Re-advertisement - Request for Expression of Interest for Forage Cultivar Commercialisation EOI number: ARC/01/04/2024/2 This Request for Expression of Interest is issued by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to invite interested parties to participate in the commercialisation of forage cultivars developed by the ARC. The ARC seeks to identify interested organisations/individuals, with relevant capabilities, to participate in this programme. The ARC reserves the right to appoint, or not appoint, any service provider/s through this Request for Expression of Interest. Date of issue 10 July 2024 Date for briefing session (Non-Compulsory) 18 July 2024 @11H00 am Closing date and time 2 August 2024 @ 11H00 am EOI Number ARC/01/04/2024/2 Submissions to be emailed to: Mlindin@arc.agric.za Non-Compulsory briefing session In person at ARC Cedara research farm Cedara College Cedara Road Hilton Kwazulu Natal Contact person: Mr L. Sere @ 060 536 5622 Hybrid: MS Teams (2 August 2024 @11H00 am) – a Teams link will be provided upon request: Please send an email to request the link. Enquiries SCM Ms N Mlindi Mlindin@arc.agric.za Contact no: 060 536 5622 Technical Enquiries Mr. Lesedi Sere SereL@arc.agric.za Contact no: 079 566 2658 And Dr. Cynthia Motsi MotsiC@arc.agric.za Contact No: 072 263 1748 Introduction The ARC, as one of the leading scientific organisations in agricultural research and development, has a mandate to support the agricultural sector through the development of improved, sustainable technologies for all stakeholders to secure livelihoods. The ARC has a well-established forage breeding programme with the goal to producing new, superior cultivars with improved characteristics. Following years of selections and evaluation, this programme has yielded a variety of promising lines. It is envisaged that these promising selections will address gaps in the market and expand the range of cultivars available to livestock and/or dairy farmers. Background With the global challenges of climate change coupled with the continuous need for improved means to feed a growing human population, there is a need for improved pasture varieties which can greatly improve livestock production while using less resources. The ARCs forage breeding division has a specific mandate to improve the quality and production potential of different pasture species and at the same time develop improved genetic resources that are able to withstand the current and future changes in bioclimatic conditions. Therefore, this request for an Expression of Interest (EoI) is to identify potential partners to participate in commercialisation of the forage cultivars developed at the ARC. VETTING CRITERIA FOR SEED COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMMERCIALISATION OF FORAGE CULTIVARS 1) Producers (farmers) must be prepared to enter into a valid License Agreement with the ARC. A response to this request is considered as an expressed acknowledgement of their willingness to be part of the commercialisation of the ARC cultivars. 2) Arable land should be made available for seed multiplication with the ARC’s support. 3) The Seed Companies must have an appropriate level of background knowledge that allows them to do seed multiplication and or commercialisation of the forage cultivars. 4) Prior experience with cultivation of forage will be an advantage. The provision of/ability to maintain farm records for general farm operations is a requirement. 5) The following information is required for the proposed site (assistance can be provided by the ARC to obtain this information): a. Seed multiplication i. SANSOR Seed Certification 6) Commercialisation of cultivars a. SANSOR Seed Certification 7) The Seed Companies must have control over the plot (proof of ownership, lease agreement, permission to occupy, etc.). The plot must be secure (farm must be fully fenced) with all necessary security controls in place in order to restrict access of individuals to protect the trial. 8) Should the Seed Company contravene any of the stipulations, the ARC has the right to terminate the partnership. Submission specifications The proposal from interested parties should not exceed 10 pages and, the attached EOI must also be completed, supporting documents should be attached as appendices. The following should be included (but not limited to) in the proposal: • Organisation/farmer/farmer co-operative profile, including land ownership • Details of the current farming activities • Evidence of experience in the cultivation of forage, where applicable • Information on technical capabilities and available resources as detailed above to enable successful cultivation of forage Costs of submission Parties submitting an Expression of Interest assume all risks for resource commitment and expenses, direct or indirect, of proposal preparation and participation throughout the EoI process. The ARC is not responsible directly or indirectly for any costs incurred by the parties. Site visits The ARC may decide/request to visit the shortlisted producers to further conduct suitability assessments. Arrangements for the visits will be co-ordinated well in advance. Process for shortlisted applicant/s • The shortlisted applicant/s will proceed to the application phase where further assessments will be completed. • The successful applicant will be subject to the parties agreeing to mutually acceptable terms and conditions. In the event of the parties failing to reach such agreement within a mutually agreed date after the provisional appointment date, the ARC reserves the right to appoint or not appoint. Disclaimers The request for Expression of Interest by the ARC, is advertised in good faith. However, the ARC, its agents, employees and collaborators/partners do not warrant its accuracy or completeness. To the extent that the law permits, the ARC will not be liable for any claim whatsoever and howsoever arising (including, without limitation, any claim in contract, negligence or otherwise) from any incorrect or misleading information contained in this request due to any misinterpretation. This request is not an offer document; answers to it must not be construed as acceptance of an offer or imply the existence of a contract between the parties. By submission of its information, organisations shall be deemed to have satisfied themselves with and to have accepted all Terms and Conditions of this request. The ARC makes no representation, warranty, assurance, guarantee or endorsements to any party concerning the request, whether regarding its accuracy, completeness or otherwise and the ARC shall have no liability towards any party in connection therewith. ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS The following documents need to accompany the proposal: • A valid Tax PIN Number from SARS • Current Central Supplier Database (CSD) Report • Completed and Signed Standard Bidding Documents (SBD forms) • Complete the attached Expression of Interest form. NB: Seed Company will be assisted with CSD registration and filling in of documents SBD 4 BIDDER’S DISCLOSURE 1. PURPOSE OF THE FORM Any person (natural or juristic) may make an offer or offers in terms of this invitation to bid. In line with the principles of transparency, accountability, impartiality, and ethics as enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and further expressed in various pieces of legislation, it is required for the bidder to make this declaration in respect of the details required hereunder. Where a person/s are listed in the Register for Tender Defaulters and / or the List of Restricted Suppliers, that person will automatically be disqualified from the bid process. 2. Bidder’s declaration 2.1 Is the bidder, or any of its directors / trustees / shareholders / members / partners or any person having a controlling interest1 1 the power, by one person or a group of persons holding the majority of the equity of an enterprise, alternatively, the person/s having the deciding vote or power to influence or to direct the course and decisions of the enterprise. in the enterprise, employed by the state? YES/NO 2.1.1 If so, furnish particulars of the names, individual identity numbers, and, if applicable, state employee numbers of sole proprietor/ directors / trustees / shareholders / members/ partners or any person having a controlling interest in the enterprise, in table below. Full Name Identity Number Name of State institution 2.3.1 If so, furnish particulars: 2.2 Do you, or any person connected with the bidder, have a relationship with any person who is employed by the procuring institution? YES/NO 2.2.1 If so, furnish particulars: …………………………………………………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………… 2.3 Does the bidder or any of its directors / trustees / shareholders / members / partners or any person having a controlling interest in the enterprise have any interest in any other related enterprise whether or not they are bidding for this contract? YES/NO ……………………………………………………………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………. 3 DECLARATION I, the undersigned, (name)……………………………………………………………………. in submitting the accompanying bid, do hereby make the following statements that I certify to be true and complete in every respect: 3.1 I have read and I understand the contents of this disclosure; 3.2 I understand that the accompanying bid will be disqualified if this disclosure is found not to be true and complete in every respect; 3.3 The bidder has arrived at the accompanying bid independently from, and without consultation, communication, agreement or arrangement with any competitor. However, communication between partners in a joint venture or consortium2 2 Joint venture or Consortium means an association of persons for the purpose of combining their expertise, property, capital, efforts, skill and knowledge in an activity for the execution of a contract. will not be construed as collusive bidding. 3.4 In addition, there have been no consultations, communications, agreements or arrangements with any competitor regarding the quality, quantity, specifications, prices, including methods, factors or formulas used to calculate prices, market allocation, the intention or decision to submit or not to submit the bid, bidding with the intention not to win the bid and conditions or delivery particulars of the products or services to which this bid invitation relates. 3.5 The terms of the accompanying bid have not been, and will not be, disclosed by the bidder, directly or indirectly, to any competitor, prior to the date and time of the official bid opening or of the awarding of the contract. 3.6 There have been no consultations, communications, agreements or arrangements made by the bidder with any official of the procuring institution in relation to this 3.7 I am aware that, in addition and without prejudice to any other remedy provided to combat any restrictive practices related to bids and contracts, bids that are suspicious will be reported to the Competition Commission for investigation and possible imposition of administrative penalties in terms of section 59 of the Competition Act No 89 of 1998 and or may be reported to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal investigation and or may be restricted from conducting business with the public sector for a period not exceeding ten (10) years in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act No 12 of 2004 or any other applicable legislation. procurement process prior to and during the bidding process except to provide clarification on the bid submitted where so required by the institution; and the bidder was not involved in the drafting of the specifications or terms of reference for this bid. I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION FURNISHED IN PARAGRAPHS 1, 2 and 3 ABOVE IS CORRECT. I ACCEPT THAT THE STATE MAY REJECT THE BID OR ACT AGAINST ME IN TERMS OF PARAGRAPH 6 OF PFMA SCM INSTRUCTION 03 OF 2021/22 ON PREVENTING AND COMBATING ABUSE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SHOULD THIS DECLARATION PROVE TO BE FALSE. ……………………………… ..…………………………………………… Signature Date ……………………………… ……………………………………………… Position Name of bidder