Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure a comprehensive prepaid electricity super vendor client and server solution within the eThekwini Electricity area of supply for a period of thirty-six months. The solution aims to facilitate accessible, reliable, and efficient management and vending of prepaid electricity through multiple customer interfaces, including point of sale, online platforms, and scratch card systems, ensuring seamless service delivery and operational excellence.

Scope

The scope encompasses the management and provision of a multi-channel prepaid electricity vending system, including:

• Management of third-party vending services across various platforms (POS, online banking, ATM, USSD, scratch cards).
• Integration with existing eThekwini vending infrastructure and systems (Landis & Gyr, Suprima).
• Provision of hardware, software, connectivity, and support for vending operations.
• Management of all transaction processes, including refunds, reversals, and exception handling.
• Implementation of security, audit trails, and compliance measures.
• Provision of services such as Free Basic Electricity (FBE) and debt collection.
• Ensuring system performance, availability, and high reliability (targeting 99.98% uptime).
• Adherence to empowerment and local content requirements, including subcontracting and BBBEE compliance.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications include:

• Development and deployment of a multi-channel vending platform supporting POS, online, ATM, USSD, and scratch card services.
• Integration with existing eThekwini vending systems and infrastructure.
• Real-time transaction processing with response times within 40 seconds.
• Support for Free Basic Electricity (FBE) distribution and management.
• Provision of audit trails, exception reports, and transaction logs retained for five years.
• High availability infrastructure with 99% uptime and fault resolution within specified timeframes.
• Secure payment processing compliant with PCI standards.
• Support for multiple payment methods including cash, card, EFT, and virtual wallets.
• Capability to handle at least 10 transactions per second and support multiple vendors and service points.
• Provision of disaster recovery, system security, and compliance with relevant legislation.

Skills and Skills Requirements

The tenderer must demonstrate:

• At least five years of proven experience in operating and managing prepaid electricity vending systems in South Africa.
• Technical expertise in developing, integrating, and maintaining multi-channel vending platforms.
• Capability to support high-availability systems with 24/7 operational support and fault management.
• Experience in system security, audit compliance, and transaction reconciliation.
• Ability to provide technical support, helpdesk, and customer service functions.
• Knowledge of local legislation, including BBBEE, empowerment policies, and procurement regulations.
• Proven track record of successful project implementation and system integration within municipal or similar environments.

Summary

This tender seeks a qualified service provider with extensive experience and technical capability to deliver a robust, secure, and efficient prepaid electricity vending solution supporting multiple customer interfaces and operational channels. The solution must ensure high system availability, compliance with legislative requirements, and effective management of transactions, refunds, and security over a three-year period within the eThekwini municipality.