Aircraft Tender for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to achieve best value for money in the services provided to the SMRU for a Fixed-wing Aircraft Tender for the Aerial Survey of Grey Seal Breeding Colonies. This procurement is for one set of surveys as described in the full ITT, with the option to extend into a further year / set of surveys, subject to satisfactory annual review.

In September to December 2022, SMRU will carry out multiple aerial surveys of approx. 70 grey seal breeding colonies around Scotland (each colony is surveyed 5 times throughout the season). We therefore require a light twin-engined aircraft (and pilot) with ≥5 hours endurance, that can accommodate two SMRU staff and SMRU’s camera and computer system (described below under ‘Survey methods & equipment’). Surveys will be carried out from mid-September until mid-December with 7 separate rounds of surveys (lasting 1-3 days each) spread through the season at approximately 13-day intervals. The total flying time is expected to be around 115 hours. Most rounds of surveys will start and end at Dundee Airport, but, during rounds, overnights will be at other conveniently located airports such as Stornoway and Kirkwall.