Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint service providers for the provision of electrical and water meter reading services in the eThekwini Municipality area for a period of 36 months. The aim is to ensure accurate, timely, and efficient reading of meters to support revenue management and billing processes.

Scope

The scope includes:

• Provision of meter reading services for electricity and water meters across various regions within the municipality.
• Reading approximately 310,000 electricity meters and 510,000 water meters over the contract period.
• Deployment of qualified meter readers equipped with handheld devices to perform routine readings, including special or additional readings as required.
• Ensuring readings are collected in all weather conditions, adhering to safety rules and codes of practice.
• Maintaining a local presence, providing equipment, uniforms, and complying with the municipality’s standards and policies.
• Reporting, documentation, and compliance with specified service levels, including regular progress reports and site inspections.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Qualified personnel with at least secondary education (Grade 8 or higher) and relevant experience or certification.
• Supervisors with matric and minimum two years’ experience as meter readers, or certified training from eThekwini Water/Electricity Training Centre.
• Deployment of handheld meter reading terminals, with equipment maintained in good working order.
• Adherence to safety rules, codes of practice, and proper conduct when interacting with customers.
• Accurate recording of meter readings, including noting new meters, anomalies, and connection details.
• Timely submission of readings, reports, and compliance with scheduled routes and deadlines.
• Provision of uniforms, protective clothing, and communication devices (cell phones) for staff.
• Implementation of penalties for incorrect or missed readings, and procedures for handling out-of-variance readings.

Skills Requirements

The skills required for tenderers and their staff include:

• Experience in meter reading, preferably in revenue management or utility services.
• Competence in using handheld devices and data entry systems.
• Good communication and customer service skills, including the ability to interact professionally with customers.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and codes of practice relevant to meter reading activities.
• Ability to work independently, adhere to schedules, and maintain accuracy under weather and environmental conditions.
• Capacity to manage and report on daily activities, including site inspections and issue resolution.
• Compliance with the municipality’s dress code, conduct, and operational procedures.