Lethabo power station maturation pond fencing refurbishment – RFQ in free state

Lethabo Power Station is a coal-fired power station with six 618 MW generating units. The three maturation ponds are part of the sewage treatment system where wastewater from the clarifier matures; sunlight enables biological processes to remove phosphates and chemicals. The final wastewater is recovered into the CCW system after chlorination. The scope covers installation of a perimeter safety fence around the three ponds.

Closing date: 3 November 2026 at 10:00 (South African Standard Time)

Compulsory site visit / clarification meeting: attendance is compulsory; failure to attend results in disqualification. Date, time, and venue are stated in the Tender Data (not provided in the extracted text).

Eskom contact person: Stevens Madumo

Email: [email protected]

Submission: via CSD (RFQ) portal only.

Tender box address (for physical submission, if applicable):

Tender Centre, Ground Floor

10 Smuts Avenue

Emalahleni / Witbank

Mpumalanga

Submission method: CSD (RFQ) portal only. All tender returnables and documentation must be submitted on the CSD (RFQ) portal. No other submission method is accepted.

Returnable forms (must be completed, signed where required, and submitted at tender closing unless noted):

• Annexure A: Authorisation Form — authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder.
• Annexure D: Integrity Pact Declaration Form — declares no conflict of interest, fair tendering practices, and no collusion.
• Annexure E: CPA for local goods/services (if applicable) — declaration of local content.
• Annexure F: CPA(IG) for imported goods/services (if applicable) — declaration of imported content.
• Annexure G1-G4: SBD 6.2 — Declaration Certificate for Local Production and Content (only if designated materials are included).
• Annexure H: SBD 1 — Invitation to Bid, completed and submitted by all tenderers.
• Annexure I: SBD 6.1 — Preference Points Claim Form under PPPFA 2022.
• Annexure J: SBD 4 — Bidder's Disclosure (Declaration of Interest).
• Tax Clearance Certificate: certified copy required from foreign tenderers with a SA footprint not on CSD and from local tenderers not providing a SARS e-filing PIN or CSD number. Foreign suppliers with no SA footprint complete SBD 1 only.
• Tax Evaluation Questionnaire: required if the services contract is included as an annexure.
• Employment Equity compliance: proof of compliance and submission of EE report to the Department of Labour, if the tenderer is a designated employer (SA tenderers only).
• CIDB grading: valid proof of required CIDB grading for main contractor, JV, or subcontractor at tender closing or within 21 working days from closing if agreed.
• Pricing schedule: completed detailed list of items.

Disqualification risks:

• Any disqualifiable returnable not fully completed, signed, or submitted by tender closing.
• Failure to provide one complete hard copy of the original tender (if applicable).
• Tenders received after the closing time, regardless of reason.
• Tenders not sealed or incorrectly marked.
• 100% subcontracting is not permitted; any tender based on 100% subcontracting is disqualified.
• Misrepresentation or falsification of any information, certificate, affidavit, or document.

Binding and packaging:

• Submit one original plus one complete hard copy of the original, and a soft copy if requested.
• Bind documents in files separated by evaluation criteria (e.g., commercial, technical, financial). Use paper dividers, not plastic. Label files on the outside with the enquiry number and closing date.
• Seal the original and copy in separate packages marked "ORIGINAL" and "COPY", then place both in an outer package marked "CONFIDENTIAL" with the Eskom address and enquiry number.

Evaluation stages:

1. Basic compliance: tender must meet all mandatory returnables and contractual requirements. Failure renders the tender non-responsive.
2. Functionality (technical) evaluation: scored against the method statement and experience criteria. Minimum weighted final score required: 70%.
3. Price and preference points: 80/20 system applies (PPPFA Regulations 2022). Price scores up to 80 points; specific goals up to 20 points.

Functionality criteria:

• Signed completion certificates or letters of completion for 3 past projects relating to installation of per-meter fencing or similar scope (mandatory technical criterion).
• Method statement (100% of technical weighting): must detail construction methodology, proposed plant, equipment and tools, methodology for earthworks, fence installation, concrete elements, foreseen risks, and required temporary works. Scoring: 0 (no submission), 2 (reiterates scope), 4 (describes how scope will be met), 5 (details fully how scope will be executed).

Specific goals: failure to submit proof of specific goals results in 0 points for that goal, but not disqualification.

Eskom reserves the right to negotiate with preferred bidders after competitive quotation if prices are not market-related.

Objective criteria: not applicable.

Eskom may reduce the functionality threshold to a lower predetermined level if no tenderer meets 70%.

Scope of work: installation of a perimeter safety fence encapsulating the three maturation ponds at Lethabo Power Station.

Minimum scope includes:

• Procurement of all materials required for the installation.
• Provision of all necessary equipment, including safety equipment, tools, and materials.
• Site clearing.
• Site setting out.
• Excavation of post holes.
• Installation of posts.
• Concreting of the posts.
• Fixing of the fence mesh.
• Finishing of the installation works.

Standards and references:

• ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems.
• National Environmental Management Act (NEMA).
• Construction Regulations, 2014.
• Eskom Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) Policy.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Structural Design and Engineering Standard.
• SANS 10400: National Building Regulations.
• SANS 2001-CC1: Concrete Works (Structural).

Contractor responsibilities:

• Act as design authority for the works, ensuring proposed materials and tools satisfy requirements.
• Conduct construction/installations and inspections as detailed in the scope.
• Adhere to all relevant Eskom design standards, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ensure the design is integrated with other packages/plant systems/assets.

Pricing: rates and prices must be fixed for the duration of the contract, stated in South African Rand, and include all duties, taxes (including VAT), and levies applicable 14 days prior to the tender deadline.

Payment terms: Eskom's Supplier Payment Term Policy applies. Contracts exceeding R50,000,000 (inclusive of VAT) must be established on a 60-day payment term.

Financial analysis: applicable. Tenderers must submit audited financial statements for the previous 18 months (or last year if not available). For a JV/SPV, audited statements for each participant are required. Start-up enterprises formed within the last 12 months are exempt but must furnish statements for the first year once available.

Security for performance: if required, the tenderer must indicate names of at least two financial institutions it will approach for the required security. Eskom may reject unsuitable institutions.

CSD registration: mandatory. Tenderers must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) prior to order/contract award. Non-compliance renders the tender non-responsive. Register at https://secure.csd.gov.za/.

Tax compliance: provide CSD number, CSD report, SARS e-filing PIN, or a certified copy of a tax clearance certificate as evidence of tax compliance.

B-BBEE: a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit must be submitted to claim preference points. Fraudulent certificates or fronting will be reported to the B-BBEE Commissioner.

CIDB: applicable. Proof of required CIDB grading for the main contractor, JV, or subcontractor is mandatory at tender closing (or within 21 working days if agreed).

Employment Equity: designated employers must provide proof of compliance with the Employment Equity Act, including submission of the EE report to the Department of Labour.

Local content: SBD 6.2 declaration required if designated materials are included. Failure to meet stipulated local content thresholds renders the tender non-responsive.

Restrictions: bidders must not be under any restriction to do business with Eskom or State Owned Companies, not listed on National Treasury's Database of Restricted Suppliers or Register for Tender Defaulters, not convicted of fraud/corruption in the past five years, and not prohibited from doing business with international financial development agencies.

SHEQ: safety, health, environmental, and quality systems, policies, and capabilities must be in place at contract award. All SHEQ costs must be reflected in the tender.

Functionality requirements are applicable. Mandatory technical criterion: submit signed completion certificates or letters of completion for 3 past projects relating to installation of per-meter fencing or similar scope. Qualitative technical evaluation: method statement (100% of technical weighting) scored 0, 2, 4, or 5 based on how fully it details the construction methodology, plant, equipment, tools, earthworks, fence installation, concrete elements, risks, and temporary works.