Objectives

The Department of Public Works & Infrastructure aims to appoint a qualified service provider to deliver professional civil engineering services for the design, documentation, contract administration, and construction monitoring of additional accommodation and repair works at the Virginia Magistrate’s Court in Virginia, Free State. The primary objective is to ensure compliant, cost-effective, and timely infrastructure delivery that aligns with statutory regulations, environmental standards, and national socio-economic procurement targets.

Scope of Services

• Standard Consulting Stages: Execution of normal services across stages one through six, covering inception, preliminary design, detailed design, procurement documentation, contract administration, site inspection, and project close-out.
• Construction Monitoring: Provision of Level One (part-time) monitoring, including site office equipment, safety gear, and communication tools. Accommodation costs are bundled into the tendered rates.
• Regulatory & Environmental Compliance: Integration of Occupational Health and Safety Act specifications into designs and supervision, plus management of Environmental Impact Assessment applications and Environmental Management Plan oversight.
• Socio-Economic Targets: Administration of targeted procurement and contract participation goals, including Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) metrics, SMME participation, and youth employment reporting.
• Multidisciplinary Coordination: Collaboration with architects, quantity surveyors, structural, and mechanical engineers. The appointed architect will act as the principal agent, while the civil engineer provides specialized civil engineering inputs and measurements.

Technical Requirements

• Remuneration Model: Fees will be calculated on a value-based percentage model aligned with the 2023 NDPWI Scope of Engineering Services and Tariff of Fees, with hourly rates available for additional or time-bound tasks.
• Programming & Reporting: Submission of a coordinated baseline programme within two weeks of appointment. Monthly progress reports, quarterly interim accounts during construction, and biannual accrual reports are mandatory.
• Insurance & Risk Management: Minimum professional indemnity insurance of R1.5 million or 15% of the estimated construction value, whichever is higher. Proof must be provided before construction commencement.
• Software & Documentation: Use of compatible software for all project documentation. Time sheets and financial records must be retained for audit for sixty months post-completion.
• Unusual Terms Explained: The tender utilizes a single volume approach, requiring all procedural, contractual, pricing, and scope documents to be compiled into one unified submission package. Additionally, sliding-scale delay penalties apply, where daily financial penalties are calculated as a decreasing percentage of the total fee value based on predefined monetary brackets, enforced for any delay beyond approved target dates.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Professional Registration: The civil engineering division must operate under the full-time direct supervision of a Professional Civil Engineer or Professional Civil Engineering Technologist registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA). Valid registration certificates and numbers are mandatory.
• Key Personnel: All designated key persons must provide current professional registration proof, detailed curricula vitae, and certified identification documents. Substitutions are only permitted under bona fide unforeseen circumstances with equivalent qualifications.
• Labor-Intensive Work Competency: Staff overseeing labour-intensive components must hold NQF Level 7 certification for developing such strategies and NQF Level 5 for managing related projects, or recognized QCTO equivalents.
• Empowerment & Local Presence: Bidders must substantiate BBBEE specific goals via sworn affidavits or accredited certificates, demonstrating at least 51% ownership by black people, black women, black youth, or persons with permanent disabilities. Proof of operational presence in the Free State province is also required.
• Capacity & Development: Financial viability, past performance on comparable projects, and risk mitigation capacity will be evaluated. The employer reserves the right to second unregistered built environment graduates to the firm for practical training under a formal memorandum of understanding.