Request for information: difficult-terrain forestry clearfell operations – mpumalanga tender

Enquiries:

• Contact: Lungile Moeketsi
• Email: [email protected]
• All questions and requests for information must be submitted to Lungile Moeketsi by 02 November 2026 at 16:00.

Submission:

• Email: [email protected]

Submission method: email only, in PDF format, to [email protected].

• Responses must be properly indexed, legible, complete and openable without difficulty.
• All correspondence and documentation must be in English.
• Responses must reach SAFCOL by 12:00 on 06 November 2026; late submissions may be disregarded at SAFCOL's discretion.
• Responses must include an executive summary and the scope of information requested.
• Complete Annexure A (Service Provider Response Form) with company details, solution descriptions, technical specifications, pricing, experience and references.
• Mark any confidential, proprietary or commercially sensitive information clearly and state the basis for classification.
• SAFCOL may request additional information or clarification after submission.

This is a Request for Information, not a formal tender. No evaluation, pre-qualification, preference points or supplier status is conferred by responding.

• Responses will be used for market research, planning and development of future procurement strategies.
• SAFCOL may contact respondents for clarification but this does not constitute an award or commitment.
• No minimum qualifying score or scoring split applies.

SAFCOL seeks information on technologies, equipment, services, methodologies and supplier capabilities for timber harvesting and extraction in difficult terrain clearfell operations.

• Difficult terrain primarily refers to slopes of 40% and above, with a smaller proportion on slopes between 30% and 40%.
• Existing systems: cut-to-length mechanised clearfell, motor-manual ground-based grapple and cable skidder, and outsourced excavator-based shovel yarder, skyline and cable yarding.
• Information requested includes:
• Market analysis: identification of established and emerging difficult terrain service providers in South Africa.
• Equipment and technologies: shovel and grapple yarders, shovel loggers, cable yarding systems (high lead and skyline), winch-assisted harvesting, tethered machines, ground-based extraction systems, and any other solutions.
• Industry benchmarking: productivity (m3/hour, m3/day, m3 per shift) and operating costs (R/m3).
• Commercial and compliance review: proposed pricing for various systems, availability of leasing/rental equipment.
• Performance: productivity metrics and safety management programme.
• Pricing information: indicative R/m3 for difficult terrain systems and R/machine hour for rental equipment.
• Respondents must describe their solution, differentiators, experience and recommended implementation methodology.
• Annexure A requires technical specifications including make, model, carrier, minimum excavator operating weight, engine power, slope capability, extraction distance, payload capacity, line pull, reach, winches, anchoring requirements, attachments, uphill/downhill capability, and production output.
• Respondents must indicate geographical preference (KZN, Amsterdam, Nelspruit, Sudwala, Sabie/Graskop, Limpopo) and contract preference (3-5 year contract or 5-year panel).

Respondents must describe their recommended implementation methodology.

• Questions include: describe your solution, what differentiates your offering, what experience do you have, what implementation methodology do you recommend.
• Annexure A also asks for the implementation methodology recommendation.

Respondents must provide:

• Company profile.
• Number of difficult terrain clearfell projects completed in the last 15 years.
• Similar projects currently in progress.
• Client references for difficult terrain clearfell operations delivered not older than 15 years, including company name, contract period and contact name.
• Lessons learned from previous projects.
• Indicate whether they have supplied local difficult terrain extraction clearfell solutions.

No specific quality management standards or certifications are required for this RFI. Respondents must provide information on safety performance and a safety management programme as part of the performance section.

Provide indicative pricing for proposed difficult terrain systems:

• System harvesting rate (R/m3).
• Daily production (m3/day).
• Annual volume requirement (m3/year) to justify system selection.
• Rental rates (R/machine hour) for ground-based cable or grapple skidder equipment, excluding diesel.
• Pricing is for planning purposes only.

Pricing information is indicative only and for planning purposes.

• Provide R/m3 rates for proposed difficult terrain systems.
• Provide rental rates (R/machine hour) for difficult terrain extraction equipment, excluding diesel.
• Provide expected system rates, daily production (m3/day) and annual volume requirements to justify system selection.
• No bid security, guarantees, retention or payment terms are specified.

Annexure A requires:

• Company registration number, VAT or tax number, CSD supplier number.
• B-BBEE status level and ownership percentages (black, black women, black youth, persons with disabilities) with supporting documentation (valid B-BBEE certificate, sworn affidavit, CIPC documentation).
• Local content / South African ownership percentage with supporting documentation.
• This information is for market research only and does not confer preference points or supplier status.
• No CIDB grading, tax clearance or professional registration requirements are stated.

Respondents must supply a safety management programme as part of performance information.

• Safety performance is a requested metric.
• No specific OHS standards or certifications are stated.

SAFCOL's strategic objectives include responsible forest management and improved environmental performance.

• The RFI seeks solutions that align with these objectives.
• No specific environmental requirements or certifications are stated.

Participation is voluntary and at the respondent's own cost and risk.

• Submission does not create any obligation on SAFCOL to procure goods or services.
• No preferred supplier, approved supplier or pre-qualification status is conferred.
• SAFCOL may amend, clarify, suspend or withdraw the RFI at any time without liability.
• SAFCOL may use submitted information for future procurement planning and development.
• Confidentiality: SAFCOL will handle submissions in accordance with applicable legislation; confidentiality is not guaranteed where disclosure is required by law.