Lease of TRANSNET trim siding 800775 (klaserie), limpopo — 10-year minimum term

Issue Date: 27 August 2026

Briefing Session (non-compulsory, online via MS Teams): 07 September 2026 at 11:00

Site Visit (non-compulsory, highly recommended): 21 September 2026 at 13:00 – bidders must inform TRIM three days prior via the Site Visit URL.

Final date for clarification questions: 16 November 2026 (online platform closes two weeks before tender close).

Closing Date and Time: 30 November 2026 at 10:00

Proposal Validity Period: 180 business days from closing date (end of validity: 20 August 2027). Validity may be extended on same terms; successful bidder’s bid remains valid until lease agreement (Annexure H) is concluded.

All enquiries (bidding procedure and technical) directed to: Clarification Questions via online platform (URL provided on RFP cover page) or email [email protected]. For problems with the online platform, contact TRIM Commercial Secretariat at the same email address. No individual contact names or telephone numbers are provided in the document.

Submission method: electronic only via the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal (https://www.transnet.net). No physical bid box submissions.

Documents must be signed, stamped and dated on every page before upload. The signatory must be duly authorised (board resolution or equivalent proof of authority required).

All returnable documents listed in Section 5 (Business Proposal Form) must be submitted with the proposal. Failure to submit mandatory returnable schedules/documents results in disqualification; failure to submit other schedules/documents may result in disqualification.

Late bids will not be accepted. Bids must be submitted by the stipulated closing date and time.

Bidders must log an intent to bid on the portal before submitting documents.

Alterations to bid prices must be initialled by the authorised signatory; prices quoted subject to confirmation will not be considered.

All monetary amounts must be in South African Rand (ZAR).

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Test for Responsiveness: checks mandatory returnable documents, tax compliance (SARS TCS PIN or CSD registration), B-BBEE certificate/sworn affidavit, proof of authority to sign, and other administrative requirements. Non-responsive bids are disqualified.

Stage 2 – Functional Evaluation (minimum threshold 70%): scores company experience in integrated logistics, warehousing, commercial, industrial engineering and supply chain improvement; collective experience of directors/shareholders/owners or JV lead members; concept operational model (development, operation, enhancement of siding over 10 years); facility utilisation and concept design (rail receiving, cargo handling, stockpiling, dispatch, internal circulation); financial capacity (proof of funding for declared capital investment, audited financial statements for last three years or since inception, key financial ratios – EBITDA, current ratio norm 2:1, solvency ratio norm 1:1); safety, environmental, risk and business continuity management plans (Environmental Management Plan per Annexure L, Risk Assessment Plan per Annexures M & N, BCM Plan per Annexure O, Health & Safety Checklist per Annexure P). Failure to submit Annexure Q (Company Experience Summary) and at least one reference letter may result in a score of 0 for company experience.

Stage 3 – Price and Preference: evaluated on the 80/20 or 90/10 preference point system (PPPFA). Specific Goals points claimed via Annexure J. Price evaluated against rental offer (Annexure I) and percentage of turnover (negotiated with winning bidder).

Siding: Klaserie (Siding Number 800775), coordinates 24°32'33.83"S 31°01'41.01"E, size ±24 265 m². Commodity: as per previous/current rail movement or new commodity based on slot allocation. Purpose: develop a consolidation hub and/or container rail terminal to serve industry within the corridor.

Lease tenure: 10-year operational period (excludes mobilisation, establishment, rehabilitation, development, upgrading/construction period).

Dominant use: storing, loading onto and offloading from rail wagons, and movement of cargo to facilitate transportation by rail. Must honour existing TRIM slot allocation train paths for third-party Train Operating Companies.

Lessee responsible for facility development, securing volumes, obtaining all environmental approvals (authorisations, air emission licences/permits, Water Use Licences where relevant per section 21 of NEMA), and complying with NEMA section 28 (duty of care) and section 30 (incident reporting).

Must submit and implement before operations: Environmental Management Plan (Annexure L), Risk Assessment Plan (Annexures M & N), Business Continuity Management Plan (Annexure O), Health & Safety Checklist (Annexure P).

Must comply with Occupational Health and Safety Act and all applicable TRIM maintenance standards.

Concept Operational Model required: high-level simulation of volume throughput, project schedule with milestones, implementation phases, delivery timelines. Concept design must show allocation of areas for rail receiving, cargo handling, stockpiling, loading/unloading, internal circulation, dispatch; cargo movement flow; optimisation of stockpiling areas.

Investment Plan (Annexure K) required detailing capital investment commitment.

Rental structure: monthly rental payable to TRIM plus a percentage of turnover (negotiated with winning bidder; failure to agree allows TRIM to disqualify and negotiate with reserve bidder).

Proof of funding for declared capital investment: combination of debt and equity acceptable. Debt funding – confirmation letter from institution/individual stating amount and whether committed or conditional; if conditional, written commitment letter with specific conditions. Equity funding – if self-funded: audited/independently verified annual financial statements plus bank confirmation letter of cash/facility balance; if from equity partners: written undertaking to fund, confirmation of amount, funder’s audited/independently verified financial statements, bank confirmation letter.

Financial viability: companies >3 years – audited annual financial statements for last three completed financial years (or independently reviewed statements with explanation if audit not legally required); management accounts not older than three months if latest audited statements >6 months old. Companies <3 years – audited/independently verified statements for period operated plus management accounts not older than three months. Holding/group statements allowed with parent company consent letter and signed Letter of Financial Support.

Key financial ratios assessed: EBITDA, Current Ratio (norm 2:1), Solvency Ratio (norm 1:1) – averaged over three years (or available period).

Winning bidder subject to Credit Risk Assessment to determine deposit and guarantees required. Security (Deed of Suretyship from approved SA bank/insurer/guarantee corporation) may be called for; amount stipulated in bid documents; must be returned within 30 calendar days of letter of acceptance.

Mandatory:

• CSD registration (CSD number MAAAxxxxxxx) and valid tax compliance status (SARS TCS PIN or printed TCS certificate). Each JV/consortium party must submit separate TCS PIN/certificate/CSD number.
• No bids from persons in the service of the state, companies with such directors, or close corporations with such members.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS accredited) or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE per DTI format). Large enterprises: SANAS certificate. QSE: SANAS certificate or sworn affidavit (51-100% black-owned). EME: sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate confirming turnover and black ownership; SANAS certificate only if measured on QSE scorecard.
• Proof of ownership/equity per legal form: CIPC Disclosure Certificate, Share Register, Shareholding Structure, Register of Equity Partners/Members, Trust Deed, identity documents.
• Authority to sign: board resolution or equivalent.
• Signed JV/consortium agreement with percentage split and responsibilities, or written intention to conclude one (award only after signed agreement submitted).
• Compliance with all applicable laws, NEMA, OHS Act, Water Services Act, railway safety regulations, TRIM maintenance standards.
• Environmental authorisations, Water Use Licences, and other permits obtained before operations.

Returnable forms (compressed):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): cover page with bidder details and authorised signature.
• SBD 4 (Bidder’s Disclosure): declares interest, state employment, relationships.
• Specific Goals Points Claim Form (Annexure J): claims preference points.
• Certificate of Acquaintance (Section 6): confirms familiarity with RFP, lease agreement, annexures.
• RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form (Section 7).
• SHER Compliance Declaration and Undertaking (Annexure G).
• Supplier Declaration Form (Annexure E).
• Returnable Bid Response Checklist (Annexure F).
• Non-Disclosure Agreement (Annexure D).
• Bidder Integrity Pact (Annexure C).
• Company Experience Summary (Annexure Q) with reference letter(s).
• Individual Experience Summary (Annexure R) with CVs and reference letter(s).
• Detailed Investment Plan (Annexure K).
• Environmental Plan (Annexure L).
• Risk Management Evaluation (Annexure N).
• BCM Guidelines compliance (Annexure O).
• Health and Safety Checklist (Annexure P).
• Security Guidelines acknowledgement (Annexure S).
• Rental Offer (Annexure I).
• Lease Agreement (Annexure H) – basis for negotiation.

Additional evaluation details:

• Stage 2 functional evaluation criteria weighted scoring (not fully detailed in extracted text) covers: Company Experience (Annexure Q + reference letter), Director/Shareholder/Owner Experience (Annexure R + CVs + reference letter), Concept Operational Model (alignment with investment, design, equipment, methodology; high-level simulation; project schedule), Facility Utilisation and Concept Design (area allocation, cargo flow, stockpiling optimisation), Financial Capacity (proof of funding, financial statements, key ratios), Safety/Environment/Risk/BCM (plans per annexures L, M, N, O, P).
• Minimum functional threshold: 70%.
• Stage 3: Price evaluated on rental offer (Annexure I) and turnover percentage. Preference points per Specific Goals (Annexure J) under PPPFA 80/20 or 90/10.
• Risk Management Evaluation (Annexure N) aspects considered during evaluation.
• Bidders not required to propose technology in every operational area.