Supply, Delivery and Support of Computing and Networking Equipment for the MeerKAT Band 5B Project

Overview

Supply, delivery and support of computing and networking equipment for the MeerKAT Band 5B Project. Bidders should be ICT hardware suppliers with OEM or authorised reseller status for compute servers, GPUs, network switches and related components, able to provide warranty-backed delivery to SARAO (Cape Town) and to meet the project’s prototyping and development needs (GPU compute nodes, high-speed switches, and imaging-prototype compute). Expertise in data-centre grade hardware from vendors such as Supermicro, AMD EPYC, Nvidia, and Nvidia/Mellanox networking is required, with a 5-year warranty on processing nodes and multi-year warranty/support on switches.

Requirements

• OEM or authorised reseller status for the equipment (compute servers and networking gear).
• Provide data sheets confirming servers, switches and configurations as specified.
• Warranty: 5-year on processing nodes/servers; 2-year warranty with 2-year support for the new Nvidia switches and 1-year renewals for existing Nvidia switches.
• Lead time: 8–12 weeks; delivery to SARAO Liesbeek House, Cape Town.
• Compliance: valid CSD registration and SARS tax compliance (PIN); tax status proofs for consortia/joint ventures.
• Evidence of capability to assemble and deliver fully tested servers; packaging per OEM requirements; insurance as applicable.
• Documentation proving OEM/reseller status and ability to provide warranty and support.
• Submissions must follow two-envelope process; partial deliveries allowed with separate invoicing.
• Delivery documentation required: delivery notes, invoices, and manuals for each item.

How to Apply

• Submission deadline: 17 November 2026 at 12:00, via the National Treasury e-submission portal (CSD login required).
• Download and read tender documents, then upload your bid before closing; keep the confirmation/reference number.
• Use the two-envelope system: Folder 1 Administrative/Technical; Folder 2 Price (no pricing in Folder 1).
• Mandatory documents to submit (returnable): SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid); SBD 4 (Bidder’s Disclosure); SBD 6.1 (Preferential Points Claim); SBD 3.2 (Pricing Schedule).
• Registrations and pre-qualifications: CSD registration, SARS Tax Compliance PIN; evidence for OEM/reseller for the listed components; if in a JV, separate forms per party.
• Briefing/site visit: not applicable (per Invitation to Bid).
• Documents to obtain from attachments if not attached: data sheets and BoMs in Tender Document - Final.pdf; portal instructions in Tender Advert.pdf.