Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified consulting firm to conduct comprehensive biodiversity assessment studies for the Gonubie Bird Sanctuary. The assessment aims to evaluate current ecological conditions, identify vulnerable species and habitats, map critical environmental features, and develop actionable conservation recommendations that align with national environmental legislation.

Scope of Work

The appointed service provider will execute a structured 16-week project encompassing:

• Legislative compliance review and alignment with national environmental frameworks.
• Technical assistance including desktop research, data collection, verification, analysis, objective setting, and alternative scenario generation.
• Situational analysis focusing on species distribution, community adaptability, and climate/ecological vulnerability assessment.
• Comprehensive spatial mapping of vegetation types, ecosystem threat statuses, protected areas, wetlands, watercourses, and sensitivity zones (classified as Very High, High, Medium, and Low).
• Field surveys to validate and ground-truth desktop findings.
• Stakeholder engagement through interactive workshops and formal presentations to technical teams and political leadership.
• Delivery of one digital copy and three printed copies of the final biodiversity assessment report in a standardized, user-friendly layout.
• Strict adherence to a phased timeline: inception (Week 1), first draft (Week 4), stakeholder workshops (Weeks 5–8), second draft (Week 10), panel presentation (Weeks 11–12), additional workshop (Week 14), and final submission (Week 16).

Technical Requirements

• Mandatory NQF Level 7 qualification in Natural Sciences, Geography, Ecology, or Environmental Management.
• Active registration or membership with a recognized Environmental Management professional body.
• Minimum functionality score of 80%, evaluated across three categories: Experience (60 points for two award letters and two completion certificates), Expertise (30 points for personnel qualifications and organizational organogram), and Methodology (10 points).
• Valid tax compliance status verified through the government Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Registration on the municipal supplier database prior to contract execution.
• BBBEE compliance documentation, with preference points allocated according to contributor level.
• Locality preference points awarded to suppliers operating within the Buffalo City Metropolitan or broader Eastern Cape boundaries.
• Submission exclusively via the municipal e-procurement vendor portal, with fixed-rate pricing inclusive of VAT.
• Contract administration governed by the National Treasury’s General Conditions of Contract 2015.

Skills Requirements

• Advanced ecological survey and biodiversity assessment capabilities.
• Proficiency in GIS mapping and spatial analysis for ecosystem delineation and sensitivity zoning.
• Strong project management skills to deliver complex scientific outputs within a constrained 16-week schedule.
• Expertise in technical report writing, data synthesis, and stakeholder facilitation.
• Demonstrated track record in conducting environmental impact evaluations, conservation planning, and adaptive vulnerability assessments.

Key Terminology & Unusual Requirements

• NQF Level 7: South African National Qualifications Framework Level 7, equivalent to an Honours degree or advanced diploma, indicating specialized academic and practical proficiency.
• CBAs & ESAs: Critical Biodiversity Areas and Ecological Support Areas, officially designated zones essential for maintaining ecological processes, species survival, and biodiversity targets.
• 80/20 Preference Points System: A public procurement evaluation model where 80% of scoring is based on price competitiveness and 20% on socio-economic transformation goals (BBBEE status and geographic locality).
• CSD & Municipal Database: Government-mandated supplier registries used to verify tax compliance, legal standing, and procurement eligibility before any contract can be awarded.
• MBD Forms: Standardized Municipal Bidding Documents required to declare independent bid determination, past supply chain conduct, and conflict of interest, ensuring transparent and legally compliant procurement practices.