum requirements to tender for this contract opportunity and will be scored on a Pass/Fail basis. Each tender will be individually evaluated to identify the most economically advantageous service provider, based on the Price / Quality weightings detailed in this notice. Questions that form the Quality award criteria will be scored using the following methodology: 0 - Unacceptable; 1 - Poor; 2 - Acceptable; 3 - Good; 4 - Excellent Tenderers must also confirm that they will pay staff that are involved in the delivery of services under the contract at least the real Living Wage and meet standards on payment of any subcontractors. Tenderers who do not pass these questions will not be considered further. The buyer is using PCS-Tender to conduct this ITT exercise. The Project code is 31707. For more information see: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/info/InfoCentre.aspx?ID=2343 (SC Ref:831252)