Electrical and Plumbing Supplies: Maintenance Material Tenders

Municipalities and the Department of Public Works have large in-house maintenance teams that fix leaking taps, burst pipes, and blown fuses. They rely on "Stores Tenders" to keep their stock levels up.

1. The "Basket of Goods" Tender

These tenders effectively act as a catalog.

• Line Items: The tender might list 500 different items (15mm copper pipe, 22mm elbow, 100W bulb, Ballasts, etc.).
• Strategy: You don't have to win every line. Often, contracts are split among multiple panel suppliers.
• Pricing: Quote per unit. Watch out for "pack sizes" (e.g., price per 100 screws vs price per single screw).

2. Electrical Standards (SANS)

Electricity kills. Compliance is non-negotiable.

• SABS Mark: Cables (SANS 1507), breakers, and fittings must have the SABS mark or international equivalent (IEC) accepted by SA.
• Energy Efficiency: A push for LED lighting means old incandescent bulbs are rarely tendered. Ensure your LED specs (Lumens/Watt) are accurate.

3. Plumbing Standards (SANS)

• JASWIC: Components accepted by the Joint Acceptance Scheme for Water Installation Components.
• DZR Brass: Coastal areas often specify Dezincification Resistant (DZR) brass fittings to prevent corrosion.

4. Delivery Lead Times

When a pipe bursts, the municipality needs repair clamps now.

• Stockholding: Successful bidders are expected to carry critical stock.
• Counter Service: Some tenders require you to have a trade counter within the municipality's boundaries for immediate collection by their maintenance teams.

Conclusion

This is a catalog management game. Keep your database of supplier prices up to date so you can quote quickly and accurately on hundreds of small technical items.