National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy Review NEW

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is seeking a professional service provider to conduct a full review of the National Protected Areas Expansion Strategy (NPAES) 2018–2025 and to develop an updated NPAES. The revised strategy must align with Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the 30x30 target), which calls for effective conservation of at least 30% of terrestrial, inland water, marine and coastal areas by 2030, and with South Africa's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The geographic scope covers mainland South Africa and its sub-Antarctic territories across all environmental realms. The assignment runs for seven months from the signing of the Service Level Agreement and issuance of a purchase order. Key scope areas include a five-year implementation review using the Protected and Conservation Areas database and the National Biodiversity Assessment 2025, gap analysis of species and ecosystem representation, recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and recommendations for simplifying protected area declaration processes. The service provider must also develop a detailed implementation plan, a financing mechanism framework covering sources such as BIOFIN and green bonds, and a spatial dataset in shapefile format using the Albers Equal Area projection, with SANS 1878-1:2005 compliant metadata.

The deliverables comprise ten outputs, including an inception report, stocktaking and gap analysis, two national physical consultation workshop reports, a draft and final NPAES 2026 with editing and design, and a close-out report. Consultation must involve the environmental, tourism, energy, petroleum and mining, agricultural and fisheries sectors, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and the South African Local Government Association. Payment is linked to milestones across the seven months. Mandatory requirements include a project team leader or expert registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and a team member registered with the South African Geomatics Council as a Professional GISc Practitioner, both supported by letters of good standing. Functionality scoring favours a team leader with an NQF 9 qualification in a relevant natural science field and at least 12 years of protected area planning experience, a financial expert with relevant qualifications and track record, and at least four successfully completed national or provincial biodiversity or protected area strategy projects supported by reference letters. Bidders must score at least 65% on functionality to proceed to price evaluation.

The tender is evaluated on an 80/20 price and preference points system, with preference points available for ownership by Black people, women or people with disabilities. Bidders must provide a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, CSD registration, SARS tax compliance, a signed SBD forms set, a pricing schedule and a Consent and Indemnity Form. Offers must be firm, inclusive of all costs and VAT, and remain valid for 120 days from the closing date. For successful bidders, the assignment offers a high-profile opportunity to shape the national conservation agenda, to contribute to South Africa's international biodiversity commitments, and to build a credible track record in national-level policy and spatial conservation planning.