RFP: design, manufacture, and supply of a cold heat exchanger for a sulphuric acid plant in kwazulu-natal

• Project Overview: Provision of design, manufacture, supply, installation, and commissioning of a cold heat exchanger for a sulphuric acid plant.
• Background: The existing cold heat exchanger (vertical, radial, tubular with steel shell) has exceeded its 5–7 year lifespan (Monsanto design). It suffers from plugged tubes, gas leaks, and blockages, risking catastrophic failure if operated further.
• Objective: Replace with a new exchanger complying with latest design codes (e.g., ASME, SANS). Scope includes:
• Design calculations and detailed/fabrication drawings.
• Installation or assistance with in-situ testing and commissioning.
• Critical Notes:
• Heat exchange process: Gas from 3rd pass reaction flows through shell side; heat transfers to gas via tube side.
• Integral to sulphuric acid plant operations; failure risks production downtime.
• Repairs to inlet/outlet ducting have been attempted but are insufficient.

• Closing Date/Time: 11 August 2026 at 12:00.
• Briefing Session: 22 July 2026 at 09:30 AM (Non-Compulsory) at Foskor Club Hall, Richards Bay. Encouraged but not mandatory.
• Validity Period: 180 business days from closing date. Bidders may be requested to extend validity at the same terms if evaluation is delayed.
• Clarification Deadline: Queries must be submitted via RFP Clarification Request Form to Slindile Gumbi by 12:00 on 29 July 2026.
• Outcome Publication: Results will be published on National Treasury e-tender portal, CIDB i-tender portal, and Foskor website within 10 days of award finalisation.

• Bid Submission Email: [email protected] (PDF, max 5MB).
• Physical Address: Foskor (Pty) Ltd, 21 John Ross Highway, Richards Bay, 3900.
• Bid Enquiries Contact: Slindile Gumbi.
• Phone: 035 902 3104.
• Email: [email protected].
• Post-Award Enquiries: Unsuccessful bidders may request reasons for rejection from the contact person listed in the SBD1 form.
• Website: Check National Treasury e-tender portal, CIDB i-tender portal, and Foskor website for updates/addenda.

• Submission Method: Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope or via email (PDF format, max 5MB) to [email protected]. Physical submissions must be deposited in the bid box at Foskor (Pty) Ltd, 21 John Ross Highway, Richards Bay, 3900.
• Deadline: Strictly by 12:00 on 11 August 2026. Late bids will not be considered.
• Required Forms: Use official Foskor bid forms (do not re-type). All returnable documents listed in Section 5 must be submitted. Failure to submit mandatory returnable documents (e.g., SBD1, Proposal Form, Certificates of Acquaintance, RFP Declaration, B-BBEE Preference Points Claim Form, CSD Registration Report) will result in disqualification.
• Signatures: All documents must be signed, stamped, and dated by an authorised representative. Proof of authority (e.g., company resolution) must be included.
• Alterations: Any changes to bid prices must be initialled by the signatory. Non-compliance may lead to exclusion of the altered items.
• Currency: All prices must be quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise specified.
• Language: Bids must be completed in non-erasable ink and legibly.
• Disqualification Risks: Late submissions, missing mandatory documents, unauthorised alterations, or non-compliance with instructions (e.g., use of unofficial forms) may lead to disqualification.
• Post-Submission: No changes to bids will be accepted after the closing date. Communication post-closing is restricted to the AC Secretariat (Slindile Gumbi).
• Joint Ventures: If bidding as a JV/consortium, submit a signed agreement or written confirmation of intent, including percentage splits and responsibilities. Award is contingent on submission of a finalised JV agreement.

Financial stability required. Must be registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD). Tax compliance mandatory. Must meet technical pre-qualification criteria including proven experience in heat exchanger design (>10 years preferred) and steel construction/refurbishment (vessels ≥10m diameter). Must demonstrate delivery capacity to complete project within 3-6 months.

• Scope: Design, manufacture, supply, installation, and commissioning of a new cold heat exchanger for a sulphuric acid plant. The existing exchanger has reached its lifespan (5–7 years per Monsanto design) and requires replacement due to plugged tubes, leaks, and blockages.
• Design Requirements:
• Must comply with latest heat exchanger design codes and standards (e.g., ASME, SANS).
• Include design calculations, detailed design drawings, and fabrication drawings.
• Vertical, radial, tubular heat exchanger with steel shell. Heat exchange occurs via gas passing through shell side (3rd pass reaction heat) and tube side.
• Deliverables:
• New cold heat exchanger with required standards.
• Installation assistance or full installation.
• In-situ testing and commissioning procedures.
• Project Timeline: 6-month duration (refer to milestone breakdown in B.2 table).
• Methodology: Submit a preliminary high-level work methodology covering construction, key details, quality control plan, and safety management plan (including health/safety policies, training records, incident reporting, and emergency plans).
• Quality Assurance: Comprehensive quality control plan required (scored under technical evaluation).
• Environmental: Submit policies on waste disposal, recycling, and energy conservation (Green Economy/Carbon Footprint requirements).

• Pricing Basis:
• Local Supplies: Delivered RSA named destination (exclusive of VAT).
• Imported Supplies: Delivered Duty Paid (ICC Incoterms 2010) to end destination in South Africa.
• Prices must be firm for the contract duration. Subject-to-confirmation prices will not be considered.
• Payment Terms:
• Invoices rendered monthly in arrears; payment within 30 days of receipt by Foskor’s Service Manager.
• Electronic transfer to Supplier’s nominated bank account.
• VAT must be shown separately on tax invoices (local supplies).
• Advance Payments: Guarantee may be required for advance payments.
• Conditional Discounts: Discount periods calculated from receipt of month-end statement. Incomplete/correct invoices reset the discount period.
• Currency: All amounts in ZAR. Foreign currency payments require SARB approval and must be stipulated in the bid.
• Price Adjustments: No claims for adjustments accepted if price increases occur after delivery date.
• Security: Successful bidder may be required to provide a Deed of Suretyship from an approved South African financial institution (amount specified in bid documents).

• Mandatory Registrations/Certifications:
• CSD Registration: All bidders must be registered on National Treasury’s Central Supplier Database (CSD). Foreign suppliers with no local entity are exempt.
• Tax Compliance: Submit Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number. Each party in a JV/consortium must provide separate TCS/CSD proof. Apply via SARS e-filing (www.sars.gov.za).
• CIDB: CIDB 6 ME registration required.
• Professional Certifications:
• ECSA Registered Professional Engineer/Technologist certificate.
• SANA-accredited Authorised Inspection Authority (AIA).
• SAIW Welding and Fabrication Inspector Level 2.
• Qualified Safety Officer (Diploma in Safety Management or SAMTRAC; SACPMP registration mandatory).
• Sigma Paint Applicator certification.
• ISO 3834 certification or SAIW registration for ISO 3834.
• B-BBEE: Minimum B-BBEE Level 2. Submit B-BBEE Preference Points Claim Form (Section 9). Consolidated scorecard required for JVs.
• Legal Compliance:
• Compliance with Employment Equity Act (Section 53).
• No bids accepted from state employees, companies with state-employed directors, or close corporations with state-employed members.
• Must sign Foskor’s Supplier Integrity Pact (anti-corruption, no bribery/gifts >R1,000).
• Power of Attorney (for foreign bidders) must comply with Rule 63 of Uniform Rules of Court.
• Security Clearance: Successful bidder, personnel, and subcontractors may require security clearance (CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET).
• Blacklisting: Bidders must not be on National Treasury’s Database of Restricted Suppliers. Grounds for blacklisting include fraud, bribery, contract breaches, or bad-faith litigation.

• Methodology: Sequential evaluation (Administrative → Substantive → Technical/Functionality → Price → Post-Tender Negotiation → Final Award). Parallel evaluation may occur.
• Scoring Breakdown:
• Technical/Functionality (70 points): Minimum 70% threshold required to progress. Criteria include:
• Quality Control Plan (15%): 0 = No plan; 15 = Comprehensive.
• Work methodology, safety management plan, milestone breakdown, and project references (tabular format with values/contact details).
• Price (80 points): Firm prices preferred. Market-related pricing may be used if applicable.
• B-BBEE (20 points): Based on Preference Points Claim Form (Section 9).
• Progression Rules:
• Must pass Administrative and Substantive Responsiveness to advance.
• Technical threshold (70%) must be met to proceed to Price evaluation.
• Final Selection: Highest combined score (Technical + Price + B-BBEE) wins. Foskor reserves the right to split awards or negotiate with preferred bidders.
• Post-Tender: Negotiations may involve best-and-final offers. Final evaluation uses 80/20 or 90/10 weighting.