TENDERING SYSTEM

SARCC mainly uses the open tendering system for obtaining goods and services to ensure open and fair competition.

Most tenders and / or quotations are being called for publicly.

The following are examples of instances where the calling of an open tender is not regarded to be practical:

• Small purchases (under R30,000)
• Urgent purchases (where an emergency situation exists that threatens life, property or equipment, e.g. a train derailment)
• SARCC's approved list of suppliers (limited number of suppliers or sole suppliers)
• There is a clear basis for a confined tender, e.g. limited number of suppliers
• The SARCC reserves to itself, in its sole and absolute discretion, the right to decide whether or not to go to open tender in any particular instance.

A number of criteria are used when evaluating tenders:

• Cost
• Compliance (Technical and Commercial)
• Capacity of Tenderer
• Technical merit of product or service
• Socio-economic factors, (e.g. HDI involvement, Demographics)

SARCC implements practices designed to assist potential suppliers of goods and services. The most important of these are:

• Accessibility to the tender process
• Accessibility to business opportunities
• Advertising in acceptable media
• Pre-tender briefing sessions
• Simplified tender documents
• Pre-qualifying in the case of large tenders
• Preferential points system
  • To promote Black Economic Empowerment
• Supplier database
  • Includes information from suppliers and potential suppliers, as well as information from independent agencies
• Clearly stated minimum requirements for any specific tender