Centralised operational technology (ot) configuration management system for ntcsa – sheq requirements and returnables

The tender is for a Centralized Operational Technology (OT) Configuration Management System for NTCSA. The system must be an existing product, accessible remotely, and capable of managing OT devices, configuration tools, and file types as specified in Appendix A. The supplier must be an approved South African distributor and have prior successful implementation experience.

Closing date and time: 21 September 2026 at 10h00 SAST.

Clarification meeting (non-compulsory): 31 August 2026 at 10h00 SAST, held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Tenderers must confirm attendance with the NTCSA Representative, providing names, positions, and contact details of attendees.

Clarification queries deadline: 10 working days before tender closing (i.e., by 7 September 2026).

Tender validity period: 120 days from closing date and time.

NTCSA Representative (first point of contact):

• Name: Fusi Khanyile
• Tel: +27 11 800 3797
• Email: [email protected]

1st tier escalation (Procurement Manager):

• Name: Takalani Nemavhulani
• Tel: +27 11 800 3198
• Email: [email protected]

2nd tier escalation (Middle/Senior Manager Procurement):

• Name: Frans Pooe
• Tel: +27 11 800 5842
• Email: [email protected]

Submission portal: https://tenderbulletin.ntcsa.co.za

Submission is electronic only via the NTCSA Tender Bulletin site on the Eskom eTendering page (https://tenderbulletin.ntcsa.co.za). No hard copies or zip files accepted. Documents must be uploaded under Technical, Commercial, Financial, and Other folders. All documents in PDF format; the price list must also be provided in Excel. Per-document upload limit 500 MB, total submission 4 GB. If resubmitting, only the latest version is accepted. Submission status must be marked complete. Late tenders are not accepted.

Returnable documents (disqualifiable if missing/incomplete at closing):

• Authorisation Form A (authorises signatory)
• Acknowledgement Form B
• Tenderer's Particulars Form C
• Integrity Declaration Form D (read the Supplier Integrity Pact on www.ntcsa.co.za)
• SBD 1 Invitation to Bid (Form H)
• SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim (Form I)
• SBD 4 Bidders Disclosure (Form J)
• Tax Clearance Certificate (if not providing SARS PIN or CSD number)
• Tax Evaluation questionnaire (PAYE personal service provider determination)
• Completed NEC Contract and Pricing Schedule/BOQ
• Scope of Work
• E-tendering Help Manual acknowledgement form

Returnable required at closing but non-disqualifiable (5 working days to remedy):

• SBD 6.2 Declaration for Local Production and Content (Form G1) and related local content declarations (G2-G4)
• Compliance with Employment Equity Act (if designated employer)

Returnables required for evaluation (score zero if not submitted):

• Specific Goals proof
• Functionality/Technical documents

Additional documents for JV/consortium: letter of intent or valid JV agreement, written confirmation JV operates as single entity, details of single designated bank account.

Mandatory contractual evidence: valid CSD registration (CSD number/report).

Other required evidence: COIDA certificate of good standing (SA tenderers), quality management system certification (ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent), environmental management system (ISO 14001:2015 or equivalent), audited financial statements (previous 18 months or last year; start-ups within 12 months exempt), security clearances (criminal record checks valid 30 days, police clearance).

Evaluation follows a two-stage process: functionality (desktop evaluation and sample demonstration) then commercial evaluation.

Functionality (pass/fail threshold):

• Desktop evaluation weight 50%, sample demonstration weight 50%.
• To proceed to commercial evaluation, a tenderer must achieve at least 70% in each component and a combined score of at least 70%.
• Functionality requirements include: existing centralised OT configuration management system with remote access; ability to accommodate devices, configuration tools, and file types per Appendix A (OT Device List); system provided by South African approved distributors (official certificate required); completion certificate and reference from a customer for whom the system was implemented.

Commercial evaluation:

• Price scored out of 80 points (80/20 system).
• Specific Goals (B-BBEE) scored out of 20 points per PPPFA.
• Prices evaluated inclusive of VAT, corrected for arithmetical errors, excluding contingencies, adjusted for variations, and compared on Net Present Value basis.
• Unconditional discounts considered; conditional discounts applied at payment.
• Tenderers failing functionality threshold are disqualified.

Specific Goals scoring (B-BBEE status level): Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 = 8, Level 6 = 6, Level 7 = 4, Level 8 = 2, Non-compliant = 0.

Objective criteria: Local Procurement Content target of 100% (value added in South Africa). Tenderers must submit proposals for jobs created/retained and skills development (e.g., 4 IT Technician trainees).

The scope is the supply and implementation of a Centralized Operational Technology (OT) Configuration Management System for NTCSA. Key requirements:

• The system must be an existing centralised OT configuration management system, accessible remotely.
• It must accommodate devices, configuration tools, and file types as per Appendix A: OT Device List, Table 1 (referenced as 240-185000397).
• The system must be provided by South African approved system distributors.
• Tenderers must have successfully implemented such a system before, evidenced by a completion certificate and customer reference.
• Security requirements: all site entry requirements per the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act; employees must have criminal record/clearance results valid for 30 days at submission and/or site readiness; police clearance certificates from SAPS Criminal Record Centre or accredited service provider (e.g., MIE).
• Quality: documented quality management system, either certified by an ISO accredited body or compliant with ISO 9001:2015.
• Environmental: compliance with South African National Environmental Management Acts, regulations, by-laws, and SANS; documented EMS either certified or compliant with ISO 14001:2015.

Payment terms: For contracts valued below R50,000,000 (including VAT), NTCSA commits to paying suppliers within 30 days of receipt of undisputed invoices. (For contracts above this threshold, terms not stated in the extracted text.)

Security for performance: If a performance bond or demand guarantee is required, the tenderer must select at least two financial institutions from the NTCSA-approved list.

Pricing: Prices evaluated inclusive of VAT. Price list must be submitted in PDF and Excel format. Pricing schedule/BOQ is a returnable document.

Financial capacity: Audited financial statements for the previous 18 months (or last year if not available) must be submitted. For JV/SPV, audited statements for each participant. Start-ups formed within the last 12 months are exempt but must furnish statements for the first year once available.

Mandatory eligibility:

• Must not be under any restriction to do business with NTCSA or State-Owned Companies.
• Must not be on any international sanctions list.
• Must not submit more than one tender (unless as JV partner, with JV agreement stating joint and several liability).
• Must not have a conflict of interest (e.g., common controlling partner or majority shareholder with another tenderer).
• Tenders must be signed by authorised persons.
• Must not be restricted by National Treasury, on the Tender Defaulters list, or flagged (e.g., implicated in Zondo Report or SIU investigations, breach of Supplier Integrity Pact).
• Must not subcontract 100% of the scope of work.

Mandatory returnables:

• CSD registration (CSD number/report) – applicable to local tenderers and foreign tenderers with local footprint.
• Tax clearance certificate (if not providing SARS PIN or CSD number) – foreign tenderers with SA footprint and local tenderers not on CSD.
• Tax Evaluation questionnaire (PAYE personal service provider determination).
• SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim (Form I) – to claim B-BBEE points.
• SBD 6.2 Local Production and Content Declaration (Form G1) and supporting schedules (G2-G4) – if not submitted, prices evaluated as fixed and firm.
• SBD 4 Bidders Disclosure (Form J) – disclosure of interest.
• SBD 1 Invitation to Bid (Form H) – signed cover page.
• Integrity Declaration Form D – certifies no collusion.
• Authorisation Form A – authorises signatory.
• Acknowledgement Form B – acknowledges receipt of documents.
• Tenderer's Particulars Form C – bidder details.

Additional compliance:

• Employment Equity Act compliance (if designated employer) – proof of EE report submission to Department of Labour (SA tenderers only).
• COIDA certificate of good standing (SA tenderers only).
• Quality management system (ISO 9001:2015 or equivalent).
• Environmental management system (ISO 14001:2015 or equivalent).
• Security clearances for employees (criminal record checks, police clearance).
• B-BBEE certificate or affidavit (to claim preference points).

Eligibility criteria: Tenderers must not be under restriction to do business with NTCSA or State-Owned Companies. Ineligible if: nationality of a sanctioned country; submitting more than one tender (unless JV with joint and several liability); conflict of interest; signed by unauthorised person; restricted by National Treasury; on Tender Defaulters list; subcontracting 100% of scope; flagged suppliers (implicated in Zondo Report, SIU, or breach of Supplier Integrity Pact).

Tender submission: Electronic only via NTCSA Tender Bulletin site on Eskom eTendering. Documents uploaded under Technical, Commercial, Financial, Other folders. PDF format, price list also in Excel. No zip files, no hard copies. Resubmission replaces previous. Submission status must be complete.

Functionality threshold: Desktop evaluation 50% weight, sample demonstration 50% weight. Must achieve ≥70% in each and combined ≥70% to proceed to commercial evaluation.

Price evaluation: Prices scored out of 80 points, inclusive of VAT, corrected for errors, excluding contingencies, adjusted for variations, compared on NPV basis. Unconditional discounts considered.

Specific Goals: Scored out of 20 points per PPPFA 80/20 system. B-BBEE level points as per table.

Objective criteria: Local Procurement Content target 100%. Tenderers must propose jobs created/retained and skills development (e.g., 4 IT Technician trainees).

Bidders have one chance to submit omitted SHEQS documentation within seven working days after the tender deadline. Only tenders submitted or responded within the deadline are considered; non-response deems the bid non-responsive.

Returnable documents: complete and sign Form A (Tender & SHEQS Requirements for OE) to acknowledge and accept the Employer's Requirements. Submit the EM Tender Returnables (TPDMAN-FM-203) with all required sections. Bidders have one chance to submit omitted SHEQS documentation within seven working days after the tender deadline; failure to respond within that period renders the bid non-responsive.

Bidders must score at least 80% weighted average on the EM Tender Returnables to be considered. The EM evaluation covers: Section A (EMS certification or documented system, 30% for EPC, 90% for OE), Section B (EMPr, 20%), Section C (Waste Management Plan, 20%), Section D (Aspect and Impact Register, 20%), Section E (Form A completed and signed, 10%). Bidders must also comply with OH&S, environmental, quality, and security requirements as per the SHEQS forms.

The tender is for a centralized operational technology (OT) configuration management system for NTCSA. Bidders must provide objective evidence of documented systems for: OH&S (ISO 45001:2018 certification or equivalent, SACPCMP registered professionals, Annexure 3 Medical Certificate of Fitness), Environmental (ISO 14001:2015 certification or equivalent, EMPr, Waste Management Plan, Aspect and Impact Register), Quality (ISO 9001:2015 certification or equivalent, Contract/Project Quality Plan, Inspection and Test Plan), and Security (Security Threat Analysis, criminal clearance results valid for 12 months).

Comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, National Environmental Management Acts, and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act 8 of 2019. Provide valid certifications or documented systems as listed. For OE, provide a valid Letter of Good Standing (COIDA) and OHS Policy signed by the CEO. Police clearance certificates must be valid for 30 days at submission.

Quality Management Requirements: The Owner's Engineer must demonstrate leadership and commitment to quality, with a quality management system as stated in the Scope of Work and Contract. Provide valid ISO 9001:2015 certification or a documented QMS, plus a Contract/Project Quality Plan and Inspection and Test Plan.

The system must manage all operational configurations and tools for various systems and devices for NTCSA. The specification covers system, functional, operational, maintenance, compliance, testing, and deployment requirements. It applies to PTM&C, Telecoms (OPS & NMC), Research, Test and Development, System Operator: Operations Performance, NTCSA Grids, and Physical Security stakeholders. The system must align with NTCSA Engineering Technology Roadmaps. Protection settings are excluded from scope.

Returnable documents: bidders must complete and submit the Schedule of Compliance (Appendix B) and any other forms specified in the tender pack. Bidders must demonstrate a prototype or sample of the solution during evaluation. No specific submission channel, format, or disqualification conditions beyond the above are stated in the provided documents.

Evaluation has two parts: mandatory criteria evaluation (completeness of technical returnables and compliance with mandatory criteria) and qualitative evaluation (desktop evaluation and practical/sample demonstration). Bidders must comply with the mandatory technical requirements in specification 240-185000397 and complete the Schedule of Compliance (Appendix B). The system must meet security standards (IEC/SANS 62443-3-3) and pass load/stress testing. No specific pre-qualification thresholds (e.g., B-BBEE level, CIDB grade) are stated in the provided documents.

The system must manage all operational configurations and tools for various systems and devices for NTCSA. It must be deployed on-premises with a secondary server in active hot-standby for redundancy. The system must support scalability, handle increasing workloads, and have extendable storage. It must have an RTO of 8 hours and an RPO as specified. It must support real-time database replication and dual power supplies. The system must provide a unified interface for configuring devices regardless of manufacturer or protocol, and support role-based access control with multi-factor authentication. It must manage vendor-specific configuration file types, tools, and firmware for devices listed in Appendix A, including DC & Auxiliary Supplies, Metering, NMC Telecoms, and OT Telecoms. The system must support check-in/check-out of files with version control, checksum verification, and audit logs. It must be available 24/7 with off-site backups and disaster recovery. The system must comply with ISO 10007 and IEC/SANS 62443-3-3, and pass load and stress testing for large-scale substation environments. Protection settings are excluded from scope.

Bid Bond: performance guarantees are mentioned. No specific amounts or percentages are stated in the provided documents.

All technical and non-technical requirements in specification 240-185000397 must be complied with. The system must comply with ISO 9001 and IEC/SANS 62443-3-3. Bidders must complete the Schedule of Compliance (Appendix B) and demonstrate a prototype/sample. No specific pre-qualification thresholds (e.g., B-BBEE level, CIDB grade) are stated in the provided documents.