National Chemicals Profile Development Services

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is seeking a professional service provider for a 24-month assignment to develop an updated National Chemicals Profile for South Africa. The existing profile was developed in 2005. South Africa's obligations under multilateral environmental agreements, including the Stockholm, Basel, Rotterdam and Minamata Conventions, the Montreal Protocol and the Global Framework on Chemicals, require accurate and consolidated national chemicals data. The updated profile is intended to support evidence-based policy, compliance monitoring, international reporting and targeted interventions for industry, municipalities and civil society.

The scope of work covers six main areas. The first is data acquisition and mapping, which involves identifying and consolidating datasets on industrial chemicals, agrochemicals, persistent organic pollutants, ozone-depleting substances, heavy metals and environmentally persistent pharmaceuticals, including production, trade, use, releases and hazardous waste streams. The second is a regulatory and institutional capacity assessment of policy frameworks and coordination mechanisms. The third is a review of technical infrastructure, including hazardous waste treatment and destruction facilities and the capacity and accreditation of chemical analysis laboratories. The fourth is an environmental and socio-economic impact analysis covering GDP, employment and industrial development across sectors such as agriculture, mining, manufacturing, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. The remaining areas are an overview of chemical risks and an analysis and gap assessment. Deliverables include an inception report, the national chemicals profile and its component reports, a draft profile, and a stakeholder engagement report with evidence of consultations. Monthly progress reports are also required.

The tender is evaluated in phases: pre-compliance, mandatory requirements, functionality (minimum 60% to proceed) and price and preference points, using the 80/20 system. Mandatory requirements include valid registration with SACNASP, HPCSA or SACI for both the project team leader and Key Expert 1. Functionality scoring considers the project plan and methodology, the experience of the team leader and key experts, and reference letters from successfully completed relevant projects. Bidders must hold a valid CSD registration, a tax compliance status PIN, a B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, and the standard bidding forms (SBD 1, 3.3, 4 and 6.1). Consortia and joint ventures are permitted with a signed joint venture agreement. Bids must be delivered to the DFFE bid box in Arcadia, Pretoria, by 11:00 on 16 November 2026, and remain valid for 120 days. The total contract value is not stated in the tender documents; the price must be a ceiling price inclusive of all expenses and VAT.