Supply of distribution transformers, electricity meters and ready boards

Request for Bids Framework Agreement(s) Goods (Two-Envelope Bidding Process) | PROCUREMENT OF DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMERS, ELECTRICITY METERS AND READY BOARDS FOR Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Eswatini (ASCENT ESWATINI) Project ID No: P508960 | Specific Procurement Notice (SPN) Template Request for Bids Framework Agreement(s) for Goods (Primary Procurement, Two-Envelope Bidding Process) Procuring Agency: Eswatini Electricity Company Country: Kingdom of Eswatini Name of Project: Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Transformation in Eswatini (ASCENT Eswatini) Framework Agreement Title: Supply and Delivery of Distribution Transformers, Electricity Meters and Ready Boards RFB Reference No.: SZ-ECC-575165-GO-RFB Loan No./Credit No./Grant No.: P895069 • The Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Eswatini Project (ASCENT in Eswatini), and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under Call-off Contracts that may be awarded under the Framework Agreements (FAs)] for Procurement of Distribution Transformers, Electricity Meters and Ready Boards for the Construction of the Distribution Network to increase electricity access to households in the Kingdom of Eswatini concluded through this RFB Primary Procurement process. • The Procuring Agency is undertaking the Primary Procurement with a view to concluding Framework Agreements. The Procuring Agency is the sole Purchaser under the Framework Agreement[s]. The Procuring Agency now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for Procurement of Electrical Materials and Equipment, over the Term of the Framework Agreement(s). Distribution Transformers, Minisubs and Ring Main Units, Metering Materials and Accessories. • The Framework Agreements to be concluded will be Single-User. The Single-User entitled to purchase under the Framework Agreements is Eswatini Electricity Company. • The Framework Agreements to be concluded will be Multi-Supplier. • The selection of a FA Supplier to be awarded a Call-off Contract will be done through a Secondary Procurement process as defined in Framework Agreement. However, the conclusion of a Framework Agreement shall not impose any obligation on the Procuring Agency, including participating Purchasers, to purchase Goods under a Call-off Contract. The conclusion Framework Agreement does not guarantee that a FA Supplier will be awarded a Call-off Contract. • Bidding will be conducted through International Competitive Procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016) (Procurement Regulations) first published in July 2016, seventh edition in September 2025, and is open to all eligible Bidders as defined in the Procurement Regulations. • Bidders may submit Bids for one or more items. • The Framework Agreements shall be concluded for a Term of 3 years, from the commencement date stated in the Framework Agreement. The initial term may be extended by a maximum of two additional years. • The Primary Procurement shall establish a Closed Framework Agreement(s). • Bids will be evaluated in accordance with the evaluation process set out in the bidding documents (in two stages). The technical bids will be evaluated first and only those that meet the minimum technical qualification will proceed to financial bid envelopes opening stage. The following weightings shall apply for Rated Criteria (including technical and non-price factors): 20%. • Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information from Eswatini Electricity Company, Mr. Bongani Chauke, using email bongani.chauke@eec.co.sz copied thobeka.gama@eec.co.sz and new suppliers who have never supplied EEC in the past are welcome to visit the Main Stores warehouse (which is the delivery location) situated at Matsapha, Eswatini, King Sobhuza 11 Avenue, opposite Eswatini Railways next to Eswatini Fire and Emergency Services to verify material specifications and samples during office hours i.e. 0800 to 1630 hours at the address given below. • The Bidding document in English may be downloaded from www.eec.co.sz and www.esppra.co.sz. A non-refundable tender fee of E1,000.00 is payable by electronic transfer in any of the below listed EEC BANK ACCOUNTS or any of the EEC REVENUE OFFICES. The reference to be used when making payment is ASCENT:

| Name | Bank | Account Number | Branch Code | Branch | Eswatini Electricity Company | Standard bank | 9110003236261 | 663164 | Swazi Plaza | Eswatini Electricity Company | Nedbank | 020000286843 | 360164 | Mbabane | Eswatini Electricity Company | First National Bank | 62154679735 | 280164 | Mbabane • Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 30 December 2026 @ 11.00AM. Electronic Bidding will not be permitted. Late Bids will be rejected. The outer Bid envelopes marked “Original Bid”, and the inner envelopes marked “Technical Part” will be publicly opened in the presence of the Bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below on 30 December 2026 @ 11.15 AM. All envelopes marked “Second Envelope: Financial Part” shall remain unopened and will be held in safe custody of the Procuring Agency until the second public opening. • Attention is drawn to the Procurement Regulations requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s/bidders’ beneficial ownership, as part of the publication of the conclusion of framework agreement notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form included in the bidding document. • The address(es) referred to above is (are):

Eswatini Electricity Company Attention: Mr. Bongani Chauke, Procurement Manager P. O. Box 258, Mbabane, H100 Tel: +268 409 4165 Email: bongani.chauke@eec.co.sz copied thobeka.gama@eec.co.sz Website: www.eec.co.sz Request for Bids Framework Agreement(s) Goods (Primary Procurement, Two-Envelope Bidding Process) Procurement of: Distribution Transformers, Electricity Meters and Ready Boards Procuring Agency: Eswatini Electricity Company Country: Kingdom of Eswatini Name of Project: Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Access Transformation in Eswatini (ASCENT) Framework Agreement Title: The Procurement of Distribution Transformers, Electricity Meters and Ready Boards. RFB Reference No.: SZ-ECC-575165-GO-RFB Loan No./Credit No./Grant No.: P508960 RFB Issued on: 26 October 2026. Request for Bids Framework Agreement(s) Goods Table of Contents PART 1 – Bidding Procedures. 2 Section I - Instructions to Bidders (ITB) 3 Section II - Bid Data Sheet (BDS) 39 Section III - Evaluation and Qualification Criteria. 49 Section IV - Bid Forms. 56 Section V - Eligible Countries. 78 Section VI - Fraud and Corruption. 79 PART 2 – Supply Requirements. 81 Section VII - Schedule of Requirements. 83 PART 3 – Procuring Agency Forms. 92 PART 4 – Framework Agreement 100 Framework Agreement Provisions (FAP) 104 Appendix to the Framework Agreement: Fraud and Corruption. 122 Framework Agreement – Schedules. 124 SCHEDULE 1: Schedule of Requirements. 124 SCHEDULE 2: Price Schedules. 126 SCHEDULE 3: Security Forms. 127 SCHEDULE 4: Secondary Procurement 132 SCHEDULE 5: List of Purchasers (if applicable) 161 PART 1 – Bidding Procedures | Section I - Instructions to Bidders (ITB) Contents A. General 6 1. Scope of Bid. 6 2. Source of Funds. 9 3. Fraud and Corruption. 9 4. Eligible Bidders. 10 5. Eligible Goods and Related Services. 13 B. Contents of the RFB Document 14 6. Sections of Bidding Document 14 7. Clarification of Bidding Document 15 8. Amendment of Bidding Document. 15 C. Preparation of Bids. 16 9. Cost of Bidding. 16 10. Language of Bid. 16 11. Documents Comprising the Bid. 16 12. Letters of Bid. 18 13. Alternative Bids. 18 14. Bid Prices and Discounts. 18 15. Currencies of Bid and Payment. 20 16. Documents Establishing the Eligibility and Conformity of Goods. 20 17. Documents Establishing the Eligibility and Qualifications of the Bidder. 21 18. Period of Validity of Bids. 22 19. No Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration. 22 20. Format and Signing of Bid. 23 D. Submission of Bids. 23 21. Sealing and Marking of Bids. 23 22. Deadline for Submission of Bids. 24 23. Late Bids. 24 24. Withdrawal, Substitution, and Modification of Bids. 24 E. Public Opening of Technical Parts of Bids. 25 25. Public Opening of Technical Parts of Bids. 25 F. Evaluation of Bids – General Provisions. 27 26. Confidentiality. 27 27. Clarification of Bids. 27 28. Deviations, Reservations, and Omissions. 28 29. Nonconformities, Errors and Omissions. 28 G. Evaluation of Technical Parts of Bids. 28 30. Evaluation of Technical Parts. 28 H. Notification of Evaluation of Technical Parts and Public Opening of Financial Parts of Bids. 30 31. Notification of Evaluation of Technical Parts and Public Opening of Financial Parts. 30 I. Evaluation of Financial Parts of Bids. 32 32. Evaluation of Financial Parts. 32 33. Correction of Arithmetical Errors. 34 34. Conversion to Single Currency. 34 35. No Margin of Preference. 34 36. Comparison of Financial Parts. 34 J. Evaluation of Combined Technical and Financial Parts and Notification of Intention to Conclude A Framework Agreement 34 37. Evaluation of combined Technical and Financial Parts, Procuring Agency’s Right to Accept or Reject Bids. 34 38. Standstill Period. 35 39. Notification of Intention to Conclude a Framework Agreement 35 K. Conclusion of a Framework Agreement 36 40. Framework Agreement Criteria. 36 41. Notification to Conclude a Framework Agreement 36 42. No Obligation to Purchase. 36 43. Non-exclusivity. 36 44. Debriefing by the Procuring Agency. 36 45. Signing the Framework Agreemen