Marine long-term ecological monitoring programme for eight south african ports (5-Year RFP)

Closing date: 27 August 2026 at 12:00 (noon).

Briefing: 04 August 2026 at 10:00, non-compulsory, via MS Teams (details in document).

Clarification deadline: 24 August 2026 at 16:00.

Bid validity: 180 business days from closing date.

Technical/SCM enquiries: Rachel Williams, telephone 041 507 - 4361, email [email protected].

Complaints: [email protected].

Submission address: Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal (online only).

Submit via the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal (https://esupplierportal.transnet.net/portal/).

• Register or sign in, log an intent to bid, then upload bid documents.
• Maximum 30 MB per upload; multiple uploads allowed.
• Pricing must be completed electronically in the portal and Annexure C must be fully completed.
• Submit at least one day before closing to avoid technical issues.
• No late submissions accepted.
• Each company must use its own registered profile; bids submitted through another company's profile will be disqualified.
• Joint ventures may submit through any party's profile.
• Use only alphabetical or numerical characters in filenames.
• Sign, stamp, and date the bottom of each page before uploading.
• All returnable documents listed in Section 5 must be returned.
• Returnable forms include: SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination), RFP Declaration Certificate of Acquaintance & Breach of Law Form, Specific Goals Points Claim Form, Certificate of Attendance of Non-Compulsory RFP Briefing, Protection of Personal Information form, CSD report, and proof of authority (e.g., company resolution).

Returnable Documents are three types of returnable documents as indicated below and Respondents are urged to ensure that these documents are returned with their bids based on the consequences of non-submission as indicated below:

Three-stage evaluation:

• Stage 1: Test for administrative and substantive responsiveness. Must pass to proceed.
• Stage 2: Technical/functionality scoring out of 100. Minimum threshold: 66.67 points. Criteria are in Annexure B.
• Stage 3: Final weighted scoring: Price (80 or 90 points) + Specific Goals (20 or 10 points) = 100 total.
• Preference point system: 80/20 for requirements up to R50 million (all taxes included); 90/10 for above R50 million.
• Price scored using formula: PS = 80 (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin) or PS = 90 (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).
• Specific goals points claimed via the Specific Goals Points Claim Form.
• Transnet may negotiate price with the highest-ranked bidder if not market-related.
• Objective criteria may justify award to a bidder other than the highest-ranked.
• References may be verified; false information may lead to sanctions.

Scope covers eight ports: Richards Bay, Durban, East London, Ngqura, Port Elizabeth, Mossel Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha.

Services required:

• Water quality monitoring.
• Sediment quality monitoring.
• Bioaccumulation (mussel sampling).
• Laboratory analysis.
• Ad hoc chemical and microbiological lab analysis for pollution investigation.
• Provision of sampling bottles.
• Reporting that analyses and interprets findings and trends per port.
• Full scope in Annexure A.
• Contract duration: five (5) years.
• Bidders must submit details of their entity's environmental policies (waste disposal, recycling, energy conservation).
• The service provider must expose local disadvantaged or emerging tertiary students (PhD, Masters, Honours) to marine sciences sampling tools and data.

Lead Scientist must hold valid SACNASP registration as Professional Scientist in one of the listed fields.

• References may be verified; Transnet will make at least three documented attempts to contact referees.
• If experience cannot be verified, points may be withdrawn.
• Misrepresentation or fraud may lead to sanctions.

Pricing must be submitted electronically in the eSupplier portal and via Annexure C (Pricing Schedule).

• All prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT.
• Year 1 prices firm and fixed; Years 2-5 capped at CPI projections: YR2 3.1%, YR3 3.0%, YR4 2.9%, YR5 3.0%.
• Bidders must quote for all line items across all eight ports; failure to do so results in disqualification.
• Unconditional discounts only will be considered in evaluation.
• Disbursements not specifically priced will not be accepted.
• Pricing scores rounded to two decimal places.
• No bond, guarantee, or insurance requirements stated.

Mandatory pre-qualification:

• Valid ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory accreditation certificate (or signed partnership letter with third party's valid certificate) — verified on SANAS portal.
• Lead Scientist must hold valid SACNASP registration as Professional Scientist in Aquatic Science, Biological Science, Chemical Sciences, Microbiological Sciences, Toxicological Sciences, Water Resources Science, Environmental Science, Ecological Science, or Zoological Science — verified on SACNASP portal.
• CSD registration required (unless foreign supplier with no local entity).
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or certificate.
• B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs).
• Compliance with Employment Equity Act (including Section 53).
• Security clearance may be required (CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET).
• Joint ventures must submit signed JV/consortium agreement or written confirmation of intention with percentage split and responsibilities.
• Returnable forms: SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 9, RFP Declaration Certificate, Specific Goals Claim Form, Certificate of Attendance, Protection of Personal Information form, CSD report, proof of authority.

Preference points awarded for B-BBEE Status Level of Contribution and other specific goals per Transnet's preferential procurement policy.

• B-BBEE status level 1 or 2: 20/10 points.
• EMEs or QSEs 51% black owned: additional points.
• Proof of B-BBEE status level certificate or sworn affidavit required.

The programme aims to assess and track long-term environmental health, sediment quality, and ecological integrity of port environments.

• Fulfils compliance obligations under national and international environmental legislation (Water Act, NEMA, Integrated Coastal Management Act).
• Informs adaptive port environmental management and Dumping at Sea permit requirements.
• Bidders must submit details of their entity's environmental policies (waste disposal, recycling, energy conservation).

Contract will be based on Transnet's Master Agreement, Schedule 1, and Service Level Agreement (Annexure D).

• General Bid Conditions (Annexure E) apply.
• Transnet's Supplier Integrity Pact (Annexure F) and Non-Disclosure Agreement (Annexure G) must be signed.
• Bid validity: 180 business days from closing date; may be extended.
• Transnet may cancel the contract or restrict the supplier for up to 10 years for incorrect information.
• Legal review of proposed terms may result in disqualification for material deviations.
• Security clearance may be required.
• The service provider must expose local disadvantaged/emerging tertiary students to marine sciences sampling.

The successful service provider must be in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

• Must comply with the Employment Equity Act.
• Must not be restricted by Transnet or any other state institution.
• Must have legal capacity to enter into the contract.
• Must not be insolvent, in receivership, or under business rescue.

Technical/functionality criteria are detailed in Annexure B. Minimum threshold: 66.67 out of 100.

• Preference points for specific goals are claimed via the Specific Goals Points Claim Form.
• Price and specific goals total 100 points (80/20 or 90/10 split).