Professional architectural services for nrf-sarao (RFQ)

Closing date: 17 November 2026 at 11:00

RFQ publication date: 30 October 2026

No compulsory briefing session or site visit is stated.

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Tumelo Mothupi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 268 3423

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Swethani Monyayi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 021 506 7300

Submission address (email): [email protected]

Organisation address: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), Liesbeek House, River Park, Gloucester Road, Mowbray, Cape Town, 7700

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing time: 17 November 2026 at 11:00

Returnable documents (all mandatory unless noted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): completed with firm prices only.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any director or shareholder employed by the state or connected to the procuring institution.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under the 80/20 system.
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs): optional but required to claim preference points.
• CIDB grading: not applicable.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory returnable document omitted or incomplete.
• Quotations received after the closing time.

Evaluation in three phases:

Phase 1 – Administrative compliance:

• All mandatory returnable documents must be completed and submitted to proceed.

Phase 2 – Functionality (GO/NO-GO):

• Senior Architectural Technologist must hold a recognised Bachelor's Honours degree in Architecture or equivalent, with certified copies.
• Architect must be registered with SACAP as Pr SArcht (Senior Architect).
• At least 10 years' post-registration professional experience; submit a detailed CV and evidence of previous projects including statutory submissions and municipal approvals.
• Submit at least three written and signed reference letters (not older than five years) with project name, client, scope, completion period and contact details.
• Submit a signed commitment letter confirming resource availability and capacity.
• Provide proof of professional liability insurance: a valid Certificate of Currency from a registered short-term insurer, stating policy number, limit of indemnity, policy end date and retroactive date.
• Name the specific resource who will deliver the full scope of services.
• Failure to achieve 'GO' on any functionality requirement excludes the bid from further evaluation.

Phase 3 – Price and specific goals (80/20):

• Price: 80 points (VAT and all taxes included).
• Specific goals (B-BBEE status level): 20 points.
• Specific goal points: B-BBEE level 1-3: 8 points; level 4-6: 6 points; level 7-8: 2 points; 51% Black-owned: 3 points; 51% Black female-owned: 3 points; 51% Black youth-owned: 1 point; 51% owned by people with disabilities: 1 point; EME or QSE: 4 points.
• Points for specific goals are claimed via SBD 6.1; failure to submit proof means no preference points are allocated.
• Highest total points wins after meeting all phases.

The department requires professional architectural services across NRF-SARAO sites, covering planning, design, documentation, procurement support, construction-stage services and close-out for built-environment projects. Services may include new or existing buildings, alterations, refurbishments, office accommodation, technical facilities, workshops, training facilities and interventions to heritage-sensitive buildings.

Work is performed under written work orders; no additional service or design change may proceed without written authorisation under SARAO's delegation of authority.

Sites (Gauteng, Western Cape, Northern Cape):

• 18a Gill Street, Observatory, Johannesburg, 2198
• Farm 502 JQ, Old Faure Rd, Hartebeesthoek, Broederstroom Road, Hartebeesthoek, 1740
• Liesbeek House, River Park, Gloucester Road, Mowbray, Cape Town, 7700
• Old Faure Rd, Eerste River, Cape Town, 7100
• Klerefontein Farm, Carnarvon, Northern Cape, 8929
• Corner of Victoria and Hanau Street, Carnarvon, Northern Cape, 8929

Full lifecycle scope (7 phases):

• Phase 1: Inception and project definition – review brief, inspect site, identify gaps, confirm requirements; deliverables include inception report, accommodation schedule, risk register.
• Phase 2: Feasibility and concept design – compare options, prepare concept drawings, preliminary cost planning; deliverables include options analysis, concept design report.
• Phase 3: Developed design and multidisciplinary coordination – coordinate structural, civil, electrical, mechanical, fire, security, ICT and specialist designs; deliverables include coordinated drawings, outline specifications.
• Phase 4: Technical design and tender documentation – prepare detailed construction drawings, specifications, statutory submissions; deliverables include detailed drawings, compliance matrix, tender-ready docs.
• Phase 5: Procurement and tender support – review technical tender documentation, respond to queries, assess compliance; deliverables include technical evaluation report.
• Phase 6: Construction-stage services and contract administration – conduct site inspections, review submissions, assess design changes; deliverables include inspection reports, defect reports.
• Phase 7: Completion, commissioning support and handover – inspect practical completion, verify defect rectification, review as-built drawings; deliverables include close-out report, handover documentation.

Statutory compliance:

• Adhere to National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, SANS 10400 codes, municipal by-laws and OHS legislation.
• Submit all documentation to the Local Authority for final plan approval and Occupancy Certification.
• Coordinate with SARAO's Heritage Practitioner to ensure compliance with the Conservation Management Plan and Records of Decision from the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.

Delivery format:

• Site visits during office hours (8:00-16:00) with prior arrangement.
• All final drawings and reports reviewed by SARAO before acceptance.
• Soft copies in PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, DWG formats shared with the SARAO representative.

Acceptance criteria per phase: documented and approved by SARAO; unresolved conflicts assigned owners and resolution dates; material unresolved design issues disclosed.

Key personnel requirements:

• Proposed Senior Architectural Technologist must hold a recognised Bachelor's Honours degree in Architecture or equivalent.
• Architect must be registered with SACAP as Pr SArcht.
• At least 10 years' post-registration professional experience.
• Demonstrated competence in designs, drawings, specifications, statutory submissions, municipal approvals and building plan approvals.
• Submit at least three reference letters not older than five years, with project name, client organisation, scope of services, completion period and contact details.
• Experience with existing, occupied or heritage buildings is advantageous.
• Provide signed commitment letter confirming resource availability and capacity.
• Name the specific resource responsible for delivering the full scope of services.

Quality management follows the seven-phase deliverable and acceptance framework. Each phase has defined key activities and deliverables (detailed in technicalSpecifications). Acceptance criteria per phase require documentation and SARAO approval, documentation of interfaces and unresolved conflicts, and disclosure of material unresolved design issues. All final drawings and reports reviewed by SARAO before final acceptance. Quality reviews and oversight of all architectural work packages required.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.1) with firm prices only. Items: architectural services at 250 hours (hourly rate), provisional travel allowance R50,000, printing allowance R15,000. Sub-total, VAT and total price required. Separate pricing schedule for each delivery point if pricing differs. Hours are estimates; payment on actual hours worked. Offer valid 60 days from closing date.

Pricing format: firm prices only (SBD 3.1). Non-firm prices, including prices subject to exchange rate variations, will not be considered.

Pricing schedule items:

• Item 1: Architectural professional services – 250 hours, hourly rate to be quoted. This is the total approved person-hour allowance across all instructed services, resources and sites. Payment based on actual hours worked at the tendered hourly rate.
• Item 2: Provisional allowance for domestic travel and accommodation – R50,000 (subject to prior written approval and reimbursement against supporting records).
• Item 3: Provisional allowance for printing and miscellaneous expenses – R15,000.
• Sub-total, VAT (15%) and total price to be completed.

Payment terms:

• Invoices submitted after successful completion of each activity, approved by the Project Manager.
• Payment processed within 30 days from invoice date.
• No advance payments.
• Hours in the pricing schedule are estimates for evaluation only; actual hours worked determine payment.

Insurance requirements:

• Public liability cover: minimum R1 million.
• Professional indemnity insurance: minimum limit R6,000,000 per claim, unlimited in aggregate.
• Excess not to exceed 5% of claim value or R100,000, whichever is lower.
• Continuous PI cover (or run-off cover) for at least 5 years after practical completion, with retroactive date before commencement.

Offer validity: 60 days from closing date.

• CSD registration: mandatory – no award without registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Tax compliance: SARS tax compliance status PIN (required unless the entity is not a resident, has no branch, permanent establishment, source of income or tax liability in RSA).
• B-BBEE: certificate or sworn affidavit required to claim preference points (SBD 6.1).
• EME (revenue ≤ R10 million): sworn affidavit confirming revenue and black ownership.
• QSE (revenue R10-50 million): sworn affidavit or valid B-BBEE verification certificate.
• CIDB grading: not applicable.
• COIDA Letter of Good Standing required.
• Professional indemnity insurance (see financial requirements).
• Public liability cover minimum R1 million.
• Professional registration: SACAP registration (Pr SArcht).

Compliance with Occupational Health and Safety legislation is required. Provide a Letter of Good Standing (COIDA). Site visits to be conducted during office hours with prior arrangement.

Contract governed by National Treasury General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any Special Conditions of Contract. General Conditions accessible on SARAO's website (http://www.sarao.ac.za/tenders/procurement-documents).

• SARAO may accept or reject any bid in part or in full, and is not bound to accept the lowest price.
• SARAO may terminate the contract and use another service provider at any time if required services are not achieved.
• No additional service, design change or expenditure without written authorisation.
• No advance payments permitted.
• SARAO's terms and conditions prevail over supplier terms in the event of conflict.
• SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services) to be completed in duplicate and signed.

Fraud reporting: report any suspected fraud or corruption to 0800 701 701 or SMS 39772.

Three phases: administrative compliance (mandatory documents), functionality (GO/NO-GO criteria as listed under evaluationCriteria), then price and specific goals using 80/20 system. Functionality requirements include qualifications, SACAP registration, 10 years' experience, references, resource commitment letter, professional liability insurance proof, and named resource. No minimum qualifying score stated beyond a 'GO' on each functionality item.