Upper Orange River Water Resources Pre-Feasibility Study NEW

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) is seeking a Professional Service Provider (PSP) to conduct a pre-feasibility study on development options for water resources in the Upper Orange River, referred to as the DOOR study. The appointment runs for 36 months from commencement after bid acceptance. The study is intended to assess and compare possible water resource development options at a pre-feasibility level, providing the evidence base needed to inform later investment and planning decisions. The full technical scope, deliverables, and phase breakdown are set out in the detailed bid specifications and terms of reference, which bidders must follow when preparing their proposals.

Bidders must submit a detailed bid proposal aligned with the specifications, together with a completed pricing schedule. The pricing schedule requires a ceiling price covering all phases of the project and all expenses, inclusive of applicable taxes. Bidders must list the personnel to be involved, with hourly and daily rates, and break down the project into phases with the cost and man-days for each. Travel and other expenses are recoverable only at actual cost, and proof must accompany certified invoices. Rates must state whether they are firm for the full contract period; if not, the basis for adjustment, such as the consumer price index, must be specified. Bid prices must remain valid for 180 days from the closing date. Mandatory documents include SBD forms 1, 3.3, 4, 6.1 and 7 (where applicable), a valid Tax Compliance Status PIN or CSD number, a CSD report, a certificate of authority for the signatory, a copy of the authorised signatory's ID, CIPC certificates, and a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. Consortia and joint ventures are permitted, but each party must submit its own tax compliance and CSD details.

All bids must be submitted online through the eTenders submission portal. Email and departmental tender box submissions are not accepted. The bid is evaluated on the 80/20 preference point system, with 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals. The specific goals are women ownership (5 points), people with disability ownership (5 points), youth ownership aged 35 and below (5 points), location of enterprise by province (2 points), and B-BBEE level 1 to 2 status for QSEs or EMEs (3 points). Ownership-based points are calculated pro rata to equity held by qualifying shareholders. A non-compulsory virtual briefing session is scheduled for 1 December 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00. Bidders should note that persons in the service of the state, and companies with such directors, are ineligible. Late or incomplete submissions, or failure to comply with tax and registration requirements, may render a bid invalid. The department has also warned bidders about scam syndicates impersonating officials, and officials will never request bribes.