Quelea Control: Fuel Explosion Blasting Services

The National Department of Agriculture is inviting bids for the appointment of service provider(s) to supply fuel and execute fuel explosions for the control of Redbilled quelea, a bird species that feeds on and damages small grain crops such as millet, sorghum, wheat and manna. Quelea swarms can number in the millions, and the Department controls them under the Agricultural Pests Act, 1983 (Act No. 36 of 1983), to protect grain production and national food security. The contract covers at least one and up to three blasting contractors, ranked 1 to 3 by evaluation score, and is valid for three years from acceptance. The Department cannot guarantee the number of operations per year, as this depends on the size and timing of outbreaks.

Successful contractors must respond quickly to operational requests. After an on-site evaluation by a Departmental official, the contractor is contacted, usually after hours, and must execute the explosion within 24 hours. The contractor must be on site and ready to set up by 11:00 on the operation day, before the quelea return to their roost. Key responsibilities include purchasing fuel (about 4,500 litres per operation, reimbursed on invoice), arranging transport and blasting permits, collecting explosives from the nearest magazine, setting up charges and detonation cord networks, notifying police and Explosives Inspectors, and declaring the area safe afterward. Contractors must also provide one licensed explosives carrier vehicle and at least one specialised assistant per team, and are liable for damage to man-made structures caused by an explosion. Explosives are reimbursed at actual cost on tax invoice. Standby and delay compensation is capped at fixed daily rates, including R4,000 per day for delays, R2,500 per day for cancellations, R40 per day for stay-over time, and R1,500 per 24 hours for guarding. Payment is normally made within 30 days of receiving an original invoice.

Mandatory requirements are a Certificate of Registration with the Chief Explosives Inspector (SAPS) for blasting Redbilled quelea and a fully completed pricing schedule (SBD 3.3). Pricing covers labour cost per charge, transport cost per kilometre, the base station used for transport calculations, and a percentage administration or interest charge on fuel purchased, all inclusive of VAT. Evaluation is based on the 80/20 preference point system (80 points for price, 20 for specific goals). Bidders must also complete the standard bidding forms (SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 5 and SBD 6.1), register on the Central Supplier Database, and meet tax compliance requirements. There is no compulsory briefing session. Bids close 16 November 2026 at 11:00 at the Department of Agriculture, 20 Steve Biko Road, Arcadia, Pretoria. Note that the document contains some template text referring to blackfly larvae, DALRRD and different phone numbers. Bidders should confirm these details with the contact persons listed before submitting.