Opportunity Mapping for Open Mosaic Habitat at the Tees Estuary

Natural England is soliciting a fixed-price research project to map Open Mosaic Habitat (OMH) resources across the Tees Estuary. This initiative supports the Protected Site Strategy for the Teesmouth and Cleveland Coast SSSI, SPA, and Ramsar designated sites, ensuring compliance with the S41 NERC Act and Provision 110 of the Environment Act 2021. The project aims to identify unmapped OMH areas, analyze habitat changes over time, and collate species records for invertebrates and vascular plants using the Pantheon tool. The final output will be a comprehensive report featuring a prioritized list of actions to maintain and enhance the OMH resource. The contract is reserved for UK suppliers and is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The estimated period of performance runs from December 7, 2026, to March 31, 2027, with key deliverables including a draft report due March 1, 2027, and a final report due the week of March 22, 2027. Award decisions are based on the most advantageous tender, weighted 60% on technical criteria—covering methodology, key personnel, project management, and health and safety—and 40% on the whole life cost. All deliverables and invoices are to be submitted electronically to the designated project officer.