FLS scoping out future forestry supplies
Forestry and Land Scotland is surveying forestry suppliers to help it scope out the range and capacity of the sector.
Focusing on tree planting stock, seed and ancillary goods, the organisation has published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) to help it gain a clear picture and detailed understanding of the size, scope, capacity of the marketplace in order to help it secure best value for its planting stock requirements.
The PIN also invites suppliers to put forward innovative ideas for improvement in this area of its operations.
Doug Knox, FLS’ Head of Technical Services Group, said;
“At FLS’ Newton Nursery we currently grow a proportion of the 25 million trees we plant every year. We do however anticipate the need to buy-in around 10 million trees per annum. In addition we will continue to buy tree seed - typically Scots pine, Norway spruce, Douglas fir and Alaskan Lodgepole pine – as well as ancillary goods, such as tree shelters, seed bed grit, fertiliser and horticultural fleece.
“In order for us to operate effectively and efficiently we are now looking to scope out the supply base and get a better idea of how best our external contractors might be able to help us meet our objectives.”
Trees required will include both bare root and cell grown conifers and broadleaves but all tree species must be sown and grown in the UK, and all pine species must be sown and grown in Scotland due to Dothistroma Needle Blight (DNB) hybridisation risks.
The PIN is for information gathering purposes only and is not a call for competition or a contract. Not responding to the PIN will NOT disadvantage suppliers who bid for contracts as they are published.
FLS recognises that not all suppliers will supply planting stock, seeds and ancillary goods, so the PIN has been broken down into three parts.
The PIN notice has been published on Public Contract Scotland (PCS). Anyone who is not registered on PCS but who would like to respond to the PIN can get more information online.
Help for suppliers with public sector tendering is available through the Scottish Government`s Supplier Journey and the Supplier Development Programme.
Notes to editors
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Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) manages forests and land owned by Scottish Ministers in a way that supports and enables economically sustainable forestry; conserves and enhances the environment; delivers benefits for people and nature; and supports Scottish Ministers in their stewardship of Scotland's national forests and land.
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Media enquiries to Paul Munro, Media Manager, Forestry and Land Scotland Media Office 07785 527590 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.