CBK statutory inspection of passenger and goods lifts…

What is being bought

Central Bank of Kenya (Haile Selassie Avenue, Nairobi head office) invites sealed open national tenders for statutory inspection services of passenger and goods lifts and lifting equipment. The contract period is one year on the portal and tender notice, but three years renewable annually in the invitation and Tender Data Sheet.

What could disqualify you

Public officers of the procuring entity and their close relatives, business associates or firms in which they have a substantial or controlling interest are not eligible to tender or be awarded a contract. Standard rule D2 p.7
A tenderer with a conflict of interest is disqualified. Conflicts include common control, shared legal representative, subsidy from another tenderer, or close relationships with CBK staff involved in the tender. Standard rule D2 p.7
A firm bidding as a tenderer or JV member may not take part in more than one tender (including as a subcontractor in another). This leads to disqualification of all tenders involved. Standard rule D2 p.8
Foreign tenderers must source at least 40% of contract inputs from national suppliers and contractors and show evidence; otherwise they are automatically disqualified. Standard rule D2 p.8
Any tender not accompanied by a substantially responsive tender security is rejected as non-responsive. Standard rule D2 p.13
A tender valid for a shorter period than required is rejected as non-responsive. Standard rule D2 p.13
Late tenders will be rejected. D2 p.4
Tenderers failing any mandatory requirement (MR1 to MR7) will not progress to technical evaluation and are non-responsive. D2 p.25
Technical score must be at least 75% (out of 100) to qualify for financial evaluation. D2 p.27
If a tenderer fails to submit required ownership or eligibility information, or the procuring entity cannot verify it, the tender will be rejected. Standard rule D2 p.12

Key facts

Closing: Wed 11 Nov 2026, 10:30 pm
Tender deadline is 11 November 2026 at 10:30 a.m. East African Time (per TDS and invitation). The portal lists 22:30:00 on the same date, which conflicts; treat 10:30 as the deadline unless CBK confirms otherwise. Conflicting D2 p.23
Bid / tender security: Tender security of Kshs 50,000.00 valid 170 days from tender opening. ITT 21.3 lists cash, bank guarantee, insurance guarantee or CBK-licensed financial institution guarantee, but MR4 requires a bank guarantee, insurance guarantee or CBK-licensed institution guarantee. Confirm if cash is accepted. Conflicting D2 p.23
Tender fee: The tender document can be downloaded free of charge from the PPIP website (www.tenders.go.ke) or the CBK website. No tender document purchase fee is stated. D2 p.4
Site visit: Optional
No pre-arranged site visit will be held. ITT 7.1 encourages tenderers to visit the site at their own cost and risk. D2 p.22
Pre-bid meeting: Optional
No pre-tender conference will be held. D2 p.22
Reserved for: Tender is not reserved for any group (youth, women, persons with disability, AGPO). TDS reservation line is N/A and the portal lists no reserved groups. D2 p.23
Contract value: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated D2 p.23
Tender opening: Tenders open immediately after the closing time in the presence of tenderers' designated representatives, who must bring ID, at the Presentation Room, 6th Floor, Central Bank of Kenya, Haile Selassie Avenue head office. D2 p.23
Tender validity: Tenders remain valid for 140 days from the tender submission deadline. D2 p.22

Who can apply

Tendering is open to all qualified and interested tenderers. D2 p.4
A tenderer may be a private firm, a state-owned entity or institution (subject to ITT 4.6), or a combination such as an association, subcontracting arrangement or joint venture (JV). Standard rule D2 p.7
TDS states the maximum number of JV members as None. It is unclear whether this means no limit or no JV allowed; ask CBK before forming a JV. Unverified D2 p.22
TDS requires valid registration with the National Construction Authority (NCA) in supply and maintenance of lifts, category NCA 4 and above. ITT 4.12 says registration is not a condition for tender, so this is a conflict to clarify with CBK. Conflicting D2 p.22

Application checklist

Tick items off as you prepare. Your ticks stay on this device only.

Required from every bidder

MR1: documentary evidence of company Certificate of Incorporation or Business Registration certificate (legal structure). D2 p.25
MR2: copy of valid Tax Compliance Certificate or exemption certificate, valid at least up to the date of tender opening. D2 p.25
MR3: completed company profile using the business questionnaire attached to the tender document. D2 p.25
MR4: original tender security (bid bond) of Kshs. 50,000.00 in the format provided in the tender document, valid 170 days from tender opening. D2 p.25
MR5: dully filled self-declaration forms: (i) on debarment from public procurement (Form SD1); (ii) no corruption or fraudulent practices (Form SD2); (iii) declaration and commitment to the Code of Ethics. D2 p.26
MR6: copy of valid accreditation certificates or licences from DOSHS (Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services) for Approved Plant Inspectors (self and/or liaison) under sections 63, 65 and 69. D2 p.26
MR7: Form of Tender dully filled with a validity period of at least 140 days. D2 p.26
Written confirmation authorising the signatory (letter of attorney) must be attached to the tender. D2 p.23

Required only in some situations

Tenders by a JV must include a copy of the Joint Venture Agreement signed by all members, or a signed form of intent with a copy of the proposed agreement. Standard rule D2 p.11
A Kenyan tenderer must provide a valid tax compliance certificate or tax exemption certificate issued by KRA. Standard rule D2 p.13

Experience, licences and financial capacity

Technical

Experience in the business of installing and maintaining lifts is scored per year after the first 3 years of registration, up to a maximum of 5 years. Certificate of incorporation required. Weighting 10 marks. D2 p.26
List of at least five reference projects in the last 5 years (from 1 January 2020) in lift installation and maintenance, each valued at KShs 1,000,000.00 or more, with contracts or LPOs and completion letters. D2 p.26
Each reference project earns 8 marks, up to a maximum of 5 clients (40 marks total). D2 p.26
Personnel list: the text says at least four staff, but the table says five. Ask CBK for the correct number before bidding. Conflicting D2 p.27
Required staff include: 1 Artisan Grade 1 (certificate in maintenance of lifts from a Government Training Centre or above); 1 Mechanical Engineer (diploma holder or above); 2 technicians/engineers (certificate holder or above). Academic fields: mechanical, electrical or other related. D2 p.27
Every technical staff member must have at least three years of post-college experience in mechanical/electrical or related field, and list the firms worked for since graduation. D2 p.27
Detailed CVs for each staff member must be attached, stating qualifications, experience, duration with the firm and active contact details with active email addresses. Copies of academic certificates must be provided. D2 p.27
Foreign degree certificates need a letter of recognition from the Commissioner of University Education of Kenya to qualify. D2 p.27
Each qualified technical staff member earns 10 marks, up to a maximum of 5 staff (50 marks). Total technical score is 100. D2 p.27

Financial

Financial evaluation checks completeness of the bill of quantities for bidders who pass technical evaluation. D2 p.27
Post-qualification financial thresholds (turnover, liquid assets, similar contracts) are blank in the template. Their actual values are not stated, so ask CBK. Not stated D2 p.28
Tender prices are fixed and must not be adjusted during performance of the contract. D2 p.22
Prices must be quoted in Kenya Shillings, net inclusive of all taxes, and remain valid for the tender validity period. D2 p.4
Pricing basis is an hourly fee to be agreed plus reimbursable expenses. D2 p.23

How and where to submit

Tenders must be physical sealed envelopes marked with the tender reference and deposited in Green Tender Box No. 3 at the main entrance security desk, ground floor, CBK head office, Haile Selassie Avenue. D2 p.4
Electronic tenders are not permitted. D2 p.4
Submission address: Deputy Director/Head of Procurement, General Services Department, Central Bank of Kenya, P.O. Box 60000-00200 Nairobi. D2 p.4
Submit one original and one copy of the tender, the copy clearly marked as a copy. The original prevails if they differ. D2 p.23
Serialise all pages of the bid document, including any addenda, appendices and attachments. D1 p.1
Put the tender in a single sealed envelope, package or container bearing the tender name and reference number, with separate sealed inner envelopes marked ORIGINAL and COPIES. Standard rule D2 p.14
Tenders must be in English. Supporting documents in another language need an accurate English translation of the relevant passages. Standard rule D2 p.11
Tender must be signed by a person duly authorised to sign for the tenderer; all pages with entries or amendments must be initialled. Standard rule D2 p.14

Lots and categories

Lot Lots: TDS states the number and identification of lots is N/A (single contract). D2 p.22
Lot Two lots: Section III says multiple contracts are not permitted but then says tenderers will be evaluated on the basis of two lots. The lot structure is unclear; ask CBK. Conflicting D2 p.28

What the addenda changed

No addenda were included in the material reviewed. Check the portal and CBK website for addenda before the deadline. Not stated P

Points to confirm with the procuring entity

The documents do not agree with each other on these points. Ask the procuring entity for a written clarification before you submit.

Contract period: Portal record and tender notice say one year. Invitation and TDS say three years renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance. (P; D1 p.1; D2 p.4; D2 p.22)
Closing time: Portal lists 22:30:00 on 2026-11-11. Tender notice, invitation and TDS say 10:30 a.m. on 11 November 2026. (P; D1 p.1; D2 p.4; D2 p.23)
Tender security form: ITT 21.3 allows cash as a form of tender security. MR4 allows only bank guarantee, insurance guarantee or CBK-licensed institution guarantee. (D2 p.13; D2 p.25; D2 p.26)
NCA registration: TDS requires valid NCA registration (category NCA 4 and above) as a requirement. ITT 4.12 says registration shall not be a condition for tender. (D2 p.22; D2 p.8)
Lots and multiple contracts: TDS says lots are N/A. Section III says multiple contracts are not permitted, then says evaluation will be on the basis of two lots. (D2 p.22; D2 p.28)
Number of technical staff: Personnel text says at least four staff. The table says at least four (5) staff. (D2 p.27)

Not covered in the documents we reviewed

Any addenda (A1, A2 etc.) and their changes to dates or requirements
Contract value or budget estimate
Actual values for financial thresholds (turnover, liquid assets, similar contracts, litigation and non-performance years)
Section IV tendering forms (Form of Tender, SD1, SD2, business questionnaire, Code of Ethics)
Section V Procuring Entity's Requirements: scope, inspection schedule, lift and equipment list, and locations
Section VI and VII General and Special Conditions of Contract, including payment terms and performance security amount
Section VIII contract forms and the Notification of Intention to Award section
Clarification of the portal closing time (22:30) and contract period (one year or three years)
Confirmation of tender security form (cash allowed or not)
Confirmation of the NCA registration requirement and the number of technical staff (four or five)
Confirmation of the lot structure (single contract or two lots)

Terms explained

Tender Data Sheet (TDS): The tender-specific section that sets the actual values (deadline, security amount, validity period) and overrides the generic Instructions to Tenderers.
Tender security (bid bond): Money or guarantee submitted with the tender to show commitment; forfeited if the bidder withdraws or fails to sign the contract.
MR (Mandatory Requirement): A pass/fail requirement at Stage 1; failing any means the tender is not evaluated further.
Responsive / non-responsive: Responsive means the tender meets all essential requirements. Non-responsive tenders are rejected.
JV (Joint Venture): Two or more firms bidding together under an agreement; all members are jointly and severally liable.
NCA: National Construction Authority, which registers contractors by category. Here, lift supply and maintenance category NCA 4 and above is requested.
DOSHS: Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services, which accredits approved plant inspectors under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Letter of attorney: Written proof that the person signing the tender is authorised to commit the company.
Lowest evaluated tender: The responsive tender with the lowest evaluated cost among those passing qualification criteria.
Tender validity: The number of days after the closing date during which the bidder must keep its price open.
Statutory inspection: Legally required periodic inspection and certification of lifts and lifting equipment.

CBK statutory inspection of passenger and goods lifts and lifting equipment, ref CBK/050/2026-2027