Provision of Invasive Weed Management Services for Reserved Areas Managed by Parks Victoria as part of the Melbourne Strategic Assessment, Western Melbourne

Introduction

Parks Victoria (PV) is a statutory authority created by the Parks Victoria Act 2018 and reporting to the Minister for Environment. PV is responsible for managing an expanding and diverse estate covering more than 4 million hectares (or about 18 per cent) of Victoria.

PV is committed to delivering works on the ground across Victoria’s park network to protect and enhance park values. It is our primary responsibility to ensure parks are healthy and resilient for current and future generations. For more detail on our strategy and direction, please read the current Corporate Plan and Business Plan on the publications section of PV’s web site https://parkweb.vic.gov.au.

Project Background

PV currently manages approximately 1,601 hectares of land assigned through the Melbourne Strategic Assessment (MSA) Program. Adaptive land management under the MSA program aims to conserve and improve the ecological values and prevent degradation of native vegetation and habitat for threatened species within the Western Grassland Reserve, Grassy Eucalypt Woodland Protected Area, and nature conservation reserve Conservation Areas of the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy.

This commitment is linked to the expansion of Melbourne’s Urban Growth Boundary and is a mitigation measure required under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) as well as the MSA (Environment Mitigation Levy) Act 2020.

Natural grasslands are some of the most important areas for conservation in Australia. The grasslands of Victoria’s volcanic plain once extended from Melbourne almost to South Australia. Intact examples are very rare, and many grassland species are threatened.

Invasive Weed Management Services may include the physical removal or modification of vegetation resulting in the management or elimination of identified invasive species within the allocated properties. Methods to achieve this management may include, but are not limited to herbicide application, physical removal, slashing or mulching. All management activities undertaken must be sensitive to native flora and fauna, cultural heritage and exclusion areas identified by PV.

PV is seeking to engage a single or multiple suitably qualified and experienced Supplier/s for the provision of specialist Invasive Weed Management Services in Western Melbourne, that will assist PV in meeting the requirements set out under the MSA program and comply with the requirements of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

The Supplier/s will be engaged via a closed panel arrangement for a three (3)-year fixed term with two (2) one (1)-year options to extend, in total up to five (5) years, subject to additional funding. PV is open to consider joint venture arrangements / submissions from suppliers.

Timeline and Key Dates

The table below sets out a timetable of the key milestones for the Tender Process. The timetable is indicative only and may be subject to change as advised by the Tender Contact Person.

The procurement activity will be a single stage Open Tender process with a Request for Tender period of six (6) weeks.

Site Visit / Briefings

Sites listed as Crown Land in the Request for Tender where Invasive Weed Management Services are to occur are reserved as Nature Conservation Reserves and have limited access. If interested, Tenderers can make their own arrangements to visit any site and familiarize themselves with the area from public roads prior to submitting their response. Areas indicated as private land in the Request for Tender where invasive weed management services are to occur are not to be entered under any circumstances.

An Industry Briefing was held online on Microsoft Teams on 9 August 2023. If you were unable to attend or would like to watch the briefing again, the Power Point Slides and a recording of the session is available in the 'Specification Documents' section of this tender page.

Certification Requirements

Suppliers will be requested to provide all necessary certifications, insurances and any other regulatory licences and certification required by law for conducting pest control services within Australia.

Management Systems

Suppliers will be requested to provide any evidence of management systems they use for Environmental, Occupational Health & Safety and/or Quality Assurance management.

Applicable Governmental Policies

Victorian Social Procurement Framework
The Victorian Social Procurement Framework applies to this tender. Tenderers will be requested to detail how they will work to deliver practices that support social and sustainable procurement objectives.

For more information, please refer to the Victorian Government website: https://www.buyingfor.vic.gov.au/social-procurement-victorian-government-approach.

Local Jobs First Policy
The Local Jobs First (LFJ) Policy does not apply to this tender, unless an individual Request for Quote (RFQ) process via Vendor Panel meets or exceeds the metropolitan threshold of $3 million, during the panel term, as indicated on a Purchase Order Contract on a specific Purchase Order.

No action will be required for LJF by the supplier in response to the Request for Tender, including no requirement to submit a Local Industry Development Plan during the tender phase.

During the life of the panel, if an individual RFQ meets or exceeds $3 million, the supplier is required to meet the ‘Special Conditions (Request) – Local Jobs First (including VIPP) Standard Projects’ as noted in the Request for Tender. PV will request that the supplier submits a Local Industry Development Plan (LIDP) to the Industry Capability Network (ICN) for approval. If approved by ICN, ICN will provide an Acknowledgement Letter to the supplier. The supplier will be asked to attach their approved LIDP and ICN Acknowledgement Letter to their RFQ response. LJF reporting will apply for the works.

Please note that the Major Projects Skills Guarantee (MPSG) does not apply to this project. Invasive Weed Management Services in Western Melbourne is considered a standard project under this policy, with panel arrangement conditions.

For general information, please refer to the Local Jobs First website: https://localjobsfirst.vic.gov.au/.

Fair Jobs Code
The Fair Jobs Code (FJC) applies to this tender. All Tenderers submitting Tenders for threshold procurement contracts must hold a valid Pre-Assessment Certificate issued by the FJC Unit in accordance with the FJC and the FJC Guidelines. A copy of the Tenderer’s Pre-Assessment Certificate Number must be included in their Tender.

For more information and assistance, please refer to the Buying for Victoria website: www.buyingfor.vic.gov.au/fair-jobs-code-guidelines-suppliers-and-businesses