Development of a local biodiversity strategy and action plan and, a municipal open space strategy for the city of mbombela

• Closing date: 17 July 2026.
• Closing time: 11:00.
• No briefing session will be held.
• Tender validity period: 120 days from the closing date.
• Bid documents available for download from 3 July 2026 on the City of Mbombela website (www.mbombela.gov.za) and the National e-Tender Portal (www.etenders.gov.za).

• Supply Chain Management enquiries: Christopher Nkambule, Telephone: 013 759 2358, Email: [email protected].
• Technical enquiries: Khethiwe Malaza, Telephone: 013 759 9084, Email: [email protected].
• Employer: City Manager, Mr Wiseman Khumalo, City of Mbombela, P.O. Box 45, Mbombela, 1200.
• Submission address: Tender box located at Mbombela Civic Centre, 1 Nel Street, Mbombela, 1200 (next to the main entrance).

• Submit the bid in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the bid number, full project description, and closing date.
• Place the envelope in the tender box at Mbombela Civic Centre, 1 Nel Street, Mbombela.
• Deadline: 17 July 2026 at 11:00. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Do not submit via telegram, fax, or email.
• Use the official tender forms provided; do not retype them.
• Required returnable documents include:
• Valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) Pin or CSD number.
• Certified copy of a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Current municipal rates and taxes statement for the business and all directors (or proof of residence from tribal authority/lease agreement with lessor's rates).
• Full Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration report (not older than 30 days; summary reports not accepted).
• Certified copy of company registration certificate.
• Certified copies of directors' identification documents.
• Comprehensive company profile.
• Ensure all certified copies are original, not older than three months, and certified by a commissioner of oaths.
• Bids will be rejected if municipal accounts are in arrears for more than three months, if documents are forged, or if the bidder is listed on the Register of Bid Defaulters.

Bidders must not be in arrears with municipal rates/taxes for more than 3 months. Directors must not be listed on Register of Bid Defaulters. Must have valid tax compliance. Must meet minimum specialist requirements: Environmental Scientist (Project Lead), Biodiversity Specialist, Climate Change Specialist, Town Planner, GIS Specialist - each with 5+ years experience and professional registration. Foreign suppliers must complete questionnaire.

• Scope: Develop a Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (LBSAP) and a Municipal Open Space Strategy (MOSS) for the City of Mbombela.
• Project duration: 18 months from appointment.
• Key deliverables include:
• Biodiversity baseline assessment covering terrestrial, freshwater, wetland, and ecological systems.
• Spatial mapping and GIS deliverables (maps, shapefiles, geodatabases).
• Conservation planning and biodiversity management recommendations.
• Climate change and ecosystem resilience assessment.
• Ecosystem services and natural capital assessment.
• Socio-economic opportunities and green economy development analysis.
• Institutional, policy, and legislative review.
• Stakeholder engagement and public participation (at least four regional workshops).
• Local Biodiversity Action Plan with implementation framework.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting framework.
• Capacity building and knowledge transfer for municipal officials.
• Open space planning and assessment for MOSS.
• Nature-based solutions and climate resilience integration.
• Land acquisition and property analysis.
• Integration of MOSS with LBSAP and municipal planning.
• Learning exchange session with another municipality.
• Final deliverables include inception report, draft and final LBSAP and MOSS, GIS databases, and presentation of findings.
• Special condition: Bidder must appoint a multidisciplinary team with:
• Environmental Scientist (Project Lead), Biodiversity Specialist, Climate Change Specialist, Town and Regional Planner, GIS Specialist.
• All specialists must be qualified, registered with relevant professional bodies, and have minimum five years' post-qualification experience.
• Submit CVs, certified copies of qualifications, proof of professional registration, and project experience for each specialist.

• Employ an adaptive approach to biodiversity planning to build climate resilience.
• Develop a Biodiversity Management and Implementation Plan with goals, targets, and priority actions.
• Implement short, medium, and long-term programs with defined responsibilities and budgets.
• Create a monitoring and evaluation framework with measurable indicators and reporting mechanisms.
• Conduct capacity-building and knowledge-transfer sessions for municipal officials.
• Facilitate a learning exchange session with another municipality on integrating LBSAP and MOSS into land use management systems.

• Bidder must submit proof of company registration, company profile, and certified copies of directors' IDs.
• Key personnel CVs require certified copies of qualifications and IDs (not older than three months).
• Specialists must have minimum five years' post-qualification experience and be registered with relevant professional bodies.
• Submit project experience demonstrating relevant past work, including appointment and reference letters for biodiversity projects in the last five years.
• Functionality evaluation considers track record, experience, human resources, and financial capabilities.

• Pricing schedule must be completed on the official form (MBD 3.1) with firm prices in ZAR.
• Prices must include all taxes, duties, delivery, and VAT.
• VAT must be shown as a separate lump sum.
• Only firm prices accepted; non-firm prices will not be considered.
• The total bid price must also be reflected on MBD 1 (Form of Offer).

• Prices must be quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) and be firm and fixed for the contract duration.
• All prices must be inclusive of VAT, delivery, and all associated costs.
• VAT must be reflected as a separate lump sum in the tender summary.
• Only firm prices are accepted; non-firm prices (including subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered.
• Bid price must also be reflected on MBD 1 (Form of Offer); failure leads to disqualification.
• The tender offer must be valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• No claims for additional payment for taxes, duties, or levies will be entertained.

• Tax compliance: Submit a valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) Pin or CSD number. Foreign suppliers must complete a questionnaire.
• B-BBEE: Submit a certified copy of a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) to qualify for preference points.
• Central Supplier Database (CSD): Full CSD registration report required, not older than 30 days from closing date; summary reports not accepted.
• Company registration: Certified copy of company registration certificate required.
• Municipal rates and taxes: Submit current statements for the business and all directors (or proof of residence/lease agreements). Accounts must not be in arrears for more than three months.
• Certified copies: All certified documents must be original, not older than three months, and certified by a commissioner of oaths.
• Directors' identification: Certified copies of identity documents for all directors.
• No bids accepted from persons in the service of the state; declaration of interest (MBD 4) must be submitted.
• Bidders listed on the Register of Bid Defaulters will be rejected.

• The project focuses on biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and ecosystem restoration.
• Key environmental aspects include assessing invasive alien species, ecosystem degradation, and climate change impacts.
• Propose nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation measures.
• Integrate open space planning for environmental preservation and climate resilience.

• Contract form (MBD 7) must be signed by the successful bidder.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions apply.
• The City reserves the right to cancel the tender process at any stage.
• Contract duration: 18 months from appointment.
• Penalties for non-performance will be stipulated in the Service Level Agreement (SLA).
• Neither party may cede or assign the contract without prior written consent from the Council.
• Tender validity: 120 days from closing date.

• 80/20 preference point system: 80 points for price, 20 for specific goals.
• Functionality is a pre-qualifying criterion with a minimum threshold of 30 points.
• Scoring criteria include team leader qualifications, experience, and traceable appointment/reference letters for past biodiversity work.
• Points allocated based on qualification level (Masters: 10, Honours: 5, Degree: 2) and experience (above 10 years: 10, 5–10 years: 5).
• Reference and appointment letters must match; mismatches result in no points.