Radiographic testing services for thermite welds – de aar to port elizabeth

Provision of radiographic testing services for thermite welds on the railway line between De Aar and Port Elizabeth.

Issue date: 28 August 2026. Closing date: 10 September 2026. Closing time: 12:00 PM. Clarification queries deadline: 12:00 PM on 09 September 2026 (submit to [email protected]). Validity period: 90 business days from closing date.

No compulsory site briefing or site visit mentioned in the document. All clarifications must be submitted electronically to [email protected] by 12:00 PM on 09 September 2026. Transnet's responses will be made available to all bidders.

SCM / Technical contact: Nosipho Matika. Telephone: 041 507 2719. Email: [email protected]. Complaints: [email protected]. Submission portal: https://esupplierportal.transnet.net/portal/. Bidder guide: transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net.

Submission must be made electronically via the Transnet e-Tender Submission Portal (https://esupplierportal.transnet.net/portal/). Bidders must register a company profile, log an intent to bid, and upload all bid documents. Each upload is limited to 30 MB; multiple uploads are permitted. All pricing must be completed in the eSupplier portal — no paper pricing schedules are accepted. Bidders should submit at least one day before the closing date to allow for technical issues; Transnet accepts no liability for bidder-side technical failures. No late submissions will be accepted. Each company must use its own registered profile; a bid submitted through another company's profile will be disqualified. In a Joint Venture, any JV party may submit on behalf of the JV using its own profile. A detailed bidder guide is available at transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net. Mandatory returnable documents: Section 4 Quotation Form (fully completed pricing schedule). Scoring returnables: Valid proof of Specific Goals compliance (Section 6), Annexure A Technical Questionnaire. Essential returnables: Section 5 Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents, Section 6 RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form, Section 7 Protection of Personal Information, Section 1 SBD1 Form. All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated. Disqualification risks: missing or unsigned mandatory returnables, late submission, deviation from the prescribed pricing schedule, submission through another company's profile.

Mandatory (failure to submit = disqualification): Section 4 Quotation Form (fully completed pricing schedule). Scoring (failure to submit = zero score for criterion): Valid proof of Specific Goals compliance (Section 6), Annexure A Technical Questionnaire. Essential (failure to submit may allow further opportunity, then disqualification): Section 5 Certificate of Acquaintance with RFQ Documents, Section 6 RFQ Declaration and Breach of Law Form, Section 7 Protection of Personal Information, Section 1 SBD1 Form. All returnable sections must be signed, stamped and dated. Successful respondent must maintain validity of all returnable documents for contract duration.

Five-stage evaluation. Step 1 — Administrative & Substantive Responsiveness: on-time submission, all returnable documents completed and valid, bid signed by authorised respondent, qualification criteria met, priced offer included, material compliance with scope. Step 2 — Technical/Functionality (minimum 60/100 points): Signed declaration letter confirming compliance to Technical and SHE Specifications for Radiographic Testing of Thermit Welds (30 pts); Valid RT Level certificates, RPO and ARPO certificates, ISO 17020 certificate in Non-Destructive Testing from accredited institute (30 pts); Valid ISO 9001 QMS certificate (30 pts); Written Statement of Compliance with TRIM SHE Specifications on company letterhead with company address and representative details (30 pts); Service Delivery Commitment Letter with lead time from PO issue (20 pts); Railway radiography experience — signed client reference letters from last 5 years with project scope aligned to railway radiography, budget, start and end dates (20 pts; 4 relevant letters for full points). Step 3 — Price (80 pts) using formula Ps = 80 × (1 − (Pt − Pmin) / Pmin); Specific Goals (20 pts): B-BBEE Level 1/2 contributor (6.67), 50%+ Black Youth Owned (6.67), 30% Black Women Owned (6.67). Step 4 — Price negotiations if price not market-related (sequential with top 3 ranked bidders). Step 5 — Award and contract conclusion. Validity period: 90 business days from closing date (excluding first day, including last day).

Scope: Radiographic Testing (RT) of thermite welds between De Aar and Port Elizabeth. Services per weld: RT of weld foot and web, film development, interpretation and reporting. Additional rate items: delay rate per weld imposed by Transnet; accommodation per night; travel rate per KM from depot to site; marking can (blue spray) per day; films per weld; isotope use per day; darkroom technician per day. Personnel requirements: Valid RT Level certificates, Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) certificate, Assistant Radiation Protection Officer (ARPO) certificate. Quality certifications: Valid ISO 17020 (Non-Destructive Testing) from accredited institute; Valid ISO 9001 QMS. Safety compliance: Signed Written Declaration of Compliance with TRIM SHE Specifications on company letterhead with company address and representative details. Delivery lead-time commitment required from date of purchase order / service request. Experience: Minimum 5 years conducting radiography testing in railway industry, proven by signed client reference letters (not purchase orders) with project scope, budget, commencement and closure dates.

Scope includes: Radiographic Testing of weld foot and web, film development, interpretation and reporting. Rate items for: delays imposed by Transnet, accommodation, travel (KM from depot to site), marking cans (blue spray), films per weld, isotope use per day, darkroom technician per day. Service delivery lead-time commitment required from PO issue / service request date.

Technical evaluation requires: Signed declaration letter confirming compliance to Technical and SHE Specifications for Radiographic Testing of Thermit Welds. Valid Personnel Certification: RT Level Certificates, Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) certificate, Assistant Radiation Protection Officer (ARPO) certificate. Valid ISO 17020 Certificate in Non-Destructive Testing from accredited institute. Valid ISO 9001 Quality Management System Certificate. Written Statement of Compliance with TRIM SHE Specifications on company letterhead with company address and representative details. Service Delivery Commitment Letter with lead time from PO issue. Experience: Signed reference letters from clients (last 5 years) with project scope aligned to railway radiography testing, project budget, commencement and closure dates. Purchase Orders not accepted as reference letters. Minimum 4 relevant reference letters for full 20 points.

Valid ISO 9001 Quality Management System (QMS) Certificate required (30 points in technical scoring). Valid ISO 17020 Certificate in Non-Destructive Testing from accredited institute required (30 points in technical scoring). Both certificates are evaluated as part of the technical/functionality threshold (minimum 60/100).

Price Schedule (delivered nominated destination, VAT inclusive at 15%): Item 1 — RT of weld foot and web, film development, interpretation and reporting: 1,650 per weld. Item 2 — Rate per weld for Transnet delays: 165 per weld. Item 3 — Accommodation per night: 300 per night. Item 4 — Rate per KM from depot to site: 15,000 per KM. Item 5 — Marking Can (Blue spray): 100 per day. Item 6 — Films per weld: 3,300 per weld. Item 7 — Use of Isotope per day: 100 per day. Item 8 — Darkroom technician: 100 per day. All prices in ZAR. Delivery lead-time from PO date required. Transnet may negotiate market-related price with top 3 ranked bidders sequentially. All prices must follow this schedule format; deviation may cause disqualification.

Pricing schedule (delivered nominated destination, VAT inclusive at 15%): Item 1 — RT of weld foot and web, film development, interpretation and reporting: 1,650 per weld. Item 2 — Rate per weld for Transnet delays: 165 per weld. Item 3 — Accommodation per night: 300 per night. Item 4 — Rate per KM from depot to site: 15,000 per KM. Item 5 — Marking Can (Blue spray): 100 per day. Item 6 — Films per weld: 3,300 per weld. Item 7 — Use of Isotope per day: 100 per day. Item 8 — Darkroom technician: 100 per day. All prices in ZAR. Prices must follow the prescribed schedule exactly; deviation may cause disqualification. Any disbursement not specifically priced will not be accepted. Discounts only considered if unconditional. Transnet may negotiate market-related price with top 3 ranked bidders sequentially. Pricing scores rounded to two decimal places.

CSD registration mandatory (https://secure.csd.gov.za/) — foreign suppliers with no local entity exempt. Valid tax compliance: SARS TCS PIN or printed TCS certificate; each party in a consortium/JV/sub-contractor must submit separate TCS/CSD. B-BBEE: 80/20 preference point system applies (bid value ≤ R50M). Points: B-BBEE Level 1/2 (6.67), 50%+ Black Youth Owned (6.67), 30% Black Women Owned (6.67). Proof required: B-BBEE certificate / sworn affidavit / CIPC certificate per DTIC guidelines; JV/consortium requires consolidated B-BBEE certificate. No minimum B-BBEE level stated for eligibility, but non-compliant or Level 3–8 scores zero points. Certifications: ISO 17020 (NDT) and ISO 9001 QMS mandatory for technical scoring. Personnel: Valid RT Level, RPO, ARPO certificates mandatory for technical scoring. Safety: Signed TRIM SHE Specification compliance declaration on company letterhead mandatory for technical scoring. Legal: No director/shareholder employed by the state or connected to Transnet employees without disclosure (SBD 4). No serious breach of law (including Competition Act) in preceding 5 years (excl. minor offences). Employment Equity Act compliance (incl. Section 53). Security clearance to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET level required for successful respondent, personnel and subcontractors (obtaining clearance is respondent's responsibility). DPIP/FPPO disclosure required per Transnet policy. POPIA compliance: Transnet as Responsible Party, respondent as Data Subject.

80/20 preference point system applies (bid value ≤ R50M). Maximum points: Price 80, B-BBEE Level 1/2 contributor 6.67, 50%+ Black Youth Owned 6.67, 30% Black Women Owned 6.67. Total 100. Non-compliant or B-BBEE Level 3–8 = 0 points. Proof required: B-BBEE Certificate / Sworn Affidavit / CIPC Certificate per DTIC guidelines. QSEs: Sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate. JV/consortium: consolidated B-BBEE certificate. Tertiary/Public Entities: specialised scorecard. Failure to submit proof = no points claimed. Transnet may verify claims at any time.

TRIM SHE Specification compliance mandatory. Bidder must submit a signed Written Declaration Letter/Statement of Compliance with TRIM SHE Specifications on company letterhead with company address and representative details. Scoring: 0 (no declaration), 6 (non-compliant), 12 (limited compliance), 18 (partial compliance), 24 (substantially compliant), 30 (fully compliant). This carries 30 points in the technical/functionality evaluation.

Transnet may request ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) information at any stage of procurement or contracting. This information is for record and analysis of ESG compliance only and will not be used for evaluation or disqualification.

Quotation constitutes a binding offer; changes after closing not considered. Transnet reserves the right to: modify RFQ scope, award partial scope, split award between multiple suppliers, cancel the process, validate submitted information (including requesting supporting evidence), request audited financial statements for due diligence, reject price changes after closing or award unless contract provides for it, cancel contract and request National Treasury to place respondent on Database of Restricted Suppliers for up to 10 years for incorrect information, award to next ranked bidder if preferred bidder fails to sign/commence, request ESG information (not for evaluation/disqualification), conduct sub-contractor due diligence including fronting detection. Legal review of contractual terms by Transnet Legal Counsel before award. Acceptance of letter of award constitutes final contract read with RFQ response and Standard Terms and Conditions. Contract may be terminated if returnable documents not kept valid for contract duration. JSE Debt Listing Requirements disclosure may apply (company name, services, value, duration). DPIP/FPPO disclosure required per Transnet policy (governance protocols, status determination, risk assessment). Supplier Integrity Pact and Non-Disclosure Agreement apply. Successful bidder must complete Supplier Declaration Form for vendor registration. Material deviation from standard terms may cause disqualification. Bidders must clarify uncertainties before submitting; no claim for unclear aspects if clarity not sought. Certificate of Acquaintance confirms receipt of all information, sufficient site access, due diligence performed, no unauthorised information received, no former Transnet employees (past 10 years) involved in bid preparation, disclosure of any DPIP/FPPO relationships. Breach of law disclosure required for serious breaches in past 5 years (excl. minor offences). POPIA: Transnet as Responsible Party, respondent as Data Subject; personal information processed only for evaluation/award; both parties must implement security measures; cybercrime reporting required; data subject rights per POPIA Section 5.

Responses must not include documents from other quotations. Additional conditions in accompanying letter. Clarification queries to [email protected] by 12:00 PM 09 September 2026. Complaints to [email protected]. No canvassing between closing and award. Collusion = disqualification and restriction from organs of state. Outcome communicated via email. Unsuccessful bidders may request reasons within 30 days after validity expiry. Supplier Integrity Pact compliance required. Non-disclosure Agreement applies. Successful bidder must complete Supplier Declaration Form for vendor registration. Material deviation from standard terms may cause disqualification. Bidders must clarify uncertainties before submitting. No claim for unclear aspects if clarity not sought. Certificate of Acquaintance confirms receipt of all info, sufficient site access, due diligence performed, no unauthorized info received, no former Transnet employees involved in bid prep (past 10 years), disclosure of any DPIP/FPPO relationships. Breach of law disclosure for serious breaches in past 5 years (excl. minor offences). POPIA compliance: Transnet as Responsible Party, Respondent as Data Subject. Personal information processed only for evaluation/award. Both parties must implement security measures. Cybercrime reporting required. Data subject rights per POPIA Section 5.

Tax compliance: SARS TCS PIN or printed TCS certificate; each consortium/JV/sub-contractor party submits separate TCS/CSD. CSD registration mandatory (foreign suppliers with no local entity exempt). Employment Equity Act compliance (incl. Section 53). Compliance with all applicable national and local laws. Security clearance to CONFIDENTIAL/SECRET/TOP SECRET level required for successful respondent, personnel and subcontractors (respondent's responsibility). Supplier Integrity Pact and Non-Disclosure Agreement apply. Successful bidder must complete Supplier Declaration Form for vendor registration. Material deviation from standard terms may cause disqualification. Bidders must clarify uncertainties before submitting. Certificate of Acquaintance confirms receipt of all information, sufficient site access, due diligence performed, no unauthorised information received, no former Transnet employees (past 10 years) involved in bid preparation, disclosure of any DPIP/FPPO relationships. Breach of law disclosure for serious breaches in past 5 years (excl. minor offences). POPIA compliance: Transnet as Responsible Party, respondent as Data Subject.