Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to engage a qualified service provider to design and establish a community nursery in Joe Gqabi District Municipality. The nursery will focus on the cultivation of medicinal plants, fruit trees, and vegetables for sale to local communities, as well as capacitating local communities to support sustainable use and community-owned Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Nursery Construction: Building the nursery infrastructure as per specifications, including:
• Frame construction with treated pine poles and galvanized supports.
• Installation of UV-stabilised polyethylene plastic sheeting and insect netting for ventilation.
• Double swing doors with UV plastic covering.
• Shade cloth installation (40-50% for general nursery, 50-60% for medicinal plants).
• Flooring with raised beds filled with organic soil or seedling trays on benches.
• Additional Structures: Structures with specified dimensions, materials, and shading for medicinal plants and other crops.
• Community Engagement: Capacitation of local communities to support nursery operations and sustainable practices.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications for construction include:

• Use of treated pine poles (CCA treated, SABS approved) and galvanised tubing.
• Plastic sheeting: UV-stabilised polyethylene (150-200 microns), preferably EVA type, with a minimum 3-year warranty.
• Ventilation: Roll-up side vents with insect netting (40% shade, 0.6–0.8 mm mesh).
• Doors: Double swing, wooden frame covered with UV plastic.
• Shade cloth: 40–50% green knitted HDPE for general nursery; 50–60% black knitted HDPE for medicinal plants.
• Flooring: Raised beds (20–30 cm high) with organic soil or seedling trays on benches.
• Anchoring: Poles set 600 mm in concrete or compacted soil.

Skills Requirements

The service provider must demonstrate:

• Experience in constructing similar nursery infrastructure, supported by reference letters.
• Technical expertise in nursery design, construction, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Capacity to capacitate and engage local communities effectively.
• Compliance with environmental and safety standards during construction and operation.
• Knowledge of medicinal plant cultivation and community enterprise development.