Request for Proposal Project Brief Project: Feral pig and deer eradication to protect native species in the Otway Ranges, Bells Beach (Ironbark Basin) and Great Ocean Road hinterland

Document Version: 1.5 Project Manager: Saul Vermeeren (saul.vermeeren@ccma.vic.gov.au) Date: 15 July 2020 Contract: 1762_01 Attachments: Program Logic Template/ Risk Matrix Table / Contract Specifications

1. Background

Australian Government’s Wild Otways Initiative (parent project) The Australian Government has contracted Corangamite CMA to deliver the $6M Wild Otways Initiative providing demonstrable conservation outcomes for native plants and animals (including EPBC listed species) in the Greater Otways region of Victoria over the next 3 years to June 2023. The initiative represents a significant investment opportunity to make important inroads into threatened species conservation management in this region. It covers the area from Jan Juc/Bells Beach to Peterborough, the Great Otway National Park and hinterlands (Otways Region) in South West Victoria. The overarching aim of the project is to improve the trajectory of threatened species targeted under the Threatened Species Strategy (Australian Government, 2015) and involves the delivery of 6 defined sub-projects under two investment streams identified in Figure 1. This Request for Proposal refers specifically to the delivery of Sub-project: Pig & Deer Management.

Figure 1: Project overview diagram

2. Scope

The Corangamite CMA is seeking the services of an experienced consultant with a diverse and capable project team (technical specialist and experienced contract shooters and trappers) that can deliver highly strategic, intensive, responsive and sustained removal of introduced deer and pig populations. The primary objective of the project is to protect native species and critical habitat (including EPBC-listed flora and fauna habitat and refugia) in the Otway Ranges, including the Bells Beach (Ironbark Basin) and Great Ocean Road hinterland. The proposed eradication program should take an asset-based approach and be well informed by a scientific assessment of survey data, including:

- an assessment of what deer species should be targeted - prioritisation of critical habitat that is under threat - identification of areas for localised eradication works - steps to be taken to resolve information gaps - An adaptive management approach to achieving results over the duration of the three-year

project.

The project is to be implemented in conjunction with pest animal control specialists from the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning (DELWP), Parks Victoria (PV) and the Conservation Ecology Centre. To ensure this project complements existing programs (Otway Ark and Otway Eden) to deliver holistic threat abatement at a landscape scale. Please note it is expected that localised deer eradication outcomes are achieved, and it is not expected that landscape level or species eradication will occur for deer in the Otways. Project participation and delivery by Traditional Owners and relevant landowners adjacent to public land should also be incorporated into project design, where possible. This approach ensures project outcomes are integrated and coordinated across tenures, while also providing opportunities for landowners to be involved in active monitoring and reporting. The project design proposed should also demonstrate how project outcomes will be maintained and built-upon, post-investment, including a post-project monitoring and rapid intervention delivery model to demonstrate how project outcomes can be maintained into the future. The sub-projects will be of an iterative nature and contain data collation and monitoring interdependences that will need to be managed by the consultant through the delivery process.

3. Project Objectives

• To reduce and/or eliminate the impact of the feral pig and deer species in defined critical habitat areas (including EPBC-listed flora and fauna habitat and refugia) in the Otways,

• To improve community and hunter awareness about the environmental and agricultural effects of releasing feral animals into the landscape

• To contribute to the scientific knowledge of feral pig and deer management in Victoria • To demonstrate how the project’s legacy and outcomes can be maintained into the future • To develop cross-project monitoring protocols that can be continued/replicated post-investment.

4. Key Project Outcome

• This project will contribute to the primary 5-year Regional Land Partnership Program outcome “By 2023, the trajectory of species targeted under the Threatened Species Strategy, and other Environment, Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) priority species, is improved.”

5. Key deliverables

The following table of deliverables has been proposed by the Corangamite CMA to assist the consultant in developing their proposal. The Corangamite CMA is looking for a clear, pragmatic and measurable approach to proposed deliverables and outputs. The Corangamite CMA expects the consultant to give careful consideration to the design of the Detailed Project Plan (the plan), including the provision of clear links to the project scope and the key project outcomes identified in this Request for Proposal Project Brief.

Deliverable Description Timeframe YEAR 1 – 2020/21

Inception meeting & project design review

Inception meeting with the Project Manager to discuss the project design and key milestones. • Review and update Detailed Project Plan, as required

15 September 2020

Identification & GIS mapping of values and threats in the landscape

• Complete spatial identification and GIS mapping of pig and deer populations and critical habitat areas using a structured decision-making approach.

15 September – 30 October 2020

Stage 1 Eradication Pilot Development

Develop a pig and deer localised eradication plan in collaboration with public land managers and their existing control programs. A highly strategic, intensive, responsive and sustained removal of introduced deer and pig populations in defined critical habitat areas is expected. • Informed by a literature review of existing information,

including relevant decision support tools. Which include NatureKit, Strategic Management Prospects and Conservation Action Planning

• Develop a pig and deer eradication plan (based on Detailed Project Plan and Program Logic)

• Define what deer species should be targeted for control using an asset-based approach

• Obtain land manager approvals (public and private) to deliver pilot

• Develop a monitoring and evaluation plan (based on Detailed Project Plan and Program Logic)

15 September – 15 November 2020

Stage 1 Eradication Pilot Implementation

Implement pig and deer eradication plan in critical habitat areas and monitor against established baselines.

15 November 2020 – 15 June 2021

6 Month Project Status Report

Complete a 6 monthly Project Status Report that provides an update and summary of the project status. Links to the Program Logic and monitoring results are to be included.

15 December 2021

Year 1 Project Review & Reporting

Undertake review of project, including review of Program Logic and monitoring plan. Analysis of data and results. Review the need for any adaptive management measures to improve the success of the project, including the achievement of project deliverables and outcomes. • Complete Progress Report and present to the PSC on

project findings and revision of project methodologies. • Develop a Year 1 Project Communications Report (3 pages)

with key highlights / results that can be used for public communications.

20 May – 15 June 2021

YEAR 2 2021/22

Stage 2 Eradication Program

Implement pig and deer Eradication Program and monitor against established baselines and maintain collaborative approach to project delivery with land managers • Continue implementation of monitoring plan

01 July 2021 – 15 June 2022

6 Month Project Status Report

Complete a 6 monthly Project Status Report that provides an update and summary of the project status. Links to the Program Logic and monitoring results are to be included.

15 December 2021

Targeted hunter engagement

Develop a short and concise targeted Otway hunters engagement plan that aims to improve community and hunter awareness about the environmental and agricultural effects of releasing feral animals into the landscape. Collaborate with DELWP compliance branch, Parks Victoria and other relevant project partners. • Support implementation of the plan with CCMA and

relevant project partners

01 March 2021 -01 June 2022

Year 2 Project Review & Reporting

Undertake review of project, including analysis of monitoring data and results. Review the need for any adaptive management measures to improve the success of the project, including the achievement of project deliverables and outcomes. • Complete Progress Report and present to the PSC on

project findings and revision of project methodologies, if necessary.

• Develop a Year 2 Project Communications Report (3 pages) with key highlights / results that can be used for public communications.

20 May – 15 June 2022

YEAR 3 2022/23

Stage 3 Eradication Program

Implement pig and deer Eradication Program, monitor against established baselines and maintain collaborative approach to project delivery with land managers. • Continue implementation of monitoring plan.

01 July 2022 – 15 June 2023

6 Month Project Status Report

Complete a 6 monthly Project Status Report that provides an update and summary of the project status. Links to the Program Logic and monitoring results are to be included.

15 December 2022

Community engagement & digital platform information development

Develop community awareness materials and develop content for input into webpage/portal: • Provide input and attend CCMA led public engagement

sessions • Follow-up targeted engagement with hunters, if necessary • Develop input for webpage content that includes project

results and future steps (note webpage/portal is pending development).

01 July 2022 – 01 February 2023

Year 3 Project Review & Reporting

Final Project Report and project media documentation: • Complete 3rd year progress reporting and package into a

Final Project Report • Provide a feasible delivery model that explains how project

outcomes can be maintained into the future, post investment

• Present to the PSC on project results and achievement of project outcomes.

• Develop a Final Project Communications Report (3 pages) with key highlights / results that can be used for public communications.

01 May – 10 June 2023

6. Procurement & Contractual Timeframes

Milestone Date

Submissions due 5 August 2020

Proposals assessed 6-12 August 2020

Internal procurement approvals 13 August – 14 September 2020

Preferred supplier notified 15 September 2020

Project inception 15-21 September 2020

Project implementation 21 September 2020 – 10 June 2023

Final report and project closure 10 June 2023

7. Project management arrangements and reporting

The key contact for this project will be the Corangamite CMA Senior Project Manager, Saul Vermeeren, who can be contacted via email at saul.vermeeren@ccma.vic.gov.au or phone on 0405030442.

A Project Steering Committee (PSC) has been established to oversee the project and is coordinated by the Corangamite CMA. A Technical Reference Group (TRG) will also be established. The consultant will be required to present to the PSC at project inception and present on deliverable milestones to the PSC and TRG over the duration of the project.

7.1 Role of the consultant/contractor

The consultant is responsible for the following aspects of the project:

- Consultation and liaison, including progress meetings with Project Manager, Project Steering Committee and Technical Reference Group

- Obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals - Management and accountability of any sub-contractors / partners costed to particular deliverables. - Attendance and presentation at Corangamite CMA-led community engagement sessions - Organisation and facilitation of meetings and workshops - Compilation and analysis of all project-related information and data - Database access - Field surveys, and all field-related materials - Project correspondence - Distribution of documents - Project management - Report writing.

Other expectations of consultant/contractor:

- Consider participation opportunities for Traditional Owners, where relevant - Hygiene measures are to be undertaken for all field work associated with the project to prevent the

spread of Phytophthora Cinnamomi - Alignment of project work with Threatened Species Recovery Plan and Conservation Advice

recommendations, where relevant - All project works are to be designed and delivered using evidence-based best practice interventions

endorsed by species specialists - Monitoring and adaptive management to be undertaken by technical specialists to support reporting

requirements.

7.2 Role of CCMA

- Lead role in facilitation of projects and sub projects - Overarching project management, and financial delegation - Key point of contact for communications to and from the Project Steering Committee and relevant

reference groups - Consultation and liaison with partners - Stakeholder engagement - Media and distribution of public communications.

7.3 Progress reporting

- Regular (fortnightly) progress updates via email or phone are to be provided to the project manager.

- Monthly (see template in Attachments) and 6-monthly Progress Reports - Face to face meetings should be planned for the scoping workshop and presentation of results - Other meetings as required over the duration of the project.

8. Key references and information

- Threatened Species Strategy, Australian Government 2015 - EPBC Act 1999 Threatened Species Recovery Plans and Conservation Advices - Corangamite Regional Catchment Strategy 2013–2019, CCMA 2013.

9. Proposal submission

Submissions must ensure the listed documentation below is completed satisfactorily in order to be considered by the Project Assessment Panel. Please note the identified budget cap for this project is $1,000,000 (excluding GST). Proposals will be assessed using ‘value for money’ criteria, identified in Section 10 below. Should the proponent wish to propose additional activities outside of this budget that would contribute to the objectives, it is recommended that these be outlined and costed separately as ‘optional’ activities.

The proposal should have considered the proposed deliverables and embedded the project’s objectives into the principles of the Program Logic and Detailed Project Plan.

Please note, the key deliverables proposed in this document are a guide only, and the Corangamite CMA expects to see a plan that provides innovative, pragmatic and measurable deliverables. Proposals are to provide a clear delivery process and methodology to achieve the identified project outcomes, with a

clear and detailed breakdown of costs to deliver each component, including a breakdown of who will deliver what components.

Submissions must include the following information:

• Completed Program Logic using the attached template and ensuring each point in the guidance notes to the right of each section in the template is addressed);

• Detailed Project Plan: o Project description (max 200 words) o List of key threats, or key threatening processes relating to this project and proposed

interventions to address these threats o Project methodology, including

§ Baselines for each short and medium-term outcome identified in the Program Logic and how these will or have already been established.

§ Proposed monitoring indicators and monitoring approach to measure change against set baselines with a clear explanation of each monitoring indicator and how it will address the relevant short and medium-term outcomes identified in the Program Logic.

o A clear outline of recommended deliverables, timeframes and how these will be measured and reported.

o Project monitoring, evaluation, review and improvement approach over the duration of the project (max 500 words.) To ensure there is a project legacy it’s important that the monitoring protocols proposed can be continued/replicated post-investment.

o Completed Project Risk Matrix, including addressing any assumptions/risks identified for the project (using the attached Risk Matrix Table).

o Strategic links to relevant regional and national plans

• Request for Proposal Contract Specifications, including the completion of attached schedules.

Please note proposals will be assessed against the evaluation criteria, listed below.

The deadline for submission is 5pm on 5 August 2020.

10. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be assessed according to the following selection criteria:

1. Project design and methodology: • Quality and design of program logic • Quality of Detailed Project Plan

35%

2. Value for money 20% 3. Experience, skills and qualifications of key

personnel (incl. sub-contractors) 15%

4. Capability and capacity of the applicant, including past performance and experience

10%

5. Local and social procurement factors* 10% 6. OH&S and quality control systems 10%

*The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority is committed to achieving the objectives of Victoria’s Social Procurement Framework aims to ensure value-for-money considerations are not solely focused on price but encompass opportunities to deliver social and sustainable outcomes that benefit the Victorian community. Please refer to Local and Social Procurement Commitment Response Form in the attached Contract Specifications.

Suppliers who are engaged with the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority will further be required to sign up to a Supplier Code of Conduct in line with Victorian Government requirements.

11. Hold Points

Completion of distinct tasks required to accurately deliver outputs will mark hold points during which the Corangamite CMA Project Manager will undertake a review of submitted material before the project will progress. Independent technical advice may be sought on outputs at the discretion of the Project Steering Committee.

It is expected that the Project Manager will require at least 10 working days at each hold point to assess and provide feedback. Hold points will be required at the completion of each key deliverable identified.

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