Airfield Ground Lighting LED Replacement

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) invites tenders for the replacement of Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) fittings at Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein, Free State. The works involve replacing existing halogen runway edge lights with LED equivalents and replacing apron edge lights with new LED fittings. The scope covers the supply and delivery of the fittings and their installation, along with the associated civil and electrical work. Specified quantities include 25 runway inset edge lights (Runway 02-20 and 12-30), 35 omni-directional apron edge lights with transformers, 28 light bases with concrete blocks, approximately 1,250 m of trenching and 110 mm PVC sleeving, approximately 1,950 m of primary cable, and 4 manholes at taxiway crossings. Preliminary and general items are also priced. The contract is a priced NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) Option B with a bill of quantities, governed by South African law and the CIDB Standard Conditions of Tender.

Bidders must hold a CIDB contractor grading of 4EP or higher to be eligible. Bids are evaluated on functionality first, with a minimum threshold of 90 out of 100 points and minimum scores per criterion. The functionality criteria cover company references, the experience and trade qualifications of the electrical technician or electrician (AGL experience, trade test and AGL Level 3 certificate), the civil technician's pavement experience and N6 qualification, and a detailed installation plan covering six months of daily activities, timelines and resource allocation. Qualifying bids are then scored 80 points for price and 20 points for B-BBEE and specific goals. The contractor must provide a 10% performance bond, comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and ACSA airside permit requirements, follow ACSA environmental conditions, and supply as-built drawings and maintenance manuals. Prices are fixed for the contract duration, and the defects liability period is 12 months.

The contract offers a substantial, multi-year airport infrastructure project that improves airfield safety and reduces energy and maintenance costs through LED technology. It suits established electrical contractors with proven airfield lighting experience. Note for prospective bidders: the tender documents contain some inconsistencies, including a cover page referring to uninterrupted power supplies, a 2025 closing date on the SBD 1 form that differs from the 20 November 2026 closing date in the tender notice, and a draft status on the listing. Bidders should verify these details with ACSA through the stated enquiry channel (query closure date 30 October 2026) before submitting. Submissions are to be emailed to acsarfq@airports.co.za by 12:00 on 20 November 2026.