Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified contractor to provide emergency and routine honeybee removal services for the municipality over a 12-month period. The service prioritizes public safety while preserving essential pollinator populations through humane, non-lethal extraction practices.

Scope of Service

The contractor will be engaged on an as-needed basis to remove honeybee swarms from municipal properties across four designated towns. Work locations may include trees, buildings, drains, valve boxes, and ground hollows. Services encompass both complete swarm relocation and targeted bee management. The contract operates for 12 months from the date of order issuance, with a maximum total expenditure cap of R300,000. Actual service quantities are provisional and subject to municipal operational demands.

Technical Requirements

• All extractions must utilize strictly non-lethal methods to ensure zero harm to the bees.
• Rates must be fully inclusive, covering transport vehicles, specialized extraction equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and inter-town travel costs.
• A continuous telephone service must be maintained to address urgent requests promptly.
• Pricing must remain fixed for a minimum of 60 days post-quotation closing and include all applicable taxes.
• Payment is strictly conditional upon verified, complete removal of the colony (including the queen), confirmed by the Municipal Pest Controller prior to invoicing. Partial payments are prohibited.
• The contractor assumes full financial liability for any property damage resulting from negligence or service activities.
• Invoices will be processed on a monthly basis within 30 days, contingent upon municipal inspection and compliance verification.

Skills and Experience Requirements

• Mandatory proof of prior professional bee removal experience is required.
• Bidders must submit client referral letters confirming at least three successful swarm removals.
• Any subcontractors engaged must demonstrate equivalent qualifications, training, and operational capability.
• Personnel must be proficient in safe handling protocols, colony relocation techniques, and emergency response procedures.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• Non-lethal removal: A humane extraction technique that safely relocates an entire bee colony intact rather than exterminating it, critical for ecological balance and preventing secondary infestations.
• Smoking of bees: The controlled application of cool smoke to temporarily calm bees during handling, significantly reducing defensive aggression and stinging risks without causing injury.
• Queen removal requirement: Honeybees exhibit strong homing instincts; if the reproductive queen remains on-site, the colony will inevitably return. Therefore, payment is withheld until the municipality confirms complete relocation.
• Capped total value: The absolute budgetary ceiling (R300,000) for the 12-month contract term, regardless of whether the actual number of service requests reaches this amount.