NRF-SARAO seeks a SACAP-registered architect or architectural firm for planning, design, statutory approvals, tender support and contract administration across its Gauteng, Western Cape and Northern Cape sites. Work is instructed by work order against a 250-hour allowance, with a 80/20 price and B-BBEE evaluation.
The National Research Foundation's South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) is seeking a suitably qualified and professionally registered architectural consultant or firm to provide professional architectural services across its facilities. SARAO operates radio telescope infrastructure in Gauteng (Johannesburg Observatory and Hartebeesthoek), the Western Cape (Liesbeek House and Eerste River, Cape Town) and the Northern Cape (Karoo Support Base at Klerefontein and Carnarvon), including the Karoo site that hosts MeerKAT and KAT-7 and is a radio-quiet SKA host location. The appointment is a framework arrangement under which the successful bidder will be instructed, by written work order, to undertake new buildings, alterations and additions, refurbishments, office accommodation, technical facilities, workshops, training facilities and interventions to existing or heritage-sensitive buildings. Heritage work must comply with the site Conservation Management Plan and Records of Decision issued by the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.
The scope covers a full project lifecycle in seven phases: inception and project definition; feasibility and concept design; developed design and multidisciplinary coordination; technical design and tender documentation; procurement and tender support; construction-stage services and contract administration; and completion, commissioning support and handover. Services must comply with the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act (Act 103 of 1977), SANS 10400, municipal by-laws and Occupational Health and Safety legislation, and must support council submission for statutory plan approval and occupancy certification. Architectural supervision is periodic, through instructed site inspections, and does not constitute resident supervision.
Bidders must be registered with SACAP (Pr Arch or Pr SArcht as applicable), hold a recognised architectural qualification, provide at least three referee letters for comparable work within the last five years, and submit a named lead resource and a signed capacity commitment letter. Mandatory insurance includes professional indemnity cover of R6,000,000 per claim, public liability of at least R1 million, and COIDA good standing, with claims-made cover maintained for five years after practical completion. Pricing is hourly on a firm-rate basis against a 250-hour total allowance, plus provisional allowances for travel and accommodation (R50,000) and printing (R15,000). Evaluation is in three phases: administrative compliance, functionality (GO/NO-GO), and an 80/20 price and B-BBEE preference system. Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database, and quotations must be emailed by 11:00 on 17 November 2026. Prices must remain valid for 60 days, and payment is within 30 days of a valid invoice, with no advance payments.
Registered architectural practices and architects holding SACAP registration (Pr Arch or Pr SArcht) with experience in statutory submissions, heritage or occupied buildings, and multidisciplinary coordination. Firms able to meet the R6 million professional indemnity requirement, provide a named lead resource, and mobilise across three provinces are best placed to bid. Small firms and EMEs/QSEs may benefit from B-BBEE preference points, but they must still meet the mandatory insurance, referee and CSD requirements. Engineering or project management consultancies may apply only through a registered architect as lead consultant.
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