Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified contractor to construct gabion structures at the Lowveld National Botanical Garden in Nelspruit. The appointment aims to deliver durable structural works while strictly adhering to environmental conservation standards, occupational health and safety regulations, and municipal construction guidelines.

Scope of Works

• Construction of gabion structures (heavy-duty wire mesh cages filled with rock) with a maximum width of five metres.
• Filling front rows with champaign gabion rocks (100 mm to 250 mm) and back rows with existing gabion rocks, ensuring neat packing.
• Execution of works in a sensitive riverine forest environment, requiring strict zoning to protect surrounding flora and fauna.
• Manual labour-intensive construction due to limited machinery access; loading via small vehicles only.
• Off-site stockpiling at a designated construction camp, as on-site storage is prohibited.
• Minimal site camp footprint with no large containers permitted; contractor assumes full responsibility for site security.
• Compliance with South African National Standards (SANS), Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), Construction Regulations 2014, and detailed environmental management specifications.

Technical Requirements

• Submission Format: A two-envelope system is used, physically and digitally separating technical proposals from financial offers. Any pricing data included on USB drives will result in immediate disqualification.
• Mandatory Documentation: Central Suppliers Database (CSD) report, Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Active Contractor Listing, Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) Letter of Good Standing, signed site briefing certificate, fully completed Standard Bidding Documents (SBD), and proof of liability insurance (minimum R10 million indemnity per claim).
• Plant & Equipment: Bidders must provide documentation for at least four specific machines: a Tractor Loader Backhoe (TLB), roller, tipper truck, and bakkie. Ownership or rental intent letters with attached registration documents are required.
• Project Duration & Guarantees: Practical completion within two months of commencement. A 10% performance guarantee is required. Retention money starts at 10%, reducing to 5% upon completion, with release after the 12-month defects liability period.
• Health, Safety & Environment: Submission of a project-specific Health and Safety Plan, emergency procedures, and a waste management plan prior to commencement. Strict adherence to dust, noise, fuel spill, and hazardous material controls. Topsoil removal and site rehabilitation are mandatory.
• Evaluation Process: Three-stage assessment: eligibility/administrative compliance, functionality (minimum 70/100 points required), and price/preference. Preference points follow an 80/20 or 90/10 system favouring historically disadvantaged individuals and gender equity.

Skills Requirements

• Proven Experience: Tenderers must submit at least three valid reference letters from different organisations confirming similar scope and value projects completed within the past ten years. Failure to provide these results in disqualification.
• Key Personnel: Full-time on-site appointment of a professionally registered Construction Health & Safety Officer and Contracts Manager (South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions [SACPCMP] registration required). A Site Agent holding a National Diploma (NQF Level 6 or higher) in the built environment is mandatory. Candidate registrations are not accepted.
• Technical Competence: Demonstrated ability to develop a comprehensive project methodology addressing site conditions, reporting, and commissioning. Submission of a realistic weekly programme with clear milestones is required.
• Financial Capacity: Provision of a bank financial reference letter indicating credit rating for the envisaged contract value.
• Environmental & Manual Labour Management: Skills in managing low-impact, hand-built construction in ecologically sensitive zones, including proper demarcation, waste segregation, and immediate rehabilitation of disturbed areas.