Dc minor distribution line enabling agreement – panel of 12 contractors (free state operating unit, centraleast cluster)

Closing date recorded in the tender record: 17 November 2026 at 08:00. The extracted financial document refers to 31 October 2016 only as a list date, not as a tender closing date.

Financial evaluation preconditions:

• Annual financial statements (AFS) must be valid, not outdated, and received within 18 months after year-end.
• Draft, bi-annual, management accounts, and unsigned financial statements are not accepted.
• AFS must include comparative amounts and the full set: statement of financial position, statement of comprehensive income, statement of changes in equity, statement of cash flows, and notes to the financial statements.
• A signed director's/member's report and the applicable auditor's, independent reviewer's, accounting officer's, or compiler's report must be provided (based on the public interest score).
• Guarantees:
• Accepted without further vetting only if issued by an entity on the pre-vetted guarantor list (local: ABSA, DBSA, FirstRand, Investec, Land Bank, Nedbank, Standard Bank; foreign: listed international banks; other: e.g. Hollard, IDC, Santam).
• Certain listed entities are subject to credit limit availability confirmation; the guarantee is accepted only if the credit limit can accommodate it.
• Guarantees from entities not on the pre-vetted list require Eskom Treasury vetting of up to 12 weeks; the guarantee may be rejected, marking the bid non-responsive and not evaluated further — the bidder carries this risk.

Guarantee requirements:

• Bidders must provide a guarantee acceptable to Eskom; only guarantees from pre-vetted guarantors are accepted without further vetting.
• Guarantees from entities not on the pre-vetted list are subject to Treasury vetting of up to 12 weeks, and may be rejected, making the bid non-responsive.
• Guarantees from listed entities marked subject to credit limit confirmation are accepted only if the credit limit can accommodate them.

Financial statements:

• The financial evaluation requires the latest approved AFS, valid within 18 months of year-end, with a signed director's/member's report and the applicable reports based on the public interest score.

Financial compliance:

• AFS must be approved, include comparative amounts, and be submitted within 18 months after year-end.
• A signed director's/member's report and the applicable auditor's/independent reviewer's/accounting officer's/compiler's report must be provided.
• The public interest score and its calculation must be provided.
• If the company is a subsidiary, state the name of the holding company.
• Draft, bi-annual, management accounts, and unsigned financial statements are not accepted.

Guarantee vetting outcome: if the guarantee is not accepted, the bid may be marked non-responsive and not evaluated further.

Eskom is establishing an enabling agreement with a panel of 12 contractors for DC Minor Distribution Line work in the Free State Operating Unit, CentralEast Cluster, for 36 months. The tender is open to any eligible contractor. The eTendering system is used for electronic submission; registration on the system requires a CSD number.

Closing date: 17 November 2026 at 10:00

Clarification meeting (non-compulsory): 10 November 2026 at 10:00 via MS Teams

Meeting ID: 339 367 235 187 020 9

Passcode: bM67wa2X

Tender validity: 12 weeks from closing date

Clarification queries must be submitted 5 working days before the tender submission deadline.

Eskom Representative: Sherusha Govender

Telephone: 051 404 2043

Email: [email protected]

Fraud reporting (anonymously): 0800 11 2722

Fraud email: [email protected]

Procurement Manager: Kenosi Lekutle

Submit electronically via the Eskom eTendering site at https://tenderbulletin.eskom.co.za/ before 17 November 2026 at 10:00.

Documents must be uploaded under the folders Technical, Commercial, Financial, and Other.

All documents must be in PDF format, except the price list which must be submitted in both PDF and Excel.

Upload limit is 500MB per document and 4GB total.

No zip files, no hard copies, and no compressed files will be accepted.

The submission status must be marked complete before final submission.

If resubmitting, only the latest version will be accepted; all previous versions become void.

Late tenders are not accepted.

Returnable forms (all must be completed and signed where required):

• Annexure A: Authorisation Form
• Annexure B: Acknowledgement Form
• Annexure C: Tenderer's Particulars
• Annexure D: Integrity Pact Declaration
• Annexure E: CPA for Local Goods/Services (if applicable)
• Annexure F: CPA(IG) for Imported Goods/Services (if applicable)
• Annexure G1-G4: SBD 6.2 Declaration Certificate for Local Production and Content
• Annexure H: SBD 1 Invitation to Bid
• Annexure I: SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim Form (non-disqualifiable; scores zero if not submitted)
• Annexure J: SBD 4 Bidders Disclosure
• E-tendering Help Manual acknowledgement form
• JV documentation (if applicable): letter of intent, JV agreement, confirmation of single business entity, and single bank account details

Basic compliance requirements:

• Meet all eligibility criteria
• Submit fully completed and duly signed NEC3 Contract
• Submit fully completed, priced and signed BOQ in PDF and Excel formats

Evaluation stages:

1. Functionality (technical) – minimum threshold 75%. Eskom may lower to 60% if insufficient submissions pass.

• Skills Resources: 60%
• Vehicles: 20%
• Tools, Machinery & Equipment: 20%

2. Price – scored out of 80 points.
3. Specific Goals (B-BBEE) – scored out of 20 points under the 80/20 system.

Award: Twelve contractors selected using 80/20 PPPFA principle.

Total score = price points + specific goals points (out of 100).

Tie-break: highest specific goals score wins; if still tied, drawing of lots determines the winner.

Objective criteria (condition for contract award):

• Compliance with local content thresholds for designated sectors. Thresholds: Powerline Line Hardware (100%), Electrical and telecom cables (90% for low voltage and medium voltage), Cement (100%), Plastic pipes (100%).
• Failure to submit SBD 6.2 and Annex C local content declaration may lead to award to next-ranked tenderer.

Establishment of an enabling agreement for the DC Minor Distribution Line with a panel of 12 contractors for the Free State Operating Unit (FSOU), CentralEast Cluster.

Contract duration: 36 months.

The contract will be the NEC3 Engineering and Construction Short Contract (ECSC3).

The scope includes construction of DC minor distribution lines.

The contractor must comply with Eskom SHEQ policies and procedures, including Life Saving Rules and the OHS Act Section 37(2) agreement.

Eskom payment terms: for contracts below R50 million (incl. VAT), payment within 30 days of receipt of undisputed invoices; for contracts above R50 million, payment within 60 days.

Eskom may negotiate with preferred bidders if tendered prices are not market-related.

Security: performance bond may be required depending on financial analysis outcome; bidder must select at least two Eskom-approved financial institutions if bond required.

CSD registration is mandatory for all tenders.

CIDB: contractor grading of 2EP or higher is estimated; must be registered or able to register within 21 working days from closing date.

Tax: valid SARS tax clearance certificate (or certified copy) and SARS PIN required; foreign tenderers without CSD must provide certified tax clearance.

COID: valid certificate with Nature of Business relevant to scope of work.

B-BBEE: valid SANAS accredited certificate or sworn affidavit; failure to submit evidence scores zero for specific goals.

Employment Equity: designated employers must provide proof of compliance and report submission.

Due diligence: latest approved annual financial statements (not draft) of the tendering company, including all components; signed public interest score and ITA34C copies if applicable.

Local content: must comply with designated sector thresholds; submit SBD 6.2 and Annex C declarations.

Functionality thresholds and weights: Skills Resources 60%, Vehicles 20%, Tools/Machinery/Equipment 20%. Minimum threshold 75% (may be reduced to 60% if insufficient submissions pass). Price scored out of 80 points. Specific Goals (B-BBEE) out of 20 points. 80/20 system. Combined total out of 100. Tie-breaking: highest specific goals score; if still tied, drawing of lots.

Eskom Distribution Division is procuring external contractor services for Direct Customer Minor (DCM) Projects in the Free State Operating Unit. The procurement is governed by the PFMA. The aim is to establish a Panel of Contractors (PoC) of up to 12 contractors for an enabling agreement. DCM projects are customer application projects below 1MVA and less than R1m (overhead) or R1.5m (underground) per project. Scope includes medium- and low-voltage distribution network construction, pole planting, trenching, backfilling and material installation. The technical evaluation criteria apply only to the FSOU.

Contact: PJ Burger

Role: Design Engineer

Contact: Una van Zyl

Role: Snr Engineer

Contact: Dr. Rudi Kleinhans

Role: FSOU SI Manager

Contact: Rigard Sander

Role: Snr Technologist

Contact: Emmanuel Mokalanyane

Role: Network Engineering & Design – Dx & Electrification Manager

Contact: Roshan Pillay

Role: Network Engineering & Design Manager

Technical returnables must be submitted as a separate technical file or a clearly indexed section labelled "Technical". Use PDF format only. Scan at a minimum 300 DPI, 600 DPI recommended for small text or graphics. Ensure correct orientation, alignment, clarity and full-page capture. Where proforma forms are prescribed, only the exact annexure forms will be accepted. Submissions may be completed digitally where possible.

Required returnable documents (all must be complete, signed and dated by the owner where indicated):

• Annexure B – Skills Resources Schedule (completed in full, signed and dated)
• Annexure C – Vehicles Schedule (completed in full, signed and dated)
• Annexure D – Tools & Equipment Schedule (completed in full, signed and dated; signed to be valid)
• Annexure A – Base of Operation (completed in full, signed and dated) with supporting proof: lease agreement matching the stated address, or title deed or bond statement, or letter from property owner or primary lease holder, or letter from property owner/manager confirming intent to rent upon successful contracting
• Electrical Contractor Registration Certificate from the Department of Labour, certified and valid, in the company name, trading-as name or company owner's name

For each skills resource listed on Annexure B, submit per resource: a certified identification document, Annexure B1 – Affidavit of Employment Confirmation, Annexure B2 – Consent Form for Processing Personal Information, and all required training certificates (valid and certified).

For each vehicle listed on Annexure C, submit proof of ownership (copy of vehicle registration, licence disc or licence information) or a valid hiring letter from a bona fide vehicle hire company. The licence document must be certified and not older than 3 months from the tender closing date.

For hired tools and equipment, submit proof of hire including a letter from a bona fide hire company stating the items and quantities; letters from construction companies are not accepted.

Disqualification risks:

• Missing, incomplete, unsigned or uncertified mandatory documentation leads to disqualification without opportunity to resubmit.
• False or fraudulent information may be referred for forensic investigation and may lead to legal proceedings.
• Vehicles declared owned must not be subject to lease, rental or third-party agreements; false declarations disqualify the bid.
• Modifying the annexure template forms or tables results in exclusion of that data.

Submission must be received by the closing time and date.

Evaluation proceeds in three chronological phases:

1. Mandatory evaluation (pass/fail): preliminary check of returnables (Electrical Contractor Registration, annexures B, C, D, A), then mandatory checks of minimum skills resources, vehicles, and tools & equipment. A fail on any criterion disqualifies the entire submission.
2. Functional evaluation: scored as a percentage; minimum threshold is 75%, which Eskom may lower to 60% if there are insufficient passing submissions.
3. Contractual obligations: submitted after tender closing, not part of desktop evaluation, validated after success notification; failure to submit delays contract signing.

Each submission undergoes three independent evaluations per phase; the Evaluation Moderation Panel reconciles discrepancies to unanimous consensus.

Functional scoring weights:

• Skills Resources: 60%
• Vehicles: 20%
• Tools, Machinery & Equipment: 20%

Skills resources items (each mandatory requirement minimum 1, with functional score points for 1 or 2 resources): MV Lineman, LV Lineman, MV Authorised Person, LV Authorised Person, Meter Worker, Installation Electrician, Truck-Mounted Crane Operator, TLB Operator, Rigger, Auger/Drilling Operator, Cable Technician, Rock Drill Operator. Each item scores 2.5% or 5% (or 3%/4% for some) depending on resources provided; 0 = fail.

Vehicles (each mandatory minimum 1): Light Delivery Vehicle, Tractor Loader Backhoe, Truck with Vehicle-Mounted Crane, Passenger/Staff Transport vehicle. Each scores up to 5%.

Tools & equipment: multiple listed items, each scores 0.2% to 0.4%.

Scope: Direct Customer Minor (DCM) Projects — customer application projects below 1MVA and less than R1m per project for overhead lines or R1.5m per project for underground cable networks, or as revised per the Distribution Project Life-cycle model. Work includes medium- and low-voltage network construction, pole planting, trench excavation, backfilling, lifting and installation of materials and equipment.

Contract period: 36 months, enabling agreement for a panel of 12 contractors for the Free State Operating Unit (FSOU), CentralEast Cluster.

Area of applicability: Free State Operating Unit only.

Vehicle specifications:

• Light Delivery Vehicle: payload capacity 1,000 kg (1 ton) minimum to 3,000 kg (3 tons) maximum, single-cab, double-cab or chassis-cab; licensed for road use, roadworthy, compliant with National Road Traffic Act; equipped with reflective markings, fire extinguishers and commercial vehicle insurance.
• Tractor Loader Backhoe: self-propelled, rubber-tyred, front-end loader bucket and rear-mounted backhoe, minimum digging depth 4.5 metres, equipped with stabilisers, suitable for uneven/rural terrain, compliant with OHS Act.
• Truck with Vehicle-Mounted Crane: minimum GVM 9,000 kg, certified hydraulic crane lifting minimum 3,000 kg (3 tons) at a minimum lifting height of 6 metres; crane must accommodate a crane bucket and mechanical auger; compliant with OHS Act (Driven Machinery Regulations), inspected and load-certified, roadworthy and registered.

Tools & equipment: must be available for use on sites; sufficient for multiple full teams; calibrated tools must have valid calibration certificates before commencement. Owner/hire status must be declared; Eskom may verify ownership and availability at any time post-award.

Skills resources must meet minimum qualification and certification criteria for each category as detailed in Table 2. Each resource on Annexure B must provide a certified ID, employment confirmation affidavit (Annexure B1), consent for personal information processing (Annexure B2), and valid training certificates. For third-party operators, proof of hire with the relevant hire/rental provider is required. Key personnel include MV/LV Linemen, MV/LV Authorised Persons, Meter Workers, Installation Electricians, Truck-Mounted Crane Operators, TLB Operators, Riggers, Auger/Drilling Operators, Cable Technicians and Rock Drill Operators.

Quality management references: ISO 9001, QM 58 – Supplier Contract Quality Requirements Specification. Earth testing instruments must comply with requirements in 240-130615754 DISTRIBUTION TYPE – PART 2: DISTRIBUTION STANDARD: PART 2: EARTHING, Section 4.1 Apparatus. Tools and equipment must be fit for purpose and have valid calibration or inspection certificates where applicable.

Mandatory compliance items:

• Electrical Contractor Registration with the Department of Labour (valid, certified certificate in the company name or trading-as name, or company owner's name)
• Certified identification documents for all skills resources
• Valid training certificates for each skills resource category, issued by accredited facilitators listed on Eskom's National Facilitators Database (where required)
• MV and LV Authorised Persons must hold valid "Outcome 3 Responsible Person" authorisation as per 240-70413681 Portfolio of Evidence, valid at tender closing date; permit cards are not accepted
• Meter Worker: Level 2 Meter Worker Certificate or certified split meter training certificates (OTO 06G, OTO 06C, OTO 06A) plus SPU Maintenance and Commissioning Course certificate, or signed letter of intent to obtain the SPU certificate within 3 months after tender award
• Cable Technician: FET Certificate in Cable Jointing and Termination (SAQA QUAL ID 58204) or certified certificate with SAQA Unit Standard ID 259187
• Rock Drill Operator: Unit standard 244415 "Drill holes by means of a hand-held rock drill"
• Rigger: Unit standard 253638 "Sling and communicate during crane operations" and/or 12481 "Sling loads"

Normative references: ISO 9001, Portfolio of Evidence for Authorisation, QM 58 Supplier Contract Quality Requirements Specification, Regulations Governing the Administration of an Oath or Affirmation (GN R July 1972), PFMA, Protection of Personal Information Act.

Only the specific skills categories listed may be sourced from third-party providers; third-party arrangements must be confirmed in writing by the hire or rental provider. Hiring from another electrical construction company is not allowed for vehicles or tools.

Changes in ownership or access to tools/equipment must be notified to the Employer in writing within 5 working days; failure to notify may constitute a material breach leading to penalties, work suspension or termination.

All vehicles and machinery must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including the Driven Machinery Regulations. This includes safe operating procedures, operator competency certification, regular inspection protocols, and load certification by a competent authority. Vehicles must be roadworthy, registered and compliant with the National Road Traffic Act. Light delivery vehicles must be equipped with reflective markings and fire extinguishers. Operators must hold appropriate certification and licensing. For hired crane trucks, the tenderer remains responsible for verifying that the operator holds valid training or permits.

Contractual obligations are submitted after tender closing and are validated after success notification; failure to submit delays contract signing. The contract is an enabling agreement with a panel of up to 12 contractors, for a period of 36 months.

If ownership or access to declared tools, equipment or machinery changes, the tenderer must notify the Employer in writing within 5 working days, describing the change, impact on operational capability, corrective measures and estimated resolution timeline. Failure to do so may be a material breach, leading to penalties, suspension of work or termination.

Eskom may verify declared tools, equipment and vehicles post-award without prior notice; false declarations may lead to disqualification and legal action.

In addition to the standard evaluation criteria, the functional evaluation is weighted as follows: Skills Resources 60%, Vehicles 20%, Tools, Machinery & Equipment 20%. The minimum functional threshold is 75%, which Eskom may lower to 60% if there are insufficient passers. Each submission undergoes three independent evaluations and moderation.