Mulching Framework - South District

Forestry England are planning to carry out a procurement exercise to tender for these works going forward as 2 separate Geographical areas:

Area 1: West: Includes Dorset (Wareham and Ringwood beat), Hampshire (New Forestry North and South)

Area 2: Hampshire (Micheldever and Solent beat), Isle of Wight (Solent beat), Surrey (Chiddingfold beat), West Sussex (South Downs beat).

Each of these areas have 4 lots separated by task and can be bid for separately:

Lot 1: Standard restocking including stumps and post fire sites.

Standard, Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested.

Estimated 50ha per year (split evenly between East and West).

Lot 2: Steep slopes, sensitive sites, weeding restock sites and invasive species removal.

Purpose built, small machinery, fail mulchers and robotic mulchers.

Estimated 10ha per year (split evenly between East and West).

Lot 3: Mulching felled Norway Spruce sites destroying any material >8cm in diameter

Heavy-duty forestry mulcher designed to process brash, stumps, and woody debris down to very fine material.

Estimated 20ha per year (split evenly between East and West).

Lot 4: 24-hour emergency response to assist the Fire Service in mulching fire defensible zones.

Tractor and mulching attachment, Purpose built if requested. Bulldozer (Medium to large) with blade attachments that can cut to bare mineral soil.

Estimation cannot be given but likely to occur during the wildfire season (March-September).

Our intention is to award this contract for a period of 4 years with Annual Performance Reviews and a mid-point review point to discuss pricing (i.e. 2+2yr contract).

All contractors must be highly experienced at working within heavily visited public areas. All services provided must comply with the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Standard (UKWAS), Forest Industry Safety Accord (FISA) guides Forestry England Health and Safety Policy, and all other relevant environmental and health & safety legislation.