Lease of TRANSNET rail infrastructure manager siding 603309 (carolina), mpumalanga – 10-Year RFP

This is a Request for Proposals (RFP) from Transnet SOC Ltd for the leasing of siding number 603309 (Carolina) in Mpumalanga for a period of ten years. The siding is a rail facility of approximately 53,530 m² intended to be developed as a consolidation hub or container rail terminal. The successful lessee will be responsible for investing in and operating the siding, including obtaining all necessary environmental and regulatory approvals, and must submit a detailed operational and investment plan. The lease is on an "as is" basis and the lessee must ensure compliance with all applicable laws and Transnet standards.

Briefing session: 07 September 2026 at 11:00 a.m., online via MS Teams (non-compulsory).

Site visit: 24 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m. (non-compulsory, but recommended; notify TRIM 3 days before).

Final date for clarification questions: 16 November 2026.

Closing date: 30 November 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

Bid validity period: 180 business days from closing (ends 20 August 2027).

All queries: [email protected].

Clarification questions online via provided link.

For technical and procedural enquiries, use same email.

Electronic submission via Transnet eTender portal at https://www.transnet.net.

Closing: 30 November 2026 at 10:00 a.m. Late bids not accepted.

Sign, stamp, and date the bottom of each page before uploading.

All returnable documents listed in Section 5 (Proposal Form) must be submitted.

Mandatory forms: SBD1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD4 (Bidder's Disclosure), Certificate of Acquaintance (Section 6), RFP Declaration (Section 7), Specific Goals Points Claim Form (Section 9).

Annexures required: C (Integrity Pact), D (Non-Disclosure Agreement), E (Supplier Declaration), F (Returnable Bid Response Checklist), G (SHER Compliance Declaration), J (Specific Goals), K (Detailed Investment Plan), L (Environmental Plan), N (Risk Management Evaluation), P (Health and Safety Checklist), Q (Company Experience Summary), R (Individual Experience Summary), S (Security Guidelines).

Joint ventures/consortia must submit signed agreement or written intention with percentage split and responsibilities.

Use official forms only; do not re-type.

Additional conditions in accompanying letter; no alterations to RFP documents except as allowed.

Bid validity: 180 business days from closing.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1: Test for responsiveness (all mandatory documents, compliance).

Stage 2: Functional evaluation with minimum threshold of 70%.

Stage 3: Price and preference (including B-BBEE and specific goals points).

B-BBEE: valid certificate from SANAS accredited agency or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE).

Specific goals: Additional points claimed via Annexure J (Specific Goals Points Claim Form).

Price: rental offer per Annexure I, plus percentage of turnover to be negotiated.

Financial viability: assessed via liquidity (current ratio >=2:1) and solvency (total assets/total liabilities >=1:1) based on audited financial statements.

Experience and track record: company and individual experience evaluated with reference letters.

Concept operational model and design evaluated.

Disqualification: failure to submit mandatory documents, non-compliance, false information, collusion.

Siding: Carolina, siding number 603309, size approximately 53,530 m².

Coordinates: 26°04'22.48"S 30°07'29.84"E.

Purpose: development of a consolidation hub and/or container rail terminal.

Lease period: 10 years (operational, excluding mobilisation/development).

Siding leased "as is"; lessee responsible for development, environmental approvals, water use licenses, etc.

Lessee must submit concept operational model, design layout, investment plan, environmental management plan, risk management plan, business continuity plan, health and safety checklist.

Must comply with OHS Act, National Environmental Management Act, and all relevant legislation.

Dominant purpose: transportation of cargo by rail.

Lessee responsible for managing contracts with Train Operating Companies (TOCs) and cargo owners.

Proof of funding required for declared capital investment (debt and/or equity).

Debt funding confirmation letter from institution (committed or conditional).

Self-funded: audited financial statements and bank confirmation letter.

Equity from partners: written undertaking, amount, funder's financial statements, bank confirmation.

Financial viability: audited financial statements for last 3 years (or less if newer). Management accounts if statements older than 6 months.

Key financial ratios: EBITDA, current ratio (norm 2:1), solvency ratio (norm 1:1).

Successful bidder subject to credit risk assessment to determine deposit and guarantees.

Rental offer via Annexure I; percentage of turnover to be negotiated.

CSD registration required; provide CSD number.

Tax Compliance: SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or printed TCS certificate; each JV/consortium/subcontractor to provide separate.

B-BBEE: valid certificate (SANAS accredited) or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE).

Not in service of state: directors/members not employed by state.

SBD4 (Bidder's Disclosure): declares any conflict of interest.

Certificate of Acquaintance with RFP and Lease Agreement (Section 6).

RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form (Section 7).

Specific Goals Points Claim Form (Section 9).

Annexure C: Transnet Bidder Integrity Pact.

Annexure D: Non-Disclosure Agreement.

Annexure E: Supplier Declaration.

Annexure G: SHER Compliance Declaration and Undertaking.

The evaluation follows a three-stage process. Stage 1 checks responsiveness including mandatory documents and compliance. Stage 2 is a functional evaluation with a minimum threshold of 70%. Stage 3 evaluates price and preference, which includes B-BBEE scores and specific goals claimed via Annexure J. Specific goals are additional transformation criteria beyond standard B-BBEE. Bidders must submit a Specific Goals Points Claim Form (Section 9) to claim these points. The price component includes the rental offer (Annexure I) and a percentage of turnover to be negotiated. Risk management evaluation (Annexure N) also forms part of the functional assessment.