Backup Generator Servicing and Maintenance

The Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) invites CIDB-registered contractors to tender for a 12-month term contract for the servicing and maintenance of backup diesel generators at government offices in the Chris Hani District, including sites in Komani, Lady Frere and Cala. The tender covers nine standby generators ranging from 100 KVA to 500 KVA, with fuel tanks of 300 to 1,000 litres. Services include monthly checks and test runs of the diesel engine, batteries, alternator, controls, changeover panels, breakers and connections; planned annual servicing of diesel engines and ancillary equipment; quarterly servicing of diesel day tank filtration units; annual servicing of automatic transfer switches and changeover air circuit breakers; and fuel supply and decanting. Ad hoc and breakdown maintenance is also required, with response times set out in the service level agreement. Breakdown work is paid only for labour, materials and services actually consumed, with mark-up rates applying to third-party items and spares.

The contract will be awarded under an NEC3 Term Service Contract (April 2013) using a priced activity schedule, with a provisional sum for call-outs. Bidders must hold a CIDB contractor grading of 2ME or higher, be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database, and be tax compliant with SARS. Joint ventures are permitted under defined CIDB conditions. The tender is evaluated in two phases: compliance and responsiveness, followed by scoring under the 80/20 preference point system (80 points for price and 20 for specific goals, including locality points for Eastern Cape-based businesses). Bidders must also provide a performance guarantee of 2.5% of the awarded contract value, an approved insurer undertaking, proof of Compensation Fund good standing, a health and safety plan, and a baseline risk assessment. The contract data sets out key performance indicators, a demerit system with financial penalties, and a commitment to source a list of building and infrastructure materials from Eastern Cape suppliers where applicable.

Bidders should note the following points before submitting. The tender notice states a 12-month term, but the contract data refers to a 24-month service period extendable by a further 12 months based on performance, so this should be clarified with the buyer. The contract ends early if the contract value is depleted. Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope to the bid box at the department's Komani office by 11:00 on 9 November 2026, and the offer remains valid for 90 days. Technical enquiries may be directed to the department's technical contact, and bidders must complete the mandatory security screening and vetting before award. Successful bidders benefit from a recurring, multi-year maintenance relationship with a public institution, providing stable and predictable revenue for specialist generator service providers.