Objectives

The primary objective is to restore and maintain full operational readiness of all fire protection infrastructure at Newcastle Regional Hospital through a comprehensive, time-bound servicing contract. The procurement ensures life-safety compliance, verifies equipment functionality via certified pressure testing, and upholds strict occupational health and safety standards within an active healthcare facility.

Scope of Work

• Servicing dry chemical powder (DCP) and carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers, including refilling, regassing, resealing, and replacing dated service stickers.
• Conducting hydrostatic pressure tests on all extinguishers and issuing official test certificates.
• Maintaining fire hose reels and flat hoses by unrolling, leak-testing, and relabelling.
• Inspecting fire equipment cabinets, servicing fire pump connections, nozzle assemblies, and fire hydrants.
• Preparing and submitting detailed service reports post-maintenance.
• Providing all labour, transport, and safety documentation within a strict seven-day timeframe during weekday business hours (07:30–16:00).
• Restoring all work areas to a clean, functional state upon completion. The contract operates on a remeasurable basis, meaning payment reflects actual completed quantities, and no variation orders will be entertained.

Technical Requirements

• Full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, including submission of a site-specific safety file and risk assessment prior to commencement.
• Use exclusively of new, SABS/SANS-approved materials and components.
• Execution of all tasks within designated hospital working hours, ensuring minimal disruption to medical operations.
• Secure handling and storage of serviced equipment, with full accountability for transportation and overnight security.
• Submission of a fixed-price quotation valid for ninety days, inclusive of all taxes, labour, and delivery costs.
• Provision of mandatory compliance certificates, including SAOCC and SANS conformity documentation.
• Adherence to standard government contract conditions, including performance security, tax clearance verification via the Central Suppliers Database, and anti-collusion declarations.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Valid Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grade SF registration.
• Registration with the South African Quality Council for Fire Protection Services (SAQCC FIRE) as an accredited service technician, alongside a valid company registration certificate aligned with SANS standards.
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver similar fire protection servicing contracts, evidenced by at least one previous order confirmation and a stamped completion certificate.
• Technical proficiency in pressurised vessel testing, gas cylinder servicing, hydraulic system inspection, and emergency equipment certification.
• Strong project management capabilities to mobilise skilled personnel and complete all works within the one-week window without schedule extensions.
• Submission of a sworn affidavit or SANAS-accredited verification agency certificate confirming Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, which is mandatory for contract execution but not scored for preference points. Preference scoring allocates twenty points to enterprises that are one hundred percent owned by Black Africans.

Explanation of Specialised Terms

• CIDB Grade SF: A specialist contractor grading category issued by the Construction Industry Development Board, indicating verified competency in fire protection installations and maintenance.
• SAQCC FIRE: The statutory regulatory body in South Africa overseeing fire protection service providers, ensuring technicians meet national competency, quality, and ethical standards.
• Remeasurable Bill: A pricing structure where final payment is calculated based on the actual quantity of work completed rather than a fixed lump sum, requiring precise measurement and reporting.
• SAOCC Certificate: Proof that personnel hold nationally recognised occupational competency credentials for fire protection work, mandated for legal, insurance, and regulatory compliance.