Objectives

The primary objective is to conduct annual inspections, servicing, and certification of all portable fire extinguishers at SAA Technical facilities. This ensures full operational readiness, strict adherence to local fire safety regulations, and compliance with occupational health and safety standards.

Scope of Work

The engagement is divided into three mandatory phases:

• Phase 1: Physical Inspection & Assessment – Audit extinguisher registers, locate all units, verify labels and pressure gauges, inspect operating levers and weights, identify illegal modifications, and determine hydrostatic testing due dates.
• Phase 2: Servicing & Maintenance – Open service units to assess extinguishing agent condition, ensure all instructional labels remain fully legible, and confirm regulatory signage is visible.
• Phase 3: Documentation & Certification – Apply service tags containing technician details and next due dates, update inventory records, flag units requiring hydrostatic testing or replacement, issue official Certificates of Compliance (COC) valid for 12 months, and submit a detailed walkthrough report.

Technical Requirements

• All activities must comply with applicable local fire safety and occupational health and safety regulations.
• Supplied materials must be new, match RFQ specifications, and retain a minimum of 75% shelf life upon delivery.
• A minimum 24-month warranty is required from the delivery date.
• Quotations must cover all listed extinguisher capacities (2.5kg, 4.5kg, 5kg, 6.8kg, and 9kg); partial quotes are prohibited.
• Prices must be quoted in the designated currency, exclusive of VAT (clearly shown separately), with zero tolerance for price escalation or market fluctuations during the 90-day validity period.
• Supply lead times are strictly scored: 1–15 days earns 100 points, 16–31 days earns 90 points, and 32+ days earns 0 points. A minimum threshold of 90 points is mandatory for further evaluation.
• Payment terms stipulate 100% settlement within 15 days following successful delivery, passing inspection/testing, and submission of compliant payment documentation.
• Bidders must provide proof of compliance with the Framework Act Regulations of 2022, including a PIN Certificate and a B-BBEE Certificate or Affidavit.

Skills Requirements

• All inspection, servicing, and certification tasks must be executed by a qualified and registered technician.
• Personnel must possess proven expertise in fire extinguisher maintenance, hydrostatic testing protocols, regulatory compliance, and accurate record-keeping.
• Bidders must formally disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including prior involvement in drafting RFQ specifications or familial/corporate ties to SAAT staff.

Key Terms & Clarifications

• Certificate of Compliance (COC): An official post-service document certifying that each fire extinguisher meets statutory safety standards and remains operational for 12 months.
• Hydrostatic Testing: A controlled pressure test applied to extinguisher cylinders to verify structural integrity and prevent catastrophic failure under operational conditions.
• B-BBEE: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment, a South African policy framework designed to redress historical disadvantages. Evaluation points are awarded based on ownership demographics (race, disability, and gender).
• PIN Certificate: A tax compliance verification document required for participation in South African public procurement processes.
• Stored-Pressure Units: Fire extinguishers where the propellant gas and extinguishing agent occupy the same chamber, requiring specialized gauge and valve assessments during servicing.