Five-Year Diesel Compressor Maintenance and Service

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, through its Duvha Power Station in Mpumalanga, is inviting tenders under reference E3707GXMPDUV for a five-year maintenance and service contract covering five diesel-driven rotary screw air compressors. The fleet comprises three trailer-mounted KAESER MOBILAIR M500-2 units, which can be deployed across Eskom's generation fleet, and two permanently installed Sullivan Palatek stationary units. All five units are powered by Caterpillar C18 diesel engines. The contract is governed by the NEC3 Term Service Contract (TSC3) and runs for 60 months from the date of award.

The scope covers preventive maintenance at Interval A (every 500 operating hours or three months) and Interval B (every 2,000 operating hours or six months), corrective and emergency repairs, spare parts management and inventory control, scheduled oil sampling and condition monitoring, operator training, and performance reporting. Work must follow OEM-approved procedures and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, NEMA, SANS 347 pressure equipment requirements, and Eskom plant safety and high-voltage operating regulations. Contractors must mobilise within two weeks of contract placement, submit a quality control plan before commencement, and meet strict non-conformance reporting timelines. Prices must be submitted with a contract price adjustment (CPA) formula, which applies from year two onwards, with a minimum of 15% of the value fixed.

Tenders are evaluated in two stages. Stage 1 is a pass/fail check of mandatory criteria, including proof of at least five years' experience maintaining diesel-driven rotary screw compressors, with three written reference letters or completion certificates. Stage 2 is a weighted functionality assessment: method statement (20%), technical personnel including diesel mechanics, site supervisors and site managers with trade tests and experience (50%), and a project-specific quality control plan (30%). A minimum of 70% is required to proceed. Qualifying bids are then ranked using the 80/20 preference point system, with the 90/10 system applying above R50 million. Required returnables include CSD registration, COIDA good standing, tax compliance, B-BBEE documentation, audited financial statements, an ISO 9001 certificate, an OHS tender evaluation pack, and a CIDB grade 4 (ME) for the construction-related work on the two fixed units. CIDB registration does not apply to the mobile units. Bidders should note that 100% subcontracting is prohibited, that alternative tenders are not allowed, and that the closing deadline is 24 November 2026 at 10:00 with an 84-day validity period. A clarification meeting is scheduled for 16 November 2026, and the documents differ on whether attendance is compulsory, so bidders should confirm this with the Eskom Representative.

For the successful contractor, the contract offers a long-term, recurring revenue stream with a major utility and the opportunity to build a track record in power station plant maintenance. Its emphasis on OEM alignment, documented quality systems, and skills development also makes it a strong reference contract for specialist compressor service providers. Interested businesses should review the Technical Evaluation Strategy, Technical Scope of Work, and Quality and Safety requirements in the tender pack before preparing their submission.