EOI: esd beneficiaries for valves services contract (valve maintenance at ESKOM power stations)

Closing date and time: Monday 30 November 2026 at 10:00 (South African Standard Time).

Briefing session (non-compulsory, strongly recommended): Thursday 5 November 2026, 10:00 to 11:30, on Microsoft Teams; joining link sent to registered respondents; register by sending company name and attendee names to the SDL&I contact by 2 November 2026.

Closing date for written enquiries: 20 November 2026 at 12:00.

EOI validity period: 120 days from the closing date.

Enquiries (all written, quoting EOI reference number, by 20 November 2026 at 12:00):

• Contact: Phumzile Ncamani
• Role: Senior Advisor, ERI SDL&I
• Telephone: 011 629 4546
• Email: [email protected]

Submission address: Eskom Tender Bulletin site on the Eskom E-tendering page (https://tenderbulletin.eskom.co.za).

Submission method: upload via the Eskom Tender Bulletin site on the Eskom E-tendering page (https://tenderbulletin.eskom.co.za).

• All documents must be in PDF format; per-document upload limit 500 MB, total submission limit 4 GB.
• No zip/compressed files, no hard copies.
• If resubmitting, only the latest version is accepted; earlier submissions are void.
• Ensure submission status is marked complete.
• Closing date and time: Monday 30 November 2026 at 10:00. Late submissions are not accepted for any reason.

Returnable documents (each as a separate PDF, labelled with its number; certified copies where stated must be no older than 3 months):

• Annexure A: EOI response form, fully completed.
• Annexure B: declaration (including new-entrant declaration), signed by an authorised director.
• CIPC registration documents, including current list of directors.
• CSD registration report (not older than 30 days).
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Share register / share certificates and certified IDs of all shareholders and directors.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.
• Disclosure of any relationship with Eskom or ERI employees or with any VSC tenderer (Annexure B).
• Proof of access to finance (M11): facility letter or financier's letter of intent of at least R26 million.
• Functionality evidence: quality management system documents (F1); up to 20 service/technical/investigation reports from past 3 years (F2); up to 8 CVs (1 engineer, 1 technician, 2 supervisors, 4 artisans) each signed with name, ID number, date, certified qualifications and employment contract (F3); purchase/task orders from past 5 years with invoices on client letterhead (F4); development and growth plan (max 4 pages) (F5); company profile (information only).
• Specific goals evidence: certified IDs and share register showing percentages; medical certificate for disability claims; CIPC list of directors, organogram and appointment letters for management control claims.
• Supporting (where applicable): MEIBC registration certificate; OEM training or accreditation relevant to power-plant valves.

Disqualification risks:

• Missing or unsigned returnable documents.
• Submission after closing time.
• False or misleading evidence, or fronting.
• Undisclosed conflict of interest or canvassing of evaluation team members.

Evaluation runs in three sequential stages; a respondent must pass each to proceed.

Stage 1 – Mandatory requirements (pass/fail):

• Administrative compliance: submission on time, correct format, Part B and Annexures A and B completed and signed.
• Meet all mandatory criteria M1 to M11 (see compliance requirements).
• Failure of any mandatory requirement leads to disqualification.

Stage 2 – Functionality (minimum qualifying threshold 60%):

• Scored by ERI TGS Technical against five criteria, total 100 points.
• Must achieve at least 60 out of 100 to proceed.
• Functionality score is used only to qualify and to break deadlocks; it is not added to the selection score.
• Criteria and maximum points:
• F1 Quality management system: 20 points (work instructions 5, quality management plans 5, document control management system 5, processes for managing quality 5).
• F2 Precision engineering service: 20 points (1 point per complete report, up to 20 reports; each report scored on four components of 0.25 points each: report submitted, scope of work, technical recommendations or lessons learned, client signature).
• F3 Resources: key technical personnel: 20 points (each complete CV scores 2.5 points; max 1 engineer, 1 technician, 2 supervisors, 4 artisans).
• F4 Experience in engineering and maintenance services on critical plant: 15 points (cumulative value over past 5 years: below R3m = 0; R3m–R7.5m = 3; R7.5m–R15m = 6; R15m–R22.5m = 9; R22.5m–R30m = 12; R30m or more = 15).
• F5 Development and growth plan: 25 points (highest weighting; plan max 4 pages; scoring levels from 0 for no plan to 25 for gaps identified, goals set, measurable goals, timeframes, skills transfer approach, job creation commitments and explanation of how ESD support builds capacity).
• Evaluation rules: panel of at least three ERI TGS Technical evaluators, each signing a declaration of interest and confidentiality; independent scoring; moderation meeting facilitated by ERI SDL&I; final score is average of moderated points to two decimal places; only documents submitted by closing date considered; no new evidence after closing; evidence not in required form is disregarded; ERI may verify evidence with clients, financiers and issuing bodies; false or misleading evidence leads to disqualification.

Stage 3 – Specific goals (20 points):

• Respondents ranked per maintenance cluster and for projects by specific goals points, highest to lowest.
• Specific goals and points:
• SG1 Ownership by black women: (% black women ownership ÷ 100) × 8, max 8 points.
• SG2 Ownership by black people with disabilities: (% ownership ÷ 100) × 4, max 4 points.
• SG3 Ownership by black youth (aged 18 to 35 at closing date): (% ownership ÷ 100) × 4, max 4 points.
• SG4 Management control by black women: at least 50% of executive directors and senior managers are black women = 2 points, otherwise 0.
• SG5 Black ownership (race): 100% black ownership = 2 points.
• A shareholder may count towards more than one goal.
• Deadlock criteria (equal specific goals points): (a) higher functionality score; (b) higher SG1 points; (c) higher F3 score; (d) drawing of lots in presence of at least two ERI SDL&I representatives.

Verification and outcome:

• Selected respondents verified through site visits, interviews, and checks of ownership, control, management, personnel, financier's letter and documentation.
• Failure of verification or inability to produce a firm facility of at least R26 million (where a letter of intent was submitted) leads to replacement by next-ranked respondent.
• All respondents notified in writing; selected beneficiaries sign an ESD participation agreement with Eskom and a subcontract with the assigned VSC.
• Respondents passing the threshold but not assigned are kept on a reserve list for the duration of the VSC.

Scope: Subcontracted valve maintenance and outage services at Eskom power stations, as ESD beneficiary to the appointed Valves Service Contractor(s) under the Valves Services Contract (VSC).

• Work covers planned outages (General Overhauls, Mini-General Overhauls, Interim Repairs, Interim Inspections, short shutdowns) and resident running maintenance.
• Outages planned for completion within 50 calendar days.

Service categories:

• Projects (planned outages): strip, inspect, blue, box and stroke of turbine valves, boiler valves and outside-plant valves during GO, MGO, IR, IN and short shutdowns; low- and high-pressure steam and water valves from 100 mm to 3000 mm (isolating, non-return, safety, control, globe, gate and butterfly valves, including Hopkinson, Sempell, Sulzer, Fisher, Bovieri and Welland & Tuxhorn designs).
• Commissioning: valve commissioning, stroking and return-to-service support after outages.
• Running maintenance: resident valve maintenance teams providing day-to-day and breakdown maintenance on turbine and boiler valves.
• Support roles: supervision, quality control, storemen, clerks, safety coaches, riggers and general workers attached to the teams.

Excluded from subcontracted scope (provided by ERI TGS): rigging management, crane operation, scaffolding, insulation and lagging, cleaning, tool issuing, foreign-material exclusion controls, component transport and workshop refurbishment.

Power stations and clusters (running maintenance awarded per cluster; respondents indicate preference in Annexure A):

• Cluster 1: Kusile (31 resources), Kendal (32) – 63 resources total.
• Cluster 2: Kriel (90) – 90 resources.
• Cluster 3: Medupi (24), Camden (32) – 56 resources.
• Cluster 4: Duvha (31), Grootvlei (19) – 50 resources.

Projects (outages) are not clustered and may be at: Arnot, Camden, Duvha, Grootvlei, Hendrina, Kendal, Kriel, Kusile, Lethabo, Majuba, Matimba, Matla, Medupi, Tutuka (coal-fired); Koeberg (nuclear); Drakensberg and Palmiet (pumped storage). Respondents may apply for projects nationally.

Indicative outage volumes (by Eskom financial year, April to March; indicative only, no volume guaranteed):

• General Overhaul: FY26/27 12, FY27/28 9, FY28/29 10, FY29/30 6, FY30/31 2 – total 39.
• Mini-General Overhaul: 5, 11, 7, 13, 0 – total 36.
• Interim Repair: 13, 20, 13, 9, 2 – total 57.
• Interim Inspection: 4, 6, 7, 8, 1 – total 26.
• Short shutdown: 2, 0, 0, 0, 0 – total 2.
• Overall total: 36, 46, 37, 36, 5 – total 160.

What the beneficiary will receive:

• Guaranteed share of work: minimum 30% of the assigned VSC's technical scope, allocated through ERI Task Orders, paid as empowerment-related expenditure.
• Tailored ESD Programme: needs analysis, development plan with milestones, and a qualified ESD Champion.
• At least five development interventions from a defined list (e.g., management and labour skills transfer, payment within 14 days, guarantees, interest-free unsecured loans, administrative and cost-control systems, planning/tendering/programming skills, business/entrepreneurial/negotiation skills, technical skills and innovation, legal compliance, procurement skills, building credit rating and loan history, contractual (NEC) knowledge).
• Market access to the VSC's local and global market presence.
• Oversight by Eskom SDL&I representatives.

Obligations of selected beneficiaries:

• Participate fully in the VSC's needs analysis and ESD Programme, achieving agreed milestones.
• Perform all subcontracted work in compliance with the VSC subcontract, ERI TGS procedures and valve work instructions, Eskom Plant Safety Regulations, Occupational Health and Safety Act, and ERI quality requirements.
• Deploy only personnel meeting minimum qualification, experience and training requirements.
• Source at least 50% of semi-skilled and 100% of unskilled labour from the local municipality where the service is performed.
• Pay all employees in full and on time, in line with applicable bargaining council agreements; maintain access to finance of at least R26 million for the duration of the subcontract.
• Remain 100% black-owned, controlled and managed; notify Eskom in writing of any proposed change in ownership, control or management.
• Keep accurate records and give Eskom's SDL&I representatives access to premises, staff and documents for verification and reporting.
• Not cede, assign or further subcontract allocated work without Eskom's written approval.
• Eskom may remove a beneficiary that materially fails these obligations and assign a replacement from the reserve list.

Experience requirements (functionality criteria):

• F2 Precision engineering service: experience in precision engineering work involving measurements and inspections on critical plant, including rotating equipment, over the past 3 years; evidence via up to 20 service/technical/investigation reports.
• F3 Resources: key technical personnel – permanently employed or long-term contracted engineers, technicians, supervisors and artisans; each CV must be signed by the person, show name, ID number, date and signature, include certified proof of trade test qualification, degree or training certificates, and a permanent or long-term employment contract; incomplete CVs are not considered; each complete CV scores 2.5 points, up to 1 engineer, 1 technician, 2 supervisors, 4 artisans.
• F4 Experience in engineering and maintenance services on critical plant: successfully completed projects over the past 5 years, evidenced by purchase orders or task orders with invoices on client letterhead showing start and end dates, value and service; cumulative value bands from below R3 million (0 points) to R30 million or more (15 points).

Desirable attributes (not mandatory but recognised):

• Track record in overhauling low- and high-pressure steam and water valves in power-generation, petrochemical, mining or heavy-industry sector.
• In-house trade-qualified fitters, fitter-and-turners and riggers, technical supervisors and quality controllers meeting the valves scope criteria.
• Familiarity with valve designs used at Eskom stations (Hopkinson, Sempell, Sulzer, Fisher, Bovieri, Welland & Tuxhorn).
• Ownership and management by black women, black youth and black people with disabilities.
• Registration with MEIBC, COID letter of good standing, and a basic SHEQ system in place.

Quality management system (F1, 20 points):

• Assessed on documented work instructions, quality management plans, document control management system, and processes for managing quality.
• ISO certification is not required and is not scored.
• Each of the four elements scores 5 points; points awarded based on number of elements evidenced (0, 5, 10, 15, 20).
• Evidence must show the element is in place and used in the business.

Precision engineering service (F2, 20 points):

• Assessed on experience in precision engineering work involving measurements and inspections on critical plant, including rotating equipment, and inclusion of ergonomic, safety and system engineering during execution of projects in the past 3 years.
• Evidence: service or technical reports and investigation reports, each with scope of work, technical recommendations or lessons learned, client signature and proof of implementation.
• Scoring: 1 point per complete report, up to 20 reports; each report scored on four components of 0.25 points each (report submitted, scope of work, technical recommendations or lessons learned, client signature).

Access to finance (mandatory, M11):

• Must have access to a working-capital or overdraft facility, or committed funding, of at least R26 million (R26 000 000).
• Proof: facility letter from a registered bank or financier, OR a letter of intent from a registered financier (bank, development finance institution or registered credit provider) confirming intention to provide funding of at least R26 million.
• The letter must be on the financier's letterhead, signed, addressed to the respondent, and not older than 3 months.
• Respondents not submitting this letter are disqualified.
• Where a letter of intent was submitted, a signed facility agreement or approved facility letter of at least R26 million must be provided before assignment.
• Beneficiaries must maintain access to finance of at least R26 million for the duration of the subcontract.

Payment terms:

• Beneficiaries may receive payment within 14 days as one of the development interventions (not a guaranteed term).

Costs:

• Respondents bear all costs of preparing and submitting their EOI and attending the briefing and site verification.

Mandatory eligibility criteria (all must be met; failure of any one disqualifies):

• M1: Legal entity registered with CIPC – proof: CIPC registration certificate (CoR 14.3 or equivalent).
• M2: Registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database – proof: CSD registration report (MAAA number) not older than 30 days.
• M3: 100% owned, controlled and managed by black people (as defined in the B-BBEE Act) – proof: valid B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited agency, or a B-BBEE sworn affidavit (EME/QSE); certified IDs of all shareholders and directors; share register.
• M4: Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) or Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) in terms of the dtic Codes of Good Practice.
• M5: No shareholding, directly or through flow-through or modified flow-through principles, held by any VSC tenderer or any company related to one (strictly 0%) – proof: signed declaration (Annexure B).
• M6: Tax compliant – proof: valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.
• M7: Not listed on National Treasury's Register for Tender Defaulters or Database of Restricted Suppliers – verified by ERI; respondent declaration (Annexure B).
• M8: Declaration of interest and disclosure of relationships – completed and signed declaration (Annexure B).
• M9: Completed and signed EOI response form and declaration – Annexures A and B.
• M10: New entrant – never held a contract or purchase order with Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd or Eskom Rotek Industries SOC Ltd (including divisions and subsidiaries); not an active vendor on Eskom or ERI vendor database; no shareholder or director has been a shareholder, member or director of an Eskom or ERI vendor in the last 5 years. Work as a subcontractor to an Eskom or ERI contractor does not disqualify. Proof: signed declaration (Annexure B); verified by ERI against vendor and contract records and CSD.
• M11: Access to finance of at least R26 million – proof as described in financial requirements.

Requirements before assignment (shortlisted respondents must provide; those not yet holding them may apply but must commit to obtaining them within the period Eskom specifies):

• COID letter of good standing (or equivalent insurer letter).
• MEIBC registration.
• SHE policy signed by the owner or CEO, in compliance with section 7 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Proof of a business bank account in the company's name (bank-stamped letter not older than 3 months).
• Where a letter of intent was submitted under M11, a signed facility agreement or approved facility letter of at least R26 million.

Desirable attributes (not mandatory but recognised in evaluation):

• Track record in overhauling low- and high-pressure steam and water valves in power-generation, petrochemical, mining or heavy-industry sector.
• In-house trade-qualified fitters, fitter-and-turners and riggers, technical supervisors and quality controllers meeting the valves scope criteria.
• Familiarity with valve designs used at Eskom stations (Hopkinson, Sempell, Sulzer, Fisher, Bovieri, Welland & Tuxhorn).
• Ownership and management by black women, black youth and black people with disabilities.
• Registration with MEIBC, COID letter of good standing, and a basic SHEQ system in place.

General conditions:

• False or misleading information, or fronting, leads to disqualification and may be reported to the B-BBEE Commission and relevant authorities.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest lead to disqualification.
• Canvassing or attempting to influence evaluation leads to disqualification.
• This is not a tender or procurement process; it is an invitation to express interest only.

Health and safety requirements:

• Selected beneficiaries must perform all subcontracted work in compliance with the VSC subcontract, ERI TGS procedures and valve work instructions, the Eskom Plant Safety Regulations, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and ERI quality requirements.
• Before assignment, shortlisted respondents must provide a SHE policy signed by the owner or CEO, in compliance with section 7 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• A basic SHEQ system in place is a desirable attribute.
• Support roles include safety coaches.
• COID letter of good standing (or equivalent insurer letter) is required before assignment.

This is an expression of interest, not a tender or contract. It does not create any obligation on Eskom, ERI or any VSC to award or allocate work.

• Assignment of beneficiaries depends on the award of the VSC under tender E1726TGSERI; if the VSC is cancelled, delayed or changed in scope, the selection may be cancelled, delayed or changed accordingly.
• Eskom reserves the right to verify any information, request clarification or additional documents, visit premises, select more or fewer beneficiaries than the number of clusters, assign a beneficiary to more than one cluster or to projects, and cancel the EOI at any stage without giving reasons.
• Respondents bear all costs of preparing and submitting their EOI and attending the briefing and site verification.
• False or misleading information, or fronting, leads to disqualification and may be reported to the B-BBEE Commission and relevant authorities.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest lead to disqualification.
• Canvassing or attempting to influence evaluation leads to disqualification.
• Information submitted is treated as confidential and processed in line with POPIA; submitting an EOI is consent to processing, including sharing selected beneficiary's contact and capability details with the assigned VSC.
• The EOI is issued to give effect to the Annexure K SDL&I requirements of the VSC, in line with the B-BBEE Act and its Codes of Good Practice (ESD), and the specific goals of the PPPFA, the Public Procurement Act and their Regulations.
• Fraud and corruption: zero tolerance; report unethical conduct anonymously to Eskom's Tip-Offs Anonymous hotline: 0800 11 27 22.

Additional evaluation details:

• The process is managed by ERI SDL&I; ERI SDL&I evaluates Stage 1 (mandatory requirements) and Stage 3 (specific goals); ERI TGS Technical conducts the technical evaluation (Stage 2, functionality).
• A respondent must pass each stage to proceed to the next.
• Stage 2 functionality threshold: minimum 60% (60 out of 100 points).
• Stage 3 specific goals: up to 20 points; respondents ranked per maintenance cluster and for projects from highest to lowest specific goals points; beneficiaries selected in rank order.
• Deadlock criteria: (a) higher functionality score; (b) higher SG1 points; (c) higher F3 score; (d) drawing of lots in presence of at least two ERI SDL&I representatives.
• Verification before assignment: site visits, interviews with owners and key staff, checks of ownership, control, management, personnel, financier's letter and documentation.
• All respondents notified in writing of outcome; selected beneficiaries sign an ESD participation agreement with Eskom and a subcontract with the assigned VSC.
• Respondents passing the threshold but not assigned are kept on a reserve list for the duration of the VSC.