Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint qualified service providers to maintain and support SARS ICT facilities across all nine provinces in South Africa for a period of 5 years. The services aim to ensure high ICT service availability, reliability, and longevity of infrastructure such as UPS systems, air conditioning, electrical networks, fire detection and suppression systems, and environmental monitoring. The contract emphasizes proactive inspection, maintenance, repair, upgrades, and modernization of ICT infrastructure, including the potential outsourcing of specialized services like HT electrical maintenance and data center equipment installation.

Scope

The scope covers:

• Maintenance, break-fix, upgrade, and modernization of ICT infrastructure at approximately 111 SARS sites nationwide, including data centers, offices, ports of entry, warehouses, and other facilities.
• Core services such as servicing UPS systems, air conditioning units, fire detection and suppression systems, electrical reticulation, environmental monitoring, and general ICT facilities maintenance.
• Specialist services including HT electrical network maintenance, fire system certification, and ad-hoc infrastructure upgrades or repairs.
• Provision of dedicated resources, subcontractors, and specialist partners as needed, with a focus on maintaining a provincial footprint for quick response.
• Transition phases from award to full operational delivery, including training, handover, and ongoing management.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Adherence to relevant standards such as SANS for safety, environmental impact, and infrastructure safety.
• Regular preventative maintenance (quarterly minor and annual major services) for equipment including HVAC, UPS, fire systems, electrical reticulation, and environmental monitoring systems.
• Break-fix services with defined response times, repair times, and escalation procedures, including stockholding of spares and reporting.
• Modernization initiatives like the introduction of mobile SARS offices and infrastructure upgrades.
• Provision of qualified personnel with specific certifications (e.g., Red Seal electricians, SAQCC fire technicians, UPS specialists) and sufficient resources across provinces.
• Monitoring and reporting on service levels, incident management, and compliance with SARS policies and applicable laws.
• Outsourcing of specialized services such as HT electrical maintenance and data center upgrades, with references and credentials verified by SARS.

Skills Requirements

The tender specifies the following skills and qualifications for personnel:

• Electricians: Trade tested with Red Seal certification, minimum 3 years’ experience, with proof of qualification.
• UPS Specialists: Trade tested with Red Seal, minimum 5 years’ experience, with proof of specialization and relevant certifications.
• Fire Systems Technicians: SAQCC certified with at least 5 years’ experience in fire detection and suppression systems.
• Refrigeration Mechanics: Trade tested with Red Seal, minimum 5 years’ experience working on CRAC units.
• HVAC Specialists: Certified and experienced in air conditioning systems, with proof of experience working on data center cooling units.
• Other technical personnel: Skilled in electrical reticulation, environmental monitoring, access control, and general ICT infrastructure maintenance.

In addition, personnel must have the capacity to operate across multiple provinces, with proven track records, relevant certifications, and the ability to respond promptly to maintenance and repair requests.