RFI: specialist technical investigation services for eskom’s power system network failures and supply interruptions

Primary contact: Khuliso Luvhimbi, Senior Advisor (Procurement). Phone: 036 342 3139. Submission portal: Eskom E-Tendering Public website (https://eTendering.eskom.co.za).

Submission method: Electronic only via Eskom E-Tendering Public website (https://eTendering.eskom.co.za). No hard copies accepted.

File requirements:

• All documents must be in PDF or Excel format.
• Maximum upload size per document: 500 MB.
• Total submission size must not exceed 4 GB.
• Zip/condensed files are not permitted.

Submission rules:

• Ensure submission status is marked as 'complete'.
• Only the latest version of a resubmitted RFI will be accepted; previous versions will be void.
• Supplier is responsible for submitting before the closing date and time (10:00 SAST on 10 June 2026).
• Supplier Help Manual and guide video are available on the Eskom E-Tendering page.

Mandatory requirements:

• Engineers must be registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Submit copies of ECSA certificates.
• Demonstratable experience in power system design, operations, maintenance, and failure investigations.

Technical competencies (must confirm knowledge/expertise in):

• South African Grid Code, NRS, OHS Act, and High Voltage Systems Operating Regulations.
• Generation, Transmission, and Distribution network integration and plant systems.
• Power system equipment protection, control, instrumentation, and condition monitoring.
• Root cause analysis, technical report writing, and analytical problem-solving.

Evidence required:

• CVs of technical team members.
• Two copies of latest technical investigation reports.
• References from three companies where similar work was completed (with contact details).
• Number of projects undertaken since 2023.

Note: This RFI is for information-gathering and market-testing only. No scoring or evaluation thresholds are specified.

Scope: Augment Eskom’s major technical investigation capabilities by providing specialized engineering services for complex, multidisciplinary infrastructure in energy utilities.

Required experience:

• Design, operations, and maintenance of power systems equipment.
• Power system studies (e.g., load flow studies using DIgSILENT/PowerFactory).
• Investigations into major equipment failures, system supply interruptions, and regulatory/legislative breaches.

Service delivery:

• Work collaboratively with Eskom technical investigation resources.
• Ensure compliance with Eskom-approved processes, standards, and technical governance.

Technical investigations:

• Conduct investigations into Generation, Transmission, and Distribution incidents classified as major (plant/equipment failures, network interruptions, regulatory/legislative breaches).
• Use single or multi-discipline teams (Electrical, Chemical, Process, Mechanical, Civil, Metallurgical Engineering).

Incident data collection:

• Travel to sites for data collection and investigation meetings using own transportation.

Evidence management:

• Identify, collect, preserve, and analyze physical, documentary, and human evidence.
• Ensure compliance with Eskom requirements for evidence preservation, access control, and legal integrity.

Technical testing and diagnostics:

• Conduct non-destructive testing (NDT), material analysis, vibration analysis, and thermography.

Reporting and deliverables:

• Issue preliminary findings/interim reports within 10 working days after the investigation meeting.
• Submit final draft reports within 30–60 days after the investigation meeting, including:
• Executive summary.
• Incident narrative and chronology.
• Root cause and causal analysis (using methodologies like Fault Tree Analysis, 5-Whys, FMEA).
• Risk assessment (operational, safety, environmental, reputational).
• Findings, recommendations, and management response inputs.

Risk assessment and impact evaluation:

• Evaluate potential recurrence risks and system-wide implications.

Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) registration: Required for all engineers. Submit copies of ECSA certificates.

Technical team competencies: Must confirm knowledge/expertise in:

• South African Grid Code requirements.
• Rationalized User Specification Standards (NRS).
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).
• Operating Regulations for High Voltage Systems.
• Generation plant systems and integration requirements.
• Generation/Transmission and Transmission/Distribution network integration requirements.
• Operation and maintenance of power system network equipment.
• Power system equipment protection, control, instrumentation, metering, and DC systems.
• Quality of supply requirements.
• Power system plant equipment condition monitoring.
• User requirement specifications, standards, and procedures.
• Asset health and performance.
• Power system studies (e.g., load flow studies using DIgSILENT/PowerFactory).
• Metallurgy report analysis.
• Non-destructive testing on high-pressure components/equipment.
• Root cause analysis.
• Technical report writing.
• Analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Functional use of personal computers and software (Microsoft Windows, Office, Adobe, etc.).
• Presentation skills.