Supply, on-site regeneration, and purification of mineral insulating oil with transformer winding drying services for ethekwini municipality

Closing date and time: 07 August 2026 at 11:00. Query submission deadline: 23 July 2026. Consolidated Q&A will be posted by 30 July 2026. No clarification meeting will be held.

No clarification meeting will be held. All queries must be submitted via email by 23 July 2026. Consolidated Q&A will be posted on eTenders/Municipal website/Ethekwini Supplier Portal by 30 July 2026.

General/Contractual Queries: Nyaniso Mlilo, Tel: 031-311-9422, Email: [email protected]. Technical Queries: Edward Ranyane, Tel: 031-322-1232, Email: [email protected]. ESP Queries: Lindo Dlamini, Tel: 031-322-7133 / 031-322-7153, Email: [email protected]. Appeals: Ms. S. Pillay, P.O. Box 1394, Durban, 4000, Email: [email protected].

Submit a sealed hard copy of the tender document, addressed to the City Manager and marked with the Tender Number, to the Tender Box located in the ground floor foyer of the Municipal Buildings, 166 KE Masinga Road (Old Fort Rd), Durban. An identical electronic submission must be made via the eThekwini Municipality JDE System (ESP Module). The hard copy submission is the ruling version and must be received by 11:00 on 07 August 2026. Fax, email, or posted tenders will not be accepted. Ensure all access rights and submission queries for the JDE system are resolved before the closing date. Tenders must be submitted on official tender documentation downloaded from the National Treasury’s eTenders website or the eThekwini Municipality’s website. Failure to submit both hard copy and electronic versions will invalidate the tender.

Mandatory returnable documents: Signed hard copy and electronic submission of the tender, Official Tender Form, Authority of Signatory, Tax Compliance Status PIN or Tax Clearance Certificate, Declaration of Municipal Fees, OHSA Declaration, MBD 4, MBD 5 (if applicable), MBD 6.1, MBD 8, MBD 9. Additional schedules: Annexure 10.1-10.7 (Technical Requirements, Plant and Equipment, Bidder’s Experience, Key Staff Experience, etc.). Failure to submit any required document will disqualify the tender.

Scope: Supply and delivery of regenerated mineral insulating oil, on-site regeneration of mineral insulating oil, on-site drying of transformer windings insulation using low frequency heating, and purification of mineral insulating oil during a 36-month period on an as-and-when-required basis. Delivery: All oil must be delivered to eThekwini Energy Management HV Substations, 11 Electron Road, Springfield, Durban, 4001, or on-site within the eThekwini Municipality area of supply. Bidders must state the period within which delivery will be made after receipt of the official order. Risk remains with the supplier until delivery is complete. Samples of products may be required for inspection prior to the closing date. Manufacturers of goods or equipment must be stated in the tender. Non-manufacturers must provide a valid agreement with the manufacturer, accredited distributor, or agent.

Bidders must submit an approach paper (max 10 pages) detailing the methodology for on-site oil regeneration, purification, vacuum treatment, and low-frequency heating. The paper must include: procedures, timeframes for each process, machinery types (with pictures, ownership, and calibration certificates), project plan, risk identification, and mitigation measures. The approach must address the Municipality’s objectives and demonstrate value addition.

Tenderer’s experience (40 points): Must demonstrate experience in mineral oil diagnostics over the last 10 years. Proof of participation and client references are required. Scoring: 0 (no response), 40 (1-6 projects), 70 (7-10 projects), 90 (11-15 projects), 100 (>15 projects). Key staff qualifications (50 points): Oil specialist/Technical Signatory (25 points) must have a National Diploma (Electrical) or N3 (Electrical/Mechanical) + trade test. Plant operator (25 points) must meet minimum experience and qualification thresholds. CVs must be submitted for evaluation.

Bidders may be required to submit samples of the full range of products for inspection prior to the closing date. All goods must be supplied against the Municipality’s official order. Unit prices must include delivery to the specified delivery point. Risk remains with the supplier until delivery is complete. Bidders must state delivery periods and include calibration certificates for machinery.

Pricing must be quoted in ZAR on the Official Tender Form, exclusive and inclusive of VAT. Unit prices must be provided for each item in the Bill of Quantities/Schedule of Rates (Section 8). Prices must hold good for the contract duration. Bidders may submit firm prices for each 12-month period. Estimated quantities are provided for information only; the supplier must meet actual quantities required.

Pricing must be in South African Rand (ZAR), exclusive and inclusive of VAT, and quoted as nett prices after deduction of any discounts. Unit prices must be provided for each item and must hold good for the full contract period. Bidders may submit firm prices for each 12-month period. Prices must be quoted on the Official Tender Form. Payment will be made only to the supplier; factoring arrangements are not accepted. Bidders must clearly state delivery costs included in unit prices. Financial standing may be assessed, and bidders may be required to submit audited financial statements for the past three years or since establishment if less than three years old.

Mandatory registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) as a service provider. CSD Supplier Number (starting with 'MAAA') must be provided. Joint Ventures must have each party individually registered on CSD. Required returnable documents: Authority of Signatory, Tax Compliance Status PIN or Tax Clearance Certificate, Declaration of Municipal Fees, Declaration with respect to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, MBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), MBD 5 (Declaration for Procurement Above R10 Million, if applicable), MBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), MBD 8 (Declaration of Bidder’s Past SCM Practices), MBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination). Bidders must be VAT registered if applicable. No tenders will be considered from persons in the service of the state (Regulation 44 of LG: Municipal SCM Regulations).

Compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and relevant regulations is mandatory. Bidders must submit a Declaration with respect to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and provide a documented Health and Safety Plan, subject to approval by the Municipality. Bidders are liable for penalties for non-compliance.

The Municipality does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender and reserves the right to accept the whole or any part of a tender. The successful tenderer must sign a written Contract Form (MBD 7) and is bound to provide any quantities stipulated in the specification. The Municipality may cancel the tender at any time before award. Contract duration is 36 months. Payment is made only to the supplier; factoring is not accepted. The Municipality may negotiate final terms with preferred bidders under Regulation 24 of the MFMA, provided it does not lead to unfair advantage or higher prices.

Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury CSD and eThekwini Municipality’s supplier database. Joint Ventures must have each party registered. Tenders from persons in the service of the state (Regulation 44) are disqualified. Bidders must declare municipal fees status, VAT registration, and submit all required MBD forms. Financial statements may be required for assessment.

The 80/20 preference points system applies. Price (80 points) is evaluated using the formula: NFO = W (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/(Pmax - Pmin)). Preference points (20 points) are awarded based on B-BBEE Status Level. Functionality is a threshold with a minimum score of 70/100, covering tenderer’s experience (40 points), key staff qualifications (50 points), and methodology (10 points).