ESKOM: major and minor reticulation with smart meter, re-closer and voltage regulator installation – distribution north-west (4-Year as-and-when contract)

• The document provides technical evaluation criteria for selecting Major and Minor Reticulation Contractors for the Gemma Cluster (NW/NC).
• Both desktop and site evaluations apply; site visits verify original certificates, vehicles, tools, and equipment at the contractor’s premises.
• Desktop evaluation checks skills, experience, vehicles, and tools/equipment; only original documents are accepted during site verification.

Closing date: 29 October 2026 at 08:00

• For a list of accredited external training facilities: [email protected]

• Technical returnable must be submitted in a separate file or section labelled “Technical”, indexed logically.
• All mandatory (gatekeeper) documents must be included; omission of any results in automatic disqualification without a request for outstanding documents.
• Returnable forms include: MV/LV training certificates, affidavits per employee (Annexure B), linesman registers (Annexure A), vehicle register (Annexure C), tools and equipment register (Annexure D), truck-mounted crane operator certificates, ORHVS/ORLVS certificates, DoL registration, and Annexure G Company Declaration.
• All certificates and affidavits must be certified by a commissioner of oaths, with signature and date not older than three months from the tender issue date.
• Vehicle and tools registers must be fully completed, signed, and in the Eskom-provided templates; unsigned or incomplete registers are not accepted.
• A list of accredited external training facilities is available by emailing [email protected].
• Site assessments may be required; original documents only are accepted during verification.

• Evaluation is conducted in three stages: Stage 1 – Mandatory (Gatekeeper) requirements; Stage 2 – Functional evaluation; Stage 3 – Site assessments (where applicable).
• Stage 1 is pass/fail; failure of any gatekeeper disqualifies the bid.
• Stage 2 requires a minimum score of 75% to proceed; final score rounded up.
• Stage 2 scoring weights: Skills and competency 60%; Tools and equipment 20%; Vehicles 20%.
• Functional scoring: MV line construction resources (3% each, up to 12%), LV resources (3% each, up to 10%), cable jointing/termination (4% each, up to 10%), truck-mounted crane operators (6% each, up to 12%), authorizations (MV outcome 3 and LVOR001, 3% each), company experience (2.5% per project, up to 5%), smart meter training (2.5% per certificate, up to 5%).
• Minimum resource counts: 3 MV and 3 LV construction resources, 2 cable jointing/termination resources, 2 truck-mounted crane operators, 1 MV and 1 LV authorization, 2 completed projects, 2 smart meter certificates.
• Tools and equipment scoring: 0.7% per tool, 0.35% if hired; list must be in Annexure D format.
• Vehicle scoring: bakkie 7% for one owned; truck-mounted crane 5% for one owned; staff transport vehicle 2%; truck with rock drilling machine 2%; TLB 1%; additional vehicles 1% each (maximum 20%).
• Bidders to be successful must obtain Gemma Cluster MV outcome 3 and LV outcome 2 authorizations within three months of award or be replaced by the next bidder.
• MV and LV authorizations that expire after award must be renewed before work is allocated.
• Smart meter training from the manufacturer is required.

• The work is the provision of major and minor reticulation, including installation of smart meters, re-closers, and voltage regulators, within Distribution North-West Operating Unit, on an “as and when” required basis for four years.
• The scope covers MV/LV line construction for reticulation or electrification projects, including supply of labour, materials, and transport per the attached bill of structures summary.
• Applies to the Gemma Cluster (NW/NC) area.
• Contractor must execute MV/LV line construction, cable jointing and termination, and related reticulation work.
• Must have completed at least two projects aligned with MV/LV line construction scope (evidence via appointment letter and completion certificate).
• Must undertake smart meter training as provided by the manufacturer.

• Department of Labour registration as an electrical contractor is mandatory (regulation 6(4) of the Electrical Installation Regulations); must be valid at award and throughout the contract.
• Must hold or obtain Gemma Cluster MV Outcome 3 and LV Outcome 2 authorisations (or provide Portfolio of Evidence per Annexure F).
• Valid ORHVS (HV02) and ORLVS (LVOR001) training certificates required, at least one of each.
• Must employ minimum numbers of certified resources: 3 MV line construction, 3 LV line construction, 2 MV/LV cable jointing/termination, 2 truck-mounted crane operators.
• Must own at least one bakkie and one truck-mounted crane; proof of ownership required (registration/licence disc).
• Must have required tools and equipment per Annexure D.
• All certifications must be current and not older than three months from tender issue date.
• PDE registration confirmation letter required at contract award stage.
• Successful bidder must submit contractual requirements within three months of notification.

• The evaluation is staged: gatekeeper (pass/fail), functional scoring (minimum 75%), and site assessments if required.
• Functional scoring weights: skills and competency 60%, tools and equipment 20%, vehicles 20%.
• Contract award requires MV Outcome 3 and LV Outcome 2 authorisations within three months of award, plus smart meter training.

The tender is for the provision of major and minor reticulation, including installation of smart meters, re-closers and voltage regulators within the Eskom Distribution North-West Operating Unit. The service is required on an "as and when" required basis over a period of four (4) years. The contract is subject to Eskom's Supplier Quality Management Specification (240-105658000 / QM 58) and the environmental requirements of Annexure C 1.

Closing date: 20 November 2026 at 08:00

No other dates (briefing, site visit, clarification deadlines) are stated in the provided text.

No named contacts or submission address are stated in the provided text. The department is Supply Chain Management.

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

• Form A (Tender and Contract Quality Requirements for Supplier Quality Management Specification 240-105658000/QM 58 and ISO 9001): acknowledge and accept Eskom supplier quality requirements.
• ISO 9001 certificate (or applicable QMS certificate) unless excluded by the applicable category.
• Quality management system documentation per the applicable category (Category 1-4), including quality manual, policy, objectives, internal audit procedure, control of nonconforming outputs, etc.
• Draft Contract Quality Plan (CQP) specific to the scope of work, meeting ISO 10005 requirements.
• Example or draft Inspection and Test Plan (ITP) / Quality Control Plan (QCP) for similar work.
• Documented information for control of externally provided processes, products and services.
• Documented information for roles, responsibilities and authorities (e.g. organogram, job descriptions).
• Management review meeting records (agenda, minutes, attendance registers).
• All environmental returnables listed in Annexure C 1 (see environmental section).

Submission method and closing time are not stated in the provided text. The tender record lists closing date as 20 November 2026 at 08:00.

Quality assessment is part of the evaluation. Bidders are assessed against the minimum quality requirements of the applicable Category (1, 2, 3 or 4) as selected in Form A. The evaluation includes review of the supplier's QMS documentation, ISO 9001 certification, draft Contract Quality Plan, QCP/ITP examples, and environmental returnables. A score of 22 is referenced for the environmental requirements: a score of 22 means the document was not submitted or does not meet minimum requirements; otherwise the document satisfies minimum requirements. No explicit price/functionality split or minimum qualifying score is stated in the provided text.

The scope is the provision of major and minor reticulation, including installation of smart meters, re-closers and voltage regulators within the Distribution North-West Operating Unit, on an "as and when" required basis over four years.

Quality requirements (per Eskom Supplier Quality Management Specification 240-105658000 / QM 58):

• The supplier must develop, implement, maintain and continually improve a Quality Management System (QMS) conforming to ISO 9001.
• The QMS must include appropriate documented information (quality manual, work procedures, method statements, etc.).
• Unless excluded by the applicable category, the supplier must hold a valid ISO 9001 certificate from an accredited certification body. This applies equally to sub-suppliers performing design, manufacturing, testing, installation, commissioning, etc.
• The supplier must define and manage quality assurance/control elements applicable to sub-suppliers and ensure sub-supplier quality programmes support Eskom requirements.
• The supplier must inform Eskom of any proposed changes to the QMS or staff prior to implementation.
• The supplier must develop and implement a performance management programme for sub-suppliers, including verification of the QMS, audits, surveillances, assessment of CQPs and QCPs, nonconformity and defect management, inspection and test plans, and risk management.

Environmental requirements (Annexure C 1) — the bidder must submit the following signed documents:

• Company environmental policy (commitment to pollution prevention, continual improvement, compliance).
• Company organogram with an Environmental Responsible Person.
• Environmental appointment letter outlining roles and responsibilities.
• Communication plan/strategy including environmental topics.
• Environmental incidents register (with reporting template).
• Environmental aspects and impacts register specific to project scope, with rating methodology.
• Environmental emergency plan and reporting.
• Compliance, monitoring and measurement procedure/plan.
• Non-conformances, corrective and preventative action (with form/template).
• Environmental Management Plan with method statements for: vegetation management (including alien vegetation), storm water management, access control, dust and noise control, construction activities (cement mixing, trenching), rehabilitation plan, ablution facilities, handling/storage of hazardous chemical agents.
• Waste Management Plan including waste hierarchy procedure and waste register.
• Certified competency training certificate (e.g. environmental law or relevant course).

Pricing format, bid security, bonds, guarantees, retention, payment terms and turnover requirements are not stated in the provided text.

Quality Management System compliance:

• Fully developed, documented, implemented, reviewed and maintained QMS conforming to ISO 9001 (unless excluded by category).
• ISO 9001 certificate from accredited body (unless excluded).
• Sub-suppliers must also comply with the same QMS requirements unless excluded.
• Supplier must be registered on the Eskom supplier database (implied in the definition of supplier).

Environmental compliance: all environmental returnables in Annexure C 1 must be submitted.

No CIDB grading, B-BBEE level, tax, or CSD requirements are stated in the provided text.

The evaluation includes a quality assessment based on the supplier's QMS compliance with ISO 9001 and the applicable Category requirements. For environmental returnables, a score of 22 means the document was not submitted or does not meet minimum requirements, leading to disqualification. No other evaluation criteria (e.g. price/functionality split) are stated in the provided text.

The tender is for major and minor reticulation work including smart meters, re-closers, and voltage regulators, on an as-and-when basis over 4 years, within Distribution North-West Operating Unit.

Contract may be awarded as whole scope, or Major or Minor only.

Bidders must complete Annexure G indicating Major/Minor/both.

Closing date: 20 November 2026 at 10:00.

Clarification meeting (non-compulsory): 05 November 2026 at 11:00, online via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID 311 074 691 864 951 5, Passcode Sa7RH96x).

Clarification queries deadline: 5 working days before tender closing.

Tender validity: 12 weeks from closing.

Eskom Representative:

• Name: Tshifhiwa Mandavha
• Telephone: +27 11 651 6843
• Email: [email protected]

Fraud/corruption reporting:

• Telephone: 0800 11 2722
• Email: [email protected]

Submission: Eskom E-Tendering portal (no physical address).

Submission channel: Eskom E-Tendering portal (no hard copies, no zipped files).

Format: all documents in PDF; pricing schedule/BOQ in PDF plus an Excel copy. Per-document upload limit 500 MB; total submission limit 4 GB.

The bidder must ensure the submission status shows 'complete' before closing; any resubmission replaces the earlier version.

Returnables required at closing (disqualifiable if missing/incomplete):

• Annexure A (Authorisation Form): proof of authority to bind the bidder, with certified resolution/power of attorney/trust resolution as applicable.
• Annexure B (Acknowledgement Form).
• Annexure C (Tenderer's Particulars): bidder details.
• Annexure D (Integrity Pact Declaration): commitment to the Supplier Integrity Pact.
• Annexure E (CPA for Local Goods/Services), Annexure F (CPA for Foreign Goods/Services) if applicable.
• Annexure G1-G4 (SBD 6.2 Local Production and Content declarations) if designated materials are included.
• Annexure H (SBD 1 Invitation to Bid) signed.
• Annexure I (SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim Form) under PPPFA 2022.
• Annexure J (SBD 4 Bidders Disclosure).
• Completed BOQ in PDF and Excel.
• Proof of CIDB grading or proof of application (must be registered by award).

Non-disqualifiable at closing (5 working days to cure): tax clearance info, tax evaluation questionnaire, Employment Equity compliance, JV documents, various.

Disqualification risks:

• BOQ not submitted in PDF.
• Missing/incomplete mandatory returnables at closing.
• Annexure G not completed showing Major/Minor/both scope.
• Late submission (strictly no exceptions).
• Submitting more than one tender (individual or as JV partner).
• Conflict of interest, subcontracting 100% of scope, signed by unauthorised person.

Two-stage evaluation.

Stage 1 – Functionality (pass/fail threshold):

• Threshold: 75%.
• Skills and Competency: 60%.
• Tools and Equipment: 20%.
• Vehicle Requirements: 20%.

Stage 2 – Price and Specific Goals (PPPFA):

• Price scored out of 80 or 90 points.
• Specific Goals scored out of 20 or 10 points.
• System (80/20 or 90/10) determined by the lowest acceptable tender.
• Ranking by combined price + specific goals score.

Objective criteria may justify award to a tenderer other than the highest scorer (see SDL&I undertakings).

Bidders failing to submit specific-goal evidence still get 0 for that goal without disqualification.

Prices are evaluated inclusive of VAT, corrected for arithmetical errors, excluding contingencies; unconditional discounts count, conditional discounts only at payment.

Scope: provision of major and minor reticulation, including installation of smart meters, re-closers and voltage regulators, within Distribution North-West Operating Unit.

Contract basis: 'as and when' required, over 4 years.

Panel contract: up to 25 contractors may be appointed; bids may be for the whole scope, or Major or Minor reticulation only.

Contract form: NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC3), Main Option B (priced contract with bill of quantities), dispute option W1.

Secondary options: X1 (price adjustment for inflation), X2 (changes in law), X5 (sectional completion), X7 (delay damages), X18 (limitation of liability), Z (additional conditions).

Cataloguing: successful tenderer may be required to provide cataloguing information and label materials per Eskom specifications; quote a cataloguing line item where required.

Quality requirements: refer to the SHEQ folder for specific returnables and requirements. No additional quality standards stated in the tender document.

Pricing schedule: BOQ in PDF and Excel; PDF mandatory for responsiveness.

Prices inclusive of VAT; evaluated as corrected, excluding contingencies, with unconditional discounts considered.

Cataloguing line item may be required.

Performance bond: required; bidder must select at least two (2) financial institutions from the Eskom-approved list (Absa, DBSA, FirstRand, IDC, Investec, Land Bank, Nedbank, Standard Bank).

Payment terms: contracts below R50 000 000 (incl. VAT) – paid within 30 days of undisputed invoice; contracts above R50 000 000 – paid within 60 days.

Eskom reserves right to negotiate prices with preferred bidders if tendered prices are not market-related.

Financial viability: submission of annual financial statements is a contractual requirement for CIDB-related transactions from R30 000 excluding VAT.

CSD registration: mandatory for all tenderers (CSD number/report).

CIDB grading: minimum 1EP or higher; if not available at closing, provide proof of application and must be registered by contract award (within 21 working days of closing).

Tax compliance: provide SARS e-filing PIN or tax clearance certificate; foreign suppliers without SA footprint need no proof of tax compliance.

Employment Equity: designated employers must submit proof of EE report to Department of Labour (SA tenderers only).

COIDA: original certificate of good standing or proof of application (SA tenderers).

SHEQ requirements: refer to SHEQ folder for safety, quality, environmental returnables.

Local content: SBD 6.2 declarations apply if designated materials are included.

Specific goals evidence: proof of shareholding/ownership (CIPC), valid B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, certified ID copies of shareholders, proof of disability (not older than a year) to claim preference points.

Safety: COIDA certificate of good standing or proof of application required (SA tenderers).

Other safety, quality, environmental documents as per scope – refer to SHEQ folder.

Functionality threshold 75%: skills 60%, tools 20%, vehicles 20%.

Price scored out of 80 or 90; specific goals out of 20 or 10.

Ranking by combined score; 80/20 or 90/10 depending on lowest acceptable tender.

The document is primarily a user manual for Eskom's eTendering system. It explains that the system replaces physical submission of tender documents at tender offices and allows suppliers to upload their bids electronically. To access the system, suppliers must register with a valid CSD number; an OTP is sent to their cellphone and email for authentication. The manual covers registration, uploading documents into categories (technical, commercial, finance), finalising submissions, and resetting passwords. It also mentions a 'closed tenders' feature for invited suppliers. The manual does not contain details of the advertised works beyond the title.

Closing date: 20 November 2026 at 08:00.

No other dates (briefings, site visits, clarification deadlines) are provided in the document.

IT support (for technology-related issues):

• Contact: ITCARE support team
• Telephone: 0860 724 365 (toll-free)

Buyer (for tender submission issues): designate buyer contact is not provided in the document.

Submission method: electronic upload only via the Eskom eTendering portal.

Access: a valid CSD number is required to register and gain access.

Mandatory returnable: the E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form (240-9722574 Rev 1) must be fully completed and submitted; failure to do so renders the bidder non-responsive and disqualified.

Upload categories: technical, commercial, and finance documents must be uploaded under the correct category.

File limits: each file must not exceed 50 MB; total upload must not exceed 900 MB.

Finalise the submission using the 'Finalise and Close Submission' button; confirm the submission timestamp and save the confirmation email with the submission ID.

No evaluation criteria are stated in the supplied document.

The document is largely a user manual for the eTendering system; no scoring, weighting, or stages are described.

Scope: provision of major and minor reticulation, including installation of smart meters, re-closers, and voltage regulators, within Eskom's Distribution North-West Operating Unit.

Contract type: 'as and when' required basis, over a period of four (4) years.

No further technical specifications (quantities, detailed scope, standards) are provided in the supplied text.

CSD registration: a valid CSD number is required to access the eTendering system.

E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form: mandatory returnable, as described under submission guidelines.

The document does not provide any evaluation criteria. It only mentions that 'closed tenders' are sent to suppliers who meet selection and evaluation criteria, but no such criteria are detailed.