Restoration Operatives to Control Invasive Plants, Isle of Raasay

Tender description

Raasay Development Trust is appointing up to five self-employed contractors to treat invasive non-native plants on the Isle of Raasay, mainly rhododendron, with Japanese knotweed and pampas grass, across approximately 145 hectares. Work is instructed through work packages and paid at hourly rates set by RDT, so applicants are chosen on quality only. Each contractor holds their own contract on identical terms. A trainee route is open to people new to the work. Bidders do not need a PCS account. Request the Application Pack by email to tom@raasaydevelopmenttrust.org. Lot 1: The work continues an established habitat restoration programme on the Isle of Raasay, funded by the Scottish Government Carbon Neutral Islands Capital Fund, with optional further work funded by Forestry and Land Scotland. Three roles are available. Treatment operators control rhododendron and pampas grass. One operator will also act as coordination lead, paid a fixed coordination allowance per work package. One operator will also act as knotweed specialist, delivering a repeat treatment programme in the July to September window. Certificates of competence for pesticide application are required for all roles except trainee places. Up to five contractors will be appointed, including any trainee places. Trainees are assessed only against other trainee applicants and start with a paid trial alongside experienced operators. Work is issued as work package orders. The first package is approximately 15000 GBP. Contractors keep an hours log and report weekly. Hours paid are productive hours on site. Travel, ferry, accommodation and subsistence are not recoverable. Treatment must meet the standard set out in the Scope of Works. The contract runs until 31 March 2028. The estimated value includes a committed core of approximately 54068 GBP and optional packages of further rhododendron control of up to 75000 GBP, subject to Forestry and Land Scotland funding. RDT is under no obligation to instruct the optional packages. A help session is available by arrangement from 19 to 23 October 2026 at Raasay Community Hall, Inverarish. Bidders do not need a PCS account. Request the Application Pack by email to tom@raasaydevelopmenttrust.org. Responses may be returned by email or on paper. Operator places may be reopened annually or as required due to contractor reduced availibility to new applicants on the same terms. Scoring: at least 2 out of 4 on every question required. The estimated value is RDT's total budget for this contract, inclusive of any VAT. Rates set by RDT are inclusive of VAT where applicable.