Tender Summary: Bid 22/2026 Debris Removal

Objectives

The primary objective is to remove debris, sediment, and invasive alien vegetation from designated sections of the Breë River course at two locations: Bonnievale and High Africa. The project aims to restore natural river flow, mitigate flood risks, rehabilitate environmentally sensitive riparian zones, and ensure strict compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental regulations. The contract also prioritises local economic development through job creation.

Scope of Works

• Bonnievale Site: Three-month contract period covering mechanised earth moving and specialised alien clearing across multiple river sections.
• High Africa Site: Four-month contract period involving similar works on specified farm portions, including removal of previously dumped biomass and submerged river trees.
• Mechanised Earth Moving: Excavation, loading, and transport of sand, rock, and debris using heavy plant equipment within strictly controlled zones.
• Specialised Alien Clearing: Cutting, chipping, stacking, and disposal of invasive species (e.g., blue gum, black wattle). Includes herbicide application, fire prevention protocols, litter removal, and ongoing management of alien re-growth until formal project completion.
• Site Management: Physical pegging and high-visibility tape demarcation of work areas, daily machine hour logging, temporary stockpile management, fire break establishment, and full site rehabilitation including road repairs upon completion.

Technical Requirements

• Pricing Structure: Lump sum bids inclusive of labour, machinery, and materials. Unit rates must be provided for potential variation orders.
• Plant Specifications: Mandatory deployment of specified equipment, including 32-ton excavators (with/without grabs), 20/22-ton dump trucks, and heavy-duty industrial chippers/shredders. Equipment substitutions require written engineering approval.
• Compliance Documentation: Valid CIDB grading (minimum 4CE), COIDA letter of good standing, SARS tax clearance, B-BBEE status proof, three independent company references, detailed civil project experience list, and a construction manager CV demonstrating competency per Construction Regulations 2014 Clause 8.
• Safety & Environmental Standards: Strict adherence to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, National Veld and Forest Fire Act, and an approved Maintenance Management Plan. Public liability insurance must explicitly cover fire spread. A project-specific alien clearing methodology is mandatory; generic templates will be rejected.
• Labour Reporting: Monthly submission of labour log sheets detailing person-days, weekly timesheets, and South African ID copies. Minimum 35% local labour (within a 50km radius) comprising South African citizens is required.
• Evaluation Criteria: 80% weighting for price and 20% for B-BBEE status level. Functional capability assessments will also be conducted.

Skills Requirements

• A certified construction manager with proven expertise in construction health and safety regulations.
• Skilled heavy machinery operators capable of working safely in aquatic, undulating, and high-risk environments (e.g., near power lines, roads, and unstable riverbanks).
• An accredited herbicide applicator trained in safe chemical handling, mixing, and application protocols.
• Proven experience in civil construction, debris removal, and invasive alien vegetation control.
• Competence in risk management, fire prevention strategies, and riparian zone rehabilitation techniques.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• “Wet Rate”: A pricing term indicating that the quoted unit rate already includes the cost of fuel and a qualified machine operator.
• “Standing Time”: Compensation for idle plant and equipment due to exceptional circumstances. It requires prior written approval, covers only machine and operator costs, and is deducted from the original tender value rather than added as extra payment.
• “No Peg – No Work”: A strict operational rule prohibiting any machinery from entering or operating outside areas that have been physically identified, agreed upon, pegged, and clearly demarcated by authorised representatives.
• Biomass Discount/Payment Structure: Progress payments are calculated per work compartment. Any revenue generated from selling cleared biomass will be directly discounted against the contractor’s payment claims for that compartment.
• Re-growth Responsibility: The contractor remains liable for cutting, removing, and disposing of all alien vegetation re-growth throughout the contract period until a certificate of completion is formally signed by all involved parties.