Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure geotechnical services necessary for the investigation of the farm portions within the ARC campus in Pretoria. These investigations are essential to support the township establishment application and future development of the proposed Centre of Excellence at the Agricultural Research Centre Roodeplaat.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Conducting test pitting following GFSH-2 guidelines, with approximately 74 test pits, 50 foundation indicator samples, 20 CBR tests, and 10 chemical tests.
• Performing dynamic probe superheavy (DPSH) tests adjacent to test pits to assess material consistency to a depth of 3 meters or until refusal.
• Collecting disturbed and undisturbed samples for laboratory testing at SANAS-accredited laboratories, including tests such as Atterberg Limits, shearbox, collapse potential, pH, conductivity, Mod/CBR, triaxial, and oedometer tests.
• Developing a Health and Safety Plan in accordance with SANRAL standards.
• Providing a provisional project schedule aiming for completion by mid-2026.
• Reinstating any created access tracks to an acceptable condition after investigations.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements encompass:

• Provision of all necessary equipment, labor, and materials to execute geotechnical investigations.
• Adherence to relevant standards, including SANRAL Specifications (2010), SANRAL guidelines, and local regulations such as SABS standards.
• Implementation of test pitting, dynamic probing, sampling, and laboratory testing as specified.
• Development of a comprehensive Health and Safety Plan.
• Preparation and submission of detailed reports and data in line with specifications.
• Compliance with the provisional schedule, with activities phased from planning to reporting within approximately 9 weeks.

Skills Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Experience in geotechnical site investigations, including test pitting, trial pitting, borehole drilling, and in-situ testing (e.g., SPT, CPT, plate load tests).
• Proven capability in laboratory testing of soil samples, with accreditation from SANAS.
• Qualified personnel, including a Lead Consultant with:
• Formal education (BEng/BSc in Civil Engineering, Engineering Geology, Geotechnical Engineering, or Geological Science).
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Engineering Technologist (PrEng/PrTechEng) with ECSA.
• Practical experience in geotechnical investigations, data interpretation, and modeling software (e.g., PLAXIS, GEO5, gINT, Slope/W).
• A team with 5–15+ years of relevant project experience in infrastructure geotechnical design, slope stability, and foundation engineering.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports and data analysis aligned with local standards and guidelines.