Maintenance of eight high mast poles at the port of port elizabeth (once-off service)

Closing

• 09 October 2026 at 23:00. No late submissions accepted.

Clarification queries

• Submit to [email protected] before 12:00 on 07 October 2026. Responses are shared with all bidders.

Briefing

• No formal briefing session will be held.

Bid validity

• 180 business days from the closing date, excluding the first day and including the last day. Bidders may be asked to extend on the same terms and conditions.

No formal briefing session will be held. Bidders with specific queries must email the nominated Transnet contact.

Enquiries

• Contact: Zama Buthelezi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 043 700 2130
• Facsimile: not applicable

Complaints

• Email: [email protected]
• The SCM Complaints office acknowledges the complaint and issues a complaint form for completion.

Service delivery location

Port of Port Elizabeth

Eastern Cape

Submission method

• Electronic submission only, through the Transnet Digital Procurement System (TDPS) eSupplier Portal: https://esupplierportal.transnet.net/portal/
• Bidders must register a profile, log an intent to bid, then upload the bid against the tender.
• Upload limit: 30 MB per upload; multiple uploads permitted.
• Pricing must be captured electronically in the eSupplier portal. Paper pricing schedules will not be accepted.
• Submit at least a day before closing; Transnet accepts no liability for the bidder's own connectivity, bandwidth or upload-size problems.
• Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Each company must bid through its own registered profile under the name that will contract. Bidding through another company's profile disqualifies the bidder, including where the other company is a subsidiary or holding company.
• Joint ventures: any party to the JV may submit on behalf of the JV using its own profile.
• Bidder guide: transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net

Returnable documents

• Mandatory (non-submission by the closing date and time disqualifies): Section 4 Quotation Form.
• Used for scoring (non-submission scores zero for that criterion, without disqualification): proof of specific goals compliance; Schedule 1 reference letters; Schedule 2 CVs and qualifications; Schedule 3 project plan lead time; Schedule 4 project plan resources and milestones.
• Essential (may be requested later by a set deadline; continued failure may disqualify): Section 5 Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents; Section 6 RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form; Section 9 Protection of Personal Information; Section 1 SBD 1 form.
• All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated by the bidder.

Disqualification risks

• Late or incomplete submission, or submission through another company's profile.
• Any mandatory returnable document missing at closing.
• Unsigned bid or unsigned returnable sections.
• Pricing submitted in a format other than the prescribed electronic schedule.
• Collusion with other bidders.
• Failure to respond to a request to extend bid validity before it expires.

Mandatory (non-submission by the closing date and time disqualifies the bid)

• Section 4: Quotation Form.

Used for scoring (non-submission scores zero for that criterion)

• Valid proof of compliance with the specific goals requirements.
• Schedule 1: at least three reference letters for similar high mast pole maintenance work, not older than five years, stamped, with company name, contact person, project description and contact number.
• Schedule 2: CVs and qualifications for the onsite supervisor, sandblasting team and electrician.
• Schedule 3: project plan showing lead time per pole.
• Schedule 4: project plan showing personnel allocated to each task, and maintenance activities and milestones.

Essential (may be requested later by a set deadline; continued failure may disqualify)

• Section 5: Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents.
• Section 6: RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form.
• Section 9: Protection of Personal Information.
• Section 1: SBD 1 form.

All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated by the bidder.

Evaluation stages

• Step 1 — Administrative and substantive responsiveness: bid lodged on time, all returnable documents completed and valid, bid signed by an authorised person, qualification criteria met, priced offer present, and material compliance with the scope and specification. Must be passed to proceed.
• Step 2 — Technical/functionality threshold: scored out of 100. Minimum qualifying score: 70. Failure to reach 70 makes the bid non-responsive. Final technical scores are rounded to two decimal places.
• Step 3 — Weighted scoring: price 80 points plus specific goals 20 points (80/20 preference point system, applicable because the estimated value does not exceed R50 000 000 including all taxes).
• Step 4 — Price negotiation if the offered price is not market-related; negotiations run sequentially from the highest ranked bidder, then second, then third, or the RFQ is cancelled.
• Step 5 — Objective criteria, if applicable, to justify award to a bidder other than the highest scorer.
• Step 6 — Award of business and conclusion of contract by Letter of Award.

Technical criteria (100 points)

• References: 20 points. Three or more contactable references for similar high mast pole maintenance work = 20; two = 10; one = 5; none = 0.
• CVs and qualifications: 35 points. Supervisor CV with at least two years' experience and NQF Level 3 or N2 in mechanical or electrical engineering = 10; two or more sandblasting team CVs with at least two years' experience and a sandblasting certificate = 15 (one such CV = 10); electrician CV with at least two years' experience and NQF Level 3 or N2 in electrical engineering = 10; no CV or qualification not meeting the criteria = 0.
• Project plan lead time: 25 points. Five days per pole = 25; more than 5 but less than 7 days = 20; more than 7 but less than 10 days = 10; more than 10 days = 0.
• Project plan resources and milestones: 20 points. Plan showing personnel allocated to each task = 10; plan showing high mast pole maintenance activities and milestones = 10.

Price scoring

• Price carries 80 points, calculated comparatively against the lowest acceptable bid.
• Pricing scores are rounded to two decimal places.

Scope

• Once-off maintenance of eight (8) high mast poles at Transnet Port Terminals, Port of Port Elizabeth.
• Detailed scope of work is contained in Annexure A of the RFQ.

Delivery requirements

• Lead time per pole must not exceed five days.
• Work is performed by a supervisor, a sandblasting team and an electrician.
• Maintenance activities and milestones must be set out in a project plan.

Personnel

• Onsite supervisor: at least two years' experience in the engineering field, with NQF Level 3 or N2 in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• Onsite sandblasting team: at least two years' experience as a sandblaster, with a sandblasting certificate.
• Onsite electrician: at least two years' experience as an electrician, with NQF Level 3 or N2 in electrical engineering.

A project plan must be submitted showing:

• the lead time for each pole, which must not exceed five days;
• the personnel allocated to each task, covering the supervisor, sandblasting personnel and electrician;
• the high mast pole maintenance activities and milestones.

References

• At least three reference letters for similar work (maintenance of high mast poles) from previous or current clients.
• Each letter must show the company name, contact person, project description and contact number, and must be stamped.
• References must not be older than five years and must detail similar projects completed.

Personnel

• Onsite supervisor: at least two years' experience in the engineering field, with NQF Level 3 or N2 in mechanical or electrical engineering.
• Onsite sandblasting team: at least two years' experience as a sandblaster, with a sandblasting certificate.
• Onsite electrician: at least two years' experience as an electrician, with NQF Level 3 or N2 in electrical engineering.

Pricing is submitted electronically through the eSupplier portal; no paper pricing schedule is accepted.

• Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT, on a delivered nominated destination basis.
• The prescribed price schedule must be used; a different format may disqualify the bid.
• Disbursements not specifically priced for will not be accepted.
• Discounts are considered in final evaluation only if unconditional.
• Pricing scores are rounded to two decimal places.
• If the highest scoring price is not market-related, Transnet negotiates sequentially with the highest, second and third ranked bidders, or cancels the RFQ.

Pricing

• Pricing is captured electronically in the eSupplier portal; no paper pricing schedule is accepted.
• Prices must be quoted in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT, on a delivered nominated destination basis.
• The prescribed price schedule format must be used; deviation may disqualify the bid.
• Disbursements not specifically priced for will not be accepted.
• Discounts are considered in final evaluation only if offered unconditionally.
• Pricing scores are rounded to two decimal places.

Market-related price

• If the highest scoring bid is not market-related, Transnet may negotiate with the highest, then second, then third ranked bidder, or cancel the RFQ. If no market-related price is agreed with the third ranked bidder, the RFQ must be cancelled.
• Bids and any best and final offers remain valid during negotiation and until award.

Bid validity

• 180 business days from the closing date.

No bid security, performance guarantee or retention percentage is stated in the RFQ.

Registration and tax

• Bidders must self-register on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD) at https://secure.csd.gov.za/. Only foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt.
• A SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, or a CSD number where no TCS is available, must be submitted. Tax matters of the successful bidder must be in order or satisfactory arrangements made with SARS.
• Unincorporated consortia, joint ventures and subcontractors must each submit a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.

B-bbee

• A valid B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a sworn affidavit must be submitted.
• Certificates must be issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency, a registered auditor, or an accounting officer as contemplated in the Close Corporations Act.
• Preference points are claimed on the specific goals claim form under the 80/20 system.

Other compliance

• Compliance with the Employment Equity Act, including section 53, is required.
• The successful bidder may be required to obtain CONFIDENTIAL, SECRET or TOP SECRET security clearance for itself, its personnel and its subcontractors, at its own responsibility.
• Any commercial relationship with a Domestic Prominent Influential Person or Foreign Prominent Public Official must be disclosed.
• Canvassing any Transnet officer or employee between closing and award is prohibited.
• Collusion between bidders results in automatic disqualification and restriction from doing business with organs of state.
• Bidders found guilty of a serious breach of law in the preceding five years must disclose it; Transnet may exclude them.
• Returnable documents must remain valid for the duration of any contract; failure to renew them entitles Transnet to terminate immediately.

The 80/20 preference point system applies, with 20 points available for specific goals.

• B-BBEE Level 1 or 2 contributors earn 10 points, plus a further 10 points for Black Youth Owned Entities.
• Level 3 to 8 contributors and non-compliant bidders earn 0 points.
• Proof required: a B-BBEE certificate, a sworn affidavit, or a CIPC certificate.
• Sub-contracting arrangements must be disclosed.
• Preference points are claimed on the specific goals claim form.

Transnet may request information on the bidder's Environmental, Social and Governance standing at any stage of the procurement or contracting process. This information is not used for evaluation and does not disqualify a bidder; it is kept for record and analysis of ESG compliance.

Where subcontracting applies, Transnet may conduct due diligence on subcontractors, including requesting further information from the bidder or directly from the subcontractor, to detect fronting.

Bid validity

• 180 business days from the closing date, excluding the first day and including the last day. Transnet may request an extension on the same terms; a bidder who does not respond before expiry is excluded.

Contract conclusion

• Award is communicated by Letter of Award; acceptance of the Letter of Award together with the RFQ response and Standard Terms and Conditions constitutes the final contract where applicable.
• Proposed contractual terms are reviewed by Transnet's Legal Counsel before award; material deviation from the standard terms may disqualify a bid.

Returnable documents

• The successful bidder must keep all returnable documents valid for the contract duration and provide renewals when due. Failure entitles Transnet to terminate immediately without liability.

Disclosure

• Contract details may be published in line with JSE Debt Listing Requirements.
• Commercial relationships with a DPIP or FPPO must be disclosed; Transnet publishes contracts entered into with such persons annually.

Transnet's rights

• Transnet may modify the scope, award only part of the services, split the award between suppliers, cancel the RFQ, validate submitted information, request audited financial statements for due diligence, refuse post-closing changes to rates, and place a bidder on National Treasury's Database of Restricted Suppliers for up to 10 years where a contract was awarded on incorrect information.
• If the preferred bidder fails to sign or commence, Transnet may award to the next ranked bidder at the quoted price.
• ESG information may be requested at any stage for record and analysis; it is not used for evaluation or disqualification.
• Subcontractors may be subject to due diligence to detect fronting.

Tax and registration

• Bidders must be tax compliant and provide a SARS TCS PIN or a CSD number.
• Foreign suppliers with no local registered entity need not register on the CSD.

Conduct

• Compliance with the Employment Equity Act is required.
• Canvassing Transnet officers or employees between closing and award is prohibited.
• Collusion between bidders leads to automatic disqualification and restriction from doing business with organs of state.

Evaluation runs in six steps: administrative and substantive responsiveness; technical/functionality threshold of 70 out of 100; weighted scoring of price (80 points) and specific goals (20 points); price negotiation where the offer is not market-related; objective criteria where applicable; and award.

Technical scoring out of 100: references 20 points, CVs and qualifications 35 points, project plan lead time 25 points, project plan resources and milestones 20 points. Minimum qualifying score: 70.

Price is scored comparatively against the lowest acceptable bid, weighted at 80 points. Pricing scores are rounded to two decimal places.