Service Provider to Clear Alien Invasive Plants: Upper Karoo
Tender Details
- Tender Number: Q12067/2026
- Tender Type: Quotation
- Department/Company: South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
- Province: Free State / Northern Cape
- Location: Bethulie and Orange River Guest and Game Farm
- Local Municipalities: Kopanong and Umsobomvu
- Tender Category: Ecology and Nature Conservation; Pest and Weed Control; Vegetation Control
- Contract Period: 2 years
- Closing Date: 2 October 2026
- Closing Time: 11:00
- Briefing Session: No briefing details provided
- Submission Email: S.SCM-Quotations@sanbi.org.za
- SCM Contact: Ms Noloyiso Giyama
- SCM Telephone: 012 339 2700
- SCM Email: N.Giyama@sanbi.org
- Technical Contact: Nyiko Mthembi
- Technical Telephone: 015 962 5314
Tender Overview
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) is inviting quotations from suitably qualified service providers for the clearing of invasive alien plants in Bethulie and Orange River Guest and Game Farm over a two-year period.
The project focuses on the detection and removal of invasive alien plant populations, particularly Cylindropuntia pallida, to help prevent further ecological spread and support biodiversity conservation efforts.
Scope of Work
The successful service provider will be responsible for clearing operations during the 2026–2027 and 2027–2028 financial years.
Key activities include:
- Surveying designated areas for invasive alien plants.
- Physically clearing identified invasive plants.
- Collecting GPS and ecological data.
- Recording cleared areas and invasive plant locations accurately.
- Responding to newly identified sites or additional species where required.
- Conducting corrective clearing if completed work does not meet the required standard.
- Completing work according to SANBI and landowner requirements.
- Undertaking additional conservation-related work where applicable if contracted person-days remain available.
Payment will be based on a person-day system, with payment linked to actual days worked.
At least 60% of the workforce must comprise local beneficiaries from the identified target areas.
Technical Requirements
Compliance
Bidders must provide or maintain:
- Valid COIDA Letter of Good Standing.
- Public liability insurance of at least R1 million.
- Active Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration.
- Required vehicle and equipment documentation.
- Compliance with applicable health and safety requirements.
Transport
The service provider must have access to a roadworthy long-base bakkie and trailer suitable for the required field operations.
The vehicle and trailer must meet the stipulated requirements, including applicable:
- Revolving orange warning lamp.
- Secured seating and seatbelts.
- Speed-limit display.
- Canopy or labour railings.
- Licensing and registration documentation.
Drivers must hold valid licences.
Equipment and PPE
The contractor must provide the equipment and protective clothing required for the work, including:
- Chainsaws.
- Ropes and harnesses.
- Step ladders.
- Hand tools.
- Herbicide application equipment.
- Absorbent materials.
- Medical kits.
- Respirators.
- Aprons.
- Reflective vests.
- Goggles.
- Protective overalls.
- Other required PPE.
Health and Safety Requirements
All personnel must undergo the required pre-employment medical examinations.
The team must include:
- Two certified Health and Safety Representatives.
- Two First Aiders.
The required safety personnel must remain available onsite throughout the contract period.
GPS and Data Collection
The service provider must use GPS or suitable electronic devices capable of continuously recording tracks.
GPS data will be used to accurately document:
- Cleared areas.
- Invasive plant locations.
- Surveyed areas.
- Relevant ecological information.
Team Composition
The required team consists of 10 members:
- 1 Supervisor / Team Leader
- 4 Herbicide Applicators
- 1 Driver
- 2 Health and Safety Representatives
- 2 First Aiders
The team must have relevant field experience in invasive alien plant clearing and GPS-based data collection.
Skills and Experience
Bidders should demonstrate:
- Approximately 1–4 years of documented experience in invasive alien plant clearing.
- Experience with GPS-based field data collection.
- Relevant references or appointment letters.
- Qualified herbicide applicators.
- Qualified First Aiders.
- Qualified Health and Safety Representatives.
- A detailed CV for the day-to-day supervisor.
- Certified copies of relevant qualifications and certificates.
SANBI will provide mandatory herbicide applicator training, with additional training potentially required during subsequent financial years.
Local Workforce Requirement
At least 60% of the project workforce must be residents of the identified target areas.
Proof of residence must be provided before the commencement of the contract.
EPWP Requirements
The project operates within the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) framework. Wages, PPE and equipment-related resource allocations are subject to applicable government-mandated EPWP rates.