Revision of south africa’s 2012 national forestry sector research & development strategy – professional service provider sought

Email: [email protected]. For technical enquiries, contact the Supply Chain Management (SCM)/tender office via the same email.

Submit the following returnable documents: Master Bid Document (provided and bound), Electronic Copy (USB) identical to the master bid document, SCM - SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid, completed and signed), Valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate (issued by SANAS, Accredited Verification Agency, CIPC, or a Sworn Affidavit commissioned by the Commissioner of Oaths) with CSD report, Tax Compliance and CSD Registration report and/or SARS Tax Pin, SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule aligned to Annexure A, completed), SCM - SBD 4 (Bidders Disclosure, completed and signed), SCM - SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form, completed and signed). For Consortia/Joint Ventures: submit a completed and signed JV agreement and Letter of Authority to sign documents on behalf of the company. Submit all documents in one (01) master original proposal with a table of contents indicating the location of each document. Ensure prices are clearly indicated on SBD 3.3 and Annexure A. Failure to submit required documents or legible/incomplete proposals may result in disqualification.

Evaluation occurs in three phases: Phase 1 (Pre-compliance): Bid documents are reviewed for compliance with SCM returnable documents, tax matters, and CSD registration. Disqualification occurs if non-compliant. Phase 2 (Functionality Criteria): Only pre-compliant bids are evaluated. Minimum 75% score required to proceed. Criteria include: Project Plan, Methodology, and Management (weight: 20) - Must cover Structured Work Breakdown, Objectives, Milestones/Deliverables, Timeframes, Resource Allocation, and Risk Management. Qualification of Project Team Leader in Forestry (weight: 20) - Scored by NQF level (e.g., Masters/NQF 9 = 5, Honours/NQF 8 = 4). Qualification of Team Member in Strategy Development/Management (weight: 15) - Scored by NQF level. Technical Capability/Expertise of Project/Team Leader (weight: 20) - Scored by years of experience (e.g., 10+ years = 5). Technical Capability/Expertise of Team Member (weight: 15) - Scored by years of experience. Company Experience (weight: 10) - Scored by number of successfully completed projects with signed reference letters. Phase 3 (Price and Preference Points): 80/20 preference point system applies. 80 points for price (Ps=80[1-(Pt-Pmin)/Pmin]), 20 points for preference (awarded if >50% ownership by Black people, Women, or people with disabilities). Submit SBD 6.1 and valid B-BBEE certificate to claim preference points. Final award goes to the highest combined score, provided all phases are passed.

Scope: Revise the 2012 National Forestry Sector Research and Development Strategy over six (6) months. Key tasks: Hold an inception meeting and submit an inception report with Gantt chart within two (2) weeks of appointment. Conduct a literature review and develop a discussion document based on the review and current strategy, including historical accounts of forestry R&D. Use the discussion document for consultations with DFFE and key stakeholders. Conduct one national consultative workshop with stakeholders. Consolidate inputs and finalize the revised strategy. Layout and print 5,000 A5 (210x150mm, gloss-coated, 130gsm) hard copies of the strategy. Submit a detailed close-out report. Deliverables and timeframes: Inception report (2 weeks), Discussion document (1 month after inception), National workshop (1 month after first draft), Draft revised strategy (1 month after second draft), Final revised strategy (1 month after second draft), Printed books (1 month after final strategy), Close-out report (2 weeks after printing). The revised strategy must address gaps in the 2012 version, incorporate stakeholder buy-in, and include new themes such as climate change, biotechnology, precision forestry, and forest-based bioeconomy. Priorities and measurable objectives must be identified, preferably via competitive advantage assessments and risk analysis for the next 30 years.

Submit a comprehensive offer inclusive of all costs, expenses, and applicable taxes (VAT). Travelling costs between the service provider’s office and DFFE are not reimbursable. Pricing must align with SBD 3.3 and Annexure A. DFFE reserves the right to negotiate prices with recommended bidders. Bid validity period: 120 days from closing date (extendable via written notice; bidders must respond in writing to extensions). Payment terms: Submit a detailed tax invoice with supporting evidence for completed deliverables. DFFE has 30 calendar days to pay after receipt: 7 days for approval, 23 days for payment processing.

CSD registration and Tax Compliance: Submit CSD report or SARS Tax Pin. B-BBEE: Minimum Level 5 required. Submit valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate (SANAS, Accredited Verification Agency, CIPC) or Sworn Affidavit commissioned by the Commissioner of Oaths. For Joint Ventures/Consortia: Submit consolidated B-BBEE certificate and JV agreement. Foreign qualifications: Must include SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (SCoE) for recognition. Legislative compliance: Must comply with Income Tax Act, VAT Act, POPIA, and PPPFA. VAT registration required if taxable supplies exceed R1 million in 12 months (or voluntary if >R50,000).