Differential and Gearbox Overhaul Services

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has issued a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for the appointment of a service provider to overhaul differentials (diffs) and gearboxes. The requirement covers complete overhauls of differential assemblies, including centre portions, and gearboxes for specified units, along with repair and balancing of propeller shafts. The current RFQ schedule lists six line items: differential overhauls and propeller shaft repair and balancing for two equipment references (ZGF296GP and YWC415GP), and gearbox overhauls for both references. The detailed Standard Specification for the Mercedes-Benz OM500 rear differential requires stripping, repairing, cleaning and reassembling the unit to OEM specification. Work includes a complete new bearing kit, new pinion seals, pinion lock nut, oil collector and screw collar, a new 4.3:1 crown wheel and pinion set, a new spider gear repair kit, new thrust pads, pinion spacer and shims, and checking, straightening and line boring of the differential housing. It also includes repair of the pinion yoke, remanufacture of the anchor spider brackets and S-cam tubes, fitment of new S-cams, bearings and seals, remanufacture of wheel hubs with new dust covers, seal kits and wheel stud kits, removal and refitment of the rear axle, oil refill, and reconditioning of the propeller shaft.

Eligibility is strictly technical. Bidders must be registered with the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) for Automotive Engineering, with registration valid at the time of submission. Any subcontractor must also be RMI-registered, and joint ventures or consortia must submit the signed agreement. Bidders must provide proof of a workshop address or lease and must hold a valid SARS PIN and CSD registration. Each stage of evaluation is mandatory: Stage 1A (quotation on letterhead, RMI certificate, workshop proof), Stage 1B (tax compliance, completed bid documents, CSD number), Stage 2 (price scored at 80 points, with 20 points for specific goals such as B-BBEE Level 1 or 2 and at least 51% black women ownership), and Stage 3 (a physical site visit). The site visit verifies that the workshop has space to accommodate coaches and the required equipment, including a dynamometer with electronic reporting, surface grinder, valve refacing and seat machines for cylinder heads, an automatic transmission test bench, a dust-proof air-conditioned room for valve bodies, large lathes for propeller shaft balancing and diff straightening, and a line bore machine for diff housings. Bidders must reach a minimum technical threshold of 80%.

The contract carries a standard one-year warranty from acceptance, and pricing must be fixed, in South African Rand, and inclusive of VAT. Award is subject to PRASA securing budget allocation, and PRASA may cancel the RFQ if funding is not secured. Quotations must be emailed to SCMRFQ.MAIL@prasa.com by the closing date of 10 November 2026 at 23:30. Bidders should verify all requirements in the full RFQ pack before submitting, as incomplete or non-compliant bids will be disqualified.