Identifying and Mapping Priority Freshwater Habitats

A direct award to Freshwater Habitats Trust is justified on the basis of technical reasons and the absence of a reasonable alternative supplier. Freshwater Habitats Trust developed and maintains the specialist PSYM and PASS methodologies, associated datasets, systems, data pathways and volunteer networks that underpin the identification and mapping of Priority Ponds and Priority Headwater Streams. The project is dependent upon compatibility with these established methodologies and infrastructure. Re-procuring the requirement would require recreation or transfer of established methods, systems, training arrangements and stakeholder networks, introducing additional cost, delay and significant delivery risk within the available survey windows. The award therefore represents the most effective and proportionate means of delivering the requirement and ensuring continuity of service.