Germany - Environmental management

Description

The BSH carries out the preliminary investigation in the North Sea to assess the suitability of areas for the construction of offshore wind farms and to prepare them for a government tender. Among other things, the marine environment must be investigated for this purpose. The biennial investigation of the benthos and the up to biennial investigation of the fish according to the standard investigation concept (StUK4) are tendered here. The investigations concern the area N-14.1 according to the preliminary draft of the area development plan of the BSH of 01 September 2023 in the EEZ of the North Sea, on which separate campaigns are to be carried out for the protected goods benthos (infauna and epifauna) and fishes respectively. The survey program includes investigations of the epifauna and fish fauna with a beam trawl and of the infauna with grabs. Survey results will need to be documented in area-specific reports.
Conduct benthic surveys based on the standard survey concept "Investigation of the impact of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment" (StUK4) on site N-14.1 and a reference site in three campaigns each: Autumn campaign 2025 (within the period 01.09. to 30.11.2025); Spring campaign 2026 (within the period 01.04. to 31.05.2026); Autumn campaign 2026 (within the period 01.09. to 30.11.2026). Conduct fish surveys based on the standard survey concept "Investigation of the impact of offshore wind turbines on the marine environment" (StUK4) on area N-14.1 and a reference area in initially one autumn campaign 2025 (within the period 01.09. to 30.11.2025). After reviewing the catch results, the commissioner will decide whether to terminate the fish surveys or continue with the 2026 spring campaign (within the period 01/04 to 05/31/2026) and/or the 2026 fall campaign (within the period 01/09 to 11/30/2026). In detail, the surveys include: Epifauna survey with 2-meter beam trawl, per campaign 15 hauls per study plot and reference plot. Infauna survey with the Van Veen grab, per campaign sampling of 30 stations of 3 grabs per survey area and reference area. Fish fauna survey with the 7-meter beam trawl, per campaign per area 25 tows each with starboard and port hauls carried out in parallel) per study area and reference area. As needed, video survey of epifauna, macrophytes, and biotope structure, up to 5 video transects per campaign per plot, and biological validation of suspected sites according to BfN mapping guidance. The survey results for benthos are to be summarized and evaluated in a total of two reports: one interim report for the area after completion of the second campaign (submission 30.09.2026) and one final report for the area after completion of all three campaigns (submission 15.03.2027).The survey results for fish are to be summarized and evaluated in one, if necessary in two reports: one report for the area after completion of the first campaign (submission 31.01.2026). If the client's interim evaluation indicates that continued surveys are needed, a final report for the area shall be prepared after all three campaigns are completed (submitted 03/15/2027). The reports have to contain a characterization of the existing situation, a description of the existing impacts, an evaluation of the existing situation as well as a qualitative impact prognosis (description of the impact paths) for the protected goods sediment, infauna, epifauna, fish and biotopes. The templates included in the award documents for this purpose serve to estimate the content and scope of the reports; the final structure as well as detailed questions regarding content will be determined in the course of contract execution. The BSH shall review all reports and revisions shall be scheduled. Final versions of all final reports will be translated into English by the contractor. The translated final reports for Area N-14.1 shall be submitted to the Contracting Authority no later than 08/31/2027. The project will end with the acceptance of the translated final reports no later than 11/15/2027. The respective study areas cover the FEP areas with central preliminary investigation and the auction year 2028. Further details on the study area and the data sets and data volumes to be merged can be found in the attached statement of work. The services to be provided will be divided into 2 service levels and must be completed vas described above. Due to legal obligations resulting from the WindSeeG, meeting the contract deadline has a very high priority for the client.

Opportunity closing date

26 October 2023

Value of contract

£0-100k