Underground optical fibre installation training for PRASA telecoms, gauteng

Closing date: 12 November 2026 at 10:00 (CAT).

Compulsory briefing: 09 November 2026 at 11:00, 6th floor, Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Braamfontein. Attendance is mandatory; the attendance register will be used to confirm attendance.

Contact person: Khuthadzo Tshikhudo

Telephone: 011 085 7060

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Complaints email: [email protected]

Submission address: Ground Floor, Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Cnr Leyds and Simmonds Street, Braamfontein.

Submission method: hand delivery only. No email or fax submissions accepted.

Submission address: Ground Floor, Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Cnr Leyds and Simmonds Street, Braamfontein.

Closing time: 12 November 2026 at 10:00 (CAT). Late bids will not be accepted.

Bids must be submitted on official forms provided, in a sealed envelope, and must not include documents from other quotations.

Returnable forms (all must be completed and signed):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any connection to state employees, PEPs/PIPs, and related enterprises; false declarations disqualify.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE preference points under the 80/20 system.
• Certificate of Attendance of Compulsory RFQ Briefing (Form D): proof of attendance at the compulsory briefing.
• Completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4).
• Completed BOQ / Pricing Schedule (Section 10).
• Accreditation letter from SETA (qualification 59057) or FOA.
• Letter of Good Standing: COIDA.
• Valid SARS PIN.
• CSD supplier registration number.
• Joint Venture, Consortium, Partnering or Subcontract Agreement (if applicable), signed by all parties.
• Proof of authority (e.g. company resolution) for the signatory.

Disqualification risks:

• Missing any mandatory returnable document at closing date/time.
• Late submission, regardless of reason.
• Attempting to canvass any SCM officer or PRASA employee between closing and award.
• Submitting a bid that is incomplete or not on official forms.

Evaluation stages:

Stage 1 – Compliance: Stage 1A mandatory requirements (non-submission = automatic disqualification): completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule, completed BOQ/Pricing Schedule, attendance of compulsory briefing (Form D), SETA/FOA accreditation letter. Stage 1B other mandatory requirements (may be requested within 3 working days; non-provision = disqualification): signed RFQ and SBD forms, COIDA letter of good standing, valid SARS PIN, all RFQ documentation, JV/consortium/subcontract agreement, CSD registration number.

Stage 2 – Technical/Functionality: minimum threshold 60%. Scoring based on number of similar projects completed:

• 0 projects = 0 points
• 1 project = 20 points
• 2 projects = 40 points
• 3 projects = 60 points
• 4 projects = 80 points
• 5 or more projects = 100 points

Evidence required for each project: appointment letter on company letterhead, project description, purchase order, client name and contact (email and office number), project start/end dates, extension of time where applicable, contract value inclusive of VAT, and completion certificate or client letter confirming successful completion.

Stage 3 – Price and Specific Goals: Price 80 points, Specific Goals 20 points, total 100 points. 80/20 preference point system applies. Price scored using formula: Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).

Specific goals (20 points):

• Black Women owned: 10 points, supporting evidence: certified copy of ID documents of owners.
• EME or QSE 51% Black Owned: 10 points, supporting evidence: audited annual financial statements or B-BBEE certificate/affidavit.

PRASA may apply objective criteria to award to a bidder other than the highest scorer, split the award, or appoint another bidder if the successful bidder fails to sign within 14 days, fails to provide security/bonds/guarantees, fails to meet a condition precedent, or negotiations fail.

Scope: Provision of underground optical fiber installation training for PRASA Telecoms Technicians, Gauteng Region.

Training must cover:

• Introduction to fiber optics (single-mode vs multi-mode, components, advantages, new technology).
• Health and safety (PPE, site safety protocols, risk assessments for trenching/underground work, transporting plant/materials, electrical and mechanical hazard awareness).
• Reading and understanding network design (route planning, surveying, interpreting fiber route diagrams, permit requirements).
• Trenching and ducting (techniques, depth requirements, bedding/backfill standards, installing duct pipes and micro ducts, route marking, surface reinstatement).
• Fiber optic cable installation (pulling and blowing cables, cable specifications and handling, installation in ducts/chambers/manholes, labeling and identification).
• Jointing and splicing (splice enclosures, fusion and mechanical splicing, mid-span access and break-out techniques).
• Testing and commissioning (OTDR, power meter, continuity and loss testing, fault finding, documentation and test reports).
• Maintenance and repairs (fiber maintenance techniques, emergency repairs, restoration procedures and reporting).

Training materials to be supplied by provider:

• Training manual/handbook.
• PPE for practical sessions.
• Outdoor space for practical trench and duct training.
• Complete fiber blowing equipment.
• Splicing machines and testing equipment.
• Real or simulated trench environment.
• Safety signage and civil tools.
• Lunch and tea break meals.

Class size: recommended maximum 10 trainees.

Assessment and certification:

• Theoretical test: minimum pass mark 80%.
• Practical evaluation: on-site or simulated environment.
• Final evaluation by accredited trainer or external assessor.
• Certificate of Competence issued to successful participants, specifying trainee name, trainer institution, topics covered, accreditation number, and date of issue.

Provider must be a registered training institution or individual with valid accreditation from a recognized telecommunications or technical training authority.

Accredited with SETA under qualification 59057 (Telecommunications network operations certificate) or with FOA as a fiber underground training provider.

Minimum 3 years' field experience in underground fiber optic installation.

Must be accredited to train and assess candidates or hold Assessor and Moderator credentials.

Technical/functionality scoring based on number of similar projects completed (see evaluation criteria).

Training must meet industry compliance, safety, and installation standards.

Certificate of Competence awarded upon successful completion, specifying trainee name, trainer institution, topics covered, accreditation number, and date of issue.

Theoretical test minimum pass mark 80%.

Practical evaluation on-site or simulated environment.

Final evaluation by accredited trainer or external assessor.

Pricing must be submitted on the provided Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4) and BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10).

Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes.

Price offer must be firm.

Cost breakdown must be indicated.

Price escalation basis and formula must be indicated.

Deviation from the pricing schedule may render the bid non-responsive.

Discounted prices only considered in final evaluation stage on an unconditional basis.

Pricing must be in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes.

Price offer must be firm.

Pricing must be submitted strictly on the provided Pricing Schedule (Section 4) and BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10). Deviation may render the bid non-responsive.

Cost breakdown must be indicated.

Price escalation basis and formula must be indicated.

Discounted prices will only be considered in the final evaluation stage on an unconditional basis.

If the highest scoring bidder's price is not market-related, PRASA may negotiate a market-related price with the highest, then second, then third highest scoring bidder; if no agreement, the RFQ is cancelled.

Payment: PRASA pays within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice.

No bid security, bonds, or guarantees are specified in the document.

CSD registration: mandatory. Bidders must self-register on the Central Supplier Database (https://secure.csd.gov.za/). Business may not be awarded to unregistered bidders. Foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt.

Tax compliance: bidders must submit a valid SARS PIN (Tax Compliance Status PIN) or a printed TCS certificate. Where a consortium/JV/subcontractors are involved, each party must submit a separate TCS PIN/CSD number.

COIDA: Letter of Good Standing required.

B-BBEE: Preference points claimed under the 80/20 system. Specific goals: Black Women owned (10 points) and EME or QSE 51% Black Owned (10 points). Supporting evidence required.

State employment: Bids from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors in the service of the state, or close corporations with members in the service of the state will not be considered.

Accreditation: Must be accredited with SETA under qualification 59057 (Telecommunications network operations certificate) or with FOA as a fiber underground training provider. Accreditation letter must be submitted.

Experience: Minimum 3 years' field experience in underground fiber optic installation.

Assessor/Moderator credentials: Must be accredited to train and assess candidates or hold Assessor and Moderator credentials.

Training must cover health and safety topics: PPE requirements, site safety protocols, risk assessments for trenching and underground work, transporting plant and materials to site, electrical and mechanical hazard awareness.

Provider must supply PPE for practical sessions.

Trainees must comply with safety, SANS, and municipal regulations for underground works.

Contract governed by PRASA General Conditions of Purchase and South African law.

Warranty: Supplier warrants items fit for purpose and free from defects for one year from acceptance (unless another period stated in the order).

Indemnity: Supplier indemnifies PRASA against claims arising from supplier's negligence, IP infringement, breach of statutory duty, defective design, materials or workmanship.

Subcontracting: Only with PRASA's prior approval; the successful bidder remains liable for performance.

Assignment: Not permitted without PRASA's consent.

Late delivery may be subject to penalty if imposed in the order.

PRASA may cancel the contract if information furnished by the bidder is later proved incorrect.

PRASA may appoint another bidder if the successful bidder fails to sign within 14 days, fails to provide security/bonds/guarantees, fails to meet a condition precedent, or negotiations fail.

Additional evaluation details: PRASA may apply objective criteria to award to a bidder other than the highest scorer, including negative track record, spreading awards, avoiding concentration of awards, and considering the number, capacity, value, and scope of previous awards. PRASA may split the award among multiple service providers if the nature of the services allows. PRASA may appoint another bidder if the successful bidder fails to sign within 14 days, fails to provide security/bonds/guarantees, fails to meet a condition precedent, or negotiations fail.