Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified service provider for a one-year contract to maintain and clean the gardens and grounds of McCord Provincial Eye Hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. The contract aims to ensure a safe, hygienic, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment for patients, staff, and visitors through consistent landscaping, vegetation management, and waste removal.

Scope of Work

The successful bidder will be responsible for comprehensive grounds maintenance across the entire hospital property. Key deliverables include:

• Mowing all grassed areas, nature strips, and lawn edges to specified heights.
• Clearing rubbish, debris, and leaf litter from pathways, gutters, driveways, and garden beds.
• Trimming, pruning, and removing fallen or dead trees and shrubs, ensuring compliance with municipal regulations for pedestrian and vehicle clearances.
• Weed control and removal across all designated areas.
• Maintenance of mulched areas (50–75mm depth) with biannual top-ups.
• Clearing alien vegetation and vines from perimeter fences.
• Weekly removal of all garden refuse in line with approved waste management practices.
• Providing biannual recommendations for site improvements.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must meet stringent operational, safety, and administrative standards:

• Staffing & Hours: Three full-time staff members required Monday to Friday, 06:00 to 15:00. Priority areas must be completed before 07:00. Breaks must be staggered, and daily progress reports submitted. The contractor must guarantee relief staff for all absences and cover statutory payments.
• Machinery & Equipment: Provision of well-maintained petrol lawnmowers, leaf blowers, weed eaters, bush clippers, rakes, brooms, and hand tools. Fuel must be continuously supplied, and replacement equipment provided immediately during repairs.
• Safety & Compliance Documentation: Submission of Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), public indemnity insurance, occupational health and safety compliance letters, and proof of annual staff medical surveillance. JSAs are risk assessment documents outlining hazards and control measures for specific tasks, while MSDS provide critical information on the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals.
• Administrative & Financial: Implementation of an electronic attendance system, monthly proof of UIF, tax, and medical aid payments, and strict adherence to the 80/20 preference point system (allocating 80 points for competitive pricing and 20 points for companies with at least 51% black ownership).

Skills Requirements

The contractor must demonstrate specialized expertise in horticulture, landscaping, and occupational safety. Required competencies include:

• Certified personnel for advanced tree pruning, chainsaw operation, and safe chemical/herbicide application.
• A competent site supervisor capable of managing daily operations, coordinating relief staffing, and generating compliance reports.
• Familiarity with municipal vegetation regulations, public health facility standards, and waste management protocols.
• Strong administrative capabilities to maintain accurate payroll records, track statutory deductions, and produce timely operational documentation.