Objectives

The primary objective of this quotation is to secure a qualified service provider to supply and install four lightning protection systems within the Umshwathi Municipality jurisdiction. The municipality aims to procure durable, code-compliant installations that safeguard municipal infrastructure against electrical surges while adhering to national safety standards and preferential procurement policies.

Scope of Work

• Complete supply, transportation, and installation of four lightning conductor units.
• Site preparation, mechanical excavation, structural assembly, and electrical grounding.
• Performance of pre-installation soil testing to determine grounding requirements.
• Full project execution in remote or deep rural locations without municipal or beneficiary assistance.
• Compliance with all applicable occupational health and safety legislation throughout the installation process.

Technical Requirements

• Structural Piping: High-quality galvanized steel with a minimum wall thickness of 3mm.
• Air Termination Rod: 1-meter galvanized 16mm mild steel.
• Down Conductors: Multiple nominal bore pipe segments (3m x 80mm, 6m x 65mm, 6m x 50mm, 6m x 40mm) interconnected using high-tensile galvanized bolts, nuts, and machined guide bushes.
• Base Assembly: Swivel base constructed from 100mm x 50mm x 2m galvanized channel iron.
• Grounding System: SABS-approved copper-coated earth rods (16mm x 1.2m), connected via self-threading bolts, brass earth clamps, and 10mm earthing wire.
• Foundation: Excavation pits minimum 1.2 meters deep, stabilized with 25MPa concrete.

Skills and Service Provider Requirements

• Proven capability in electrical grounding systems and structural metal fabrication.
• Access to and proficiency with mechanical earth augers or coring machines (manual digging is prohibited).
• Ability to conduct professional earth resistivity tests and interpret results for accurate rod quantification.
• Financial stability and demonstrated capacity to deliver goods/services within specified timeframes.
• Valid business registration, Central Supplier Database (CSD) enrollment, and tax compliance verification via SARS eFiling.
• Familiarity with municipal supply chain management regulations, including submission of standard bidding forms (MBD 1–9) and independent bid determination declarations.

Notable Terms and Conditions

This tender includes several specific operational and procurement requirements that bidders must understand:

• Earth Resistivity Testing: A mandatory soil conductivity assessment performed before installation to calculate the exact number of grounding rods required, ensuring optimal lightning dissipation based on local terrain.
• Mechanical Excavation Mandate: Manual digging is explicitly forbidden due to inefficiency. Contractors must use powered drilling equipment to meet project schedules.
• 80/20 Preferential Procurement Framework: Evaluation allocates 80 points to price competitiveness and 20 points to historically disadvantaged ownership criteria (e.g., Black-owned, women-owned, or disabled-owned enterprises meeting defined equity thresholds).
• Independent Site Operations: The contractor bears full responsibility for logistics, security, tools, and labor. Municipal staff and site beneficiaries will provide zero assistance.
• Digital Tax Verification: Paper Tax Clearance Certificates are no longer accepted. Compliance is verified electronically through SARS eFiling PINs and the Central Supplier Database.