Bi-annual biomonitoring and surface water quality monitoring of the tsitsa river for the ntabelanga dam construction (2 years)

Closing date: 29 October 2026 at 11:00

Compulsory briefing session: 21 October 2026 at 10:00

Venue: Ntabelanga dam, Access Road close to Maclear, Eastern Cape Province

Co-ordinates: 31°07'19.2''S, 28°40'59.1''E

Attendance is compulsory; failure to attend renders the bid non-responsive and disqualified.

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Ms. Senzy Gumede
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 081 017 5365

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Mr. Willem Kruger
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 060 980 8134

Submission address:

Department of Water and Sanitation

Mthatha Dam Office Building, Construction East

Mthatha, 5099

Submission method: deposit the completed bid in the bid box at the entrance of the Mthatha Dam Office Building, Department of Water and Sanitation, Construction East, Mthatha, 5099, or deliver to the Supply Chain Management Office at the same address.

Closing time: 29 October 2026 at 11:00. Late bids will not be considered.

The original bid, a cover letter and supporting documents must be sealed in an envelope endorsed "Original Bid": WTE1066CE : THE BI-ANNUAL BIOMONITORING AND SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING DOWNSTREAM AND UPSTREAM OF THE TSITSA RIVER FOR THE PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF NTABELANGA DAM OVER A PERIOD OF 2 (TWO) YEARS, with the bidder's name clearly shown.

Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided, not retyped, and all blanks must be completed in full. The bid documents must not be separated or have pages detached.

Bids forwarded by telegram, telex or facsimile will not be considered.

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

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): fully completed and priced; failure renders the bid invalid.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to the department.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE preference points; failure to submit forfeits those points.
• Annexure 1 (Percentage Ownership Affidavit) and Annexure 2 (Location of Enterprise Affidavit): signed by a commissioner of oaths, required to claim specific goals.
• Proof of authority to sign (e.g. board resolution) must be submitted.
• For joint ventures: original or notarial certified copy of the joint venture agreement and a certificate authorising the signatory.

Disqualification risks:

• Failure to attend the compulsory site briefing.
• Failure to complete, sign and submit SBD 1, SBD 3.1 and SBD 4.
• Failure to complete the pricing schedule in full.
• Bids received after the closing time, regardless of reason.

Administrative compliance (Phase 3) requires:

• Complete, sign and submit SBD 6.1.
• Registration on Central Supplier Database.
• Tax compliance with SARS (verified via CSD).
• Active registration with CIPC.
• Certified copy of B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or affidavit.
• Complete, sign and submit Annexure 1 & 2 (affidavits signed by commissioner of oaths).

Failure to submit results in forfeiture of preference points.

Evaluation uses the 80/20 preference points system under the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022. Maximum 80 points for price, maximum 20 points for specific goals.

Evaluation is conducted in five phases:

• Phase 1: Mandatory Requirements — attendance of compulsory site briefing; completion and submission of SBD 1, SBD 3.1 and SBD 4; valid SACNASP Pr.Sci.Nat. registration; SASS5 accredited practitioner certificate; Natural Science degree/B.Tech (NQF7) minimum. Failure in any of these renders the bid non-responsive and disqualified.
• Phase 2: Quality Requirements — scored out of 100 points: Company Experience in Relation to Scope of Works (40), Key-personnel / Supervisory and Management Staff (40), Technical Proposal (20). Minimum quality score: 70/100. Below 70 renders the bidder unresponsive. Quality is scored by at least three evaluators using indicators: no response (0%), poor (40%), satisfactory (70%), good (90%), very good (100%), averaged and weighted.
• Phase 3: Administrative Compliance — SBD 6.1 submitted; registration on Central Supplier Database; tax compliance with SARS (verified via CSD); active CIPC registration; certified B-BBEE certificate or affidavit; Annexure 1 and 2 signed by commissioner of oaths. Failure to submit SBD 6.1, B-BBEE evidence or Annexures forfeits preference points.
• Phase 4: Technical Evaluation and Specification Compliance — bidder must confirm compliance with the specification; non-compliance leads to disqualification.
• Phase 5: Preference Points — specific goals claimed and supported by proof.

Specific goals (80/20 system, maximum 20 points total):

• Women ownership: up to 5 points
• People with disability ownership: up to 5 points
• Youth (35 and below) ownership: up to 5 points
• Location of enterprise in Eastern Cape: up to 2 points
• B-BBEE status level 1 or 2 contributors who are EME or QSE: up to 3 points

Points for ownership goals are calculated pro-rata: 5 x percentage shareholding / 100. Proof required: Annexure 1 (Percentage Ownership Affidavit), Annexure 2 (Location of Enterprise Affidavit) with proof of premises, and B-BBEE verification certificate or sworn affidavit for EME/QSE. Failure to submit proof means points are not allocated.

The service is bi-annual biomonitoring and surface water quality monitoring of the Tsitsa River, upstream and downstream of the proposed Ntabelanga Dam, for a period of two years.

The Ntabelanga Dam is located approximately 55 km north of Mthatha, within the Tsitsa River, a tributary of the Mzimvubu River Catchment. The project is part of the Mzimvubu Water Project.

Monitoring is required under the Environmental Authorisation (EA) granted on 17 June 2015 (NEAS Reference: DEA/EIA/0002386/2014) and legislation including NEMA and the National Water Act. EA Condition 27 requires biomonitoring to commence one year prior to construction and continue throughout construction and operation on a minimum six-monthly basis.

Established monitoring sites:

• Upstream (TSITS1): S 31°5'59.23'' E 28°38'27.67'' (approximately 2 km upstream of the dam wall)
• Downstream (TSITS2): S 31°7'11.92'' E 28°40'15.98'' (approximately 400 m downstream of the dam wall centroid)

Scope of work:

• Aquatic biomonitoring using Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS), Riparian Vegetation Response Assessment Index (VEGRAI), South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5), and Macroinvertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI).
• Physico-chemical evaluation of in-situ water quality parameters with guideline values:
• Temperature: < 10% variation from reference
• pH: 6.0 – 8.5
• Suspended Solids (@25°C): < 25 mg/l
• Electrical Conductivity: < 70 mS/m
• Turbidity: < 5 NTU
• Provision of comprehensive reports including receiving environment description, GIS maps and photos, comparison with previous results (2024), legislative requirements, mitigation measures, and interpretation against South African Water Quality Standards.
• A draft report must be provided for comments from DWS and TCTA before the final report is submitted.
• Attendance of meetings (online and physical).
• Travelling to and from site, including 8 hours of field work and accommodation.
• Laboratory samples, if applicable, must be submitted within 12 hours of sampling.
• Reports must be submitted within 7 days of sampling unless alternative arrangements are made.
• The winning bidder will have access to the previous report for comparative study.
• Services will be required 14 days from the date of the official order, as and when requested.
• The quantity required cannot be guaranteed; orders placed as requirements become known.
• The department reserves the right to change the services if not satisfied.

Scope of work includes:

• Continuation of aquatic biomonitoring using Integrated Habitat Assessment System (IHAS), Riparian Vegetation Response Assessment Index (VEGRAI), South African Scoring System version 5 (SASS5), and Macroinvertebrate Response Assessment Index (MIRAI).
• Physico-chemical evaluation of in-situ water quality parameters: Temperature (<10% variation from reference), pH (6.0–8.5), Suspended Solids (<25 mg/l), Electrical Conductivity (<70 mS/m), Turbidity (<5 NTU).
• Provision of comprehensive reports including receiving environment description, GIS maps and photos, comparison with previous results, legislative requirements, mitigation measures, and interpretation against South African Water Quality Standards.
• Draft report to be provided for comments from DWS and TCTA before final report.
• Attendance of meetings (online and physical).
• Travelling to and from site including 8 hours field work and accommodation.
• Laboratory samples to be submitted within 12 hours of sampling if applicable.

Quality criteria include Company Experience in Relation to Scope of Works (40 points) and Key-personnel / Supervisory and Management Staff (40 points). Bidders must provide proof of relevant experience and qualified personnel, including valid SACNASP registration and SASS5 accreditation.

Quality is evaluated in Phase 2, scored out of 100 points: Company Experience in Relation to Scope of Works (40), Key-personnel / Supervisory and Management Staff (40), Technical Proposal (20).

Minimum quality score: 70/100; below 70 renders the bidder unresponsive.

Quality is scored by at least three evaluators using indicators: no response (0%), poor (40%), satisfactory (70%), good (90%), very good (100%), averaged and weighted.

The bidder must provide a comprehensive report including receiving environment description, GIS maps and photos, comparison with previous results, legislative requirements, mitigation measures, and interpretation against South African Water Quality Standards.

A draft report must be provided for comments from DWS and TCTA before the final report.

Laboratory samples, if applicable, must be submitted within 12 hours of sampling.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.1) includes items: 1. Aquatic biomonitoring – upstream, 2. Aquatic biomonitoring – downstream (4 each), 3. Upstream in-situ surface-water quality monitoring (4 each), 4. Downstream in-situ surface-water quality monitoring (4 each), 6. Data analysis, interpretation and comprehensive report (4 each), 7. Travelling and accommodation (4 sum).

Offer valid for 120 days from closing date.

Delivery basis: within 14 days after receipt of purchase order.

Prices must be firm and include all delivery costs.

Failure to complete SBD 3.1 renders the bid non-responsive.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.1) must be completed in full; failure renders the bid non-responsive.

Pricing items (quantities):

• Aquatic biomonitoring – upstream: 4 each
• Aquatic biomonitoring – downstream: 4 each
• Upstream in-situ surface-water quality monitoring: 4 each
• Downstream in-situ surface-water quality monitoring: 4 each
• Data analysis, interpretation and comprehensive report: 4 each
• Travelling and accommodation: 4 sum

Prices must be firm and include all delivery costs. All rates and amounts in Rand, including VAT.

Offer must remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.

Delivery basis: within 14 days after receipt of purchase order.

Payment terms:

• Payment made in respect of the supplier's reports, within 30 days of receipt and approval of the original invoice, via electronic funds transfer.
• No cash, cheque or upfront payment.
• The department reserves the right to check reports; reports declined for non-compliance must be resolved within 48 hours.
• Ownership and risk of the service passes to the department at the point of sampling upon signed acceptance.
• Firm prices subject only to statutory changes (VAT, customs and excise levies with written proof).

Mandatory eligibility (Phase 1):

• Valid professional registration with SACNASP as Pr.Sci.Nat.
• SASS5 accredited qualified practitioner certificate.
• Natural Science degree or B.Tech (NQF7) minimum.

Administrative compliance (Phase 3):

• Registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Tax compliance with SARS, verified through CSD and SARS; submit a TCS PIN or printed TCS certificate, or CSD number if no TCS available.
• Active registration with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC).
• Submit a certified copy of a B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate, or a sworn affidavit for EMEs and QSEs, to claim preference points.
• Complete and submit Annexure 1 (Percentage Ownership Affidavit) and Annexure 2 (Location of Enterprise Affidavit), signed by a commissioner of oaths, to claim specific goals.
• Bidders must not be persons in the service of the state, nor companies with directors who are state employees.
• For consortia, joint ventures or sub-contractors, each party must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.
• B-BBEE: The Construction Sector Code applies to entities deriving more than 50% of annual revenue from construction-related activities.

Preference points for specific goals under 80/20 system:

• Women ownership: up to 5 points
• People with disability ownership: up to 5 points
• Youth (35 and below) ownership: up to 5 points
• Location of enterprise in Eastern Cape: up to 2 points
• B-BBEE status level 1 or 2 contributors who are EME or QSE: up to 3 points

Total specific goals maximum 20 points.

Points claimed must be supported by proof: Percentage Ownership Affidavit (Annexure 1), Location of Enterprise Affidavit (Annexure 2) with proof of premises, and B-BBEE verification certificate or sworn affidavit for EME/QSE.

Failure to submit proof means points not allocated.

Safety and environmental requirements: Bidders must adhere to Department's Safety and Environmental policies. Vehicles must be roadworthy (no oil leaks). Safety attire to be utilised by all staff. Inductions (Safety and Environmental) conducted on first visit during working hours 07:15 to 16:00 Monday to Thursday, excluding Fridays 14:00 to Mondays 07:00, public holidays, and last Thursday and Friday of the month.

Monitoring is required under the Environmental Authorisation (EA) granted on 17 June 2015 (NEAS Reference: DEA/EIA/0002386/2014) and legislation including NEMA, NEMBA and the National Water Act.

EA Condition 27 requires biomonitoring to commence one year prior to construction and continue throughout construction and operation on a minimum six-monthly basis.

The purpose is to ensure ongoing compliance with EA conditions, enable early identification of environmental risks, and support corrective measures.

Monitoring is conducted at two locations, upstream and downstream of the Ntabelanga Dam site, using SASS5, MIRAI and in-situ water quality assessment.

The construction aims to avoid, mitigate or offset negative project-related impacts, with avoidance as the most successful approach.

Payment terms: Payment made in respect of supplier's reports, within 30 days of receipt and approval of original invoice via EFT. No cash, cheque, or upfront payment. Department reserves right to check reports. Reports declined for non-compliance must be resolved within 48 hours. Ownership and risk of service passes to Department at point of sampling upon signed acceptance. Firm bid prices subject only to statutory changes (VAT, customs and excise levies with written proof).

Mandatory requirements (Phase 1):

• Complete, sign and submit SBD 1, SBD 3.1 and SBD 4.
• Valid professional registration with SACNASP (Pr.Sci.Nat.).
• SASS5 accredited qualified practitioner certificate.
• Natural Science degree or B.Tech (NQF7) minimum.

Failure to comply renders the bid non-responsive and disqualified.

Evaluation uses 80/20 preference points system under Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022.

Evaluation in phases: Phase 1 Mandatory Requirements, Phase 2 Quality, Phase 3 Administrative Compliance, Phase 4 Technical Evaluation and Specification Compliance, Phase 5 Preference Points.

Quality criteria: Company Experience (40 points), Key-personnel (40 points), Technical Proposal (20 points), maximum 100 points.

Minimum quality score: 70; below that bidder is unresponsive.

Quality scored by at least three evaluators using indicators: no response (0%), poor (40%), satisfactory (70%), good (90%), very good (100%), averaged and weighted.