Ecsa professional engineering design services: fire line replacement (wet riser and hose-reel system) – playhouse theatre and head office, durban

Compulsory site briefing: date, time and venue not stated in the document. Attendance is mandatory; a signed attendance register will be checked by the Employer. Failure to attend disqualifies the bid.

Closing date and time: 20 November 2026 at 08:00. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Programme milestones (target weeks after appointment):

• Inception meeting and site verification: Week 2.
• Head Office survey and condition assessment: Week 4.
• Stage 2 – Concept and feasibility: Week 6.
• Stage 3 – Design development: Week 9.
• Stage 4 – Detailed design: Week 12.
• Stage 5 – BOQs and tender documents: Week 14.
• Stage 5 – Contractor procurement: per Employer's SCM timetable.

Stage 2 must start within two weeks of the appointment letter. Tender-ready document sets for both buildings must be delivered within 14 weeks.

Enquiries:

• Contact name: not stated.
• Role: Supply Chain Management.
• Email: not stated.
• Telephone: not stated.

Submission address:

The Playhouse Company

Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street)

Opposite the City Hall

Durban

KwaZulu-Natal

Service delivery address:

The Playhouse Theatre Building and Head Office

Anton Lembede Street

Durban

KwaZulu-Natal

Submission method: The bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope, marked with the bid reference number and description, to the Tender Box at The Playhouse Company, Anton Lembede Street, Durban. Electronic submissions are not permitted.

Returnable documents — all must be completed, signed and included:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and signed offer.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services): priced schedule of rates.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any director or shareholder employed by the state or connected to the department.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under the 80/20 system.
• Form C1 (Pricing Schedule – Design Services): fixed lump sums per stage for Part A (Theatre Building) and Part B (Head Office).
• Form C2 (Stage 6 Rates): rates for future call-up, not scored.
• D1: Company profile and organogram.
• D2: CVs of lead engineer and key staff, with certified ECSA certificates.
• D3: Declaration of independence from contractors and suppliers.
• D4: Schedule of similar projects with reference letters.
• CSD report and SARS tax compliance PIN.
• Certificate of attendance of the compulsory site briefing.
• Company registration documents (CIPC) and certified ID copies of directors.

Disqualification risks:

• Late submission.
• Omission of any mandatory returnable document.
• Failure to attend the compulsory site briefing.
• Non-compliance with any mandatory requirement in Gate 1.

Evaluation stages:

1. Gate 1 – Mandatory compliance: pass/fail. Bids failing any mandatory requirement are disqualified.
2. Gate 2 – Functionality: scored out of 100; minimum 70 required to proceed.
3. Gate 3 – Price and specific goals: 80/20 preference point system.

Functionality criteria (100 points):

• Experience of the firm: fire-installation or wet-riser design projects in multi-storey buildings completed in the last 10 years, with reference letters. 5+ projects = 25; 3–4 = 15; 1–2 = 8; none = 0.
• Experience of the lead engineer: years since professional registration with fire-installation design experience (CV). 10+ years = 25; 5–9 = 15; under 5 = 8.
• Key support staff: qualified, registered candidate engineer or technologist and CAD draughtsperson (CVs). Both = 10; one = 5.
• Approach and methodology: understanding of Stage 1 findings; design approach; phasing and temporary fire protection in an operating theatre venue; heritage sensitivity; quality control. 30 points.
• Programme: realistic programme that meets or improves on Section 5. 10 points.

Reference letters must be on the client's letterhead, signed, and state the project, value, dates and services provided. The Employer may contact referees.

Price and specific goals (80/20):

• Price: 80 points, scored on the total of Form C1 (Part A plus Part B), including VAT.
• Specific goals: 20 points, allocated in line with The Playhouse Company's Preferential Procurement Policy, for example ownership by historically disadvantaged individuals, women, youth or persons with disabilities. Proof is claimed on SBD 6.1.

The bid with the highest total score will normally be recommended for award. The Employer may negotiate a market-related price with the preferred bidder.

Scope: Design of the replacement of the fire line (wet riser and hose-reel system) at The Playhouse Theatre Building and Head Office, Durban. Appointment covers ECSA Stages 2 to 5 only. Stage 6 (construction monitoring, testing, commissioning and close-out) is excluded from this bid and may be called up separately.

Extent of system to be designed:

• Full replacement of the 75 mm main fire line and branches from roof-tank outlet to all terminal points. Confirm full vertical extent on site (Stage 1 report notes basement to 6th floor but records defects on 8th floor).
• Removal and safe disposal of existing piping, fittings, supports and insulation; decommissioning of redundant sections.
• Replacement of two damaged roof valves and the leaking pump–tank joint valve.
• Decommissioning of the blocked 5th-floor pipe and extension of the undersized hose-reel rail.
• New supports, flanges, isolation valves and pressure-reducing/relief valves as required by SANS 10400.
• Elimination of all mixed-metal joints (stainless/galvanised/copper), with dielectric isolation where transition cannot be avoided.
• Integration with existing hose reels and fire-fighting equipment.
• Builder's work: chasing, making good and fire-stopping of penetrations, sympathetic to the heritage status of the building.
• Same scope for Head Office fire line, from water supply to every terminal point. First survey, leak detection and condition assessment required; confirm extent of replacement with Employer before Stage 2.

Stage 2 – Concept and feasibility:

• Confirm design criteria: flow rates, residual pressures, zoning and hydraulic performance against SANS 10400-W and NFPA 14 principles.
• Verify roof tank capacity, pump duty and existing pressures on site.
• Evaluate material options and recommend final specification (Stage 1 report proposes Schedule 40 or 10, grade 304/316 stainless steel with compatible fittings).
• Assess temporary fire-protection measures and fire-watch during shutdowns.
• Recommend phasing strategy (floor-by-floor isolation) that keeps venue operating.
• Update cost estimate.
• Deliverable: Concept and Feasibility Report.

Stage 3 – Design development:

• Develop engineering design of complete system with hydraulic calculations.
• Produce schematic diagrams, riser diagrams and coordination drawings.
• Coordinate with other building services and heritage authority where required.
• Deliverable: Design Development Report, hydraulic calculations and drawings, for Employer approval.

Stage 4 – Detailed design and working drawings:

• Produce construction-issue drawings: layouts, sections, details, supports, penetrations and fire-stopping.
• Specify all components, valves and fittings.
• Specify painting and identification to SANS 10140-1: Fire Red (RAL 3000 or equivalent) finish system suitable for stainless steel, and "FIRE LINE" labels at no more than 3 m intervals and at every floor.
• Specify testing and commissioning: hydrostatic pressure test at no less than 1.5 times working pressure, flushing, disinfection and commissioning.
• Deliverable: Full set of construction-issue drawings and technical specifications.

Stage 5 – Documentation and procurement:

• Prepare complete works tender documentation for each building: detailed specifications, fully measured Bill of Quantities, pricing schedule, and contract conditions (JBCC, GCC or as agreed with Employer).
• Prepare priced pre-tender estimate (engineer's estimate of the BOQ) for each building.
• Support Employer's procurement: attend Bid Specification Committee, run contractor site briefing, answer clarifications and issue addenda.
• Evaluate contractor bids for technical compliance and functionality, and submit written recommendation for appointment to Bid Evaluation Committee.
• Require that works contractor is a registered fire-protection installer (for example SAQCC Fire / IOPSA registered).
• Deliverable: Tender-ready document set per building, pre-tender estimates, and bid evaluation reports.

Standards and legislation:

• National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977, and SANS 10400 (Part W – Fire installation; Part T – Fire protection).
• SANS 10252-1 (Water supply installations for buildings).
• SANS 10140-1 (Identification of pipes and pipelines).
• NFPA 14 principles for standpipe and hose systems.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, and Construction Regulations, 2014.
• National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (building is a listed monument).
• eThekwini Municipality fire and water by-laws.

General obligations:

• Attend site and progress meetings with Maintenance Manager every two weeks.
• Submit monthly progress report.
• Hand over all drawings in PDF and native CAD format, and all reports in editable format. Copyright licensed to Employer for this project.
• Remain independent of any contractor or supplier that may bid for the works.

Minimum drawings and BOQ deliverables (each building):

1. Existing-installation survey drawings: measured layout of existing fire line, valves, hose reels and defects, per floor.
2. Demolition and decommissioning drawings: piping, fittings and supports to be removed; redundant sections to be capped or isolated.
3. Fire-line schematic: water supply from roof tank and pump to every terminal point, with valves, zones and pressures.
4. Riser diagram: vertical riser through all levels, with floor connections, isolation and pressure-reducing valves.
5. Floor layout drawings: new piping routes on every floor, roof and basement, with pipe sizes and hose-reel positions.
6. Roof tank and pump connection details: tank outlet, pump connection, new valves and dielectric isolation.
7. Sections and installation details: supports and hangers, flanged/welded joints, shaft and wall penetrations, fire-stopping.
8. Hose-reel and terminal-point details: connections to existing hose reels, rail extensions, landing valves.
9. Painting and identification schedule: Fire Red finish system and "FIRE LINE" labelling to SANS 10140-1.
10. Hydraulic calculations: flow and pressure at most remote outlet, friction losses, pump and tank adequacy.
11. Technical specifications: materials, valves, fittings, workmanship, testing and commissioning.
12. Bill of Quantities: fully measured BOQ: preliminaries and general, demolition, piping, valves, supports, builder's work, painting, testing and commissioning, provisional sums and contingencies.
13. Engineer's pre-tender estimate: priced copy of BOQ at current market rates.

The BOQ must be measured from the construction-issue drawings, and every BOQ item must be traceable to a drawing or specification clause.

The bidder must submit an approach and methodology (30 points) covering:

• Understanding of the Stage 1 findings.
• Design approach.
• Phasing and temporary fire protection in an operating theatre venue.
• Heritage sensitivity.
• Quality control.

The bidder must also submit a programme (10 points) that is realistic and meets or improves on the Employer's target programme in Section 5.

Stage 2 must start within two weeks of the appointment letter. Tender-ready document sets for both buildings must be delivered within 14 weeks.

Mandatory:

• Lead engineer registered with ECSA as Pr.Eng. or Pr.Tech.Eng. in the mechanical / fire-protection discipline. Certified copy of current ECSA registration certificate required.

Scored experience:

• Experience of the firm (25 points): fire-installation or wet-riser design projects in multi-storey buildings completed in the last 10 years, with reference letters. 5+ projects = 25; 3–4 = 15; 1–2 = 8; none = 0.
• Experience of the lead engineer (25 points): years since professional registration with fire-installation design experience (CV). 10+ years = 25; 5–9 = 15; under 5 = 8.
• Key support staff (10 points): qualified, registered candidate engineer or technologist and CAD draughtsperson (CVs). Both = 10; one = 5.

Reference letters must be on the client's letterhead, signed, and state the project, value, dates and services provided. The Employer may contact referees.

Returnable documents:

• D1: Company profile and organogram.
• D2: CVs of lead engineer and key staff, with certified ECSA certificates.
• D3: Declaration of independence from contractors and suppliers.
• D4: Schedule of similar projects with reference letters.
• Company registration documents (CIPC) and certified ID copies of directors.

Quality control is a scored component of the approach and methodology criterion (30 points).

Design and documentation quality requirements:

• Drawings must be signed by the lead engineer and issued in PDF and native CAD format.
• The BOQ must be measured from the construction-issue drawings, and every BOQ item must be traceable to a drawing or specification clause.
• All reports must be handed over in editable format.
• Testing and commissioning must be specified: hydrostatic pressure test at no less than 1.5 times working pressure, flushing, disinfection and commissioning.
• Painting and identification to SANS 10140-1: Fire Red (RAL 3000 or equivalent) finish system suitable for stainless steel, and "FIRE LINE" labels at no more than 3 m intervals and at every floor.
• Reference letters for similar projects must be on the client's letterhead, signed, and state the project, value, dates and services provided. The Employer may contact referees.

Bidders price the design services (Stages 2–5) as fixed lump sums per stage. Prices must include all disbursements (travel, printing, surveys, site visits) unless shown otherwise and must be in South African Rand.

Form C1 – Pricing schedule: design services (scored)

Part A – Theatre Building:

1. Inception and site verification.
2. Stage 2 – Concept and feasibility.
3. Stage 3 – Design development.
4. Stage 4 – Detailed design and working drawings.
5. Stage 5 – Documentation and procurement.

Subtotal Part A.

Part B – Head Office:

1. Site survey, leak detection and condition assessment of the existing fire line, with report.
2. Stages 2 to 5, including all drawings, specifications and BOQ, as for Part A.

Subtotal Part B.

Summary:

• Subtotal Part A + Part B.
• VAT at 15%.
• Total bid price (carried to SBD 1 and used for scoring).

Form C2 – Stage 6 rates for future call-up (not scored):

These rates fix the basis for negotiating the Stage 6 call-up. They do not form part of this bid's contract price.

• C1: Construction monitoring, site inspections and site meetings — % of final construction value, or R per visit.
• C2: Witnessing hydrostatic test, flushing and commissioning — lump sum per building.
• C3: Certificate of Compliance — lump sum per building.
• C4: As-built drawings, O&M manuals and handover file — lump sum per building.
• C5: Hourly rate, lead engineer (Pr.Eng./Pr.Tech.Eng.) — R per hour.
• C6: Hourly rate, support engineer / technologist — R per hour.

Rates in Form C2 will be escalated by CPI from the bid closing date to the date of the call-up.

Pricing format:

• Fixed lump sums per stage for design services (Stages 2–5).
• Prices must include all disbursements (travel, printing, surveys, site visits) unless shown otherwise.
• Prices must be in South African Rand.
• Form C1: Part A (Theatre Building) and Part B (Head Office) with subtotals; total bid price carried to SBD 1 and used for scoring.
• Form C2: Stage 6 rates for future call-up (not scored). Rates escalated by CPI from bid closing date to date of call-up.

Bid security: not stated.

Guarantees: not stated.

Retention: not stated.

Payment terms: not stated.

Financial capacity thresholds: not stated.

Mandatory requirements (Gate 1) — failure disqualifies:

• Attendance of compulsory site briefing: signed attendance register checked by Employer.
• Lead engineer registered with ECSA as Pr.Eng. or Pr.Tech.Eng. in mechanical / fire-protection discipline: certified copy of current ECSA registration certificate.
• Registration on National Treasury Central Supplier Database: CSD summary report (MAAA number).
• Tax compliant: valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.
• Completed and signed standard bid documents: SBD 1, SBD 3.3, SBD 4, SBD 6.1.
• Completed pricing schedule: Form C1 (Part A and Part B) and Form C2 (Stage 6 rates).

B-bbee:

• Preference points claimed on SBD 6.1 under 80/20 system.
• Specific goals (20 points) allocated for ownership by historically disadvantaged individuals, women, youth or persons with disabilities.
• No minimum B-BBEE level stated.

CIDB: not applicable (professional services).

Local content: not stated.

Professional registration: ECSA registration as Pr.Eng. or Pr.Tech.Eng. in mechanical / fire-protection discipline required for lead engineer.

CIPC: company registration documents and certified ID copies of directors required.

The design must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, and the Construction Regulations, 2014.

Design-stage safety considerations:

• Assess temporary fire-protection measures and fire-watch during shutdowns.
• Recommend a phasing strategy (floor-by-floor isolation) that keeps the venue operating.
• Builder's work must include fire-stopping of penetrations, sympathetic to the heritage status of the building.
• The building is a listed monument; compliance with the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 is required.

Contract type: Professional engineering design services for ECSA Stages 2 to 5 only. Stage 6 (construction monitoring, testing, commissioning and close-out) is excluded from this bid's price and contract.

Future Stage 6 call-up:

• The successful bidder, as designer of record, may be called up separately to oversee construction.
• Call-up will be issued as a separate written appointment once construction funding is confirmed and the works contractor is appointed.
• Subject to: satisfactory performance during Stages 2 to 5; availability of DSAC funding for construction; the Employer's Supply Chain Management prescripts in force at the time; and a fee agreed in line with the ECSA Guideline Scope of Services and Tariff of Fees, using rates and basis stated in Form C2.
• The Employer is not obliged to issue the Stage 6 call-up, and no claim may arise if it does not.
• If the call-up is not issued, the engineer must still hand over all design documents so that another registered engineer can take responsibility for construction.

Both buildings are in scope. One engineer will be appointed to design the fire line replacement for both the Theatre Building and the Head Office. Each building gets its own complete set of drawings, specifications and Bill of Quantities, so that each can be tendered and built as a separate phase as DSAC funding allows.

General obligations:

• Attend site and progress meetings with the Maintenance Manager every two weeks.
• Submit a monthly progress report.
• Hand over all drawings in PDF and native CAD format, and all reports in editable format. Copyright in the documents is licensed to the Employer for this project.
• Remain independent of any contractor or supplier that may bid for the works.

Evaluation is in three gates:

1. Mandatory compliance (pass/fail).
2. Functionality: 100 points, minimum 70 to proceed.
3. Price and specific goals: 80/20 preference point system.

Functionality criteria:

• Experience of the firm (25 points): fire-installation or wet-riser design projects in multi-storey buildings completed in the last 10 years, with reference letters. 5+ projects = 25; 3–4 = 15; 1–2 = 8; none = 0.
• Experience of the lead engineer (25 points): years since professional registration with fire-installation design experience (CV). 10+ years = 25; 5–9 = 15; under 5 = 8.
• Key support staff (10 points): qualified, registered candidate engineer or technologist and CAD draughtsperson (CVs). Both = 10; one = 5.
• Approach and methodology (30 points): understanding of Stage 1 findings; design approach; phasing and temporary fire protection in an operating theatre venue; heritage sensitivity; quality control.
• Programme (10 points): realistic programme that meets or improves on Section 5.

Price and specific goals (80/20):

• Price: 80 points, scored on total of Form C1 (Part A plus Part B), including VAT.
• Specific goals: 20 points, allocated in line with The Playhouse Company's Preferential Procurement Policy, for example ownership by historically disadvantaged individuals, women, youth or persons with disabilities. Proof claimed on SBD 6.1.

The bid with the highest total score will normally be recommended for award. The Employer may negotiate a market-related price with the preferred bidder.