Armed Response, Alarm Monitoring and Data Communication NEW

The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has invited suitably qualified, PSIRA-registered security service providers to deliver an integrated security monitoring and response service across its sites nationwide. The contract covers 24-hour, 365-day armed response to sites including Groenkloof, Olifantsfontein, Secunda, Durban, Richards Bay, Cape Town, Saldanha Bay and East London. The service provider must also run a 24-hour central monitoring facility that receives, verifies, classifies and escalates alarm activations, including those from the existing visual verification intruder detection system. Panic and duress coverage includes roaming panic devices for patrolling security officers and static panic buttons at guardhouses and security posts. All panic activations must be treated as high-priority emergency signals and cannot be missed or handled as routine alarms.

The scope extends beyond monitoring to data communication and lifecycle support. The provider must supply and maintain reliable, secure communication links between SABS sites and the monitoring centre, including backup paths, link-availability monitoring and restoration within SLA timeframes. It is also responsible for site assessments, equipment supply, installation, integration, programming, testing, commissioning and training, as well as preventative and corrective maintenance, battery replacement and 24-hour support for critical failures. Systems must be integrated into the central monitoring platform and accepted by SABS Security Services after end-to-end testing. Monthly performance reports covering activations, response times, false alarms, communication faults, maintenance and SLA compliance are required. Note that the documents state both a 24-month period (RFQ letter and cover) and a 36-month period (Annexure A); bidders should seek clarification through the designated procurement contact.

Mandatory requirements include valid company and director PSIRA certificates, a PSIRA letter of good standing, a valid Armed Response Company certificate, at least seven valid armed response vehicle licences covering the SABS regions, at least seven valid 9mm firearm licences, an emergency response plan with arrival timelines for each site, public liability insurance of at least R3,000,000, a valid COIDA letter of good standing, a maintenance plan for the visual verification system, and CVs of technicians with at least five years of experience servicing visual verification intruder detection systems. Bidders must also provide a CSD report, a BBBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, and SBD 4 and SBD 6.1 forms, with the quotation submitted on official company letterhead. Evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system (price and specific goals). Bidders must also be prepared to host a physical inspection of their control room and give a live technical demonstration covering alarm, visual verification and panic reception, armed response dispatch, event logging and integration with SABS's existing systems. The compulsory briefing takes place at 1 Dr Lategan Road, Groenkloof, Pretoria, on 28 October 2026 at 10:00. Quotations must be emailed to elvis.lebepe@sabs.co.za by 11:00 on 2 November 2026, and late submissions will not be accepted. No estimated contract value is stated in the documents.