RFQ: private sector partner for ngqura manganese export corridor (nmec) psp – gauteng

Closing date: 26 February 2027 at 16h00 CAT (Pretoria)

Briefing sessions (non-compulsory, via Microsoft Teams): 28 October 2026 at 11h00 and 15h00 CAT (Pretoria) — attend either session

Briefing attendance confirmation: send attendee names and email addresses to [email protected] by 27 October 2026

Validity period: 180 working days from the RFQ closing date

Non-compulsory briefing sessions via Microsoft Teams on 28 October 2026 at 11h00 and 15h00 CAT (Pretoria).

• Attend either session; information will not be repeated for late arrivals.
• Confirm attendance by sending attendee names and email addresses to [email protected] by 27 October 2026.
• Attendance is strongly encouraged; non-attendance is at the respondent's own risk.

Enquiries (bidding procedure and technical):

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: not provided
• Facsimile: not provided

Submission portal: https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net

RFQ download: National Treasury e-Tender Publication Portal (www.etenders.gov.za) or Transnet e-Tender Portal (https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net)

Submission method: electronic upload only via the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal at https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net (Google Chrome recommended).

• Log onto the portal, select Advertised Tenders, register or sign in, log an Intent to Bid, then upload all required returnable documents.
• Each upload is limited to 30 MB; multiple uploads are permitted.
• Uploads must be completed before the closing time of 16h00 CAT (Pretoria) on 26 February 2027. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Transnet strongly advises completing uploads at least one day before closing to avoid internet speed, bandwidth, or upload-size issues; Transnet accepts no liability for technical challenges.
• All returnable documents listed in Section 5 of the RFQ must be submitted electronically.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed, and submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): provides bidder and contact details; signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at Transnet.
• Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ, Terms & Conditions & Applicable Documents: confirms the respondent has read and understood the RFQ and its conditions.
• RFQ Clarification Request Form: used to submit clarification questions.
• Protection of Personal Information form: acknowledges POPIA obligations.
• TECH Form A (Ownership Structure and Authorised Representative): discloses ownership and the authorised signatory.
• TECH Form B (Respondent Key Information): provides key respondent details.
• TECH Form C (Acknowledgement of Transaction Structure): confirms understanding of the proposed transaction structure.
• TECH Form D (Optional Market Feedback Submission): optional, for market feedback.
• SCHEDULE A (Registration Form): registers the respondent for the process.
• SCHEDULE B (Non-Disclosure Agreement): binds the respondent to confidentiality.
• SCHEDULE C (Declaration of Interest): additional interest declaration.
• ANNEXURE A (Transnet Service Provider Integrity Pact): commits the respondent to integrity and anti-corruption standards.

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable document omitted or unsigned.
• Submitting after the closing time, regardless of reason.
• Offering gifts or hospitality to any Transnet employee from the inception of the process until 12 months after award.
• Failure to comply with consortium requirements (see compliance requirements).

This RFQ is a prequalification stage only; no detailed technical, commercial, or financial proposals are required.

• Respondents are evaluated against the qualification criteria in Section 4 of the RFQ, covering technical, operational, financial, and corporate social investment capability.
• Only respondents satisfying the minimum qualification requirements applicable to both SPV1 and SPV2 will be shortlisted and invited to the RFP stage.
• No B-BBEE qualification or evaluation criteria apply during the RFQ phase.
• Transnet intends to seek an exemption from the statutory 90:10 preference point system under the PPPFA; if the exemption is not granted, the RFP will apply the 90:10 system.
• The RFP will set out detailed evaluation methodology, including B-BBEE status level and transaction-specific transformation commitments if the 90:10 system applies.
• The procurement process: issue RFQ, respond to clarifications, evaluate SOQs, shortlist, issue RFP, conduct interactive RFP process, evaluate proposals, select Preferred and Reserve Respondents, negotiate agreements, achieve Financial Close.

The NMEC PSP transaction is an integrated rail and port corridor project to relocate and expand South Africa's manganese export capacity through the Port of Ngqura.

Scope components:

• Rail infrastructure rehabilitation, renewal, and long-term maintenance.
• Rail haulage operations and rolling stock management.
• Development, operation, and maintenance of the Ngqura Manganese Export Terminal (NMET).
• Associated logistics systems for end-to-end manganese export services.

Transaction structure:

• Two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) under a single procurement process.
• SPV1: responsible for financing, development, operation, and maintenance of NMET, rail haulage, rolling stock, and corridor operations.
• SPV2: responsible for financing, rehabilitation, renewal, maintenance, and lifecycle management of rail infrastructure under an availability-based framework with TRIM.
• The successful respondent participates through a Holding Company (HOLDCO) that holds interests in SPV1 and SPV2.

Key parameters (indicative):

• Corridor: approximately 1 100 route kilometres between the Northern Cape manganese basin and the Port of Ngqura.
• Target throughput: initial approximately 12 Mtpa, with potential expansion towards 16 Mtpa.
• NMET: initial throughput capacity approximately 14.7 Mtpa, expandable to approximately 16 Mtpa; procured on a DBFOM basis; berths C100 and C101.
• PSP term: indicatively 25 years.
• Total investment envelope: approximately ZAR R30 to R44 billion.
• Rail infrastructure envelope: approximately ZAR R10 to R20 billion (excluding lifecycle investment).
• NMET investment envelope: approximately ZAR R16 billion (base case, excluding lifecycle investments).
• Rail operations and rolling stock envelope: approximately ZAR R4 billion.

Equity structure (current assumptions):

• HOLDCO holds 49% of SPV1; Transnet SOC Ltd retains 51%.
• HOLDCO owns 100% of SPV2.

Existing assets:

• Corridor currently uses approximately 64 Class 23E locomotives and 3 200 CR-class bulk wagons.
• Rail volumes from Northern Cape to Eastern Cape have exceeded 10 Mtpa in recent years.
• During FY2024/25, approximately 4.0 Mtpa of manganese was handled through the Port of Ngqura.

All throughput, investment, timing, and scope assumptions are indicative and provided for qualification purposes only; Transnet may refine them before the RFP.

The RFQ is a prequalification stage; detailed methodology is not required.

• Respondents must demonstrate technical, operational, financial, and corporate social investment capability.
• The RFP will set out detailed transaction requirements, evaluation methodology, and draft agreements.
• The procurement process includes an interactive RFP stage with due diligence and clarification meetings.
• The preferred structure separates infrastructure availability risk from transport market and operating risk through two SPVs.

Respondents must demonstrate requisite technical, financial, legal, and operational capability.

• Qualification criteria in Section 4 will assess experience on comparable projects (similar scale, complexity, financing structure, or operational characteristics).
• Client references and auditor's certificates may be required to verify experience.
• Key personnel qualifications are not detailed in the RFQ; they will be addressed in the RFP stage.
• The consortium must collectively satisfy the qualification requirements for both SPV1 and SPV2.

Asset management is a core requirement: coordinated activities to realise value from infrastructure assets throughout their lifecycle, including inspection, maintenance, renewal, rehabilitation, and replacement.

• An Asset Management Plan must document the strategy for maintaining, rehabilitating, renewing, and managing infrastructure assets over the transaction period.
• SPV2 will be responsible for lifecycle maintenance and asset performance under an availability-based framework.
• SPV1 will manage corridor operations and terminal performance through an integrated operating model.

No pricing schedule is required at the RFQ stage.

• The RFQ does not require detailed financial proposals.
• Pricing and commercial terms will be addressed in the RFP stage.
• The transaction involves availability-based payments for SPV2 and rail haulage/terminal charges for SPV1.

No pricing or financial proposal is required at the RFQ stage.

• Respondents must demonstrate financial capability to satisfy the qualification criteria in Section 4, including access to sufficient capital (Capital Availability Confirmation) and financing capability.
• The transaction will be project-financed; SPVs will raise non-recourse project finance against their own cash flows.
• No bid security, bonds, guarantees, or retention are specified in the RFQ.
• Respondents must provide audited financial statements (IFRS or equivalent) and an Auditor's Certificate where required by the qualification criteria.
• Indicative total investment envelope: approximately ZAR R30 to R44 billion.

CSD registration:

• South African respondents must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) prior to submission.

Tax compliance:

• Respondents must be tax compliant at submission and remain so throughout the process and any resulting agreement.
• Provide a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number; each consortium member must provide its own.
• Foreign suppliers: if not resident, no branch, no permanent establishment, no source of income, and not liable for taxation in South Africa, then no TCS PIN is required.

B-bbee:

• No B-BBEE evaluation criteria apply during the RFQ phase.
• Post-award, both SPVs must attain and maintain a minimum Level 4 B-BBEE Contributor Status.
• The RFP may apply the statutory 90:10 preference point system if the exemption is not granted.

Consortium / Joint Venture requirements:

• At least one member must register as the respondent.
• The consortium structure must be fully disclosed.
• Each member must be bound by the procurement requirements and execute confidentiality undertakings.
• Members may participate in only one bid submission.
• Each member must submit TECH Forms A and B.
• The consortium must collectively satisfy the qualification requirements for both SPV1 and SPV2.
• Failure to comply results in disqualification.

Other:

• Security clearances and probity checks may be required for the successful respondent.
• No gifts or hospitality to Transnet employees from inception until 12 months after award.

B-BBEE is integral to the procurement strategy, but no B-BBEE evaluation criteria apply during the RFQ phase.

• Transnet intends to seek an exemption from the statutory 90:10 preference point system; if not granted, the RFP will apply it.
• The RFP will include assessment of B-BBEE status level and transaction-specific transformation commitments if the 90:10 system applies.
• Post-award, both SPVs must attain and maintain a minimum Level 4 B-BBEE Contributor Status.
• The successful respondent's transformation commitments will be monitored through contractual KPIs.
• The B-BBEE Codes of Good Practice are under review; revised codes may be gazetted during the process.

No specific health and safety requirements are stated in the RFQ beyond general operational and regulatory compliance.

• The transaction involves operating an operational railway carrying live traffic, which implies safety obligations.
• Respondents must comply with applicable South African legislation and regulations.
• Security clearances for personnel may be required.

The project aims to reduce environmental and social impacts by consolidating manganese export activities at the Port of Ngqura, reducing road congestion, material handling movements, dust emissions, and other environmental impacts.

• Existing environmental approvals and licence arrangements will be made available to shortlisted respondents during the RFP phase.
• Respondents are responsible for developing compliant technical solutions; amendments to existing environmental or regulatory approvals may be required depending on final terminal design.
• The continued operation of PEBOT is considered unsustainable due to environmental considerations.

This RFQ is a prequalification stage and does not create any contractual relationship or legal obligation between Transnet and any respondent.

• Transnet reserves the right to amend, withdraw, suspend, or terminate the procurement process at its sole discretion.
• Respondents bear all costs of preparing and submitting their responses.
• All information relating to the RFQ and procurement process is strictly confidential; prior written approval is required for disclosure unless required by law.
• The successful respondent will be required to obtain security clearances and pass probity checks.
• The transaction will be implemented through a HOLDCO and two SPVs; detailed transaction agreements will be provided during the RFP stage.
• The PSP term is indicatively 25 years.
• Workforce transition arrangements will be detailed in the RFP phase.

Consortium requirements:

• At least one member must register as the respondent.
• The consortium structure must be fully disclosed.
• Each member must be bound by the procurement requirements and execute confidentiality undertakings.
• Members may participate in only one bid submission.
• Each member must submit TECH Forms A and B.
• The consortium must collectively satisfy the qualification requirements for both SPV1 and SPV2.
• Failure to comply results in disqualification.

General requirements:

• South African respondents must be registered on the CSD prior to submission.
• Respondents must be tax compliant and provide a SARS TCS PIN or CSD number.
• No gifts or hospitality to Transnet employees.

Evaluation is against qualification criteria in Section 4, covering technical, operational, financial, and corporate social investment capability.

• No B-BBEE evaluation at RFQ stage.
• Minimum qualification requirements apply to both SPV1 and SPV2.
• Only shortlisted respondents proceed to the RFP stage.
• The RFP will apply the 90:10 preference point system if the exemption is not granted.