Foskor, an operating division of the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa Limited (IDC), has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) under reference number FOSPHB-RFP-57-25/26 for the once-off manual cleaning of Silo 4 and Silo 5 through rope access at its Phalaborwa Mine in Limpopo. This high-risk, specialised industrial services contract is open to qualified, certified, and experienced contractors capable of safely removing phosphate concentrate build-up in confined silo environments. Submissions close on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, at 12:00 PM.
Overview of the Silo Cleaning RFP
The RFP forms part of Foskor’s ongoing maintenance and operational integrity programme at its Drying and Dispatch section, which includes a network of conveyors, dryers, and silos. Silos 4 and 5—each holding up to 2,000–3,000 tons of phosphate concentrate—require thorough internal cleaning to remove hardened buildup that impacts operational efficiency and safety. Only contractors with proven expertise in industrial rope access, confined space entry, and bulk material handling will be considered.
Scope of Work: Rope Access Manual Cleaning
The successful contractor will perform manual removal of phosphate concentrate from the internal walls and base of Silo 4 and Silo 5, working sequentially as per Foskor’s maintenance schedule. The scope includes:
- Full site establishment and crew mobilisation
- Provision of certified rope access personnel (Supervisor, Level 1 and Level 3 technicians)
- Use of hand tools such as air lances and shovels—no mechanical excavation or high-pressure water blasting
- Daily coordination with Foskor’s maintenance team
- Strict adherence to Permit-to-Work and Lockout-Tagout protocols
- Compliance with all occupational health, safety, and environmental standards
The work is estimated to be completed within a defined window aligned with dryer maintenance cycles, though exact duration will depend on buildup severity.
Technical and Safety Qualifications Required
Bidders must demonstrate:
- Valid rope access certification (IRATA or SPRAT equivalent) for all personnel
- Proven experience in silo or confined space cleaning within mining or industrial settings
- Comprehensive safety management systems, including risk assessments and emergency response plans
- Compliance with the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA)
- Valid tax clearance or SARS PIN and registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD)
All proposals must include a detailed methodology statement, crew CVs, equipment lists, and evidence of past similar projects.
Submission Guidelines and Key Deadlines
Proposals must be submitted either:
- In hard copy to the Tender Box at Foskor Phalaborwa, 27 Selati Road, Phalaborwa, 1389, or
- Via email to tenders@foskor.co.za (PDF format, max 5 MB)
Submissions close on 2 December 2025 at 12:00 PM. Late bids will not be accepted. A non-compulsory briefing session will be held on 13 November 2025 at 10:00 AM at Foskor Mine—interested bidders must confirm attendance to ThandiMn@foskor.co.za .
All proposals must include a USB flash drive containing the full submission and be signed by an authorised representative with proof of authority (e.g., board resolution).
Evaluation Methodology and Bid Validity
Foskor will evaluate proposals based on:
- Technical capability (methodology, safety, experience)
- Pricing competitiveness (firm, all-inclusive rates for fixed and variable costs)
- Compliance with RFP requirements
The bid must remain valid for 180 days from the closing date (until 30 May 2026). Foskor reserves the right to:
- Negotiate pricing with the preferred bidder
- Award the contract in full or in part
- Cancel the RFP if no responsive proposals are received
Unsuccessful bidders may request reasons for non-award within 10 days of publication.
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How to Access and Respond to the RFP
The complete RFP documentation package—including scope of work, pricing schedule, and annexures—is available via the national e-Tenders portal:
FOSPHB-RFP-57-25/26 – Silo Cleaning RFP (ZIP)
For RFP clarifications, contact Ms. Thandi Mngomezulu at 011 347 0608 or ThandiMn@foskor.co.za . All queries must be submitted by 20 November 2025 at 12:00 PM to allow for public response via the e-Tenders portal.
Foskor emphasises that only fully compliant, technically sound, and safely structured proposals will be considered for this critical industrial maintenance contract. Qualified rope access service providers are encouraged to respond promptly and with full documentation.
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