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beginner10 minutes

Quick Start Guide

Get started with Tenders-SA in just 10 minutes

Get started with Tenders-SA in just 10 minutes. This guide walks you through creating your account, setting up your company profile, preparing core documents, reviewing matched tenders, and starting your first assisted application.

Prerequisites

  • Valid email address
  • Company registration details
  • BBBEE certificate (if applicable)

Step 1: Create Your Account


1

Sign Up

Visit [tenders-sa.org](https://tenders-sa.org) and click "Get Started"
2

Choose Plan

Select the plan that fits your needs: - **Free**: 0 monthly applications included, free tools, basic tender search, and newsletter access - **Starter**: R499/month - 10 tender applications per month, basic AI matching, email alerts, document storage, and standard support - **Professional**: R1,299/month - 50 tender applications per month, advanced AI assistant, priority matching notifications, templates, compliance verification, and priority email support - **Enterprise**: R3,999/month - unlimited applications, multi-user access, API access, reports, analytics, and a dedicated account manager
3

Complete Registration

Enter your email and create a password
Free plan available: Start with free tools, basic tender search, and newsletter access. Upgrade when you need included monthly applications, stronger AI assistance, and priority support.

Step 2: Complete Your Company Profile

Your company profile helps our AI find the best tender matches for you. Use the Company Profile Builder wizard — a guided 7-step process:
1

Company Type

Select your legal entity type (Sole Proprietor, Pty Ltd, NPO, etc.)
2

Basic Info

Enter registration number, tax number, and B-BBEE level
3

Industries

Select your primary industry and specific industry codes
4

Profile & Capabilities

Describe your capabilities, CIDB grading, and operational capacity
5

Experience

Add your track record of past projects and contracts
6

Key Personnel

Add key staff members with qualifications and CVs
7

Review

Final overview with completeness score — aim for at least 60%
✅ Be thorough: The more complete your profile, the better your tender matches

Step 3: Follow the Onboarding Checklist

Your dashboard includes an onboarding checklist to guide you through the platform:
1

Complete Profile

Finish your Company Profile Builder if you haven't already
2

Upload Documents

Add your BBBEE certificate, tax clearance, and company registration
3

Set Preferences

Configure your notification preferences and industry filters
4

Explore Dashboard

Your dashboard shows matched tenders, activity summary, and quick actions
Progress tracking: The onboarding checklist tracks your setup progress. Complete all steps for better matching, fewer application gaps, and more useful AI assistance.

Step 4: Upload Essential Documents

Your document vault keeps tender-ready files in one place so you can attach them quickly when starting an application.
1

Add Core Compliance Files

Upload your company registration document, tax compliance information, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, and any industry-specific registrations such as CIDB.
2

Check Expiry Dates

Add expiry dates where relevant so the platform can help you spot documents that are expired or close to expiry.
3

Use Clear Names

Name files by document type and year, for example `bbbee-certificate-2026.pdf` or `tax-status-2026.pdf`.
Document readiness affects applications: Missing or expired documents can reduce your readiness score and slow down submission preparation.

Step 5: Explore Matched Tenders

Once your profile and key documents are in place, review matched tenders from your dashboard.
1

Visit Dashboard

Go to your dashboard to see matched tenders
2

Review Match Scores

Each tender shows a compatibility score (0-100%)
3

Filter Results

Use filters to narrow down by industry, value, or location
High Match Tenders: Look for tenders with 70%+ match scores - these are your best opportunities!

Step 6: Apply for Your First Tender


1

Select a Tender

Click "Apply Now" on a high-match tender
2

AI Pre-fills

Watch as AI populates forms with your company data
3

Use AI Assistant

Use the Application Assistance workspace to ask questions, review compliance gaps, generate proposal sections, and plan submission tasks.
4

Upload Documents

Attach required documents from your vault
5

Compliance Check

Run eligibility and compliance checks before submitting so missing documents or requirement gaps are visible early.
6

Submit

Send your application directly through the platform

Step 7: Track Your Application

Your dashboard shows all application statuses:
- Draft: Still working on it
- Submitted: Sent for evaluation
- Under Review: Being evaluated
- Awarded: Successful application
- Rejected: Not successful this time

Keep checking your dashboard for deadline reminders, document alerts, and next actions.

What's Next?

Congratulations! You've completed your first tender application with Tenders-SA. Here's what to do next:
1

Explore More Features

Try the Tender Toolkit, Company & Director Lookup, Readiness Assessment, Services Hub, and Tender Forensic Analysis for deeper decision support.
2

Set Up Notifications

Configure alerts for new matches, closing-soon opportunities, application status changes, and document expiry reminders.
3

Join Community

Connect with other users in our forum
4

Watch Tutorials

Browse our video library for advanced tips
Do not wait: Apply for tenders as soon as you see strong matches. Tender deadlines are strict, and preparing documents late increases submission risk.

Need Help?

- Live Chat Support - Available in your dashboard
- Email Support - [email protected]
- Community Forum - Connect with other users
- Forensic Analysis Guide - /documentation/user-guides/forensic-analysis-guide
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