Supply and deliver a new 2.5MVA 11KV/400V oil immersed transformer for sandile water treatment works

• Closing: 17 November 2026 at 11:00 - sealed bids must be in the bid box at Amatola House by this time.
• Bid documents available: free download from the Amatola Water website at www.amatolawater.online from Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 09:00.
• Clarification or briefing meeting: none will be held; there is no compulsory site meeting.
• Bid validity: 120 days from the closing date.
• Bid opening: in public shortly after the closing time.

Bidding procedure enquiries

• Contact: Ms Namhla Ndlamla
• Role: Supply chain management enquiries
• Telephone: 043 707 3700
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Mr Mazwi Mkile
• Telephone: 043 709 3700
• Email: [email protected]

Enquiry channel

• No telephonic enquiries will be entertained; all enquiries must be submitted in writing.

Bid submission address

Bid/Tender Box, Reception area

Amatola House

6 Lancaster Road

Vincent

East London

Issuing office address

Amatola Water

Private Bag X3

Vincent

5217

Telephone: +27 43 707 3700

Submission method

• Bid box delivery only: the completed bid, in a sealed envelope or parcel endorsed with bid number AW2026/27/05 and the bid description, must be deposited in the bid/tender box in the reception area of Amatola House, 6 Lancaster Road, Vincent, East London before the closing time.
• The original completed bid documents must be submitted, with all supporting documents in a separate file.
• Email and any other electronic submission will not be accepted.
• Bids are opened in public shortly after the closing time.
• Late bids will not be considered and, where practicable, will be returned unopened.

Returnable documents

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder, contact and pricing summary details; the total from the pricing schedule must be carried over to SBD 1.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule - Firm Prices, Purchases): priced bill of quantities; the non-firm schedule SBD 3.2 is not applicable.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): must be completed in full, including paragraph 2.3 on interests held in other related enterprises.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): the only route to specific goal points; if it is not completed and signed, no points are awarded.
• Form A (Authority to Sign): proof that the signatory is authorised by board resolution; failing to complete it invalidates the bid.
• Form B: schedule of at least two similar contracts completed in the last 10 years, giving contract value, commencement and completion dates and contactable references.
• Forms B1 and B2 (Confirmation of References): completed by the previous client, signed and stamped; unsigned, unstamped or hand-written stamp impressions are rejected and reference letters are not accepted in their place.
• CSD registration number and SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.

Disqualification risks

• Any returnable form or declaration left unsigned or incomplete.
• Alterations or corrections not initialled or signed by the bidder.
• Failure to transfer the pricing total to SBD 1.
• Bids received after the closing time, or submitted electronically.

Evaluation stages

1. Mandatory requirements - completeness and compliance of the returnable documents; non-compliant bids are eliminated.
2. Capability requirements - bidder experience, references and key staff; non-compliant bids are treated as non-responsive.
3. Price and preference - the 80/20 system under the PPPFA.

Scoring (80/20)

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Total: 100 points
• Price formula: Ps = 80 x (1 - (Pt - Pmin) / Pmin), where Pt is the price of the bid being scored and Pmin the lowest acceptable bid.

Specific goals (20 points)

• 51% or more black ownership (HDI): 8 points
• 51% or more black women ownership: 6 points
• 51% or more black youth ownership: 4 points
• 20% or more ownership by people with disability: 2 points
• Points are awarded only where SBD 6.1 is completed and signed and the claim is supported by the required proof.

Capability gate (Stage 2)

• At least two electrical construction projects involving the supply and delivery, or the installation and commissioning, of medium/high voltage equipment, completed as main contractor or subcontractor within the last 10 years.
• A practical completion or completion certificate for each contract, showing the contract number and name, the employer or employer's agent, and the completion date.
• Subcontractor claims: the main contractor's appointment letter and completion certificate, plus the subcontractor's own certificate for the portion of work it completed.
• Forms B1 and B2, together with an approved purchase order, for supply and delivery orders.
• Name and contact details of the employer's or employer's agent's representative for each contract claimed, for verification.
• Key staff - Electrical Engineer/Technologist/Technician: a National Diploma, BTech, BSc or BEng in Electrical Engineering plus at least five years' design and/or construction experience on medium/high voltage networks, evidenced by a certified copy of the qualification and a CV listing qualifications, accreditations, employment history and at least one referee.
• Where the submitted evidence is insufficient, the bid is rejected without a request for further information.

Award of equal bids

• Equal total points: the bid with the higher specific goals score is awarded the contract.
• Equal in all respects: the award is decided by drawing lots.

Scope

• Supply, deliver and offload one new 2.5 MVA, 11 000/400 V oil-immersed distribution transformer at Sandile Water Treatment Works, Middledrift, Eastern Cape; the unit is required as a spare transformer.

Transformer ratings

• Rating: 2 500 kVA
• Voltage: 11 000/400 V
• Current: 131.22/3 608 A
• Phase: 3
• Impedance: 8.77%
• Cooling: ONAN
• Frequency: 50 Hz
• Vector group: Dyn11
• HV winding: copper
• LV winding: aluminium

Required features

• Winding temperature indicator and oil temperature indicator, plus a Buchholz relay, both pre-wired to the transformer marshalling box.
• SABS 780 approved.
• ACTOM or equivalent.
• Type test certificates and factory acceptance test certificates must be able to be supplied.
• Filled with mineral oil complying with IEC 60296, with a PCB level below 50 ppm.
• Manual off-load tap changer with five positions: 105%, 102.5%, 100%, 97.5% and 95%.

Applicable standards and legislation

• Occupational Health and Safety Act
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC), July 2010
• Public Finance Management Act
• IEC 60296 (mineral oil for transformers)
• SABS 780 (oil-immersed distribution transformers)

Bidder experience (Stage 2 gate)

• At least two electrical construction projects completed in the last 10 years involving supply and delivery, or installation and commissioning, of medium/high voltage equipment, carried out as main contractor or subcontractor.
• Practical completion or completion certificates showing the contract number, contract name, employer or employer's agent, and completion date.
• Subcontractor claims: the main contractor's appointment letter and completion certificate, plus the subcontractor's own completion certificate for its allocated portion.
• Forms B1 and B2 confirming references, and an approved purchase order for supply and delivery orders.
• The employer's or employer's agent's representative's name and contact details for each contract claimed.
• Insufficient evidence results in rejection without a request for further information.

Key staff

• Position: Electrical Engineer/Technologist/Technician.
• Qualification: National Diploma, BTech, BSc or BEng in Electrical Engineering.
• Experience: at least five years' design and/or construction work on medium/high voltage networks.
• Evidence: certified copy of the qualification and a CV setting out qualifications, professional accreditations, employment periods, roles and responsibilities, plus the name and contact details of at least one referee familiar with the individual's recent employment.

Quality and testing

• The transformer must be SABS 780 approved and equivalent to ACTOM.
• Type test certificates and factory acceptance test certificates must be able to be supplied.
• Insulating oil must comply with IEC 60296, with a PCB content below 50 ppm.
• Winding and oil temperature indicators and a Buchholz relay must be fitted and pre-wired to the transformer marshalling box.
• A manual off-load tap changer with five positions is required: 105%, 102.5%, 100%, 97.5% and 95%.

Pricing schedule

• Only firm prices are accepted; non-firm prices and prices subject to exchange rate variation are excluded, and SBD 3.2 (non-firm) is not applicable.
• SBD 3.1 (firm prices, purchases) must be completed in full, with every line item priced; a separate schedule is required for each delivery point that affects pricing.
• Bill 1: supply cost of one 2.5 MVA, 11 000/400 V transformer.
• Bill 2: transport to Sandile Water Treatment Works, Middledrift, Eastern Cape, by crane truck of not less than 6 ton SWL; rates may not exceed the Department of Transport rates.
• Bill 3: labour rates per normal working hour for an Electrical Engineer, a Driver and a Certified Rigger.
• Bill 4: summary with VAT at 15% and the total including VAT.
• Unconditional discounts must be itemised in an attached schedule showing where they apply.
• VAT must be included in the bid price and shown separately; non-VAT vendors exclude VAT.
• The total offer must be transferred to SBD 1; failing to do so disqualifies the bid.
• The offer remains valid for 120 days from the closing date.

Pricing basis

• Firm prices only: non-firm prices and prices subject to exchange rate variation are not accepted, and SBD 3.2 (non-firm) is not applicable.
• Pricing is by bill of quantities:
• Bill 1: supply cost of the transformer.
• Bill 2: transport to Sandile Water Treatment Works, Middledrift, Eastern Cape, by crane truck of not less than 6 ton SWL; travel rates may not exceed the Department of Transport rates.
• Bill 3: labour rates per normal working hour for an Electrical Engineer, a Driver and a Certified Rigger.
• Bill 4: summary of the bills, VAT at 15%, and the total including VAT.
• Where delivery points affect the price, a separate pricing schedule must be submitted for each point.
• Any unconditional discount offered must be itemised in an attached schedule showing where it applies.
• VAT must be included in the bid price and shown separately; non-VAT vendors must not include VAT.
• The total offer must be transferred to SBD 1; failure to do so disqualifies the bid.

Commercial terms

• Bids remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• The bidder carries its own cost of preparing and submitting the bid.
• The successful bidder must complete and sign the written contract form (SBD 7.2).

Eligibility

• Central Supplier Database registration is mandatory; the bidder's CSD registration number must be provided as proof of registration.
• A unique SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN must be submitted so Amatola Water can verify the taxpayer profile and status, or a printed TCS certificate may accompany the bid. Where no TCS PIN is available but the bidder is registered on the CSD, the CSD number must be supplied.
• Consortiums, joint ventures and subcontracting arrangements: each party must submit its own TCS certificate/PIN and CSD number.
• Bids will not be considered from persons in the service of the state, companies whose directors are in the service of the state, or close corporations whose members are in the service of the state.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are disqualified automatically.

Joint ventures and consortiums

• A signed joint venture or consortium agreement must be attached, certified by a Commissioner of Oaths and signed by all parties; it must name the managing member and the authorised signatory, set out the profit-sharing split, give the bank account for payment, and give the postal and physical addresses for correspondence.
• Every member's tax affairs must be in order, and after award the venture must provide a combined tax clearance certificate and its banking details.
• A joint venture, consortium or trust may claim specific goal points as a legal entity only if it claims on SBD 6.1 and submits the CSD details of both companies.

Preference evidence

• Preference points are claimed for specific goals rather than B-BBEE levels, and only through a completed and signed SBD 6.1 supported by the required proof.

Health and safety

• Supply and delivery are subject to the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Other applicable instruments for the work: General Conditions of Contract (July 2010), Public Finance Management Act, IEC 60296 and SABS 780.
• Transport is by crane truck of not less than 6 ton SWL, and labour rates are required for an Electrical Engineer, a Driver and a Certified Rigger, indicating the rigging capability expected for offloading.

Contractual framework

• The successful bidder must complete and sign the written contract form (SBD 7.2, rendering of services).
• The successful service provider must abide by the service level agreement concluded with Amatola Water, act as a partner, supply the information needed for delivery, and respond promptly to decisions and support requests so that Amatola Water's operations are not delayed.
• Bids remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• Submitting a proposal means the bidder accepts the conditions in the bid documents unless it states otherwise.
• The bidder bears all costs of preparing and submitting its proposal.
• A supplier facing conditions beyond its reasonable control that affect timely delivery must notify Amatola Water immediately.
• Amatola Water may decline any proposal and cancel the bid, may award in part or in full, and may withdraw or amend bid conditions by written notice to all bidders before the closing date, and may remedy an incorrect award as it sees fit.

Stages

1. Mandatory requirements - the returnable documents are checked for completeness; non-compliant bids are eliminated.
2. Capability requirements - at least two medium/high voltage electrical construction projects completed in the last 10 years as main contractor or subcontractor, supported by completion certificates, Forms B1 and B2 and, for supply orders, an approved purchase order; subcontractors must add the main contractor's appointment letter and completion certificate. Key staff: an Electrical Engineer/Technologist/Technician with a National Diploma, BTech, BSc or BEng in Electrical Engineering and at least five years' medium/high voltage design or construction experience, with a certified qualification copy and a CV including a referee.
3. Price and preference - 80/20 system: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals, 100 in total.

Specific goal points

• 51% or more black ownership: 8 points
• 51% or more black women ownership: 6 points
• 51% or more black youth ownership: 4 points
• 20% or more ownership by people with disability: 2 points
• Claims must be made on SBD 6.1, otherwise no points are awarded.

Amatola Water's reserved rights

• It is not bound to accept the lowest or any bid and may accept part of a bid.
• It may cancel the bid, award in part or in full, and withdraw or amend bid conditions in writing before the closing date.
• It may correct an award where an incorrect award has been made.
• Late, incomplete, unsigned or electronically submitted bids are not accepted.
• Bids remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• Equal total points are resolved in favour of the higher specific goals score; bids equal in all respects are decided by drawing lots.