Analysis of potable water and wastewater – RFP in eastern cape

The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) is an operational industrial zone on Buffalo City's West Bank, adjacent to the East London port and airport. It spans over 400 hectares with six fenced sub-zones, fully serviced with utilities and ICT infrastructure. This tender appoints a consulting and analytical laboratory to analyse potable and wastewater for the ELIDZ for three years.

Closing date: 07 December 2026 at 12:00

Briefing session (non-compulsory): 25 November 2026 at 15:00, online via Microsoft Teams

• Meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3105218118797963?p=xyBkci9HELquZ2tpkP
• Meeting ID: 310 521 811 879 796 3
• Passcode: 97HF3Jg9

Clarification questions deadline: 30 November 2026 at 16:00 (by email to [email protected])

Responses to questions: sent by 30 November 2026 at 15:00

RFP available for download: 13 November 2026 at 12:00 from www.elidz.co.za

Enquiries

• Contact: Anathi Mzantsi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: (043) 702 8200
• Fax: (043) 702 8251

Submission portal: https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za

Service delivery address: ELIDZ offices, Lower Chester Road, Sunnyridge, East London

Submission method: online only via https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za

Closing time: 07 December 2026 at 12:00

• E-mailed, faxed, late, or incomplete proposals will not be considered.
• All tender documents must be submitted before the closing date and time.
• Envelope A (Technical Proposal) must include all supporting and compulsory documentation listed below.
• Envelope B (Financial Proposal) must include the price schedule and proposed solution costing.
• Tenders must be signed by an authorised person; proof of authority (e.g. board resolution) must be attached.
• Joint ventures must submit the JV agreement, authorisation certificates, and each party's mandatory documents.

Returnable forms and documents (Envelope A):

• Completed and signed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook (Annexure 1) with supporting documentation (e.g. tax clearance).
• CSD registration certificate.
• Valid tax clearance certificate or SARS PIN.
• Valid original or certified B-BBEE certificate, or for EMEs a sworn affidavit confirming annual turnover and ownership.
• Company profile.
• Proof of office location (municipal clearance certificate, lease agreement, or municipal bill).
• Three completed reference forms (Annexure 2).
• ISO 17025 accreditation certificate and schedule of accreditation.
• Proficiency testing plan with lab codes and latest proficiency testing/interlaboratory reports.
• Project team organogram and CVs.
• SACNASP registration for key personnel.

Evaluation follows the 80/20 preference point system: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals.

Stage 1 – Functionality (minimum 70/100 to proceed):

• Scope of accreditation (30 points): ≥90% of required services accredited = 30; 71–89% = 20; <70% = 0.
• Key personnel and CVs (20 points): registered scientist with >5 years' experience = 20; 1–5 years = 10; <1 year = 0.
• Lab capacity – microbiology (10 points): ≥3 analysts = 10; 2 analysts = 5; ≤1 = 0.
• Lab capacity – chemistry (10 points): ≥3 analysts = 10; 2 analysts = 5; ≤1 = 0.
• Proficiency testing Z-scores (20 points): ≥90% = 20; 80–89% = 15; <80% = 0.
• Reference letters (10 points): 3 or more = 10; 2 = 5; 1 = 0.

Stage 2 – Price and specific goals (80/20):

• Price points calculated using the formula: Ps = R x (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin), with R up to 80.
• Specific goals points (max 20) for contracts above R1 million up to R50 million:
• 10 points for 51%+ Black-owned suppliers.
• 5 points for Eastern Cape based suppliers.
• 1 point for 51%+ Black women-owned suppliers.
• 1 point for 51%+ Black youth-owned suppliers.
• 3 points for SMMEs.
• Contract awarded to the highest total score, unless reasonable and justifiable grounds exist to award otherwise.
• Failure to submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit results in zero preference points.

Scope: Analysis of potable water and wastewater for the East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ) for a period of three years.

Required testing – potable water (in-house or outsourced, to be specified):

• Colour, total dissolved solids, total hardness, calcium, chloride, fluoride, magnesium, ammonia, nitrate & nitrite, nitrate, nitrite, potassium, sodium, sulphate, zinc.
• Micro elements: aluminium, antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, total chromium (incl. Cr-6), cobalt, copper, cyanide, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, selenium, uranium.
• Dissolved organic carbon, total organic carbon, phenols, total microcystin-LR, trihalomethanes (total and individual: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, bromoform).

Required testing – wastewater:

• Nitrate/nitrite as nitrogen, free chlorine, suspended solids, ortho-phosphate, chemical oxygen demand, fluoride, soap/oil/grease, dissolved arsenic, cadmium, chromium (VI), copper, cyanide, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, selenium, zinc, boron, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR).

Specialised testing:

• TPH, protozoan parasites (Cryptosporidium and Giardia), somatic coliphages, benzene, bromate, chlorite, chlorate, atrazine and metabolites, DDT and metabolites, geosmin, 2-MIB, enterococci, true colour.

Service provider requirements:

• Quality management system, preferably SANAS/ISO 17025.
• At least 90% of methods accredited on-site to SANAS/ISO 17025; remaining 10% within an accredited laboratory.
• For outsourced methods, submit the subcontracted laboratory's valid schedule of accreditation.
• Proven history and experience in the same parameter analysis.
• Maximum turnaround time of 5 days.
• Ability to provide additional technical interpretation of results.

Service delivery location: ELIDZ offices, Lower Chester Road, Sunnyridge, East London, or anywhere the service is required.

Experience and qualifications:

• Key personnel must be registered with SACNASP.
• Registered scientist with more than 5 years' experience scores higher in functionality.
• At least 3 microbiology analysts and 3 chemistry analysts preferred.
• Provide three reference letters on the ELIDZ template (Annexure 2) demonstrating similar work experience.
• If the referee lacks a company stamp, a letter on company letterhead confirming sign-off is required.
• Provide project team organogram and CVs.

Quality requirements:

• Quality management system, preferably SANAS/ISO 17025.
• At least 90% of required methods accredited on-site; remaining 10% within an accredited laboratory.
• For outsourced methods, submit the subcontracted laboratory's valid schedule of accreditation.
• Proficiency testing plan with lab codes and latest reports.
• Maximum 5-day turnaround time.
• Ability to provide technical interpretation of results.

Pricing schedule:

• Price schedule and proposed solution costing submitted in Envelope B.
• Prices must be firm for 120 days after closing date.
• Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.
• Rates and prices must cover all obligations in the tender.
• Payment milestones monthly over three years.

Pricing:

• Prices must be firm for 120 days after the closing date.
• Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.
• Price schedule and proposed solution costing submitted in Envelope B.
• Prices must cover all obligations in the tender.

Payment terms:

• Payment processing period of maximum 30 days from receipt of a complete claim.
• Complete claim requires original invoices, covering letters of approval (consultant and ELIDZ official where applicable), and statement of accounts.

Other:

• If the contract value exceeds R5 million for the same goods/services on a consecutive basis, the successful bidder must submit a supplier development plan for SMMEs.
• No bid security or guarantee mentioned.

Mandatory registrations and documents:

• CSD registration (Central Supplier Database).
• Valid tax clearance certificate or SARS PIN.
• ISO 17025 accreditation certificate and schedule of accreditation.
• SACNASP registration for key personnel.
• Completed and signed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook.

B-BBEE requirements:

• Valid original or certified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency for generic suppliers.
• For QSEs and EMEs: sworn affidavit confirming ownership status and annual turnover.
• EMEs (turnover < R10 million) automatically receive Level 4 status; 51%+ black-owned EMEs receive Level 2; 100% black-owned EMEs receive Level 1.
• B-BBEE certificates from non-accredited agencies are not accepted.
• Unincorporated joint ventures must submit a consolidated verified B-BBEE certificate.

Local content:

• ELIDZ may impose a local production and content threshold where applicable.

SHERQ compliance (if applicable):

• Before starting work, undergo ELIDZ SHE induction and produce a SHE file aligned with the scope of work.
• SHE file must include scope of work, appointment copy, SHE risk assessments, safe work procedures/method statements, emergency preparedness plans, PPE list and issue register, chemical list (no aerosol or VOC products; comply with NEMA), safety data sheets, letters of good standing with Workmen's Compensation, legal appointments, training/competency certificates, and employee medicals where applicable.
• For working at heights: MEWP operator competency, load test, service and inspection records; ladder register and inspections; scaffolding erector and inspector appointments and competency certificates.
• Waste transporters must be registered with the municipality.

Contract duration: three years, commencing after signing the service level agreement.

• The successful bidder must enter into a written service level agreement and a confidentiality agreement.
• ELIDZ may set off any liability of the service provider against amounts owed.
• If the contract value exceeds R5 million for the same goods/services consecutively, a supplier development plan for SMMEs is required.
• ELIDZ may accept the tender in whole or in part, split the award, or make no award.
• ELIDZ may negotiate with the successful tenderer and modify the RFP's goods/services.
• Any misrepresentation may lead to disqualification or contract termination with recovery of payments.
• Inadequate performance: if not remedied within 14 days of written notice, ELIDZ may cancel the contract and recover costs.

Additional evaluation details:

• Functionality is scored out of 100; minimum 70 required to proceed.
• Functionality criteria include scope of accreditation (30), key personnel and CVs (20), lab capacity for microbiology (10) and chemistry (10), proficiency testing Z-scores (20), and reference letters (10).
• Price and specific goals are scored using the 80/20 system.
• Specific goals points are allocated for 51%+ Black-owned (10), Eastern Cape based (5), 51%+ Black women-owned (1), 51%+ Black youth-owned (1), and SMMEs (3).
• The contract is awarded to the highest total score, unless reasonable grounds justify otherwise.