Any conditions, clauses and KPIs included will obviously place an onus not only on the supplier but also on the contracting authority to assess and monitor the impact made to evidence that conditions have been met.
Below are examples of wording that can be used for this purpose:
‘A requirement of this contract is that the contractor demonstrates a comprehensive set of biosecurity measures to reduce relevant risks in the area in which the service is delivered.’
‘The contract/framework agreement supports the Scottish Government's National Performance Framework, and the National Outcomes which articulate the Government's Purpose ‘To focus on creating a more successful country with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish through increased wellbeing, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth.’ This framework supports the following National Outcomes, and contractors are expected to support the authority’s aim to achieve these.' [Insert relevant National Outcomes].’
‘The Contracting Authority has included obligations within the specification and contract conditions relating to biosecurity which are relevant to the services to be delivered.’
To assess the capability of suppliers understanding of the relevant issues and working sympathetically in areas sensitive to harm:
‘In answering question 4C1.1 / 4C1.2 please detail your understanding, experience and achievements in cost-effectively providing [insert service] services that minimise biosecurity risks.'
An ideal response would provide the following:
Evidence of having achieved comprehensive biosecurity management for clients using alternative products / materials and providing recommendations for changes / adaptations to reduce adverse impacts in a cost-effective way.
If it is appropriate to require environmental management standards to be in place:
‘A requirement of this contract is that the contractor has an appropriate environmental management standard in place, for example ISO14001, EMAS or equivalent. In answering question 4D2 please confirm which environmental management standard you have in place.’
‘Please provide a copy of your Environmental Policy and highlight how it relates to biosecurity management.’
To ensure that the biosecurity of plants and trees is protected the following can be used for example within a grounds maintenance or gardening service to highlight the requirement to meet sustainability criteria:
‘Contractors will be expected to comply with NetRegs guidance on Japanese knotweed, giant hogweed and other invasive weeds’
‘All products and services procured should comply with the Scottish Government Biosecurity practices for animal health: guidance.’
‘All products and services procured should comply with the GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) relevant biosecurity guidance.’
‘The contractor will be expected to develop a biosecurity plan following the Marine Biosecurity Guidance’ [Note this method can be applied to freshwater and terrestrial environments and is especially useful for large infrastructure projects]
‘Suppliers should avoid planting invasive non-native species listed in Annex B of NatureScot Developing with Nature guidance.’
‘Contractors shall only buy and plant trees that are sourced responsibly, with a disease-free supply chain as part of this contract. Contractors will also be expected to ensure any subcontractors under this contract buy and plant responsibly sourced trees, with a disease-free supply chain.’
‘Contractors shall ensure that any timber-based products and packaging used under this contract are sourced responsibly, with a disease-free supply chain.’
‘To reduce the risk of introduction and spread of quarantine pests associated with the movement of wood packaging material, any packaging made from raw wood used under this contract must meet the ISPM15 international standards or equivalent standards.’
‘Contractors shall ensure where appropriate that any plants for planting have a plant passport for UK movement or a phytosanitary certificate for import of plants for planting from out with the UK, in compliance with local and international regulations.’
‘Any plant showing pests or disease symptoms should not be planted and disposed of into deep landfill. If a regulated pest or pathogen is suspected, the relevant authorities must be informed to allow appropriate containment measures to be taken.’
‘Contractors will be expected to provide appropriate mandatory biosecurity training for any staff who undertake field work and shall ensure this is completed in advance of undertaking field work under this contract. ‘
To ensure animal welfare the following could be used:
‘All food served must be produced in a way that meets UK legislative standards for animal welfare, or equivalent standards.’ (See the GBS Food and Catering for more information).
To ensure traceability of food the following could be used:
‘Catering contractors or food suppliers shall ensure the traceability of fresh, chilled and frozen produce in accordance with current UK legislation or equivalent.’
‘The contracting authority has included obligations within the specification and contract conditions relating to biosecurity [and preventing loss of biodiversity and unwanted changes to ecosystems], which are relevant to the products and / or services to be delivered.’
Where the sustainability of product or material content is both relevant and proportionate the following questions may be helpful:
‘Please describe how you manage your environmental impacts detailing any environmental good practice systems, including ISO 14001, or EMAS, or equivalent which form part of your business practice.'
For a service or supply contract (according to subject matter of the contract):
‘Please describe your approach to biosecurity, including details of any specific steps taken in the design and manufacture of services relating to food safety, animal and plant life and health in relation to the services which are the subject of this tender.’
‘The contractor is required to demonstrate how the service will be delivered to maximise biosecurity. This will include the identification and monitoring of risks and relevant measures applied to mitigate those risks such as mitigation plans / action reports, risk assessments, etc.’
‘Please describe how you will ensure that any timber-based products and packaging used under this contract are sourced responsibly, with a disease-free supply chain.'
‘Please provide a copy of your Environmental Policy and highlight how it relates to biosecurity management in relation to the services which are the subject of this tender.’
‘The Contractor is required to demonstrate that they have a comprehensive biosecurity management policy and system in place to protect [human, animal, plant and environmental] health against biological threats, including for example:
Answers need not be constrained to or be reflective of any examples given alongside this question.’
Where biosecurity is core to the contract, it may be appropriate to establish or require a baseline (for example within 6-12 months of start of the contract). According to the subject matter of the contract, this may include the monitoring of ‘before biosecurity measures’ status and the preparation of an effective biosecurity risk/action report, and biosecurity measures plan.
Relevant KPIs may include:
At contract award there is always the opportunity to reach a voluntary agreement with the supplier that they will work with you to deliver agreed biodiversity outcomes that can be captured as a contract commitment.
