Tender Summary: UPS Maintenance – ADMS

Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified supplier to perform comprehensive maintenance, servicing, and repair of critical Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems across two City of Cape Town facilities. The contract aims to guarantee uninterrupted power delivery to essential municipal infrastructure by replacing degraded components, refurbishing battery banks, and enforcing strict operational and safety standards over a 36-month period.

Scope

The scope covers the annual servicing and maintenance of ABB UPS installations at the Bloemhof Electrical Depot and Newlands Control sites. Key deliverables include:

• Complete servicing of UPS units in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
• Replacement of faulty capacitors, cooling fans, and battery strings using original or functionally equivalent genuine parts.
• Safe disposal of all decommissioned components.
• Integration and configuration of battery monitoring modules to ensure real-time oversight.
• Submission of detailed monthly service reports, including battery discharge voltage graphs and labour tracking documentation.
• Strict adherence to safety protocols to prevent any power interruption to connected critical loads during maintenance activities.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must satisfy rigorous technical criteria, including:

• Proven capability to maintain ABB PowerWave P33 UPS systems or equivalent models of comparable complexity, feature set, and capacity.
• Ability to source and install genuine OEM-compatible components, supported by evidence of authorised service provider status or direct manufacturer partnerships.
• Compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, including submission of a site-specific health and safety plan demonstrating adequate competencies and resources.
• Maintenance of statutory insurances: public liability (minimum R20 million per claim), motor vehicle third-party coverage, and compensation for occupational injuries.
• Acceptance of contract price adjustment mechanisms based on published South African industrial indices or verified manufacturer pricelist fluctuations.

Terminology Notes: “ADMS” refers to Advanced Distribution Management Systems, indicating these UPS units support critical grid or network control infrastructure. “Battery String” denotes a series-connected bank of batteries providing backup power; full replacement requires precise voltage matching and monitoring system recalibration. “SEIFSA Indices” are published benchmarks used to calculate annual adjustments for local material and labour cost variations.

Skills & Personnel Requirements

The tender mandates highly specialised technical expertise and structured evaluation:

• Proposed personnel must hold recognised UPS technician certifications, with strong preference given to individuals possessing ABB PowerWave-specific training and over two years of hands-on experience.
• General electrical technicians without UPS specialisation will receive minimal scoring.
• Tenderers must submit curriculum vitae, training certificates, and documented proof of competency for all assigned staff.
• A minimum functionality score of 70 out of 100 is mandatory, evaluated across four weighted categories: relevant UPS maintenance experience (35 points), technical personnel competency (25 points), OEM support and genuine parts access (20 points), and documented references for full battery string replacement projects (20 points).
• Suppliers must demonstrate financial stability, SARS tax compliance, and registration on municipal and national supplier databases. Joint ventures or consortiums require formal partnership agreements designating a lead partner.