Walking Excavator for Forest Management Operations

Descriptions

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) require a specialist contractor with a Walking Excavator to undertake Forest Management Operations including brash raking, screefing and hinge mounding on the NRW managed estate. This is a steep ground preparation contract, with the majority of the work in South Wales.The machine operator will be suitably qualified with a valid CPCS card with the category Excavator 360 above 10 tonne wheeled and will operate a walking based excavator in line with current legislation. Experience in screefing, hinge mounding and brash raking in forest operations on steep ground is essential along with a working knowledge of OGB4 stocking density. An assessment will be undertaken on the contractor to ensure a high level of competence.The contractor would need to supply a valid certificate of public liability insurance not less than £5 million for any one incident and a risk assessment suitable for the operation.The operation would include screefing, hinge mounding and brash raking technics to give NRW specific planting positions for various stocking densities for various species, usually;•2700 per hectare at 1.9m x 1.9m spacing•1600 per hectare at 2.5m x 2.5m spacing•1100 per hectare at 3m x 3m spacingThis may change to other spacing to suit the specific site. The operator will undertake periodic spacing assessments for monitoring planting positions, In addition the ground preparation operation will be subject to continual auditing of spacing by NRW staff. Location & constraint maps will be supplied prior to any works commencing, species and spacing’s along with areas that cannot be worked will be specified and agreed by an NRW supervisor. The sites do vary in steepness, soil types and terrain so working methods will be agreed between operator and supervisors on each site. Adherence to FISA Guides and Operational Guidance Notes in respect to safe working practices for all operations is essential. Non-conformity may result in an immediate stoppage of work and possible termination of the contract.The contractor must supply and ensure that all the approved protective clothing and recommended equipment is worn at all times, It is preferred that a Personnel First Aid kit be carried by individuals. However a first aid kit must be available on site at all times.The Contractor is obliged by law to complete his/her own risk assessment for each site and is to be kept in the machine at all times, a copy of which will be required by the NRW Supervisor in charge of the site.The contractor will be required to travel Wales wide. The contractor will be offered the minimum of 0-50 hectares subject to the programme and contractor will need to specify an annual capacity achievable.If you are able to provide this service with a Walking Excavator and have experience in Forest Management Operations in particular brash raking, screefing and hinge mounding and are interested in bidding for this work please email procurement.ns@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk with your name, company details and a brief 1 x A4 description of previous similar work undertaken by 12:00pm on Monday 8th February 2016.NOTE: To register your interest in this notice and obtain any additional information please visit the Sell2Wales Web Site at http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=40277.