Objectives

The primary objective is to procure a high-voltage insulation resistance tester to support the municipality’s electrical infrastructure maintenance, safety inspections, and fault diagnosis operations. The tender seeks to acquire reliable, compliant equipment at a competitive price while advancing municipal procurement goals through preferential scoring aligned with transformation and economic inclusion policies.

Scope

The scope is strictly limited to the supply and delivery of one (1) 12kV Insulation Resistance Tester to the municipality’s designated office in Phalaborwa. The contract does not include installation, operator training, calibration services, or post-delivery maintenance unless separately contracted. Suppliers must specify a firm delivery period and ensure the equipment arrives fully functional, accompanied by all required accessories and documentation.

Technical Requirements

• Voltage Ranges: Must cover 500V, 1000V, 2500V, 5000V, 10,000V, and 12,000V testing intervals.
• Power & Accessories: Must include a compatible power adapter, rechargeable battery, and integrated analysis software for data management and reporting.
• Safety Classification: Must hold a CAT IV 600V rating, certifying suitability for use at the origin of low-voltage electrical installations where high transient overvoltages may occur.
• Testing Functions: Must support Polarization Index (PI) and Dielectric Absorption Ratio (DAR) calculations to evaluate insulation degradation and moisture ingress over time.
• Auto-Discharge: Must feature an automatic discharge circuit to safely neutralize stored energy after testing, protecting both personnel and equipment.

Skills Requirements

No specialized technical or field service skills are required, as this is a goods-supply tender rather than a service contract. Suppliers must, however, demonstrate standard commercial and administrative competence, including valid tax clearance status, active registration in the Central Supplier Database (CSD), and submission of a duly completed Declaration of Interest (MBD4) form. Basic logistical capability to meet the quoted delivery timeline is expected.

Clarification of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• 80/20 Evaluation Split: Scoring allocates 80% to price competitiveness and 20% to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) ownership. Points are tiered: 20 for 100% black ownership, 18 for ≥51%, and 14 for <51%.
• CSD Registration: Mandatory enrollment in the national Central Supplier Database, which centralizes supplier verification and prevents duplicate registrations across government departments.
• PI and DAR Testing: PI measures insulation health by comparing resistance at 1-minute and 10-minute intervals; DAR compares 30-second and 60-second readings. Both predict winding deterioration and moisture contamination in motors and transformers.
• CAT IV 600V Rating: An IEC safety standard indicating the highest surge protection level, designed for use at electrical metering and distribution origins where fault currents are most severe.
• MBD4 Form: A statutory declaration requiring suppliers to disclose any existing relationships with public officials or entities that could create conflicts of interest during procurement.