1. Introduction

Companies wishing to:

·  be considered for Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) landscape panel contracts,

·  work as a landscape subcontractor on a DPTI major roadwork contract, and/or

·  tender for DPTI landscaping contracts,

must first be prequalified with DPTI.

Once prequalified, companies are subject to ongoing review by DPTI to ensure that the information submitted in their application remains valid and that they have performed satisfactorily when awarded contracts.

The purpose of the prequalification scheme is to minimise risks to DPTI and to reduce the effort of individual companies at the time of tender. The scheme aims to facilitate, but not replace, tender assessment for individual projects.

2. Prequalification Levels and Categories

Companies may apply for prequalification in the following categories of work:

A.  General Landscape Construction

B.  Revegetation

C.  Irrigation

D.  Bushcare

E.  Woody Weed Control

F.  Herbaceous Weed Control

G.  Tree Transplantation

H.  Landscape Maintenance

A company’s prequalification in each category of work will be at either Level 1 or Level 2, depending on the company’s expertise and experience in that particular category.

The level applicable to a contract will be determined as follows:

L1:

·  Low to moderate risk projects, generally routine in nature.

·  Low to medium value contracts up to (but not confined to) an approximate value of $80,000.

L2:

·  Moderate to high risk projects, generally of a more complex nature.

·  Medium to high value contracts greater than (but not confined to) $80,000.

Prequalification at L2 will automatically qualify a company to tender for L1 contracts.

DPTI will specify in tender or contract documents the category and levels applicable to a particular contract and only Companies so prequalified will be eligible to tender or be a subcontractor.

3. Application for Prequalification

Companies are invited to apply for prequalification by completing and submitting the application form contained in Part 3 ‘Application Form’ and attaching the information described in Part 4 ‘Information to be Submitted with Application and Assessment Criteria’.

A read only electronic application must be submitted as follows:

If the application is a hard copy or on a CD, it should be marked for the attention of the Coordinator Specialist Services and may be either:

·  posted to GPO Box 1533, ADELAIDE SA 5001; or

·  delivered to 77 Grenfell Street, ADELAIDE SA 5000.

If the application is attached to an email(s), it should be forwarded to . It may be necessary to split the application into several emails to keep it to an acceptable size.

Enquiries may be directed to:

Coordinator Specialist Services

Department for Planning, Transport and Infrastructure

GPO Box 1533

ADELAIDE SA 5001

Phone: (08) 8343 2201

or .

4. Assessment and Notification

Applications for prequalification will be assessed by a panel. DPTI and its agents may undertake investigations as necessary in order to assess performance and interview the Applicant to clarify details of the application.

The criteria considered in the assessment of an application are listed in Part 4: ‘Information to be Submitted with Application and Assessment Criteria’ of this document.

Companies should allow at least six weeks from the date of submission for the assessment process, and will receive written notice of the outcome.

The prequalification of a Contractor does not extend to related or subsidiary companies owned or controlled by the Contractor.


5. Prequalification Period, Renewal and Upgrading

Prequalification granted under the terms of these Guidelines is subject to Clause 6 ‘Reviewing, Rescinding or Downgrading Prequalification’. If a Contractor does not win a contract with DPTI for more than 2 years, they may be requested to provide sufficient information to verify that their original prequalification submission is valid. If a Contractor does not win a contract with DPTI for more than 3years, they may be requested to resubmit all or part of their application.

Provisional prequalification may be granted in some circumstances, such as where a company does not fully comply with every requirement specified in this document, but the panel forms the reasonable opinion that the company will be able to do so in the near future. (eg a new company has been formed which is staffed by experienced managers and supervisors). Full prequalification is then subject to the company demonstrating compliance with the requirements, eg during a contract. If a provisionally prequalified Contractor does not win a contract with DPTI within 6 months, they will be requested to resubmit all or part of their application for another assessment.

DPTI may make revisions to the scheme at any time and seek additional information from prequalified Companies. DPTI may also place advertisements seeking new applications at any time.

Applications for initial prequalification or upgrading may be submitted at any time.

6. Reviewing, Rescinding or Downgrading Prequalification

DPTI reserves the right to review the prequalification status of a Contractor, including the performance of any sub-contractor, at any time.

The Assessment Panel may, in its absolute discretion, rescind the prequalification or reduce the level of prequalification of a Contractor. Before such action is taken, the Contractor will be given an opportunity to show cause why the prequalification should not be rescinded or reduced. The Contractor will also be given details of the matters prompting the request to show cause. Assessment of a Contractor’s performance will be made against the Prequalification Criteria.

7.  Contractor to Advise

Prequalified companies are required to immediately advise the Director, Contracting and Procurement, DPTI of any significant change to its financial or technical capacity, ownership or holding, and any convictions or prohibition notices under WHS or environmental legislation.

8. Confidentiality

Except as required by law, DPTI will ensure the confidentiality of all information supplied by companies and will sign an appropriate confidentiality agreement if requested.


9. Publication of Prequalification Status

The level of prequalification achieved by a Company will be disclosed to others on the following web site: http://www.dpti.sa.gov.au/documents/contractsandtenders/prequalification.

While a company may communicate its DPTI prequalification status to others, it must not represent that this prequalification necessarily means that they are competent to undertake work for organisations other than DPTI. No responsibility is accepted for any consequences arising from the use of the prequalification scheme other than for DPTI contracts.

10. Disclaimer

The decision to approve or reject, with or without conditions, any application for prequalification or for upgrading of prequalification is at the absolute discretion of DPTI. DPTI is not liable for any costs or damage incurred in the exercise of such discretion or the discretion to remove or downgrade in class any prequalification. The Prequalification Scheme was developed for DPTI’s internal purposes. DPTI does not represent or warrant that any of its prequalified companies are technically capable or financially sound or have any other characteristics. Any person or company seeking to deal with a company who is prequalified with DPTI must rely on their own enquiries.

DPTI: Prequalification Scheme for Landscaping August 2012

The Landscape Prequalification categories are briefly described as follows:

A.  General Landscape Construction

The implementation of landscape projects that contain a range and/or a combination of landscape activities as part of the total project. These activities could include tubestock planting, advanced tree planting, weed control, direct seeding, irrigation, paving, grassing etc. Most of these projects are expected to be located within urbanised areas.

B.  Revegetation

The implementation of revegetation projects where a combination of activities may be used including direct seeding, weed control, seed collection, tubestock planting etc. Most of these projects are expected to be located outside urbanised areas.

C.  Irrigation

The design and/or installation of irrigation systems where irrigation is the only or major component of the project.

D.  Herbaceous Weed Control

The chemical (mainly) control of herbaceous weeds (annual, biennial & perennial) on DPTI roads and other assets where herbaceous weed control is the only or the major component of the project.

E.  Woody Weed Control

The control of trees and shrubs, in particular proclaimed and environmental weed species, on DPTI roads and other assets where woody weed control is the only or major component of the project. Main activities may include cut only, cut and swab, stem injection, foliar spraying stump removal and disposal of vegetative material.

F.  Bushcare

Bushcare is a minimal disturbance weed control technique used in areas of indigenous vegetation. Main activities may include tree removal, cut and swab, stem injection, spot spraying, hand pulling, stump removal and disposal of vegetative material. It is both essential and critical that there be an avoidance of disturbance to the soil and to indigenous plants when undertaking bushcare activities.

G.  Tree Transplantation

The transplantation of large mature trees from one location to another. Main activities may include pre transplantation site and tree preparation, tree removal and transportation (usually specialised equipment including cranes are required), replanting, watering (can be automated) and maintenance.

H.  Landscape Maintenance

The maintenance of established landscaped areas. Main activities may include mowing, slashing, weed control, minor vegetation trimming, watering and irrigation system maintenance.

DPTI: Prequalification Scheme for Landscaping August 2012

Company Name / ……………………………………………………………………
Company Numbers: / ABN……………………………ACN…………….………..…
Address of Registered Office / …………………………………………………………………
Postal Address / …………………………………………………………………
Contact Person / …………………………………………………………………
Position in Company / …………………………………………………………………
Telephone / …………………………………………………………………
Mobile / …………………………………………………………………
Fax / …………………………………………………………………
E-mail / …………………………………………………………………
Business Identification
(Sole Trader, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Other) / …………………………………………………………………
If registered outside South Australia, please provide State of Incorporation / ……………………………………………………………………

We wish to apply for prequalification in the following category(s) and level(s): (tick appropriate boxes)

L1 / L2
A.  General Landscape Construction / o / o
B.  Revegetation / o / o
C.  Irrigation / o / o
D.  Herbaceous Weed Control / o / o
E.  Woody Weed Control / o / o
F.  Bush care / o / o
G.  Tree Transplantation / o / o
H.  Landscape Maintenance / o / o

Information supporting the application, applicable to each of the category(s) and level(s), is attached.

Signed: …………………………………….. Date: …………….……………..

Note: DPTI may forward Invitations for Tender to the contact details provided above. It is the responsibility of the company to ensure the details are kept up to date.

DPTI: Prequalification Scheme for Landscaping August 2012

Please provide the information listed in the column “INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT” in the following table:

/ These columns for DPTI use only /
SUBJECT / INFORMATION TO BE SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT / MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
For L1 / Meets Requirement?
(Yes / No) / MINIMUM REQUIREMENT
for L2 / Meets Requirement?
(Yes / No) /
(1)  COMPANY STRUCTURE / Outline of company structure and ownership. / For information. / For information.
Organisational Chart showing key personnel, including Company Directors, managers, professional staff, site supervisors and field personnel. / For information. / For information.
(2)  INSURANCE / Evidence of Insurance Policies and certificates of currency. / $10,000,000 Public Liability insurance. / $10,000,000 Public Liability insurance.
(3)  COMPANY PERSONNEL AND COMPETENCY / Job and Personal specifications for all staff. / Job and Personal specifications available and appropriate for activities undertaken by managers, supervisors and key field staff. / Fully detailed Job and Personal specifications available and appropriate for activities undertaken by all staff.
CV’s for all key staff, clearly setting out levels of experience relevant to the categories being applied for, including:
·  levels of experience (including start date with the company);
·  relevant skills;
·  specific abilities;
·  qualifications (qualifications must be relevant to the work being offered) copies of qualifications achieved to be provided;
·  licenses copies of in date licences to be provided;
·  other relevant training copies of qualifications achieved to be provided;
·  knowledge, including knowledge and history of working with DPTI specifications (or equivalent), briefs and/or guidelines relevant to the categories being applied for. / Note: the following requirements only apply to staff nominated to work on DPTI projects:
Senior managers have at least 5 years experience in the industry or similar. / Senior managers have at least 7 years experience in the industry or similar.
Senior supervisors have at least 3 years experience in the industry or similar. / Senior supervisors have at least 5 years experience in the industry or similar.
All supervisors to have a minimum of Level 3 certificate in horticulture, Level 3 certificate in irrigation (Irrigation prequalification only), or relevant industry qualification for the categories being applied for. / All supervisors to have a minimum of Level 3 certificate in horticulture, Level 4 certificate in irrigation (Irrigation prequalification only) or relevant industry qualification for the categories being applied for.
All Supervisors to have Work Zone Traffic Management qualification. / All Supervisors and at least of 25% of staff to have Work Zone Traffic Management qualification
25% of staff to have successfully completed white card training. / 50% of staff has successfully completed white card training.
To be invited to tender for work within a rail corridor:
10% of staff to have successfully completed DPTI Passenger Transport Services Track Awareness Training (including risk management and medical). / To be invited to tender for work within a rail corridor:
20% of staff to have successfully completed DPTI Passenger Transport Services Track Awareness Training (including risk management and medical).
Field staff has adequate experience relevant to the categories being applied for. / Field staff has adequate experience relevant to the categories being applied for.
(4)  SUBCONTRACTORS / How the company uses sub-contractors, eg indicate how often and for what type of work sub-contractors are used. Describe any long-term arrangements/partnerships with sub-contractors. / No requirements. / Evidence of engagement process for subcontractors provided regardless if subcontractors are nominated.
(5)  INDUSTRY ORGANISATIONS / Evidence of affiliation or membership with industry organisations or associations. / Affiliation or memberships not required. / Affiliation or membership required with LASA (Landscape) and/or Irrigation Australia (Irrigation).