Request for information ancillary services and demand response for ntcsa

This is a Request for Information (RFI) from the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) regarding Ancillary Services and Demand Response. The RFI is part of a 2026 effort and consists of three documents: the RFI Commercial document (template 240-72663051), the System Operator Ancillary Services RFI containing the IPSRS questions (Part A), and this Excel document with the questions and space for Service Provider answers (Part B).

Two returnable schedules: an Information Schedule and a Pricing Schedule. The numbering of the requested information and questions must be retained. Electronic and hard copies of the AB schedules and reference documents must be provided; searchable text within submitted reference documentation is preferred. Costs must be in ZAR, excluding VAT for the local portion. The response is non-binding, and the quality of feedback is critical; overinflated or unreasonable values will not translate to inflated pricing. Green cells indicate expected information; yellow cells indicate expected information in the pricing schedule.

No formal evaluation or scoring criteria are stated. This is a Request for Information; responses are non-binding and there is no commitment, especially regarding pricing feedback. The quality of feedback affects the effectiveness of future business decisions and procurement efforts.

The RFI seeks information on facility participation in Ancillary Services (AS) and Demand Response (DR). Sections cover: general facility information (name, owner, location, technology, capacity, grid connection, operating strategy); AS/DR compatibility and capability (categories of interest, metering, SCADA, certification, dispatchability, data resolution, data retention); AS participation availability (capacity, availability patterns, constraints, firmness, forecasting, dispatch response); AS awareness, modelling and costing (familiarity with NTCSA documents, modelling approaches, data needs); and IPSRS documentation and information sharing (suggestions for additional documentation and engagement).

Pricing Schedule: indicative pricing is requested in ZAR excluding VAT for the local portion. Pricing may be expressed as R/MW, R/MWh, R/MW/h, R/event, R/month, or another basis. The schedule covers cost components, pricing for different AS/DR categories, ranking of categories by remuneration, and views on standard vs premium options, capacity vs event payments, and contractual guarantees.

No formal compliance requirements are stated. The RFI is open to any Service Provider able to provide AS or DR. There is no mention of CSD registration, tax clearance, B-BBEE level, CIDB grading, or other mandatory compliance.

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The sole returnable document is the E-Tenderers' E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form. It must be fully completed, signed, and submitted to NTCSA within the prescribed period. Bidders must confirm they have completed self-training via the e-Tendering Noddy Guide, video, or clarification meeting. Incomplete or late submission renders the bidder non-responsive and disqualified.

The E-Tenderers' E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form is mandatory and returnable. It must be fully completed, signed, and submitted to NTCSA within the prescribed period. Bidders must acknowledge completion of e-tendering self-training and confirm they can operate the E-Tendering Solution. Failure to comply renders the bidder non-responsive and disqualified.

Bidders are evaluated on a pass/fail basis: the acknowledgement form must be fully completed and submitted on time. Failure to do so results in disqualification from the procurement process.

The E-Tenderers' E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form is a mandatory returnable. Bidders must acknowledge completion of e-tendering self-training and confirm ability to operate the E-Tendering Solution.

supply identified in the specification and/or works

Closing date and time: as stated in the Tender Data. The closing time is determined by the Telkom time signal (SAST) and will be strictly adhered to. Tenders must be received by the closing date and time; late tenders are returned unopened. NTCSA may extend the deadline for any reason, and the requirements apply equally to the extended deadline. Tenderers must check the NTCSA Tender Bulletin and NT e-Tender Portal regularly for addenda and amendments. A site visit and/or clarification meeting may be stipulated as compulsory in the Tender Data; failure to attend will result in disqualification. Details of any such meeting are stated in the Tender Data.

All communication between NTCSA and tenderers must be made to or from the NTCSA Representative only, in writing, in English. Requests for clarification must be addressed to the NTCSA Representative, not any other official. NTCSA will publish all requests and responses on the platform where the tender was advertised. Tenderers must check the NTCSA Tender Bulletin and NT e-Tender Portal regularly for updated responses to clarifications and addenda.

Tenders must be submitted in English, in ink (not pencil), and signed by an authorised signatory. The original and one copy must be submitted as separate packages marked 'ORIGINAL' and 'COPY', with an outer package marked 'Confidential'. Each package must state the NTCSA address, Invitation to Tender number, tenderer's name and contact details. No alterations or additions to tender documents are allowed except to correct errors, and corrections must be initialed by all signatories. Correction fluid or tape is not permitted. Tenders must be received by the closing date and time; late tenders are returned unopened. NTCSA will not accept a tender submitted by facsimile or e-mail unless stated otherwise in the Tender Data.

Returnable documents — all must be completed, signed and submitted with the tender:

• Acknowledgement Form: states whether the tender is for the whole or part of the works, services or supply.
• Mandatory tender returnables: all documents, forms, data and schedules must be completed and returned by the tender submission deadline.
• Proof of authority to act as agent: required where an agent submits a tender on behalf of a principal.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at NTCSA.
• SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies the price was set independently, with no contact with competing bidders.
• Proof of CSD registration and a valid tax compliance status PIN.

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable form left unsigned or omitted.
• Failure to submit the original and one copy in paper form.
• Quotations received after the closing time, regardless of reason.

All mandatory tender returnables must be returned to NTCSA for evaluation purposes by the tender submission deadline. All documents, forms, data, and schedules must be completed without exception. Where any certificate, document, or proof of registration is required, the tenderer must ensure NTCSA is in possession of a valid, current, and where stipulated, original document for the entire duration of the tender validity period.

NTCSA will determine basic compliance before detailed evaluation. Failure to comply renders the tender non-responsive. NTCSA will score Specific Goals with reference to supporting documentation; failure to meet Specific Goals or submit proof by closing results in a score of zero for Specific Goals within the 90/10 or 80/20 allocation, but the tenderer is not disqualified if otherwise acceptable. NTCSA will add the score for Pricing and Specific Goals and rank tenderers from highest to lowest. NTCSA will evaluate the Price in accordance with criteria in the Tender Data, considering factors such as CPA, FOREX, commodity increases, discounts, NPV, and forecasted rates. NTCSA will check responsive tenders for arithmetical errors; if there is a discrepancy between figures and words, the words prevail. NTCSA will notify the tenderer of errors and request confirmation or acceptance of corrections; if the tenderer does not correct or accept corrections, the tender will be rejected. NTCSA will assess the financial risk of doing business with a supplier; if mitigating factors are insufficient or the risk is too high, the tenderer will not be considered for award. A contract may be awarded to a tenderer that did not score the highest points only in accordance with Section 2(1)(f) of the PPPFA, if Objective Criteria are stipulated in the Enquiry. Functionality and B-BBEE elements may not be used as Objective Criteria. Reverse e-auction utilises the 90/10 and 80/20 Price and Preference point systems; where used, it will be indicated in the Enquiry, and tenderers must submit a complete tender without Prices.

The tender is for the supply of goods, works or services as identified in the specification and/or works information by NTCSA. The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted with the tender and must clearly state if the tender is for the whole or part of the works, services or supply. Tenderers must check the enquiry documents on receipt and notify the NTCSA representative of any discrepancy or omitted documents.

NTCSA will not compensate the tenderer for any costs incurred in preparing and submitting a tender, including costs of testing necessary to demonstrate that aspects of the tender satisfy the evaluation criteria. Tenderers must check the enquiry documents on receipt and notify the NTCSA representative of any discrepancy or omitted documents. The Acknowledgement Form must be completed and submitted with the tender. All mandatory tender returnables must be completed and returned by the tender submission deadline. A complete original tender in paper form plus one complete copy must be submitted; failure to submit either results in disqualification.

Tenderers must include in rates, prices, and the tendered total all duties, taxes (including VAT), and other levies payable, applicable 14 days prior to closing. Prices must be fixed for the contract duration unless otherwise provided. Prices must be stated in South African Rand unless instructed otherwise. NTCSA will check responsive tenders for arithmetical errors; if there is a discrepancy between figures and words, the words prevail. NTCSA will notify the tenderer of errors and request confirmation or acceptance of corrections. Where a bill of quantities or pricing schedule applies, errors in line-item totals are corrected by the line-item total prevailing and the rate being corrected. Misplacement of a decimal point in a unit rate results in the line-item total prevailing and the unit rate being corrected. The successful tenderer may be required to provide cataloguing information after contract award, and all materials must be labelled in line with NTCSA's labelling specifications.

Tenderers must include in rates, prices, and the tendered total all duties, taxes (including VAT), and other levies payable, applicable 14 days prior to closing. Prices must be fixed for the contract duration unless otherwise provided. Prices must be stated in South African Rand unless instructed otherwise, and in accordance with the exchange rate and base date stipulated. The extent of insurance provided by NTCSA may not be full cover; tenderers are advised to seek qualified advice regarding insurance. If security for performance is required, the tenderer must select a minimum of two financial institutions from the list of NTCSA-approved financial institutions.

Tenderers must comply with all relevant legislation and regulatory instruments, including National Treasury Instruction Notes, CIDB Regulations for construction works, PPPFA Regulations, Amended B-BBEE Codes, COIDA, OHS Act, and NTCSA's SHEQ requirements. Tenderers must provide proof satisfactory to NTCSA that safety, health, environmental, and quality (SHEQ) systems, policies, and capabilities are in place by the deadline stipulated. All costs and personnel associated with SHEQ must be reflected in the tender. Where CIDB grading is a qualification criterion, tenderers must be registered with the Construction Industry Development Board at closing or be capable of being registered within 21 working days from closing. NTCSA may disqualify a tender if the tenderer misrepresents or falsifies any information. Fraud related to B-BBEE certificates or fronting will be reported to the B-BBEE Commission.

Tenderers must comply with all relevant legislation including COIDA, OHS Act, and NTCSA's SHEQ requirements. Proof must be provided to NTCSA's satisfaction that safety, health, environmental, and quality (SHEQ) systems, policies, and capabilities are in place by the stipulated deadline. All costs and personnel associated with SHEQ must be reflected in the tender. Where CIDB grading is a criterion, tenderers must be registered with CIDB at closing or be capable of being registered within 21 working days from closing. Contract Skills Development Goals (CSDG) apply to contracts of 12 months or more, or R5 million or more for professional services. Contract Participation Goals (CPG) apply to construction works contracts in GB and CE classes with a minimum duration of 6 months and where at least 25% of the main contract could be subcontracted out in specified CIDB classes.

NTCSA reserves the right to enter into mandated negotiations with any one or more selected tenderers. Tenderers must hold their tenders valid for the period stated in the Tender Data and may be required to extend the validity period if requested. All matters arising in connection with the procurement are confidential; documents provided by NTCSA may be used only for preparing and submitting a tender. NTCSA may cancel the tender at any time before a contract is concluded and will give written reasons upon request. NTCSA is not liable for any losses or damages sustained by a tenderer as a result of participation in the tender process.

Tenderers must comply with the eligibility criteria stated in the Tender Data and must not be under any restriction to do business with NTCSA or State-Owned Companies. Tenderers that NTCSA finds to be ineligible will be disqualified.

NTCSA will evaluate the Price in accordance with the criteria and requirements in the Tender Data. Factors such as CPA, FOREX, commodity increases, discounts, NPV, and forecasted rates of invoicing are taken into account when determining the tendered Price.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) System Operator to gather market information on the future provision of Reliability Services (RS), including Ancillary Services (AS) and Demand Response (DR). The RFI seeks to understand the technical capability, commercial readiness, and operational constraints of potential service providers. It is not a tender or a commitment to procure. Participation is voluntary and open to any Eskom subsidiary, South African entity, or natural person. The information gathered will inform future RS design, market development, and procurement approaches.

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Responses must be submitted using the Microsoft Excel AB Schedule (SO IPSRS RFI_AB Schedules_Rev1.xlsx), completing Part B for each question in Part A. Both an electronic and a hard copy of the completed AB Schedule and any supporting documents must be submitted. Numbering of the requested information must be retained, and references to supporting document paragraphs included where requested. Service Providers may answer "Not sure" or "Prefer not to say" to any question, but answers should be as accurate as possible.

This is a Request for Information only. There is no formal evaluation, scoring, or preference point system. Participation is voluntary and for information-gathering purposes only. Submitting information creates no right, preference, or obligation in relation to any current or future procurement process. The quality of feedback will influence the effectiveness of NTCSA's future business decisions and procurement approaches.

NTCSA's System Operator seeks information on the future provision of Reliability Services (RS), comprising Ancillary Services (AS) and Demand Response (DR). The RFI covers the following AS categories: operating reserves (Instantaneous, Regulating, Ten-minute, Supplemental, and Emergency Reserve), reactive power and voltage control, black start/system restoration, and constrained generation. DR forms include Instantaneous Demand Response, Supplemental Demand Response, and other aggregated or interruptible loads. Battery Energy Storage Facility (BESF) specific services include Fast Frequency Response, Regulating Reserve, Ten-minute Fast Response, and Supplemental Fast Response. Respondents must provide detailed facility information including location, technology, capacity (MW/MWh), grid connection details, operating strategy, and existing energy management systems. The RFI also seeks information on facility AS compatibility, including metering, telemetry, SCADA, and communication capabilities, as well as participation availability, operational constraints, and modelling and costing approaches.

The RFI seeks to understand the level of potential AS participation across a broad range of sectors and resource types, including industrial, commercial, agricultural, municipal/public, mining, data centre, generation, distributed energy resource, and storage participants. It also seeks information on the role of market intermediaries, such as traders and aggregators, including their operating models and limitations, and the technical viability, operational characteristics, dispatchability, scalability, and limitations of eligible technologies and resource types.

Respondents must describe their facility's ability to make firm availability commitments, forecast availability, and submit bids, offers, schedules, availability declarations, or nominations electronically. They must also indicate whether they understand the expected role of availability declarations, schedules, nominations, bids, or offers in AS participation, and whether they expect to participate directly or through a Trader, Retailer, Aggregator, or Balance Responsible Party.

Respondents must indicate awareness of and compliance with relevant certification and performance monitoring standards, including those for generation reserves, battery energy storage facilities, system restoration services, synchronous condenser operation, and reactive power support. The RFI also references the South African Grid Code (Network Code) and the Grid Connection Code for Renewable Power Plants.

Respondents must provide indicative price ranges for each AS/DR category of interest, expressed as R/MW, R/MWh, R/MW/h, R/event, R/month, or another appropriate basis. They must indicate whether pricing is based on existing capability, minor upgrades, or material investment, and identify main cost components including availability, opportunity, energy, production impact, start-up, fuel, battery degradation, cycling, recovery, staffing, maintenance, compliance, certification, metering, telemetry, communication infrastructure, control-system, intermediary fees, capital cost recovery, and non-performance risk. They must also rank categories by expected remuneration, indicate preferences for remuneration mechanisms (availability, activation, energy delivered or reduced, performance success, duration sustained, avoided system risk, or combination), and state whether they would support standard and premium service options, flexible participation options, capacity or availability payments, and various pricing models (pay-as-bid, administratively determined standard tariffs, competitive auction, bilateral negotiated, regulated, or hybrid).

Respondents must provide indicative pricing for each AS/DR category of interest, expressed in a suitable basis such as R/MW, R/MWh, R/event, or R/month. Pricing should reflect whether it is based on existing capability, minor upgrades, or material investment. Cost components to be identified include availability, opportunity, energy, start-up, fuel, battery degradation, staffing, compliance, metering, telemetry, and capital cost recovery. The RFI seeks views on preferred remuneration models (e.g., availability vs. activation-based), the impact of contractual guarantees, minimum contract durations, and the potential for standard vs. premium service options. Respondents are asked to indicate whether they would support flexible participation options and the associated pricing discounts, as well as their preferences on pricing mechanisms such as pay-as-bid, regulated tariffs, or hybrid models.

No formal eligibility criteria are stated. The RFI is open to any Eskom subsidiary, South African entity, or natural person considering or participating in AS or DR. Respondents must indicate their awareness of and compliance with relevant Grid Codes and certification standards, including the Ancillary Services Technical Requirements, the South African Grid Code (System Operation, Information Exchange, Network Code), and various Certification and Performance Monitoring standards for generation reserves, BESF, system restoration, synchronous condenser operation, and reactive power support. Respondents must also indicate their awareness of SCADA data requirements and the need for NTCSA-specified SCADA gateways and telecommunications interfaces for certain AS categories.

Respondents must identify operational constraints that may limit availability for AS, including safety requirements, staffing constraints, and environmental constraints. They must also describe how planned maintenance, forced outages, production changes, or operational disruptions would be communicated to NTCSA, the System Operator, Market Operator, or relevant intermediary.

Respondents must identify environmental constraints that may limit the facility's ability to participate in AS. The RFI also seeks information on how environmental factors, such as weather dependence and emissions constraints, influence availability, pricing, and participation.

This RFI does not constitute a tender, a request for proposal, or a commitment by NTCSA to procure any service or enter into any commercial arrangement. Participation is voluntary and for information-gathering purposes only. Submission of information does not create any right, preference, or obligation in relation to any current or future procurement process, tender, or market participation arrangement.

NTCSA can help the industries better understand, model and cost participation as part of self-evaluation and better-informed Reliability Services consideration. There is no binding commitment, especially related to the pricing feedback, however the quality of feedback impacts the effectiveness and success of business decisions leading to future products and procurement efforts.

The document is the user manual for the Eskom eTendering System, an online portal for submitting tender documents. It does not contain a scope of works for any specific tender.

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For problems with the Tender Bulletin, eTendering or OpenText systems, contact the buyer responsible for the published tender. No other contact details are provided.

Submission is electronic only, via the Eskom eTendering portal (https://eTendering.eskom.co.za). Bidders must register on the portal and verify their email address and a one-time PIN (OTP) sent to their cellphone and email. To submit: select the tender reference number, create a new submission, and upload documents under the correct category (Technical, Commercial, Finance). Each file must not exceed 50MB; the total of all files must not exceed 900MB. Finalise and close the submission; a confirmation email with the submission ID is sent. Bidders should save this email for future reference. Closed tenders are sent directly to selected suppliers who receive a private link by email.

No evaluation criteria are stated in the document. The document is a user manual for the eTendering portal, not a tender-specific evaluation document.

The document is a user manual for the Eskom eTendering System, an online portal for submitting tender documents. It does not contain a scope of works, quantities, or technical specifications for any specific tender.

The eTendering portal is the submission method. Bidders must register, verify their email and OTP, log in, select the tender reference number, create a new submission, and upload documents under the correct category (Technical, Commercial, Finance). Each file must not exceed 50MB; the total of all files must not exceed 900MB. After finalising the submission, a confirmation email with the submission ID is sent. Bidders can view submitted tenders under 'My Submissions'. Registration details can be edited via 'Edit Registration'. Passwords can be reset via 'Forgot your password'. The system is compatible with most web browsers; Microsoft Edge is recommended.

A Central Supplier Database (CSD) number is required to access the eTendering system. No other compliance requirements are stated.

A new functionality to add closed tenders has been added. Closed tenders are not listed on Tenderbulletin as normal tenders but are sent directly to relevant and potential suppliers who meet the selection and evaluation criteria. These suppliers receive a link via email to bid privately.