General FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Tenders-SA
Getting Started
Q: What is Tenders-SA.org?
A: Tenders-SA.org is South Africa's first AI-powered tender management platform. We aggregate tenders from government, municipal, and private sector sources, then use AI to match you with relevant opportunities and help you submit stronger applications.
Q: How is Tenders-SA different from other tender portals?
A: Traditional portals just list tenders. We actively help you win by:
- Proactively matching tenders to your profile
- Pre-filling application forms with your data
- Providing AI assistance for proposal writing
- Checking compliance before submission
- Tracking deadlines and application status
Q: Who can use Tenders-SA?
A: Our platform is designed for:
- Small to Medium Businesses (SMEs)
- BBBEE certified companies
- Tender consultants
- Procurement teams
- Any business registered in South Africa
Pricing and Plans
Q: How much does Tenders-SA cost?
A: We offer three plans:
- Starter: R499/month (10 applications)
- Professional: R1,299/month (50 applications) - Most popular
- Enterprise: R3,999/month (unlimited applications)
Q: Is there a free trial?
A: Yes! We offer a 14-day free trial with 5 tender applications included. No credit card required to start.
Q: Can I change plans later?
A: Yes, you can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time. Changes take effect at the next billing cycle.
Q: What payment methods do you accept?
A: We accept:
- Credit/Debit cards
- Instant EFT (South African banks)
- Debit orders
- Bank transfers (for annual plans)
Features and Functionality
Q: How does the AI matching work?
A: Our AI analyzes:
- Your industry and capabilities
- BBBEE level and requirements
- Geographic operating areas
- Financial capacity
- Past performance
It then scores tenders from 0-100% compatibility, sending you alerts for high-match opportunities.
Q: What is the AI Assistant?
A: The AI Assistant is like having a tender expert available 24/7. It can:
- Help write proposals
- Explain tender requirements
- Suggest relevant experience to highlight
- Check compliance issues
- Improve your writing quality
Q: How accurate is the AI matching?
A: Our matching algorithm has a 95% accuracy rate based on user feedback. The more complete your company profile, the better the matches.
Q: Can I import my existing company data?
A: Yes, you can import:
- Company registration details
- Document library
- Past project information
- Team member details
Tenders and Applications
Q: Where do you get tender information?
A: We aggregate from 50+ sources including:
- National Treasury eTenders
- Provincial tender portals
- Municipal websites
- Private sector platforms
- Industry-specific sources
Q: How often are tenders updated?
A: Our system scans sources continuously, with new tenders typically appearing within 24 hours of publication.
Q: Do you guarantee I'll win tenders?
A: We don't guarantee wins, but our users report a 3x higher win rate on average. We improve your chances through better matching and stronger applications.
Q: Can I apply to tenders through your platform?
A: Yes, for most tenders you can submit directly through our platform. Some require external submission, but we'll guide you through the process.
BBBEE and Compliance
Q: How does BBBEE matching work?
A: We match based on:
- Your BBBEE level (1-8 or EME/QSE)
- Specific requirements (e.g., "Level 1-4 only")
- Black ownership percentage
- Women ownership requirements
- Local procurement preferences
Q: What documents do I need?
A: Commonly required documents:
- CIPC registration document
- Tax clearance certificate
- BBBEE certificate
- Director ID documents
- Bank confirmation letter
- Relevant certifications
Q: How do you handle document security?
A: All documents are encrypted and stored securely. We use bank-level security and comply with POPIA requirements.
Technical Support
Q: What if I need help with a tender?
A: We offer multiple support channels:
- 24/7 AI Assistant in the platform
- Email support (response within 24 hours)
- Live chat (9 AM - 5 PM, SAST)
- Community forum
- Phone support (Enterprise plan)
Q: Is there training available?
A: Yes, we provide:
- Video tutorials
- Written guides
- Webinars (monthly)
- One-on-one onboarding (Enterprise)
Q: What are the system requirements?
A: Our platform works on:
- Modern web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
- Mobile devices (iOS 12+, Android 8+)
- No software installation required
Privacy and Security
Q: Is my data secure?
A: Yes, we use:
- 256-bit SSL encryption
- Secure data centers
- Regular security audits
- POPIA compliance
- Two-factor authentication
Q: Who can see my company information?
A: Your information is private and only visible to:
- You and your authorized team members
- Tender issuers when you submit applications
- Our support team (with your permission)
Q: Can I export my data?
A: Yes, you can export all your data at any time in various formats (CSV, PDF, JSON).
Account Management
Q: Can I have multiple users on one account?
A: Yes, Professional and Enterprise plans support multiple users:
- Professional: Up to 3 users
- Enterprise: Up to 10 users (customizable)
Q: How do I cancel my subscription?
A: You can cancel anytime from your account settings. Access continues until the end of your billing period.
Q: What happens to my data if I cancel?
A: You can export all data before cancellation. We delete your data 30 days after cancellation.
Integration and API
Q: Is there an API available?
A: Yes, Professional and Enterprise plans include API access for:
- Retrieving tender listings
- Submitting applications
- Managing company data
- Analytics and reporting
Q: Can you integrate with my existing systems?
A: Enterprise plans include custom integrations with:
- Accounting software
- Document management systems
- CRM platforms
- Project management tools
Still Have Questions?
Contact Options
- Phone: 0800 TENDERS (0800 8363377)
- Live Chat: Available in-platform
- Community: community.tenders-sa.org
Resources
If you don't find your answer here, please don't hesitate to contact our support team.