Tender Summary: Water Quality Sampling at Various Beaches in Mossel Bay Area

Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified service provider to conduct regular sea water sampling and laboratory analysis at designated beaches within the Mossel Bay municipality. The contract aims to ensure continuous monitoring of coastal water quality to protect public health, support recreational safety, and comply with environmental regulations.

Scope of Work

• Sampling Locations: Seven beaches: Santos, De Bakke, Hartenbos, Kleinbrak, Glentana, Tweekuilen, and Suiderkruis.
• Analysis Parameters: Each site will be tested for three indicators: E-coli, Faecal Streptococcus, and pH levels.
• Volume & Duration: A total of 154 samples will be collected and analysed over the contract period, commencing upon appointment and concluding on 30 June 2027.
• Logistics & Delivery: The contractor must manage field collection, preserve sample integrity during transit, and deliver all samples to the Municipal Environmental Office according to a fixed monthly schedule.

Technical Requirements

• SANAS Accreditation: Providers must hold valid accreditation from the South African National Accreditation System for the specified water tests. This validates that laboratory procedures meet nationally recognised scientific and quality standards.
• Compliance & Documentation: Bidders must submit proof of SARS tax compliance, municipal rates clearance, Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, and board resolutions authorising the bid. Joint ventures require a formal agreement and individual tax pins for all participating entities.
• Pricing Structure: Quotations must be itemised per parameter (E-coli, Faecal Strep, pH) for 154 samples each, inclusive of VAT. Non-compliant or blank pricing schedules will result in automatic disqualification.
• Performance & Penalties: Success is measured via Key Performance Indicators requiring 100% specification compliance, high-quality outputs, and on-time delivery. Delays incur financial penalties calculated using the current prime interest rate.
• Procurement Scoring: Evaluation uses an 80/20 preference point system, allocating 80 points to price competitiveness and 20 points to socio-economic goals (B-BBEE status and local municipality presence).

Skills & Expertise Requirements

• Laboratory & Analytical Proficiency: Demonstrated capability in microbiological and physicochemical testing, specifically for faecal indicator bacteria and pH measurement, with accurate data interpretation.
• Field Operations Coordination: Ability to plan and execute multi-site coastal sampling, maintain temperature-controlled transport chains, and adhere to rigid monthly collection calendars.
• Regulatory Reporting: Competence in producing certified, auditable test reports that align with municipal environmental standards and accreditation protocols.
• Public Procurement Navigation: Experience managing South African municipal bidding processes, including CSD enrolment, tax verification, preference point claims, and contractual compliance.

Key Terms & Clarifications

• SANAS Accreditation: A mandatory certification confirming that the provider’s testing facilities, methodologies, and personnel are validated by South Africa’s national accreditation body, ensuring legally defensible and scientifically reliable results.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A standard South African municipal procurement model where bids are scored primarily on cost efficiency (80 points) and secondarily on transformation goals such as B-BBEE level and geographic locality (20 points).
• CSD Registration: Mandatory enrolment on the government’s Central Supplier Database, which centralises vendor verification, tax status, and financial eligibility prior to contract award.