Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified service provider to conduct a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for proposed coastal infrastructure upgrades across four municipalities beaches (Mbotyi, Port Grosvenor, Msikaba, and Mkambati). The initiative seeks to enable safe, sustainable public access and tourism development while strictly preserving ecological integrity, biodiversity, and cultural heritage within a globally recognised conservation hotspot.

Scope of Work

The appointed practitioner will manage the complete EIA lifecycle over an estimated seven-month period, divided into four phases:

• Phase 1: Project initiation, inception reporting, and stakeholder engagement planning.
• Phase 2: Baseline ecological and social studies, specialist scoping, and legislative compliance reviews.
• Phase 3: Full environmental assessment and public participation, including drafting and finalising the Basic Assessment Report (BAR) or Scoping and Environmental Impact Report (S&EIR), and the Environmental Management Programme (EMPr).
• Phase 4: Final submission of the EIA application to the competent authority and facilitation of environmental authorisations.

Infrastructure works include gravel road surfacing, stormwater drainage systems, designated parking areas, ablution facilities, boat launch sites, and recreational amenities. The contractor must also identify and assist with ancillary permit applications, including water use, atmospheric emissions, waste management, forestry, and heritage approvals.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must demonstrate strict compliance with national environmental legislation, including the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), the EIA Regulations of 2014 (as amended), the National Water Act, Air Quality Act, and Waste Act. All deliverables must align with municipal supply chain management policies and standard bidding documentation. The evaluation employs an 80/20 preference point system, where 80 points are allocated to price competitiveness and 20 points to designated socio-economic transformation goals. Tenders remain legally binding for 90 days post-closing. Mandatory administrative submissions include current tax clearance certificates, Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, declarations of interest, independent bid determination, and proof of past supply chain compliance. Joint ventures or consortia must provide certified partnership agreements and separate tax clearances for all participating entities.

Skills and Experience Requirements

• Academic Qualifications: A degree or diploma in Environmental Science, Environmental Management, Natural Sciences, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field is mandatory.
• Professional Registration: The lead Project Leader must hold active registration as an Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) with the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of South Africa (EAPASA) and be registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP).
• Proven Experience: A minimum of three completed EIAs of comparable scale and complexity for public sector clients within the preceding six years. Valid appointment letters and verifiable reference letters are required.
• Technical Capacity: Demonstrated ability to manage both Basic Assessment and Scoping & EIR processes, produce high-quality specialist reports, and navigate complex regulatory and multi-stakeholder environments.
• Methodology Submission: A detailed approach outlining project implementation, legislative compliance, public participation strategy, quality assurance, risk management, and authorisation acquisition timelines must be provided. Bidders must achieve a minimum functionality score of 70 out of 100 points to qualify for price evaluation.

Note on key terms: BAR refers to a streamlined EIA process for developments with moderate environmental impact; EMPr is a binding operational plan detailing mitigation and monitoring measures during construction and operation; DEDEAT is the provincial department responsible for granting final environmental authorisation; CSD is the national government procurement registry used for supplier verification.