Implementation of green infrastructure measures to improve connectivity between fragmented habitats of reptile species – Stage II”, within Priority 3 “Biodiversity” of the Operational Programme “Environment” 2021-2027.

The subject of this public procurement is the selection of a contractor for the implementation of green infrastructure measures[1] to improve connectivity between fragmented habitats of reptile species – Stage II, within Priority 3 “Biodiversity” of the Operational Programme “Environment” 2021-2027. The objective of the public procurement is to select a contractor for the preparation of design solutions for the implementation of green infrastructure measures to improve and ensure connectivity between fragmented habitats of reptile species and the execution of the corresponding measures, in accordance with the design solutions prepared by the Contractor under this procurement and approved by the Contracting Authority, in compliance with regulatory requirements and agreed deadlines. The planned activities within the scope of the public procurement are aimed at improving the conservation status of the following reptile species: Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni), Greek tortoise (Testudo graeca), four-lined snake (Elaphe quatuorlineata), Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica), Schrenck's rat snake (Elaphe sauromates), Leopard snake (Zamenis situla). This will be achieved by increasing the connectivity between their habitats through the construction of green infrastructure. The activities under the procurement will be carried out in the territory of the following Natura 2000 protected zones: BG0001031 “Rodopi-Sredni”; BG0001032 “Rodopi-Iztok”; BG0001023 “Rupite - Strumeshnitsa”. !!! IMPORTANT: The activities within the scope of the public procurement do not constitute a construction within the meaning of § 5, item 38 of the Additional Provisions of the Spatial Development Act (ZUT) and do not require the approval of an investment project in accordance with ZUT and the issuance of a building permit. Existing situation: At the request of the Managing Authority (MA) of the Operational Programme “Environment” (OP Environment) 2021–2027, preliminary field studies were conducted, with the participation of a structural engineer and a herpetologist, on sections of the republican road network (RRN) located within Natura 2000 protected zones, in order to identify areas requiring improved connectivity between fragmented reptile habitats. As a result of the conducted studies, the specific intervention sites, the type of defragmentation facility, and the applicable measures have been determined, which are described in detail in the List of Target Sites, Measures, and Locations, provided as Annex No. 1 to the Terms of Reference for the report preparation (Annex A to the procurement documentation). The activities subject to the public procurement will be carried out exclusively in the locations specified in Annex No. 1 – “List of Target Sites, Measures, Locations”, taking into account the measures and prescriptions provided in the annex for ensuring and improving connectivity. If necessary, for the intervention sites – included in the List (Annex No. 1 to the terms of reference), additional design solutions for measures shall be submitted, beyond those specified in Tables 1, 2, and 3 of the List, when they are identified during the site inspection and are necessary to achieve the objectives of the awarded procedure. Design documentation For the execution of the activities subject to the public procurement, a Technical Report for the implementation of green infrastructure measures shall be prepared, in the scope and content determined in the Terms of Reference for the preparation of the Technical Report (Annex A to the procurement documentation). The subject of the public procurement includes a description of the activities under the procurement, as follows: A) Stage I – Preparation of a Technical Report for the implementation of green infrastructure measures; B) Stage II – Actual implementation of green infrastructure measures; C) Stage III - Activity “Warranty Period” - performance of activities during the warranty periods for repair and adaptation of existing reptile passage facilities; D) All other activities necessary for the execution of the subject of the public procurement and warranty maintenance...