Supply, delivery and installation of a reverse osmosis water treatment plant at loop 10, iron ore line (halfweg book-off facility) – TRANSNET RFP

Compulsory site briefing: 19 August 2026 at 11h00 at Halfweg Depot (Loop 10), GPS coordinates 30°01'09.2"S 20°07'16.3"E. Attendance is compulsory; failure to attend results in disqualification. Clarification requests must be submitted by 2 September 2026. Closing date: 07 September 2026 at 14:00. Bid validity period: until 17 May 2027.

Technical and procedural enquiries: Emmanuel Moriri, email [email protected]. Complaints: [email protected]. Submission portal: https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net.

Bids must be submitted electronically via the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal at https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net. Each bidder must register its own profile and submit under its own company name; no company may submit on behalf of another. Uploads are limited to 30MB per file, with multiple uploads permitted. Bidders are strongly advised to submit at least a day before the closing date to avoid technical issues; late submissions will not be accepted. All pages of the bid must be signed, stamped, and dated by an authorised representative. All returnable documents listed in Section 5 must be completed and returned. Returnable forms include SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), the Pricing and Delivery Schedule, the Specific Goals Points Claim Form, the Certificate of Acquaintance, the RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form, and the Certificate of Attendance for the compulsory briefing. Failure to submit any required document may render the bid invalid.

Evaluation follows a multi-stage process. Stage 1: Administrative and substantive responsiveness check, including submission of all returnable documents, a priced offer, and evidence of compliance with the Water Institute of Southern Africa NPC or similar desalination association (or a memorandum of understanding with a compliant sub-contractor). Stage 2: Technical evaluation with a minimum threshold of 70%. Technical criteria and weightings: Commissioning and completion certificates (20%), previous contactable references (10%), years of experience (10%), installation method and training manuals (30%), aftersales support with maintenance regime (15%), and availability of spares and chemicals (15%). Stage 3: Final weighted scoring: Price (80 points) and Specific Goals (20 points). Price is scored using the formula PS = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin). Stage 4: Post-tender negotiations may be conducted if pricing is not market-related. Stage 5: Award of business and conclusion of contract.

Scope: Supply, delivery, and installation of a reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant at Loop 10, Halfweg, on the Iron Ore Line. The plant must deliver 80,000 to 100,000 litres of water per day, using locally available purification chemicals and filtration membranes. The plant must be housed in a 6m shipping container with a waterproof floor, and all pipework must be retrofitted to align with existing site piping. Delivery site is approximately 400km from Saldanha (300km tar, 100km gravel). The contractor must install the plant, connect to the existing 3-phase electrical supply, and commission it with certificates of compliance (COC). Training for five staff members on operation and maintenance must be provided, along with certification. The contractor must provide six months of maintenance including membranes and chemicals. A one-year guarantee on all workmanship and equipment is required. Delivery and commissioning must be completed within 8 weeks of adjudication. A penalty of R5,000 per calendar day applies for late completion. The contractor must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, SANS 10141, and Transnet safety regulations. Work is restricted to normal hours (07:30-16:00, Mon-Fri) unless approved. The contractor must provide all equipment and materials, ensure site is left clean, and use a qualified registered electrician for all electrical work.

The supplier is fully responsible for the acts and omissions of its personnel and sub-contractors. The supplier must comply with all requirements in the RFP. The installation method manual and training manual must be submitted as part of the technical evaluation.

Bidders must provide evidence of at least one completed supply and installation of an RO plant, with commissioning certificates or letters of completion from end users. Contactable references are required. The technical evaluation awards points based on the number of commissioning certificates (up to 5), number of references (up to 4), and the age of the completed RO plant (up to 5 years).

All work must be done to the satisfaction of the Transnet site inspector. The plant must meet the specifications in Annexure A and the borehole water quality report in Annexure B. The contractor must provide commissioning certificates and a safe water certificate upon completion. The plant must include a water product quality indicator and consumption meter.

Pricing must be submitted on the provided pricing schedule, quoted in ZAR inclusive of VAT, on a delivered basis to Halfweg. The schedule includes VAT, unconditional discounts, and total inclusive of VAT. Prices must be aligned with the DPSA Guide on Hourly Fee Rates for Consultants. Any disbursements not priced will not be accepted. Discounts are only considered if unconditional. Final pricing scores are rounded to two decimal places.

Prices must be quoted in South African Rand inclusive of VAT, on a delivered basis to Halfweg. Pricing must be submitted strictly in accordance with the pricing schedule in Section 4; deviations may render the bid non-responsive. Any disbursements not specifically priced will not be accepted. Discounts will only be considered if unconditional. Rates must align with the DPSA Guide on Hourly Fee Rates for Consultants. Quantities are estimates only; orders will be on an 'as and when required' basis. Final pricing scores will be rounded to two decimal places. Transnet may negotiate prices if they are not market-related, and may request best and final offers.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and have a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number. Each party in a joint venture or consortium must submit separate TCS/CSD documentation. Bidders must submit a B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs). Bidders must comply with the Employment Equity Act, including Section 53. Bidders must provide evidence of compliance with the Water Institute of Southern Africa NPC or similar desalination association, or a memorandum of understanding with a compliant sub-contractor. Bidders must complete and sign the SBD 1 form, the RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form, and the Certificate of Acquaintance. Bidders must not be restricted from doing business with organs of state and must not engage in collusive practices. Bidders must attend the compulsory briefing and submit the Certificate of Attendance.

The contractor must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993, and all relevant regulations, including electrical installation regulations and SANS 10141. A Certificate of Compliance (COC) must be issued for all electrical work. The contractor must provide PPE to all personnel and ensure they are trained. Access to site is restricted; the contractor must comply with Transnet Freight Rail regulations and obtain approval from the Project Manager for access. Special care is required due to operational trains and equipment. The site must be left clean and tidy after completion.

Bidders must submit details of their environmental policies, including waste disposal, recycling, and energy conservation. Transnet may request further ESG information for record and analysis, but this will not be used for evaluation or disqualification.

The contract will be governed by the Master Agreement (Annexure D) and Transnet's General Bid Conditions (Annexure F). The successful bidder must sign a contract and may be required to obtain security clearance. Transnet reserves the right to cancel the contract and place the bidder on the restricted suppliers database for incorrect information. The contract includes a one-year guarantee on workmanship and equipment, and a penalty of R5,000 per day for late completion.

Evaluation is sequential but may be conducted in parallel at Transnet's discretion. Bidders must pass administrative and substantive responsiveness to proceed to technical evaluation. Technical evaluation has a 70% minimum threshold. Final weighted score: Price 80 points, Specific Goals 20 points. Post-tender negotiations may occur if pricing is not market-related.