Cleaning and in-service inspection of SAFARI-1 reactor pool and primary heat exchangers

• This RFQ is for the cleaning of SAFARI-1 reactor pool and primary heat exchangers.
• The contractor must provide all necessary resources and expertise to perform the work safely and effectively, removing deposits while protecting equipment integrity.
• Refer to attached specification RR-SPE-0053 for detailed requirements.

• RFQ Closing Date: 31 July 2026.
• RFQ Closing Time: 10:00.
• Compulsory Site Briefing: 29 July 2026 at 10h00.
• Confirm attendance and submit a copy of each attendee's valid ID for site access by 28 July 2026.
• Work must be completed within the allocated SAFARI-1 shutdown period: 31 August 2026 to 04 September 2026.

• A compulsory site briefing is scheduled for 29 July 2026 at 10h00.
• Confirm your attendance and submit a copy of each attendee's valid ID for site access arrangements by 28 July 2026.

• Contact Person: Itumeleng Mathibe.
• Email: [email protected] (for submissions and queries).
• Phone: 012 305 5163.
• All quotations and written queries must be directed to this contact only.

• Submit your quotation by email to [email protected] by the closing date and time.
• Ensure your pricing schedule (BOQ) is completed in full; incomplete submissions may be considered non-responsive.
• Do not deliver any goods or services without an official Necsa purchase order.
• Only contact the named contact person for queries; approaching other Necsa employees may result in disqualification.
• Necsa reserves the right to cancel, reject any quote, not award to the lowest bidder, award parts to different bidders, or not award at all.

• Tax Clearance Certificate (Tax PIN from SARS).
• Declaration of Interest (SBD 4).
• B-BBEE Certificate or applicable affidavit if an EME.
• Letter of Good Standing (COID) if applicable.
• Any other document or certification requested in the RFQ.

Mandatory: Demonstrated experience in cleaning industrial heat exchangers/condensers, with proof of at least one similar completed project (client details and scope). Non-compliant submissions will be rejected. Bidders must also be prepared to meet all statutory and SHEQ requirements for nuclear site work.

Scope: Cleaning of the SAFARI-1 reactor pool and primary heat exchangers.

• The contractor must provide all labour, supervision, specialist personnel, equipment, tools, consumables, chemicals, temporary services, transportation, and technical expertise.
• Work must comply with attached Specification RR-SPE-0053, statutory requirements, and NECSA procedures.
• Objective: Safely remove scale, fouling, corrosion products, sludge, and deposits while maintaining equipment integrity.
• Key requirements:

• Submit detailed Method Statement, Quality Control Plan (QCP), Risk Assessment, and SHEQ documentation for approval before work starts.
• Provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals.
• Ensure all personnel are suitably trained, competent, and authorised.
• Supply all necessary equipment including cleaning chemicals, high-pressure water equipment, pumps, tanks, temporary pipework, monitoring, and safety gear.
• Execute cleaning per approved method, monitor parameters, and notify NECSA immediately of any abnormal conditions.
• Responsible for waste management: handle, collect, transport, and dispose of all waste (spent solutions, rinse water, sludge, contaminated consumables) in accordance with environmental requirements and NECSA procedures; submit a waste management plan and disposal documentation.

• Submit a detailed cleaning methodology and work execution plan addressing sequence, chemical management, high-pressure cleaning, equipment protection, process monitoring, risks, and contingency measures.
• The methodology is evaluated and scored (up to 30 points) based on its comprehensiveness and adherence to specification RR-SPE-0053.

Mandatory: Provide evidence of at least one similar project cleaning industrial heat exchangers/condensers, including client details and scope.

Non-mandatory (scored):

• Provide proof of relevant project references with client contact details.
• Scoring: 5 or more references (40 points), 3-4 references (30 points), fewer than 3 references (20 points), no references (0 points).

• Necsa's policies commit to compliance with ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, RD 0034 (Nuclear Installations Quality and Safety), ISO 9001, and ISO 17025.
• The contractor's methodology and project plan are evaluated for quality, with points awarded based on detail and adequacy.

• Submit a fully completed Pricing Schedule/Bill of Quantities (BOQ).
• Ensure all costs required for the complete scope are included; any costs not specifically identified but necessary are deemed included.

• Submit a fully completed Pricing Schedule/BOQ provided in the RFQ.
• Include all costs required to execute the complete scope: labour, supervision, equipment, chemicals, consumables, transportation, waste handling, disposal, and any other necessary costs.
• Prices must be firm and fixed for the contract duration and include all applicable taxes.
• Clearly identify any exclusions, assumptions, or deviations from the pricing schedule.
• Incomplete pricing submissions may result in the quotation being considered non-responsive.
• Payment terms: Payment will be made within 30 days of receipt of a valid tax invoice and acceptance of services rendered, in accordance with NECSA's General Conditions of Purchase.

Mandatory documents to submit with your bid:

• Valid Tax Clearance Certificate (Tax PIN issued by SARS).
• Declaration of Interest (SBD 4).
• B-BBEE Certificate or applicable affidavit if classified as an EME.
• Letter of Good Standing (COID) if applicable due to the nature of the work.
• Any other document or certification requested in the RFQ.
• The bid will be evaluated under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) 2000 and 2022 Regulations, considering B-BBEE status.
• Suppliers must not offer any gifts, payments, or inducements to Necsa employees; doing so constitutes a material breach and allows immediate termination.

• Submit a detailed Method Statement, Quality Control Plan (QCP), Risk Assessment, and all required SHEQ documentation for approval before work starts.
• Provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals and cleaning agents.
• Ensure all personnel performing the work are suitably trained, competent, and authorised.
• Supply all necessary safety and spill control equipment.

• The contractor is responsible for the safe handling, collection, transportation, and disposal of all waste generated.
• Submit a waste management plan for spent cleaning solutions, rinse water, sludge, and contaminated consumables.
• Ensure all waste is disposed of in accordance with applicable environmental requirements and NECSA procedures.
• Submit disposal documentation as part of completion.

• The supplier must not offer any gifts, payments, loans, rewards, inducements, benefits, or advantages to any Necsa employee or representative.
• Such an act constitutes a material breach, allowing Necsa to terminate the agreement immediately.
• By responding, the bidder acknowledges full understanding and agreement to comply with Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase, PPPFA 2000 and 2022 Regulations, General Conditions of Contract (GCC), and all attached technical specifications.

• Mandatory requirement: Demonstrated experience in cleaning industrial heat exchangers and/or condensers. Provide evidence of at least one similar completed project, including client details and scope performed.

• Phase 1: Functionality/Technical evaluation out of 100 points. Must exceed a threshold score and be at least equal to the highest scoring bid's threshold to proceed.
• Phase 2: Price and B-BBEE evaluation under PPPFA 2022 (80/20 point system).
• B-BBEE points: 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).

• Purpose: To outline requirements for high-pressure cleaning and In-Service Inspection (ISI) of the secondary side of heat exchangers in the SAFARI-1 reactor pool and primary heat exchangers, per SAFARI-1 management system directives.
• Ensures optimal performance and compliance with IAEA research reactor safety standards.
• Scope: Tasks include high-pressure cleaning and ISI for tubes and associated parts on the secondary side of the heat exchanger, aligned with RR-MPR-0003 and RR-ISP-2300.
• Covers cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and report preparation for the reactor pool and primary heat exchangers.
• Details regulations governing inspection authorities.

• Closing date for the specification document: 07 June 2023 (Note: This appears to be a document preparation date, not a tender submission date).

Suppliers must demonstrate capability to perform high-pressure cleaning and advanced NDE (Eddy Current) in a nuclear environment. Personnel must be qualified for NDE activities. The company must have a robust quality assurance program and comply with all nuclear safety and occupational health regulations. Proven experience with similar nuclear or high-hazard industrial cleaning and inspection projects is likely essential.

• Scope: High-pressure cleaning and In-Service Inspection (ISI) of the secondary side tubes and associated parts of the SAFARI-1 reactor pool and primary heat exchangers.
• Work must align with guidelines in RR-MPR-0003 and RR-ISP-2300.
• Tasks include cleaning, inspection, maintenance, and report preparation for the reactor pool and four primary heat exchangers (E101, E102, E103, E104).
• Pool Heat Exchanger Specifications: Stainless Steel 304 tubes, 3⁄4” OD, 16.4mm ID, 6m length, straight/horizontal configuration, total 342 tubes.
• Primary Heat Exchanger Specifications: Stainless Steel 304 tubes, 25.4mm diameter, 1.65mm wall thickness, 6m length, straight/horizontal configuration, 484 tubes per unit.
• Inspection Requirements (per Table 1 ISI Plan):

• Pool Heat Exchanger: 100% visual inspection of vessel welds; all tubes visually inspected for internal surface conditions; 100% Eddy Current (EC) or Go/No-Go gauge inspection for tube thickness. Frequency: every 4 years.
• Primary Heat Exchangers (E101-E104): Same inspection regimen (100% visual on welds, all tubes visual, 100% EC/thickness check). Frequency: every 4 years.

• Preliminary Requirements:

• ISI provider must detail methodology for preparing, implementing, and documenting the ISI program.
• Inspection must be completed within 2 days (excluding pre-shutdown setup).
• High-pressure cleaning must be completed within 3 days (excluding pre-shutdown setup).

• Cleaning Requirements:

• Objective: Thoroughly clean all heat exchanger tubes per RR-MPR-0003. Pool exchanger cleaned annually; primary exchangers cleaned every two years.
• Procedure: Unseal, clean, visual inspection; treat with 5%-10% inhibited Sulphamic acid solution; high-pressure water tube cleaning; clean and inspect lids & end shields for rust.
• Supplier must safely discard all Sulphamic effluent from site (cost included in pricing).

• In-Service Inspection (ISI) Requirements:

• Goal: Visually inspect and measure thickness of secondary side tubes.
• Tube Visual Inspection: Detect cracks, visible corrosion, deformations, especially at welds.
• Eddy Current Inspection: 100% EC inspection of all internal tubes to assess integrity.
• Necsa will verify and obtain copies of: Personnel Qualification Records (qualified NDE person); calibration of test equipment; all inspection/test reports; inspection/test instructions detailing codes/standards used.

• Methods: Must be based on international best practices, emphasizing non-intrusive, remote techniques to minimize personnel exposure.
• Reporting: Detailed documentation required for all cleaning and ISI activities, including process description, findings, issues, and corrective actions.
• Quality Assurance: Supplier must implement a quality assurance program aligned with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Safety: Supplier must comply with all nuclear and occupational safety norms, including emergency provisions, worker protection, and radiation exposure reduction. A safety induction by Necsa (max 4 hours) is required before work starts. During shutdown, the secondary system water level must be completely drained.

• ISI provider must detail the methodology for preparing, implementing, and documenting the ISI program.
• Methods used should be based on international best practices, with emphasis on non-intrusive, remote techniques to minimize personnel exposure.

• Supplier must implement a quality assurance program ensuring all activities are carried out in line with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.

• All activities must comply with relevant regulations and safety procedures, including radiation protection, environmental protection guidelines, and waste disposal practices.
• Supplier must comply with all nuclear and occupational safety norms, including emergency provisions, worker protection, and radiation exposure reduction.
• Supplier must implement a quality assurance program in line with industry best practices and regulatory requirements.
• Supplier must provide detailed documentation of all cleaning and ISI activities, including findings, issues, and corrective actions.

• Supplier must rigidly comply with all nuclear and occupational safety norms, including provisions for emergencies, worker protection, and radiation exposure reduction.
• Work must be scheduled during brief monthly/annual shutdowns as per RR-MPR-0003.
• During any shutdown, the secondary system water level must be completely drained before work starts.
• Exposure to workers and supplier equipment near heat exchangers will be regulated.
• Supplier must align with all SAFARI-1 safety mandates.
• A safety induction conducted by Necsa (not exceeding 4 hours) is required prior to work commencement.

• All activities must comply with environmental protection guidelines and waste disposal practices.
• Supplier is responsible for safe disposal of Sulphamic effluent from site.

• The SAFARI-1 In-Service Inspection Program (ISIP) requires inspection of reactor pool and primary heat exchangers to detect potential issues impacting safety/operational integrity.
• The In-Service Inspection Plan RR-ISP-2300 lists components for inspection (see Table 1).
• Inspection frequency/method per Table 1 is the bare minimum requirement.
• ISI provider must be prepared to inspect within agreed time period (max 2 days, excluding setup).
• High-pressure cleaning provider must be prepared to clean within agreed timeframe (max 3 days, excluding setup).
• Cleaning objective: Thoroughly clean all heat exchanger tubes per RR-MPR-0003 (pool annually, primary every two years).
• Cleaning procedure: Unseal, clean, visual inspection; treat with 5%-10% inhibited Sulphamic acid; high-pressure water cleaning; clean/inspect lids & end shields for rust.
• Supplier must safely discard Sulphamic effluent (cost included in pricing).
• ISI assesses tube, seal, joint performance, and structural integrity.
• Goal: Visually inspect and measure thickness of secondary side tubes.
• Tube Visual Inspection: Detect irregularities like cracks, corrosion, deformations, especially at welds.
• Eddy Current Inspection: 100% EC inspection of all internal tubes to assess integrity.
• Necsa will verify/obtain: Personnel Qualification Records (qualified NDE person); calibration records; all inspection/test reports; inspection/test instructions detailing codes/standards.
• All activities must comply with regulations including radiation protection, environmental guidelines, waste disposal.
• Detailed documentation of all cleaning/ISI activities required, including process, findings, issues, corrective actions.

Any person (natural or juristic) may submit an offer. The bidder must complete a declaration in line with constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, impartiality, and ethics.

Returnable Documents: The bid must include a completed SBD 4 declaration form. Failure to fully disclose all required information on the SBD 4 form will lead to disqualification.

1. The bidder must not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers. 2. The bidder must fully and truthfully complete all sections of the SBD4 disclosure form. 3. The bidder must certify that the bid was prepared independently and without collusion.

Any person (natural or juristic) may submit an offer. The bidder must complete a declaration in line with constitutional principles of transparency, accountability, impartiality, and ethics.

No specific requirements found. Bidders must complete the SBD 4 declaration form. Bidders listed in the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers will be automatically disqualified.