Commercial Cold Room Repair Services

The Ntinga O.R. Tambo Development Agency SOC Ltd (NORTDA) is seeking a qualified service provider to repair and restore two cold rooms at the Kei Fresh Produce Market in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, to full operational condition. The cold rooms support the handling and storage of perishable produce, so the work must restore reliable, energy-efficient cooling and food-safety compliance. The specification requires the successful bidder to repair compressors, add suitable oil, and flush the system to remove contaminants. It also covers supplying and installing copper pipes, elbows and connectors with insulation where needed to prevent condensation and energy loss, replacing faulty fans with compliant, energy-efficient units, and regassing the system with R404A refrigerant at correct charge levels. On the electrical side, the scope includes installing timers, contactors, three-phase monitors and dryers, supplying the cabling needed to restore safe supply, and relabelling the electrical distribution board with durable, moisture- and abrasion-resistant labels that accurately identify every circuit and breaker. The cold rooms must run stably at 15 °C and operate reliably under continuous load.

The evaluation is conducted in two stages. In Stage 1, functionality is scored out of 100 across four areas: company track record (30–40%), human resources and technical competence (25–30%, including a trade-tested Lead Artisan, a valid gas-handling licence such as a SAQCC or SARACCA Gas Card, a supervisor with relevant experience, and competent assistants), methodology and work plan (20%, including a method statement, step-by-step execution plan and a timeline, typically one week), and locality and emergency response (15%, including a 24/7 call-out window of two to four hours and proof of premises near the site). Only bidders scoring at least 70% advance to Stage 2. The contract will be scored on price and preference points under the 80/20 system, as the estimated value is below R50 million. The bid documents also state a compulsory briefing session on 26 October 2026 at 11:00 at the Kei Fresh Produce Market, and the specification refers to a compulsory site inspection before submitting a bid. Bidders should check these requirements against the official bid document, since the document contains conflicting notes on site meetings.

For the agency, this tender offers a focused opportunity to restore critical cold storage infrastructure in a short timeframe, reducing the risk of produce spoilage and revenue loss for market users. Successful bidders will deliver a well-defined, single-site scope with a clear completion deadline, and will be paid monthly under standard payment terms. Bids must be submitted as a sealed original, with no late submissions, to the bid box at NORTDA Reception, No. 5 Textile Road, Southernwood, Mthatha, by 12:00 on 6 November 2026. Required documents include a valid CSD number, an original SARS tax clearance certificate, COIDA proof, B-BBEE certification, and completed declaration schedules.