Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a service provider to supply and deliver once-off preservation and conservation services, including specialized stationery and consumables, to the National Library of South Africa (NLSA). The selected provider will ensure timely delivery within specified turnaround times and meet the preservation needs of the NLSA’s collections and documentation heritage.

Scope

The scope encompasses the provision of preservation and conservation stationery and consumables, which include but are not limited to:

• Black plastic sheeting, PVC sheeting, polythene rolls
• Acid-free papers, tissue, archival photokraft paper, conservation tissue, and various conservation papers
• Binding materials such as cloth covers, book cloth, and buckram
• Storage and preservation accessories including envelopes, boxes, pockets, sleeves, and transleeves
• Tools, adhesives, tapes, glues, leather dressing, and consolidants
• Other conservation materials like Japanese paper sheets, ribbons, gloves, and pH pens

Multiple suppliers may be appointed based on their specialization in these product categories.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Provision of similar preservation and conservation services with at least three (3) contactable reference letters from the past three years
• Experience of a minimum of three (3) years in supplying preservation and conservation stationery and consumables
• Demonstration of in-house capabilities such as warehouse, asset, vehicle, and equipment management
• Submission of a detailed methodology or approach for service delivery, including any alternative methods
• Compliance with administrative and statutory documentation, including completed SBD forms and registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD)
• Turnaround time for supply and delivery within 30 days unless otherwise agreed

Skills Requirements

The skills and capabilities required from bidders include:

• Proven expertise in preservation and conservation materials and services
• Ability to provide quality assurance and demonstrate previous successful projects
• In-house capacity for order placement, storage, and logistics management
• Technical proficiency in conservation techniques and materials handling
• Ability to meet deadlines and deliver within specified timeframes
• Compliance with health and safety standards, including handling of conservation tools and materials