Supply, delivery and installation of a line array speaker system for artscape opera house

Compulsory briefing session: 03 November 2026 at 11:00 AM, at Artscape, Stage Door.

Closing date: 23 November 2026 at 13:00 PM.

Bid validity period: 150 days from the closing date.

SCM enquiries:

• Contact: Supply Chain Management
• Telephone: 021 410 9835 / 9800
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Mr. Liam Cookson
• Role: Stage Services
• Telephone: 021 410 9800
• Email: [email protected] (cc [email protected])

Submission address:

Tender Box, Artscape Building 1-10, D.F. Malan Street, Stage Door, Cape Town

Service/delivery address:

Artscape, D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town, 8001

Submission method: sealed envelope delivered to the Tender Box, Artscape Building 1-10, D.F. Malan Street, Stage Door, Cape Town. Envelope must show the bid number (ART03/2026), bidder's name and address, and closing date. Bids may be posted by registered mail or couriered, but must arrive before closing. Late bids are not accepted.

Copies required: one original, one copy, and one electronic copy on a USB flash drive.

Returnable forms (all must be completed in full, in black ink, and signed):

• SBD1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD3.1 (Pricing Schedule – Firm Prices): firm prices only, all taxes included.
• SBD4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any director/shareholder employed by the state or connected to the procuring institution.
• SBD6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under the 80/20 system.
• SBD8 (Declaration of Bidder's Past Supply Chain Management Practices): confirms no prior abuse of SCM systems.
• SBD9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies the price was set independently, with no collusion.
• Tax clearance certificate or SARS TCS PIN.
• CSD registration number (starting with MAAA).
• B-BBEE certificate or certified copy (level 3 or better).
• Company profile.
• Proposal and price compiled per the Terms of Reference.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC): initial each page.
• Completed checklist attached to the proposal.

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable form omitted, incomplete, or unsigned.
• Bids received after the closing time.
• Use of correction fluid; changes must be made by drawing a line through and initialling.
• Bids qualified by the bidder's own conditions may be rejected.
• Failure to provide requested clarification or demonstration within 24 hours.
• Bidders in the service of the state, or with directors who are, are not eligible.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers are disqualified.

Evaluation is staged:

• Gate 0: Submission of all Standard Bid Documents (SBDs).
• Gate 1: Administrative compliance – original tax clearance or TCS PIN, all SBDs completed and signed, company profile. Non-compliance may render the bid non-responsive.
• Gate 2: Functionality (100 points) – minimum qualifying score of 70 points.
• Technical specification: 60 points.
• Number of years in the industry: 0–5 years = 3 points; 6 or more = 5 points.
• After-sales support (35 points):
• 24/7/365 technical support: proof = 5 points, no proof = 0.
• Spare parts and interim loan speaker system (48-hour turnaround): proof = 10 points, no proof = 0.
• Warranty: 1-year replacement = 10 points; 3-year repair = 5 points.
• Training for setup and running of the system: 10 points (all Artscape sound technicians must be trained; tuning tools and training must be supplied).
• Gate 3: Price and preference points (80/20 system per Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022):
• Price: 80 points.
• B-BBEE status level: 20 points (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).

Bidders scoring below 70% on functionality are disqualified and not evaluated further.

Scope: Supply, delivery, and installation of a new line array speaker system for the Artscape Opera House, replacing and upgrading the main left and right speaker clusters. The new system must be fully compatible with and operate seamlessly alongside the existing Meyer Sound system (centre cluster: 4x Meyer Sound CQ2; side fill: Meyer Sound CQ2; front fills: 6x Meyer Sound M1D; subs: 4x HP 700; processor: Galileo 616).

Minimum requirements:

• Line array tops: minimum 18 self-powered tops, flown (9 per side).
• Coverage: minimum 110 degrees horizontal, variable vertical angles.
• SPL: 145 dB minimum.
• Transducers: 2x minimum 10-inch low-frequency drivers; 1x 3–5 inch high-frequency driver.
• Frequency range: 55 Hz – 16 kHz.
• Maximum array weight per side: 600 kg.
• Maximum width per box: 880 mm.
• Rigging: quick-release pins for variable vertical splay angles.
• Power: Powercon through power.
• Analog signal input: XLR 3-pin.
• Digital signal input and control: Milan AVB via Ethernet in and through-port.
• Wheels: 4x removable castor frame.
• Amplification: self-powered.

Cabling: All signal, power, network, and interlinking connections must be supplied.

Line array speaker processor:

• Inputs: minimum 4 channels of analogue XLR inputs.
• Outputs: minimum 8 channels of analogue XLR outputs.
• Network inputs: AVB Milan with redundant port.
• Sample rate: 24-bit, 96 kHz.
• Network: RJ45 ports for remote control via WiFi and LAN.
• Power: Powercon.

Rigging equipment:

• 2x hanging grids (bumper bars) for line array.
• 2x 6m, 2-ton safety steel cables with PVC covering.

Bidders must demonstrate relevant experience and success in delivering reliable, efficient, and effective services. Functionality scoring includes number of years in the industry: 0–5 years = 3 points; 6 or more = 5 points. The bidder must warrant that it is highly skilled, professional, competent, and experienced in the area for which it has tendered. The bidder must also provide a company profile as part of the administrative requirements.

Pricing must be submitted on SBD3.1 (Pricing Schedule – Firm Prices). Only firm prices will be accepted; non-firm prices (including those subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered. All applicable taxes (VAT, PAYE, income tax, UIF, skills development levies) must be included in the bid price. All delivery costs must be included. The offer must remain valid for 150 days from the closing date. If different delivery points influence pricing, a separate pricing schedule must be submitted for each delivery point.

Pricing: Firm prices only. Non-firm prices (including prices subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered. All delivery costs must be included in the bid price. Prices must include all applicable taxes (VAT, PAYE, income tax, UIF, skills development levies).

Bid validity: 150 days from the closing date.

No bid security, bonds, guarantees, or retention mentioned in the document.

CSD registration: Must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) as an active supplier, tax-compliant, and not restricted. Provide CSD number starting with MAAA.

Tax compliance: Submit a valid original tax clearance certificate or SARS TCS PIN. If no TCS PIN, provide CSD number. Each party in a consortium/JV/subcontracting must submit separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.

B-BBEE: Submit a valid original B-BBEE certificate or certified copy issued by a Registered Auditor approved by IRBA or a Verification Agency accredited by SANAS. Minimum level 3 or better required. Trusts, consortia, or JVs must submit a consolidated B-BBEE certificate for each bid. Public entities and tertiary institutions must also submit certificates.

Prohibition: No awards to persons in the service of the state (per Ministerial directive effective 1 April 2024).

Disqualification: Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

The bidder must supply 2x 6m, 2-ton safety steel cables with PVC covering for the rigging equipment. No other specific health and safety requirements are stated in the document.

The successful bidder will be required to sign a written contract (SBD7). The proposal, together with the bidder's terms, conditions, and scope of works, will form a binding contract after award. The successful bidder assumes total responsibility. Artscape has the right not to award the tender, or to award in part or in full to one or more concerns on a non-exclusive basis. Bids qualified by the bidder's own conditions may be rejected. Artscape may request clarification or additional information, and the bidder must respond within 24 hours or risk disqualification. Artscape may also request a demonstration, to be provided within 24 hours. The bidder warrants that it is highly skilled, professional, competent, and experienced in the relevant area, and that the service will be of a superior standard. Artscape reserves the right to conduct supplier due diligence at any time during the evaluation or contract period.

The bid is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 and the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022, using the 80/20 scoring principle. The bidder must provide proof of CSD registration showing active supplier status, tax compliance, and not being restricted. The bidder must complete all documents in full. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope with the bid number and closing date indicated. Bids sent by post must be by registered mail and must reach the office before closing. Couriered bids must be received before closing. The proposal must remain valid for 150 days. Artscape reserves the right to conduct supplier due diligence and to request presentations/demonstrations. The successful bidder will be required to sign a written contract (SBD7).

Evaluation is staged: Gate 0 (SBD submission), Gate 1 (administrative compliance), Gate 2 (functionality, minimum 70 points), Gate 3 (price and preference points, 80/20 system). Functionality breakdown: technical specification 60 points, years in industry 5 points, after-sales support 35 points (24/7/365 support 5, spare parts and interim loan system 10, warranty 10, training 10). Price 80 points, B-BBEE 20 points. Bidders scoring below 70% on functionality are disqualified.