RFQ: bathymetric survey of evaporation pond containing radioactive material (necsa)

The evaporation pond was used for disposal of uranium-contaminated sludge between 1991 and 2017. The pond has a surface area of approximately 8 560 m² with about 200 mm of sand over the liner. The survey must quantify water and sediment profiles.

Site briefing (compulsory): 2026/08/18 at 10h00. ID copies must be sent in advance for access; no new access requests will be attended to on the day. Foreign suppliers must send passports 7 days before the briefing for vetting.

Closing: 2026/08/25 at 16:00.

Contact person: Catherine Matima

Email: [email protected]

Quotation validity: 90 days from the closing date.

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

• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at Necsa.
• Tax Clearance Certificate (SARS tax PIN).
• B-BBEE certificate, or an affidavit if classified as an EME.
• Letter of Good Standing (COIDA).

Submission channel: email the completed RFQ response to [email protected] before the closing date and time.

Disqualification risks:

• Quotations received after the closing time.
• Incomplete quotations.
• Approaching any Necsa employee other than the named contact for information — queries must be in writing to the contact details provided.
• Offering any gift or inducement to a Necsa employee constitutes a material breach and may lead to termination.

Required documents: Tax Clearance Certificate (SARS tax PIN), SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), B-BBEE certificate or affidavit if EME, and Letter of Good Standing (COIDA).

Two-phase evaluation:

Phase 1 — Functionality (100 points):

• Company experience: 15 points. Minimum 3 similar projects in the past 5 years; 3 or more projects = 15 points, 2 projects = 10 points, 1 project = 5 points.
• Equipment and software: 40 points. Must be unmanned or remotely controlled, measure water depth using acoustic pulses, penetrate sediment using low-frequency acoustics, provide precise horizontal and vertical positions, and measure water surface elevation. Full compliance = 40 points; no compliance = 0 points.
• Team leader experience: 35 points. 11+ years = 35 points, 6–10 years = 20 points, 5 years or less = 5 points. Proof of qualifications and CVs with contactable references required.
• Professional membership: 10 points. Proof of membership with SAGC, SACNASP, or ECSA = 10 points; not submitted = 0 points.

Minimum threshold: bidders scoring less than 80 out of 100 on functionality are non-responsive and disqualified.

Phase 2 — PPPFA 80/20 system:

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals (B-BBEE status level): 20 points. Points by status level: Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 = 8, Level 6 = 6, Level 7 = 4, Level 8 = 2, non-compliant = 0.

Bidders must submit a method statement demonstrating capability to execute the works; the methodology must be accepted by Necsa.

Scope: bathymetric survey of an evaporation pond used for disposal of uranium-contaminated sludge (sludge discharged 1991–2017). Pond surface area approximately 8 560 m²; approximately 200 mm of sand over the pond liner.

Deliverables:

• Depth and volume of the water column, measured from water surface to top of sediment layer across the pond.
• Bathymetric profile showing spatial distribution and thickness of sediment, using the pond liner as reference point.
• Contour plans and digital survey data showing pond bed and sediment surface elevations.
• Volume of sediment, measured from top of sediment layer to pond liner.
• Comprehensive survey report detailing methodology, equipment used, assumptions, results, calculations, and limitations.
• Raw data files in x; y; z coordinates as a separate soft copy.

Equipment will be exposed to radiological contamination. Necsa will attempt decontamination; if unsuccessful, equipment will be replaced at its current book value.

Bidders must provide basic PPE (e.g. gloves, safety shoes) for all employees involved.

Bidders must provide a detailed methodology for the bathymetric survey, which must be accepted by Necsa. The methodology should cover how the survey will be executed, including equipment and approach.

Team leader must have relevant experience in the scope of work: 11+ years = 35 points, 6–10 years = 20 points, 5 years or less = 5 points. Proof of qualifications and CVs with contactable references required. Professional membership with SAGC, SACNASP, or ECSA earns 10 points.

Necsa's quality policies require compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 17025, and RD 0034 (Quality and Safety Management Requirements for Nuclear Installations). Bidders must align with these standards.

Pricing must be itemised in the costing table with subtotal (excl. VAT), VAT at 15%, and total (incl. VAT). Include line items for the bathymetric survey, technical report, and equipment replacement cost at book value.

Pricing must be itemised using the costing table provided, with line items for the bathymetric survey, technical report, and equipment replacement cost at book value.

Pricing requirements:

• All prices to include all applicable taxes.
• Prices must be fixed and firm.
• Include attendance cost for compulsory 1-day statutory training at Necsa.
• Include replacement cost of equipment at book value (book value to be submitted with the quote).
• Include additional cost elements such as freight, insurance until acceptance, duty where applicable, and disbursements.

Payment will be according to Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase.

Required documentation:

• Tax Clearance Certificate (SARS tax PIN).
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest).
• B-BBEE certificate or affidavit if classified as an EME.
• Letter of Good Standing (COIDA).

Pre-qualification: CIDB CE 1 grading required.

B-BBEE: Failure to submit proof of B-BBEE status level means preference points for specific goals are not claimed. Necsa may require substantiation of any claim.

Compliance with Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase, PPPFA 2000, Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, and GCC.

Bidders must provide basic PPE (e.g. gloves, safety shoes) for all employees involved in the project. Necsa's safety policies reference OHSAS 18001 and RD 0034.

The RFQ is subject to Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 2000 and its 2022 Regulations, and the General Conditions of Contract (GCC).

Orders above R 30 000 are evaluated under the PPPFA 80/20 system with a functionality scorecard where applicable; orders above R 1 million are subject to the full tender process.

No goods or services may be delivered to Necsa without an official purchase order.

Necsa reserves the right to cancel or reject any quote, not to award to the lowest bidder, to award parts to different bidders, or not to award at all.

Offering any gift, payment, loan, reward, inducement, or other advantage to a Necsa employee constitutes a material breach and may lead to termination of the agreement.

By responding, the bidder acknowledges full familiarity with and agreement to the conditions set out in the RFQ and its attachments.

Necsa reserves the right to cancel or reject any quote, not to award to the lowest bidder, or to award parts to different bidders. By responding, the bidder agrees to all conditions in the RFQ and its attachments.

Phase 2 uses the 80/20 system: 80 points for price, 20 points for B-BBEE status level. Points by level: Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 = 8.