Tender Summary: Ward 26 Basic Sanitation Phase 8

Objectives

The primary objective is to deliver basic sanitation services to 260 households in the Ratjiepan and Mogogelo villages within Ward 26, Moretele Local Municipality. The project aims to improve community health through sustainable, waterless sanitation infrastructure while simultaneously fostering local economic development by prioritising local labour employment and subcontracting opportunities for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs).

Scope of Work

The successful contractor will execute a six-month construction project comprising:

• Site clearance and establishment of a contractor’s camp.
• Excavation of shallow double pits according to approved drawings.
• Foundation preparation and structural support layout.
• Installation of up to 260 Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) double-pit toilet units.
• Backfilling, related concrete works, and surface reinstatement.
• Provision of end-user training for beneficiaries on operation and maintenance.
• Implementation of labour-intensive construction methods, requiring a minimum commitment to employ local unskilled labour.
• Subcontracting at least 30% of the works to registered SMMEs.

Technical Requirements

• Contractor Registration: Valid CIDB grading of 5CE or higher.
• Standards & Specifications: Compliance with SANS 1200 civil engineering standards, General Conditions of Contract (2015), and municipal specifications.
• Construction Methods: Strict adherence to labour-intensive excavation techniques. Soil classification must be verified using a dynamic cone penetrometer. Hard rock excavation requires hand tools only; blasting is prohibited.
• Safety & Environment: Full compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993) and Construction Regulations (2014). Submission of a site-specific OH&S plan, risk assessments, and an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is mandatory.
• Project Management: Submission of a detailed construction programme, monthly cash flow projections, and weekly progress reports. All structures require individual sign-off by the municipality, engineer, contractor, and end-user before payment.
• Financial & Security: Fixed pricing with no contract price adjustments. A performance security of 10% of the tender sum must be provided via bank guarantee or surety bond within 21 days of acceptance.
• Compliance Documentation: Valid CSD registration, SARS Tax Clearance Status, audited financial statements (past three years), B-BBEE verification certificate, and COID good standing letter.

Skills and Personnel Requirements

The contractor must deploy qualified key personnel and manage a skilled workforce:

• Key Staff: Contract Manager, Site Agent, Site Foreman, SHEQ Officer, and Surveyor/Technician. Required qualifications range from NQF Level 3 to BTech/BSc Civil Engineering, with corresponding experience (3–10 years).
• Local Labour: Recruitment of South African citizens from the immediate vicinity for unskilled roles. Workers must receive day-long training on toilet installation, health, hygiene, and site safety.
• Specialised Appointments: Appointment of competent persons as required by OH&S regulations, including excavation supervisors, first aiders, and fire coordinators.
• Support Roles: Engagement of a Community Liaison Officer, Environmental Control Officer, and Independent Health & Safety Agent (funded via provisional sums).

Unusual or Complicated Terms Explained

• VIP Double-Pit Toilets: A waterless sanitation system designed for areas with high groundwater tables. It uses two alternating pits to allow faecal matter to decompose anaerobically, reducing odour through ventilation pipes and preventing groundwater contamination.
• Labour-Intensive Construction: A methodology mandated by the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), requiring manual excavation and construction using hand tools rather than heavy machinery to maximise job creation for local communities.
• Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) Testing: A field test used to classify soil hardness for excavation purposes. The number of blows required to penetrate 100mm determines whether material is soft, intermediate, hard, or rock, directly impacting labour allocation and costing.
• Abnormal Rainfall Extension Formula: A contractual mechanism allowing time extensions based on historical rainfall data versus actual recorded rainfall, ensuring fair adjustment of completion dates without financial penalty.