Electrical services and maintenance (power systems protection) – open tender in kwazulu-natal

Issue date: 21 October 2026

Compulsory briefing: 26 October 2026 at 10:00 AM – Transnet Port Terminal, Pier Bhekulwandle Genius Boardroom (attendance mandatory; certificate of attendance required; non-attendance = disqualification)

Clarification queries deadline: 28 August 2026 at 12:00 – email [email protected]

Closing date and time: 30 October 2026 at 14:00

Validity period: 90 business days from closing date

Technical enquiries & briefing attendance confirmation:

• Contact: Sipho Ndlovu
• Email: [email protected]

Clarification queries:

• Contact: Lindiwe Motha
• Email: [email protected]

Complaints:

• Email: [email protected]

Service/delivery address:

Durban Container Terminal Pier 1

KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa

Submission method: electronic only via Transnet eSupplier portal (https://esupplierportal.transnet.net/portal/)

• Register company profile, complete all mandatory fields
• Log intent to bid for this tender
• Upload bid documents (30 MB per upload, multiple uploads permitted)
• Complete pricing schedule electronically in the portal; no paper pricing accepted
• Submit at least one day before closing to avoid technical issues
• No late submissions accepted under any circumstances
• Each company must use its own registered profile; no bidding through another company's profile
• Joint ventures: any JV party may submit using its registered profile

Mandatory returnable documents (failure to submit = disqualification):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) – completed and signed
• Eligibility documentation
• Pricing schedule (electronic)

Returnable documents used for scoring (missing = zero score for that criterion):

• Valid proof of Specific Goals compliance (Section 6)
• Qualifications: 2 comprehensive CVs with qualifications of Trade Tested Electricians/Technicians (National Diploma, 5+ years HT protection experience) plus ORHVS or equivalent
• Company track record: 4 traceable reference letters on client letterhead for HT system protection (substations/cranes) in past 5 years
• Sample reports: Primary injection test report and secondary injection test report
• Accurate tools: SANAS-accredited calibration certificates for 5 test equipment items

Essential returnable documents (may be requested later with deadline; failure then = disqualification):

• Section 5: Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents
• Section 6: RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form
• Section 7: Certificate of Attendance at compulsory briefing
• Section 8: Protection of Personal Information form
• Section 1: SBD 1 Form

All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated by the respondent.

Evaluation follows a 5-stage process:

Stage 1 – Administrative & Substantive Responsiveness (pass/fail):

• Bid lodged on time
• All mandatory returnable documents submitted and valid
• Bid document signed by authorised signatory
• General/legislative qualification criteria met
• Priced offer included
• Bid materially complies with scope/specification
• Technical pre-qualification met: qualified electrical technician (National Diploma) or electrical engineer (BSc/BEng) AND certified professional electrical Pr Eng/Pr Tech Eng with ≥5 years ECSA registration

Stage 2 – Technical/Functionality (minimum 80/100 points):

• Qualifications: 35 points – 2 CVs with National Diploma, 5+ years HT protection experience, ORHVS/equivalent (35 pts full, 10 pts partial, 0 pts non-compliant)
• Company track record: 30 points – 4 traceable references for HT protection of substations/cranes in past 5 years (30/20/15/10/0 pts based on coverage of 7 required items)
• Primary injection test sample report: 10 points (10/5/3/0 pts based on coverage)
• Secondary injection test sample report: 10 points (10/5/3/0 pts based on coverage)
• Accurate tools: 15 points – SANAS calibration certificates for 5 equipment items (15/10/0 pts)
• Scores rounded to 2 decimal places; must meet/exceed 80 points to proceed

Stage 3 – Price & Specific Goals (100 points total):

• Price: 80 points – formula Ps = 80 × (1 − (Pt − Pmin)/Pmin)
• Specific Goals: 20 points – B-BBEE Level 1-2 (10 pts) + 50% Black Youth Owned (10 pts)
• 80/20 preference point system applies (estimated value ≤ R50 million)
• Failure to submit Specific Goals proof = no points claimed

Stage 4 – Price Negotiations: Transnet may negotiate sequentially with highest-ranked bidders if price not market-related; may cancel RFQ if no agreement

Stage 5 – Award & Contract: Letter of Award constitutes contract with RFQ response and Standard Terms; validity 90 business days from closing (excluding first day, including last)

Scope: Electrical services and maintenance for Durban Container Terminal Pier 1 (once-off period)

Detailed scope per Annexure A (not fully extracted)

Key technical requirements:

• High-voltage (HT) equipment protection experience: substations, cranes or similar
• Primary injection testing capability (CT ratio, test current, primary/secondary measurements, relay operation, results/acceptance criteria)
• Secondary injection testing capability (relay settings, injected values, pickup/operate values, trip times, results/acceptance criteria)
• Test equipment with valid SANAS calibration certificates:

1. Primary Injection Test set
2. Secondary Injection Test set
3. Circuit Breaker Analyser
4. Ductor Test (contact resistance)
5. Megger Test (insulation resistance)

• Personnel: minimum 2 Trade Tested Electricians/Technicians with National Diploma and ≥5 years HT protection experience, plus ORHVS or equivalent certification
• Company track record: 4 traceable references from different clients for HT protection projects (substations/cranes) in past 5 years
• Reference letters on client letterhead with: project name, contract term/value, high-level scope, system type, author name, satisfaction level, date, signature

Personnel qualifications (scored in Stage 2):

• Minimum 2 Trade Tested Electricians/Technicians with National Diploma and ≥5 years' experience in protection of HT equipment
• ORHVS or equivalent certification required
• Certified professional electrical Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng with ≥5 years ECSA registration (pre-qualification)

Company experience (scored in Stage 2):

• 4 traceable references from different clients for HT system protection projects (substations, cranes or similar) in past 5 years
• Reference letters on client letterhead covering: project name, contract term/value, high-level scope, system type, author name, satisfaction level, date, signature

Sample reports required (scored in Stage 2):

• Primary injection test report: CT ratio, test current, primary/secondary measurements, relay operation, results/acceptance criteria
• Secondary injection test report: existing relay settings, injected values, pickup/operate values, trip times, results/acceptance criteria

Test equipment (scored in Stage 2):

• Valid SANAS-accredited calibration certificates for: Primary Injection Test set, Secondary Injection Test set, Circuit Breaker Analyser, Ductor Test, Megger Test

Pricing schedule completed electronically in Transnet eSupplier portal only; no paper submissions.

All prices in ZAR inclusive of VAT.

Delivery lead-time from purchase order to be specified (days/weeks).

Pricing must follow prescribed schedule format; deviation may cause disqualification.

Unconditional discounts only considered in final evaluation.

Market-related pricing requirement: Transnet may negotiate sequentially with top 3 ranked bidders if price not market-related; may cancel RFQ if no agreement.

Best and final offers (BAFO) remain valid during negotiation period.

No bill of quantities or schedule of rates detail extracted; refer to Annexure A and electronic portal.

Pricing:

• Electronic pricing schedule completed in Transnet eSupplier portal only
• All prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT
• No paper pricing accepted
• Pricing must follow prescribed schedule format; deviation may cause disqualification
• Unconditional discounts only considered in final evaluation
• Delivery lead-time from purchase order to be specified (days/weeks)

Market-related pricing:

• Transnet may not award if highest-scoring bid price not market-related
• Sequential negotiation with top 3 ranked bidders; cancellation if no agreement
• Best and final offers (BAFO) remain valid during negotiation period

No bid security, performance bond, guarantee, or retention percentages specified in extracted text.

No explicit financial capacity/turnover thresholds stated.

Payment terms: not detailed in extracted text (refer to Standard RFQ Terms and Conditions).

Mandatory registrations & status:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration (foreign suppliers with no local entity exempt)
• SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or printed TCS certificate; CSD number acceptable if no TCS
• Each JV/consortium party must submit separate TCS/CSD

Mandatory forms & declarations:

• SBD 1: Invitation to Bid (cover page, signed)
• SBD 4: Declaration of Interest (state employment, relationships, related enterprises)
• Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents (Section 5)
• RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form (Section 6) – disclose serious legal breaches in past 5 years
• Certificate of Attendance at compulsory briefing (Section 7)
• Protection of Personal Information form (Section 8)
• DPIP/FPPO disclosure (Domestic Prominent Influential Persons / Foreign Prominent Public Officials)

Technical pre-qualification (must be met for Stage 1 pass):

• Qualified electrical technician (National Diploma) OR electrical engineer (BSc/BEng)
• Certified professional electrical Pr Eng or Pr Tech Eng with ≥5 years ECSA registration

B-BBEE & Specific Goals:

• 80/20 preference point system (bid value ≤ R50 million)
• Specific Goals: B-BBEE Level 1-2 (10 points) + 50% Black Youth Owned (10 points) = max 20 points
• Proof required: B-BBEE certificate (SANAS-accredited) or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE)
• Failure to submit proof = zero Specific Goals points

Other compliance:

• Not listed on National Treasury Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers
• Employment Equity Act compliance (including Section 53)
• Security clearance may be required (CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET) – bidder's responsibility
• All returnable documents must remain valid for contract duration; failure to renew = termination right
• Transnet Supplier Integrity Pact adherence
• Non-disclosure Agreement acceptance
• Legal review of contractual terms by Transnet Legal Counsel before award

No explicit health, safety, or environmental requirements detailed in extracted text. Transnet reserves right to request ESG standing information (not for evaluation). Security clearance (CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET) may be required for successful respondent, personnel, and subcontractors – obtaining clearance is bidder's responsibility. Successful respondent must implement all security measures for safe contract performance.

Contract formation: Letter of Award + RFQ response + Standard RFQ Terms and Conditions constitute binding contract.

Validity: 90 business days from closing; may be extended on same terms; successful bidder's validity deemed to continue until final contract concluded.

Termination rights: Transnet may terminate immediately if successful respondent fails to renew returnable documents when due.

Due diligence: Transnet may request audited financial statements or other documentation.

Price fixation: No changes to bid rates after closing/award unless contract provides for it.

Incorrect information: Contract cancellation and referral to National Treasury Restricted Suppliers Database (up to 10 years).

Sub-contracting: Transnet may conduct due diligence on sub-contractors to detect fronting.

ESG information: Transnet may request Environmental, Social and Governance standing information at any stage (not for evaluation/disqualification).

DPIP/FPPO disclosure: Respondents must disclose commercial relationships with Domestic Prominent Influential Persons or Foreign Prominent Public Officials per Transnet policy.

JSE disclosure: Contract details (company name, services, value, duration) may be disclosed per JSE Debt Listing Requirements.

Breach of law declaration: Respondent must certify no serious breach of law (e.g., Competition Act) by court/tribunal in preceding 5 years; administrative fines/penalties included; minor offences excluded.

Price evaluation formula: Ps = 80 × (1 − (Pt − Pmin)/Pmin)

Where:

• Ps = points scored for comparative price of bid under consideration
• Pt = comparative price of bid under consideration
• Pmin = comparative price of lowest acceptable bid

Preference points awarded per Transnet Preferential Procurement Policy (TPPP) for Specific Goals (B-BBEE status level and other targeted categories) upon submission of required evidence.