Architectural Services for Court Building Renovations

The National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) invites tenders from registered architectural practices to provide full professional architectural services, including principal agent duties, for the repairs and renovations of the Magistrate's Office in Oudtshoorn, Western Cape. The project covers a two-storey building of masonry walls, reinforced concrete structure, and corrugated iron roofing that houses administrative offices, courtrooms, a cash hall, waiting areas, ablution and kitchen facilities, holding cells, and partial sub-level storage. The building must remain operational during construction, so the appointed architect will work with DPWI and the user department to prepare a decanting plan that minimises disruption to court operations.

The scope of works is extensive and covers architectural, structural, civil, electrical, and mechanical elements. Key items include structural crack repairs, dampness and rising damp investigation, spalling and surface bed replacement, roof structure assessment, and anticorrosion protection of steel elements. Other items include replacing aluminium window frames, burglar bars, and doors; upgrading electrical installations, DB boards, and LED lighting; repairing HVAC, fire detection, firefighting equipment, and evacuation systems; reconfiguring holding cells; upgrading access control; installing a new backup generator; and repairing lifts, ablutions, kitchens, stormwater, and sewer systems. The tender notes that a geotechnical engineer may be needed to investigate foundation movement. Construction is estimated at 24 months plus a two-month extension allowance, with anticipated practical completion in February 2030 and final completion in March 2031. The appointed architect must also comply with EPWP labour-intensive reporting requirements, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and sustainability and energy-efficiency considerations.

Professional fees will be paid on a value basis, with bidders tendering a percentage of normal fees under the 2023 NDPWI Scope of Architectural Services and Tariff of Fees. Bidders must be architectural practices under the full-time supervision of registered professional architects, or multidisciplinary practices with an architectural division meeting the same requirements. Key requirements include current SACAP registration for all principals and key persons, professional indemnity insurance of at least R1.5 million, a completed DPW-09 projects schedule, and proof of B-BBEE status. Attendance of the compulsory tender clarification meeting at Customs House, Cape Town, on 5 November 2026 at 10:00 is required, and personnel must be fit and proper, security-screened South African citizens. Evaluation is based on risk assessment and price, with preference points for specific goals under the 80/20 system. The tender is valid for 84 days from closure, and submissions close on 16 November 2026 at 11:00.