Locomotive Ablution Facilities Cleaning Services

Transnet Freight Rail is seeking a service provider for the cleaning and maintenance of locomotive ablution facilities at three depots: Saldanha, the Sishen TE workshop and Sishen New Yard. The contract runs for 36 months and covers both chemical toilets and septic-tank toilet systems installed on locomotives, as well as the cleaning and disposal of waste from portable porta potties. Work must be carried out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The contractor must clean each toilet and its cubicle, empty and disinfect the waste retention tank, drain and refill flush-water tanks with SABS-compliant chemicals such as Aqua Blue and Rinse Blue, and top up clean water. Cleaning uses soapy water and anti-bacterial cleaners, and the cubicle floors are mopped and drained. Estimated volumes are 15,017 units at Saldanha, 8,760 at Sishen TE and 3,285 at Sishen New Yard per year. Transnet guarantees payment for a minimum of 11,263 units per year, with a maximum estimate of 27,062 units per year that is not guaranteed.

The operating model requires two cleaners per shift plus a supervisor, which equals a nine-person team on a 12-hour shift rotation. Transnet will provide a pool of porta potties for exchange, a demarcated cleaning area with access to a sewage drain or toilet and water tap, and induction training through the Local Safety Office at each depot. Toilets are cleaned on return during trip inspection, and Transnet will nominate quality inspectors who sample cleaned locomotives daily against agreed deliverables. The contractor is responsible for housekeeping of the sanitary facility on Transnet premises, which is used as an office, a porta-potty cleaning area and chemical and equipment storage. The contractor is liable for damage to the building, cleaning equipment, appliances and furniture in that facility, while building maintenance remains with Transnet Real Estate. The contractor must also supply all personal protective equipment, including steel-capped shoes, ear protection and high-visibility vests, and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the National Railway Safety Regulator Act 16 of 2002.

Bidders are evaluated in two stages. First, responsiveness is checked, including a fully completed pricing schedule, a signed salary schedule, a CSD registration and a valid tax compliance status. Second, technical functionality is scored, with a 70% minimum threshold. Scoring draws on authenticated reference letters or signed contracts for hygiene or ablution cleaning work (not necessarily rail work), a service implementation plan covering continuity, labour relations and training, and the bidder's capacity to deliver. Award letters are not accepted as proof of experience. Price carries 80 points and specific goals (B-BBEE, women-owned, youth-owned and South African enterprise status) carry 20 points. Key dates are a non-compulsory Microsoft Teams briefing on 30 October 2026 at 11:00, clarification questions due by 16:00 on 2 November 2026, and a closing date of 16:00 on 6 November 2026. Electronic submissions should be uploaded at least one day early. Bids remain valid for 180 business days. The eTenders listing currently shows a draft status, so bidders should confirm the final publication before relying on these details.