Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint an Invasive Plants Specialist responsible for updating the Invasive Alien Plant Plan for the Greater Knysna Municipal Area. The specialist will develop a comprehensive invasive species monitoring, control, and eradication plan, obtain necessary approval from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), and support the municipality in managing invasive alien plants effectively.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Providing spatial information related to management units, including zoning, area, species details (common and scientific names), density, age, NEMBA category, priority rating, habitat type (riparian or terrestrial), presence of biological control agents, and invasion risk.
• Assessing the probability of complete eradication of species.
• Managing green waste generated from invasive species control.
• Analyzing historical data from previous clearing operations.
• Developing monitoring guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness of control measures, including progress indicators.
• Indicating the budget required for implementing the plan over five years.
• Delivering a presentation to the council when required.

The work also involves spatial data management, reporting, and facilitating approval processes with relevant authorities.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for the tender include:

• Expertise in invasive plant management, with a minimum of NQF Level 6 qualification in environmental management or related fields.
• Registration with recognized professional bodies such as EAPASA or SACNASP, with proof of registration required; applications without registration certificates will be disqualified.
• Demonstrated experience in invasive species management, including project completion certificates.
• Provision of spatial information at an agreed resolution, covering management units and relevant ecological data.
• Development of a detailed 5-year implementation budget.
• Presentation skills for council briefings.
• Adherence to the evaluation criteria, including experience, references, and professional registration.

Pricing should cover the appointment of the specialist, obtaining approval from DFFE, and associated services, with a total RFQ amount not exceeding R300,000.