Provision of WAN services with internet access – national SA government tender

• Closing date & time: 03 July 2026 at 11:00 hrs.
• Tender box open: 8 hours per day, Monday‑Friday (exact opening hours as posted at the submission office).
• No extensions are indicated; bids must be received by the closing time.
• Validity period of the offer: 120 days from the closing date (subject to possible extension by the Accounting Officer).

• Technical / Procurement enquiries – Mr Samuel Ntabane (CGE IT Department)

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 011 403 7182

• Compliance / General enquiries – Mr Shadrack Mafutsa (Commission for Gender Equality)

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 011 403 7182

• Tender submission address – 2 Kotze Street, Women’s Jail, East Wing, Constitution Hill, Braamfontein 2017 (official tender box).

• Submit the original tender document plus two hard‑copy copies in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the tender number CGE/T/05/2026/27 and the description.
• All submissions must be placed in the official tender box at 2 Kotze Street, Women’s Jail, East Wing, Constitution Hill, Braamfontein 2017 before 11:00 on 03 July 2026. The box is open 8 hours per day, 5 days a week.
• No late tenders will be accepted under any circumstances.
• Do not remove, alter or insert pages in the tender document. All annexes must be attached to Annexure 6.
• The Tender Offer and the Contract Form must be signed by an authorised representative and the price(s) entered.
• The bid must be submitted on the official CGE forms – re‑typing is not permitted.
• The bid remains valid, irrevocable and open for acceptance for 120 days from the closing date, unless an extension is agreed in writing.
• Withdrawal of the offer after submission is only permitted with written CGE approval; unauthorised withdrawal may result in liability for additional costs incurred by the CGE.
• All bidders must comply with the CGE Supply Chain Management Policy and the Abuse of the Supply Chain Management System Policy.

• Returnable documents: original tender document + 2 copies, signed Contract Form, completed CSD report, proof of accreditation (if applicable), and all annexures.
• All documents must be placed in the sealed envelope and deposited at the tender box before the closing time.
• The bid box is open 8 hours per day, 5 days a week; ensure timely delivery.

• Functionality Scoring (max 60 points)

• Technical compatibility – 40 points (must meet all minimum WAN specifications, e.g., 200 Mbps head‑office, 100 Mbps provincial sites, SD‑WAN managed service, traffic prioritisation, scalability).
• Implementation plan & time‑scales – 20 points (project schedule and post‑implementation maintenance costs).
• Corporate structure & experience – 5 points (minimum 10 years WAN/SD‑WAN experience, 3 testimonials, audited financial statements).
• Other SD‑WAN customers – 5 points.
• Minimum pass mark: 50 points out of 60. Failure to meet any critical requirement results in a non‑responsive tender.

• Invalid Tender Conditions (must be sealed, on official forms, completed in non‑erasable ink, signed, bidder name legible, both technical and financial envelopes submitted).
• Non‑Responsive Grounds (listed on Treasury defaulters/ restricted suppliers list, non‑compliance with specification or price schedule, failure to achieve minimum functionality score, non‑compliance with written CGE requests).
• Price & Preference Evaluation (80 % price, 20 % BBBEE preference)

• Price is scored out of 80 points.
• Preference points are awarded for the following PPPFA goals:

• 100 % black women‑owned – 7 points

• 100 % black persons with disabilities – 5 points

• 100 % black youth‑owned – 5 points

• 100 % black‑owned – 3 points

• No specific goal – 0 points.

• All evaluations are conducted in accordance with the PFMA, CGE SCM policy, PPPFA 2022 and the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act.

• Scope – Provide a fully outsourced, managed SD‑WAN solution for all CGE branches and Head Office for 36 months.
• Connectivity – Any‑to‑any VPN linking all nine provincial sites and Head Office.
• Performance – Minimum speeds: Head Office ≥ 200 Mbps; each provincial office ≥ 100 Mbps; uncapped Internet access.
• Network features – MPLS backbone, traffic prioritisation per CGE business needs, high availability with active‑active links, application‑aware routing, end‑to‑end segmentation, real‑time access control, integrated threat protection, NGFW/DNS security/NGAV, secure cloud traffic, multi‑cloud extension.
• Management – Centralised cloud‑delivered dashboard, zero‑touch provisioning, live network status monitoring, alerting on link loss, detailed performance and bandwidth forecasting reports.
• Support – 24/7 support across all nine provinces, SLA covering response times, maintenance, and post‑implementation support.
• Footprint – Service provider must have infrastructure presence in all nine provinces.
• Additional requirements – Provide firewall management for all sites, ensure scalability for future business growth, and deliver a single management application covering WAN, cloud and security.

• Provide a clear, structured proposal that follows the format outlined in the tender (covering letter, technical proposal, pricing schedule, compliance declarations, and annexures).
• Include a detailed implementation plan with milestones, timelines and resource allocation.
• Describe the method for network design, configuration, testing and hand‑over, ensuring alignment with CGE’s ICT strategy.
• Outline the approach for ongoing support, monitoring and SLA management.
• Highlight any value‑adding practices or innovations that improve service delivery.

• Minimum 10 years experience delivering WAN/SD‑WAN solutions.
• Provide at least three verifiable reference letters from similar government or large‑scale projects.
• Demonstrate capability to deliver high‑availability, active‑active links, application‑aware routing, integrated threat protection, multi‑cloud extension and centralized management.
• Show 24/7 support capability across all nine provinces.
• Submit latest audited financial statements to prove financial strength.

• Goods must conform to the standards and specifications set out in the tender documents.
• Supplier may not disclose contract documents, specifications or related information without CGE written consent; any disclosed information must be kept confidential and used solely for contract performance.
• All contract‑related documents (except the contract itself) remain CGE property and must be returned on completion if requested.
• CGE may inspect the supplier’s records and audit performance as required.
• Pre‑bidding testing costs are borne by the bidder.
• If inspection is a condition, the supplier’s premises must be accessible during reasonable hours for CGE inspection.
• Inspection, testing and analysis costs are borne by CGE when supplies comply; otherwise, the supplier bears the cost and may have non‑conforming supplies rejected.
• Rejected supplies remain at the supplier’s risk and cost; supplier must replace them promptly or CGE may procure replacements at the supplier’s expense.

• Clause 1.4 – Prices/Price Adjustment: Supplier must complete Annexure 4. Non‑completion may render the tender non‑responsive.
• Annexure 4 details the mechanism for price adjustment, including exchange‑rate variations.
• Claims for price increase must be submitted in writing before the adjustment becomes effective.
• CGE may withhold payment for price adjustment claims until final audited figures are provided.
• Supplier must provide auditor’s certificates for any price adjustment claim; failure to do so within 30 days results in claim abandonment.

• All prices must be quoted in South African Rand (ZAR) inclusive of VAT.
• Only firm prices are accepted; non‑firm or exchange‑rate‑subject prices will be rejected.
• Prices must remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• Pricing must be submitted on the prescribed pricing schedule; all items on the schedule must be completed.
• Price adjustments are governed by Annexure 4 (price adjustment clause). Failure to complete Annexure 4 may render the tender non‑responsive.
• Payment terms: CGE will pay valid invoices in full within 30 days of the statement date, provided the work is satisfactory.
• Suppliers must be VAT‑registered (if turnover > R1 million) and provide an up‑to‑date tax clearance certificate.
• No performance security is required (Clause 7 of the GCC marked NOT APPLICABLE).

• Register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and submit the CSD report with the bid.
• Provide a current tax clearance certificate and VAT registration number (if applicable).
• Must not be listed on the National Treasury Register of Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers.
• Comply with all mandatory requirements listed in the tender document (complete all required sections, sign all declarations, attach required annexures).
• Adhere to the CGE Supply Chain Management Policy, Abuse Policy and PPPFA 2022.
• No collusive practices, bribery or undue influence – breaches constitute a material breach and may lead to blacklisting.
• Sub‑contracting or transfer of the contract requires prior written CGE approval.
• Confidentiality: do not disclose any tender information without CGE written consent.
• All statutory declarations and authorisations must be completed; failure may result in a non‑responsive tender.

The tender is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and the 2022 PPPFA Regulations. Preference points are awarded for the following BBBEE goals:

• 100 % black women‑owned – 7 points
• 100 % black persons with disabilities – 5 points
• 100 % black youth‑owned – 5 points
• 100 % black‑owned – 3 points
• No specific goal – 0 points

• The contract is subject to the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) issued by the National Treasury.
• All parties must comply with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation.
• Force majeure events (e.g., war, flood, epidemic) are defined in the GCC and may excuse performance.
• No specific OHS plans are detailed in the tender; suppliers must ensure compliance with South African OHS regulations during implementation and operation.

• Clause 1.5 – Contract Amendments: CGE may extend the contract period or sum, subject to SCM policy and PFMA.
• Clause 1.6 – Penalties: NOT APPLICABLE.
• Clause 1.9 – Limitation of Liability: Supplier liable for direct loss, personal injury or property damage; no liability for indirect or consequential losses.
• Clause 1.9.4 – VAT: Supplier must be VAT‑registered where turnover exceeds R1 million and provide a current tax clearance certificate.
• Clause 1.9.5 – Failure to maintain VAT registration or tax clearance may result in suspension of transactions.

• SCC supplements the GCC and prevails in case of conflict.
• Failure to meet the standards and specifications constitutes a material breach, allowing CGE to cancel the contract.
• Guarantee/Performance Security – NOT APPLICABLE.
• Insurance – NOT APPLICABLE.
• Prices are subject to adjustment as per Annexure 4.
• Contract amendments may be made by CGE in accordance with SCM policy and PFMA.
• Penalties – NOT APPLICABLE.
• Dispute settlement follows mediation (Clause 27) and, if unresolved, South African courts.
• Limitation of liability excludes indirect, consequential or punitive damages.
• VAT compliance is mandatory; suppliers must be VAT‑registered and provide a valid tax clearance certificate.

• Bidders must submit the tender on the official CGE forms; no re‑typing is allowed.
• All required annexures (including Annexure 6) must be attached.
• Provide a completed Central Supplier Database (CSD) report (YES/NO).
• Declare whether the bidder is an accredited representative in South Africa for the goods/services (YES/NO) and attach proof if YES.
• Failure to comply with any mandatory requirement may result in disqualification.

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