Supply and Delivery of Welding Gas

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS), through its Construction South branch, is seeking a supplier for the procurement of welding gas to support the raising of the Clanwilliam Dam in the Western Cape. The dam site is located on the Olifants River, approximately 2 km south-west of Clanwilliam town, immediately adjacent to the N7. The project involves raising the dam wall to approximately 370 m in length and 49 m in maximum height, along with concrete works, a free-standing intake tower, river outlet control house, valve chambers, a short tunnel, coffer dam works and various pipe outlet structures. Stainless steel pipes conveying water from upstream to downstream will be welded on site, and this tender covers the gas required to carry out that welding in accordance with the approved welding procedure. The works must be completed without interfering with the day-to-day operation of the dam.

The scope of supply comprises three pricing items: Fluxshield welding gas refills per bottle (estimated quantity of 72), monthly rental of 20.5 kg Fluxshield cylinders (estimated quantity of 108 bottle-months), and delivery to site (estimated 10 deliveries). The gas must be Afrox or an equivalent product conforming to the welding procedure, with a composition of 75% argon and 25% CO2. Quantities are estimates only and orders will be placed as requirements become known; the Department may purchase only one or more items as required. The successful bidder must provide a delivery schedule within five working days of acceptance, commence deliveries within ten working days of the first order, and deliver to the DWS Construction South site offices during working hours (08h00 to 15h00), excluding weekends, public holidays, 11 December to 9 January and the last Friday of each month unless otherwise agreed. Delivery costs, packing, loading, transport and unloading must be included in the delivery pricing, with the Supplier responsible for goods until signed for on site. Non-compliant loads will be declined and must be removed at the supplier's cost. Deliveries must be accompanied by signed delivery notes, and payment is made monthly within 30 days of approved tax invoices, in Rand, with no price adjustments.

The tender is evaluated in four phases: mandatory documentation, administrative compliance (CSD registration, SARS tax compliance, CIPC registration and B-BBEE certificate), technical compliance with the specification, and preference points under the 80/20 system (80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals including women, disability and youth ownership, Western Cape location and B-BBEE status). Bidders must complete SBD forms, a pricing schedule valid for 120 days, and the technical compliance declaration, and must be registered on the Central Supplier Database. The site is subject to site-specific health, safety and environmental requirements. Benefits to suppliers include a recurring monthly rental and consumable supply arrangement tied to a major public infrastructure project, with prompt EFT payment by a national government department.