Development and commercialisation of beauveria bassiana fungal biopesticide for two-spotted stink bug control in macadamia

Closing: 10 November 2026 at 11:00

Briefing session: 27 October 2026 at 09:00 — compulsory, online via Microsoft Teams

• Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3944081211836495?p=690sLwa71OudXyfkXn
• Meeting ID: 394 408 121 183 649 5
• Passcode: Lf37Hq3o

Date of issue: 07 October 2026

SCM enquiries

• Name: Ms. Refiloe Mofokeng
• Role: SCM
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 081 211 8364

Technical enquiries

• Name: Dr. Mieke Daneel
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries

• Name: Ms. Maritha Schoeman
• Email: [email protected]

Submission address

• Email: [email protected]

Submission method: email only

Submission address: [email protected]

Closing date and time: 10 November 2026 at 11:00

Returnable forms and documents:

• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment and related-party connections; false disclosure disqualifies.
• SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies independent pricing with no collusion.
• Expression of Interest form (attached at end of document): must be completed for commercialisation process.
• Valid SARS Tax PIN.
• Current CSD report.
• Company registration documents from CIPC.
• List of formulated biological control products produced by the company.
• All standard bidding documents: must be completed and signed.

Disqualification risks:

• Listed on Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers.
• Failure to disclose all CSD-registered active companies linked to directors.
• Failure to meet mandatory requirements.
• Failure to achieve minimum 48/80 (60%) for functionality.
• Failure to achieve minimum 12/20 (60%) for presentation.
• Collusive bidding, price disclosure to competitors, or false declarations.
• Unsigned or omitted returnable forms.
• Submissions after closing time.

Evaluation stages and scoring:

Stage 1: Administrative requirements

• Valid SARS Tax PIN.
• Current CSD report.
• Completion and signature of all standard bidding documents.

Stage 2: Mandatory requirements

• CIPC company registration documents.
• International companies: CIPC registration and compliance with South African laws.
• List of formulated biological control products produced.
• Completed Expression of Interest form.

Failure at this stage results in disqualification; no progression to functionality or presentation.

Stage 3: Functionality and Presentation (total 80 points)

Functionality criteria (60 points total, minimum 48 to pass):

1. Track record / Experience: 25 points

• Own products developed: list with performance records and proof of registration.
• Products developed for clients: reference letters on client letterhead with contact details, service description, signed by delegated official.
• Scoring: 0 references/products = 0; 1 = 1; 2 = 2; 3 = 3; 4 = 4; 5+ = 5 points.

2. Capacity and capability: 30 points

2.1 Project Leader/Manager experience: 15 points

• 0 years = 0; 1-2 = 1; 3-4 = 2; 5-6 = 3; 7-8 = 4; 9+ = 5 points.

2.2 Project Leader/Manager qualifications: 5 points

• None = 0; below National Diploma = 1; National Diploma (NQF 6) = 2; Bachelor's/Advanced Diploma (NQF 7) = 3; Honours/Post-graduate (NQF 8) = 4; Post-graduate (NQF 9+) = 5.

2.3 Project Team experience (2 members excluding leader): 10 points

• Roles required: microbiologist, laboratory technician, plant pathologist, production manager, or similar.
• Per member: <1 year = 0; 1 year = 1; 2-3 = 2; 4-5 = 3; 6-9 = 4; 10-12 = 5 points.

3. Project Execution Plan: 25 points

• Must include flowchart/Gantt chart covering mass production, formulation, registration trials, dossier submission, commercialisation timelines.
• Scoring: insufficient = 1; some milestones = 2; all milestones but lacking detail/realism = 3; all in detail but some unrealistic = 4; all in great detail with realistic timelines and value-adding = 5.

Presentation: 20 points (minimum 12 to pass)

• Must address: project proposal summary; case study of mass-reared commercially available EPF; risk list with mitigation; competitive edge strategy.
• Scoring: none addressed = 1; 2 points = 2; 3 points = 3; all 4 = 4; all 4 plus more = 5.

Failure to achieve 48/60 functionality: disqualified, no presentation invited.

Failure to achieve 12/20 presentation: disqualified, no progression to price and B-BBEE.

Preference points system: B-BBEE phase follows successful functionality and presentation; specific weighting not stated in document.

Scope: Formulate, manufacture, test and commercialise a fungal product for biological control of the two-spotted stink bug (Bathycoelia distincta) in macadamia orchards.

Background:

• The two-spotted stink bug is the most abundant stink bug pest in South African macadamia orchards.
• Current control relies mainly on insecticides, creating resistance risk and health/environmental concerns.
• Beauveria bassiana isolate PPRI 26695 showed efficacy in laboratory and semi-field trials.
• A commercially formulated product is required for large-scale field trials and eventual registration.

Required deliverables:

• Timeline with milestones for mass production and formulation of product.
• Timeline with milestones for product registration under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seed and Remedies Act, including registration trials and dossier submission.
• Product registration responsibility: service provider acts as dossier owner on behalf of ARC; ARC retains ownership of proprietary material.
• Oral presentation to Bid Specification Committee covering: project proposal summary; case study of commercially available EPF; risks and mitigation; competitive edge strategy.

Testing requirements:

• Large-scale testing across different climatic conditions over two seasons.

Commercialisation requirements:

• Must be prepared to enter Evaluation Agreement and/or License Agreement with ARC.
• Royalty percentage to be negotiated above 3%.
• Security controls required to restrict access to product under evaluation.
• ARC may conduct site visits to shortlisted companies for suitability assessment.
• International commercialisation requires proven international footprint.

Supporting documents required:

• Company profile with product registration details.
• Details of current activities.
• Technical capabilities and resources for multiplication, evaluation and commercialisation.
• Audited financial statements for past 3 years or proof of financial capacity.
• Preliminary proposal on commercialisation assistance.
• Corporate structure diagram with country of registration and shareholding percentages.
• 5-year financial revenue projections with low/medium/high scenarios.
• Targeted countries of operations list.
• Marketing strategy description.
• Distribution agreements or letters with distributors/dealers/sales representatives.
• IP protection plan (local and international).
• Schedule of pending litigation and threatened litigation.
• Sub-contractor list.
• SWOT analysis.
• B-BBEE grower selection arrangements.
• Plan to protect South African growers in international markets.
• Agent details per production area.
• Royalty model description.

Project execution requirements:

• Detailed proposal required on taking fungal isolate to commercial product.
• Must include flowchart, Gantt chart or detailed proposal.
• Must cover: mass production, formulation, registration trials, registration dossier submission, commercialisation process timelines.

Scoring for methodology:

• Insufficient information: 1 point.
• Some milestones but lacking detail or realism: 2 points.
• All milestones but lacking detail or realism: 3 points.
• All in detail but some unrealistic: 4 points.
• All in great detail with realistic timelines and value-adding: 5 points.

Presentation methodology:

• Must demonstrate capacity to upscale production via case study of commercially available EPF.

Company track record:

• Proven track record of scope-related work required.
• International commercialisation requires proven international footprint.
• List of formulated biological control products produced required.

Key personnel:

• Project Leader/Manager: detailed CV with similar assignment experience; qualifications in Management, Production, Scientific career or relevant to commercial production plant operation.
• Two project team members required: detailed CVs with qualifications, role specification, project-relevant experience. Disciplines include microbiologist, laboratory technician, plant pathologist, production manager or similar.

Corporate structure:

• Diagram required showing country of registration, shareholding percentages and experience.

Reference requirements:

• Client reference letters on client letterhead with contact details, service description, signed by delegated official.
• Own products: performance records and registration proof acceptable.

Product development standards:

• Formulated product must be suitable for large-scale field trials and commercial registration.
• Registration under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Seed and Remedies Act required.
• Two-season testing across different climatic conditions required for registration support.

Documentation:

• Project Execution Plan must include detailed flowchart or Gantt chart.
• Milestones must cover mass production, formulation, registration trials, dossier submission and commercialisation.
• Realism and value-addition scored in evaluation.

Royalty-based commercialisation model:

• Royalty percentage to be negotiated above 3%.
• 5-year projected revenue forecasts required with low, medium and high scenarios.
• Projected royalty income forecasts per scenario required.
• Royalty rates per technology to be specified.
• Royalty model description required.

No fixed pricing schedule or bill of quantities; financial terms negotiated post-shortlisting.

Pricing format: Not a fixed-price tender; commercial terms to be negotiated post-shortlisting.

Financial capacity:

• Audited financial statements for past 3 years required, or alternative proof of financial capacity.
• Proof of resources to execute project from formulation through commercialisation.

Royalty structure:

• Negotiable royalty percentage above 3%.
• 5-year revenue projections required with low, medium and high scenarios.
• Projected royalty income forecasts per scenario required.

Cost assumption:

• Bidders bear all costs of proposal preparation and EOI participation; ARC accepts no liability for these costs.

Bonds/guarantees: Not specified.

Retention: Not specified.

Payment terms: Not specified.

Administrative compliance:

• Valid SARS Tax PIN.
• Current CSD report.
• CIPC company registration documents (international companies must also register with CIPC and comply with South African laws).

B-bbee:

• Minimum Level 6 stated in extracted data.
• B-BBEE status to be claimed; specific evidence requirements not detailed beyond standard practice.

Professional registrations: Not specified.

CIDB: Not applicable (non-construction).

Local content: Not specified.

Other mandatory conditions:

• Proven track record of scope-related work.
• Security controls to restrict access to product under evaluation.
• Confidentiality agreement to be signed by appointed service provider.
• Familiarity with Intellectual Property Rights from Publicly Financed Research and Development Act, 2008 required.
• Contract to be negotiated within one month of feedback letter.

Disqualification grounds:

• Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers listing.
• Failure to disclose all CSD-registered active companies linked to directors.
• False declarations in SBD 4 or SBD 9.
• Collusive bidding or price disclosure.

Security controls:

• Company must have security controls to restrict individual access to product under evaluation.

Confidentiality:

• Appointed service provider must sign confidentiality agreement.
• All information obtained during assessment must remain confidential.

No specific occupational health and safety requirements stated beyond product security and confidentiality.

Environmental rationale:

• Chemical control of two-spotted stink bug poses health and environmental risks.
• Entomopathogenic fungi are naturally occurring, environmentally friendly alternatives.
• Beauveria bassiana reduces negative effects of chemical insecticides.

Sustainability:

• Product must support reduced insecticide use in macadamia orchards.
• Resistance management benefit through biological control.

No specific environmental impact assessment or sustainability certification requirements stated.

Intellectual property:

• ARC owns proprietary material; service provider owns registration dossier.
• Evaluation Agreement and/or License Agreement required.
• Royalty percentage above 3% to be negotiated.
• Confidentiality agreement mandatory for appointed provider.

Termination:

• ARC may terminate for contravention of stipulations.
• If parties fail to agree terms within mutually agreed period after provisional appointment, ARC may appoint or not appoint.

Liability disclaimer:

• ARC disclaims accuracy or completeness warranties.
• No liability for claims arising from misinterpretation.
• EOI is not an offer; submission does not create contract.
• Bidder deemed to accept all terms and conditions by submission.

Governance:

• Procurement follows ARC SCM Policy and Procedures.
• Committees: Institutes Bid Adjudication Committees, Corporate Tender Committee, ARC Council.

Three-stage evaluation with functionality and presentation thresholds.

Administrative stage: SARS Tax PIN, CSD report, signed standard bidding documents.

Mandatory stage: CIPC registration, international companies require CIPC and SA law compliance, list of formulated biological control products, completed EOI form. Failure disqualifies.

Functionality (60 points, minimum 48):

• Track record/Experience (25): own products with performance records/registration, or client reference letters on letterhead with contact details and signed by delegated official. 0-5 points scaled.
• Project Leader experience (15): 0 years=0, 1-2=1, 3-4=2, 5-6=3, 7-8=4, 9+=5.
• Project Leader qualifications (5): none=0, below ND=1, ND NQF6=2, Bachelor's NQF7=3, Honours NQF8=4, Post-grad NQF9+=5.
• Project Team experience (10): two members excluding leader, roles from microbiologist, lab technician, plant pathologist, production manager etc. <1yr=0, 1yr=1, 2-3=2, 4-5=3, 6-9=4, 10-12=5 per member.
• Project Execution Plan (25): mass production, formulation, registration trials, dossier submission, commercialisation timelines with flowchart/Gantt chart. 1-5 points based on detail and realism.

Presentation (20 points, minimum 12):

• Must cover: project summary; commercially available EPF case study with upscaling demonstration; risks and mitigation; competitive edge strategy.
• 1-5 points based on points addressed and depth.

Failure at any threshold disqualifies from subsequent stages.