Steel X-Arm Supply and Delivery

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd, South Africa's state-owned electricity utility, has issued an open Invitation to Tender (E3654DXGOU) for the manufacture, supply and delivery of Steel X-Arms to its Gauteng Cluster. The contract is structured as an as-and-when-required supply arrangement for a period of 60 months, under the NEC3 Supply Contract. The primary product is the intermediate 'T' crossarm assembly (Eskom stock item 0168689, drawing D-DT-3001), a hot-dip galvanised S355JR steel assembly comprising a 2000 mm angle crossarm, crossmember, stiffener and brace, with an assembled mass of approximately 23.12 kg. Manufacture must conform to SANS 1200-series and SANS 1216 corrosion and weld standards, SANS 61284 type testing and Eskom specification 240-75883830, and each item must carry an indelible manufacturer's trademark and part number.

The tender is subject to a multi-stage evaluation. Bidders must first meet basic compliance (CSD registration, tax compliance, PDF submission and mandatory returnables including the Authorisation Form, Integrity Declaration and SBD 4). Functionality is then assessed against Eskom's technical evaluation criteria for distribution hardware and fittings, including a sample evaluation and a factory capability assessment; bidders failing the functionality threshold are disqualified. Price is scored out of 90 points and specific goals out of 10 points under the 90/10 preference system. Local content for steel products is mandated at 100% under SBD 6.2, and a 30% subcontracting requirement to designated groups applies as a condition of award. Contract conditions include delay damages of R5,000 per day capped at 10% of order value, a 10% performance bond, a 52-week defects liability period, and payment within 60 days for contracts above R50 million. Eskom may award to one or two suppliers, with a 65%/35% volume split where two are appointed. Price adjustment (CPA) may apply after year one, with a minimum 15% fixed portion.

The opportunity offers established steel fabricators and electrical hardware manufacturers a sustained, multi-year revenue stream from a major utility, with supplier development, skills development (training candidates in welding, machine operation and safety) and SDL&I commitments built into the award. Key dates are the clarification meeting on 28 October 2026 (Microsoft Teams, non-compulsory) and tender closing at 10:00 SAST on 9 November 2026, with a tender validity period of 280 days. Tenders must be uploaded to the Eskom E-tendering portal as PDF files, as late submissions are not accepted.