Historical and Cultural Analysis of Deer in the New Forest Landscape to support current deer management

The New Forest National Park Authority, in collaboration with Natural England and the Forestry Commission, has issued solicitation NFNPA 0081 for a historical and cultural analysis of deer within the New Forest landscape. The primary objective is to produce a narrative that explains the historical significance of deer to inform a Protected Site Strategy and Strategic Action Plan for deer management. Key deliverables include recommendations for stakeholder engagement, including specific messaging and themes, and the identification of opportunities to link historical context with current ecological and land management goals. The project is estimated to be valued at 5,000 GBP excluding VAT, with work expected to commence in December. The contract will be awarded based on the most economically advantageous tender, with a weighting of 80 percent for quality and 20 percent for price. Quality is evaluated across the bidder's approach, scope of services, and experience, with a minimum quality threshold of 6 points required for consideration. Proposals must be submitted by November 20, 2026. The successful contractor must possess local knowledge of the New Forest and provide comprehensive professional qualifications and insurance certifications. The agreement will be governed by the New Forest National Park Authority's General Standard Conditions of Contract and is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004.