NED Professional Engineering Services Panel

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd has issued tender E3737DXECOU for a panel of professional services consultants providing Network Engineering and Design (NED) services in the Cape Coastal Cluster. The panel will comprise a total of 18 consultants who will service both the Eastern Cape (EC) and Western Cape (WC). The contract is structured as an NEC3 Professional Services Contract (PSC3) with a planned starting date of 1 February 2027 and a completion date of 31 January 2030. The tender is an open invitation, and it is for the whole of the contract. Services are delivered through individual Task Orders issued under the panel, with a Task Instruction defining scope and deliverables. Contract data indicates a delay damages rate of R1,000 per day, capped at 30% of the Task Instruction value, and a five-year retention and liability period following completion.

Bidders must satisfy mandatory compliance requirements before evaluation. These include eligibility criteria under the Eskom Standard Conditions of Tender, a complete commercial returnable set (Form of Offer, NEC3 Contract Data Part 2 completed by the consultant, priced BOQ/pricing schedule in PDF and Excel, SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, and an integrity declaration), and CSD registration (mandatory before award). Functionality is scored out of 100, with a minimum threshold of 70% required to proceed to price and preference evaluation. Functionality assessment draws on Annexures K, L, M and N, including compliance with Eskom standards, supplier quality management requirements (ISO 9001 quality management system and Category 3 quality documentation such as a contract quality plan and an inspection and test plan), and a qualitative technical evaluation. Evaluation is 80/20, with 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals under the PPPFA. Contractual SHEQ requirements apply and must be evidenced, including a Health and Safety Plan, a baseline OHS risk assessment, a COIDA letter of good standing, an OHS policy signed by the CEO, environmental management documents, and a detailed (non-lump-sum) costing for health and safety. Financial evaluation requires latest approved annual financial statements of the tendering entity.

This opportunity offers significant value for engineering consultancies, multidisciplinary professional services firms and joint ventures with proven capability in electrical network planning, design and engineering for transmission and distribution infrastructure. Successful panel members gain a multi-year pipeline of task-based work across two provinces with a major state-owned utility. Key considerations for applicants include the need for ECSA or relevant professional registration for personnel, documented OHS and environmental competence, and readiness to meet Eskom's quality management requirements. Clarification meeting: 2 November 2026 (non-compulsory, via MS Teams). Queries must be submitted in writing to the Eskom Representative, and closing queries are due five working days before submission. Submission closes 18 November 2026 at 10:00 via the Eskom e-tendering portal. Tender validity is 180 days.