Training provider for solar pv plant maintenance (≤ 300 kw) – 3-Year contract with extension option

• Closing date: 09 July 2026.
• Closing time: 12h00.
• Validity period: 90 days.

• Contact person: Zanele Zulu (Administrator).
• Email: [email protected].
• Telephone: 011 471 4000.
• Submission address: Email submissions only.

• Submit via email to [email protected].
• Closing date: 09 July 2026 at 12h00.
• Quotations must be on company letterhead, fully completed, and signed in black ink.
• Ensure you are registered on the Sentech Supplier Database.
• You must be tax compliant.
• Quotations must be submitted before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted.
• The tenderer must treat the RFQ and all purchaser information as confidential.
• Sentech reserves the right to cancel the bid entirely at its discretion.

• The service provider must provide: detailed training material (soft and hard copy), assessment tools (written and practical), CPD recognition confirmation (if applicable).
• The Form of Offer and Acceptance must be completed and signed.

Scope: Provide structured theoretical and practical training for maintenance personnel of Solar PV plants (≤ 300 kW).

Training must cover:

• Solar PV Fundamentals: PV modules, string configuration, MPPT, inverters, grid-tied systems.
• Regulatory & Standards Compliance: SANS 10142-1, SANS 10142-1-2, NRS 097-2-1, OHS Act, safe isolation.
• DC Safety & Arc Hazard Awareness: DC arc characteristics, LOTO, backfeed hazards, arc-rated PPE.
• Maintenance & Fault Finding: Insulation resistance testing, string testing, thermal imaging, IV curves, fault diagnosis.
• Working at Heights Awareness: Fall arrest, rescue planning, roof access risk assessment.
• Ground-Mounted Specific Risks: Vegetation control, lightning protection, combiner box inspection, trenching.
• Fire Risk & Protection Engineering: DC arc fault risks, emergency shutdown, fire department access, rapid shutdown.
• Certificate of Compliance (COC) Competency: Legal responsibilities, PV-specific COC requirements, documentation.
• Commissioning & Handover: Pre-commissioning checks, string verification, inverter configuration, handover docs.
• Mechanical Installation: Roof structural considerations, waterproofing, torque, mounting, corrosion protection.
• Embedded Generation Compliance: SANS 63205, municipal application process, anti-islanding, grid code.
• Battery selection, electricity fundamentals, solar panel types, relevant tools.

Practical component: Hands-on testing, inverter troubleshooting, LOTO demonstration, risk assessment workshops.

Deliverables:

• Detailed training materials (soft and hard copy).
• Attendance registers.
• Assessment tools (written and practical).
• Certificates of competence.
• Post-training competency report.
• CPD recognition confirmation (if applicable).

• Training methodology must cover: PV module principles and I-V curves, string configuration, MPPT operation, inverter functionality, grid-tied system architecture.
• Regulatory compliance: SANS 10142-1, SANS 10142-1-2 (Embedded generation), NRS 097-2-1, OHS Act & Electrical Machinery Regulations, safe isolation procedures.
• Mechanical installation: Roof structural considerations, waterproofing integrity, torque requirements, mounting system types, corrosion protection, cable routing best practice, UV protection.
• Embedded generation compliance: SANS 10142-1-2 detailed application, SANS 63205 (Parts 1-4), NRS 097-2-1 compliance, municipal embedded generation application process, power utility SSEG application, anti-islanding requirements, grid code basics, protection settings verification.

• Experience in Solar PV O&M Training: Points awarded based on number of projects (1-2 projects = 10 points, 3-4 projects = 20 points, 5+ projects = 30 points). Provide reference letters on client letterhead or attendance registers and company profile.
• Facilitator qualifications: Trade tested electrician (10 points), trade tested with PV certification (20 points), Pr Eng or specialist with 20+ years experience plus PV certification (30 points). Provide qualifications and certificates.
• Specialist definition: Technical personnel with more than 20 years experience in facilitating electrical engineering related training or PhD in electrical engineering.

• Bidders must demonstrate access to practical solar training equipment and facilities (PV panels, inverters, batteries, wiring systems, testing equipment).
• Training must include hands-on testing exercises, inverter troubleshooting simulation, lock-out/tag-out demonstration, risk assessment workshops, and case study analysis.
• Deliverables include detailed training materials, assessment tools, and post-training competency reports.

• Prices must be stated in words and figures in the pricing schedule.
• All prices quoted in South African Rands (ZAR).
• If foreign currency is used, exchange rate is fixed for contract term; bidder bears currency fluctuation risk.

• All prices must be quoted in South African Rands (ZAR).
• If foreign currency is used, the exchange rate is fixed for the contract term; bidder bears currency fluctuation risk.
• Prices must be stated in the pricing schedule.
• Sentech reserves the right to negotiate market-related prices; failure to agree may lead to bid cancellation.
• Price adjustments require written approval and documentary evidence.

• Mandatory: Provide proof of EWSETA or equivalent SETA accreditation.
• Mandatory: Provide proof of facilitator qualifications (CV, certificates, unit standard completion).
• Submit a valid B-BBEE certificate to claim preference points.
• Ensure tax compliance and registration on the Sentech Supplier Database.
• The bidder must comply with all administrative responsiveness criteria.

• Preference points awarded based on B-BBEE certificate:
• Race: 10 points for ≥51% black ownership, 5 points for 25.1-50%, 3 points for 5-25%, 0 points for below 5%.
• Gender (women): 8 points for ≥51% women ownership, 4 points for 25.1-50%, 2 points for 5-25%, 0 points for below 5%.
• Disability: 2 points for confirmation via doctor's note, Department of Labour, BEE certificate, or equivalent.

• Training must cover DC arc characteristics, safe shutdown procedures, LOTO procedures, backfeed hazards, and arc-rated PPE requirements.
• Includes fire risk engineering: DC arc fault risks, rooftop fire propagation, emergency shutdown labeling, fire department access requirements, roof isolation points, rapid shutdown systems.
• Certificate of Compliance (COC) competency: Legal responsibility of signatory, scope limitation under SANS 10142, PV-specific COC requirements, as-built drawing requirement, test report documentation, record retention.

• The contract is formed upon acceptance of the offer.
• The service provider must deliver any required securities, bonds, guarantees, or proof of insurance within two days of agreement.
• Failure to fulfil these obligations constitutes repudiation of the agreement.
• No amendments or deviations are valid unless contained in the Schedule of Deviations.
• The agreement comes into effect when the service provider receives a fully completed original copy.

• Sentech may appoint one or more suppliers, in whole or in part, or not appoint any supplier, or cancel the bid entirely at its sole discretion.
• The Bid Specification and Evaluation Committee (BSEC) declares no conflict of interest and acts in good faith. The BSEC must consist of a chairperson and at least three other technically knowledgeable, cross-functional members who attend all scheduled meetings.

• Administrative Responsiveness Criteria: Suppliers must meet all criteria, be tax compliant, submit all required information, and be registered on the Sentech Supplier Database.
• Quotations must be on company letterhead, fully completed, signed in black ink, submitted via email by the closing date and time.
• Confidentiality: The tenderer must treat the RFQ terms and purchaser's confidential information as confidential, not disclosing to any person, firm, company, or media without prior written authorisation.

• The evaluation criteria are detailed in section 7 of the RFQ.
• Bidders must respond to all evaluation criteria and include supporting documentation; failure to do so results in no further evaluation.
• Evaluation method includes three stages: administrative responsiveness, functional evaluation (minimum 50/80 points), and price and preference (80/20).