Material testing services for adhesive joints and polymer tiles at ithemba labs

• For submission and enquiries: SCM Department.
• Email: [email protected].
• Telephone: 021 843 1000.
• Submission address: iThemba LABS, ATT: SCM Department, Old Faure Road, Faure, 7131.
• National Treasury CSD support: +27 (0) 12 406 9222 or [email protected].

• Submit your quotation by email only to [email protected] by 16:00 on 28 July 2026.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Mandatory returnable documents: Bidders Disclosure (SBD 4) signed and completed; Preference Points Claimed (SBD 6.1) signed and completed with B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for local bidders); CSD Summary Report.
• Provide proof of ownership of calibrated testing equipment (test frames with calibrated load cells and deflection measurements).
• Submit CV and qualifications of personnel with experience in testing polymers/adhesive joints, with at least a supervising staff member holding an MSc or higher degree with relevant research experience.
• Failure to provide mandatory requirements may lead to disqualification.
• Changes to the RFQ template and its terms and conditions will not be considered after closing.

Bidders must: Be registered on the National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD). Be tax compliant (verified via CSD). Submit all mandatory returnable documents. Have the technical capability, including calibrated equipment and qualified personnel (MSc or higher for supervisor). Adhere to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and 2022 Regulations. Not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers.

Scope of work: Material Testing Services.

1. Adhesive Structural Joint Testing:

• Fabricate at least 50 adhesive joint samples using aluminium alloy (preferred Al 6063-T4) and Araldite 2031 epoxy (or similar with ≥30 min working life).
• Sample dimensions: U-section 19mm square, min thickness 2mm; length ≥50mm.
• Conduct tensile tests on a machine with minimum 1 kN capacity at constant cross-head speed of 1.3 mm/min.
• Test at least 5 samples each in orientations A (interlaminar tension), B (interlaminar shear), C (combined at 45°) at room temperature.
• Test at least 8 samples in tension (A) under cryogenic conditions (-10 to -40°C).
• Design/manufacture test fixtures if clamps not available.
• Report for each sample: dimensions, peak load (or 0.5% offset if non-linear), deflection at peak load, photographs confirming adhesive failure or aluminium deflection >0.8mm.

2. Polymoderator Tile Material Testing:

• Conduct tensile tests on boron-doped High Density Polyethylene (B-HDPE) per ASTM D-638.
• Specimens: Type I geometry, 6mm thick, prepared by SARAO Workshop.
• Strain rate: 10⁻³ (m/m)/s.
• Test at least 8 specimens at room temperature (20-25°C) and 8 under cryogenic conditions (-45 to -15°C).
• Report: Tensile Yield Strength, Ultimate Tensile Strength, Strain at Necking, Strain at Fracture.

• Mandatory: Submit proof of ownership of calibrated testing equipment suitable for the work (test frames with calibrated load cells and deflection measurements).
• Mandatory: Submit CV and qualifications of personnel with experience in testing polymers and/or adhesive joints.
• At least one supervising staff member must hold an MSc or higher degree with relevant research experience.

• Testing must be conducted on equipment with minimum 1 kN force capacity at constant cross-head speed of 1.3 mm/min.
• For adhesive joint testing: test at least 5 samples each in three orientations at room temperature; design/manufacture test fixtures if needed.
• Cryogenic testing required: at least 8 adhesive joint samples in tension between -10 and -40°C.
• Report must include dimensions, peak load, deflection, and photographs for each sample.

• Use the provided pricing schedule table to quote per item, including quantity, price per unit (VAT inclusive), and total (VAT inclusive).
• Ensure prices are valid for at least 60 days from closing date.
• Indicate a firm delivery period.

• Prices must be valid for at least 60 days from the RFQ closing date.
• Prices must be firm and inclusive of VAT.
• Payment terms: 30 days from date of invoice receipt.
• As a Schedule 3A public entity, payment terms are 30 days from invoice date if awarded.
• If you require shorter payment terms, you must submit a Payment Guarantee to mitigate risks.
• Alternatively, shorter payment (7/14 days from delivery) can be mutually agreed at time of pricing proposal submission.
• A firm delivery period must be indicated.
• For advance payments: a payment guarantee approved by iThemba Labs Finance is required.

• Mandatory registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) – bids from unregistered bidders are not considered.
• Provide CSD Summary Report from www.csd.gov.za.
• Tax compliance is mandatory; verified via CSD and tax compliance status PIN.
• Submit B-BBEE Certificate accredited by SANAS or a sworn affidavit if claiming specific goals.
• Complete and submit SBD 4 (Bidder Disclosure) and SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim) for South African companies.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

• Payment terms: 30 days from invoice receipt; shorter terms require a Payment Guarantee.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Mandatory documents: B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, CSD Summary Report, SBD 4, SBD 6.1.
• Failure to provide mandatory requirements may lead to disqualification.
• Changes to the RFQ template and terms are not considered after closing.
• The RFQ is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, and General Conditions of Contract.
• CSD registration is compulsory; unregistered bidders are not considered.
• Bidders must declare any state employment, relationships with procuring institution staff, or interests in other enterprises via SBD 4.
• Fraudulent claims may result in disqualification, contract cancellation, cost recovery, restriction from public sector business, and criminal prosecution.

• Proposals will be evaluated by Supply Chain Management for administrative compliance, functionality, price and B-BBEE.
• The 80/20 preference point system applies: 80 points for price, 20 points for B-BBEE status.
• The contract will be awarded to the tenderer scoring the highest total points.
• If all bids received exceed R 1 000 000.00, the request is automatically cancelled.
• No award to non-tax compliant bidders; tax compliance is verified via CSD and tax compliance status PIN.
• Specific goals points are claimed via SBD 6.1 with supporting B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.