Provision of senior solutions and infrastructure architect services for gpaa

• Closing Date and Time: 06 July 2026 at 11h00 AM.
• Non-Compulsory Online Briefing Session: 22 June 2026 from 14h00 to 15h00 via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 351 175 168 507 032, Passcode: aW9bu6rJ).
• Closing Date for Written Clarification Enquiries: 29 June 2026.
• Questions and Answers Upload: Will be uploaded to the GPAA website and E-tender portal on 01 July 2026.

• Enquiries Email: [email protected]
• Submission Address: Online via the National Treasury eTender Portal (www.etenders.gov.za).

• Submit your complete bid electronically via the National Treasury eTender Portal (www.etenders.gov.za). No physical submissions, hand-delivered documents, or courier deliveries are accepted.
• The Pricing Schedule (SBD 3.3) must be uploaded separately and clearly labelled as such.
• Ensure all company details (full name, physical address, contact number, email, contact person, bid closing date) are correctly entered in the eTender portal fields.
• The portal will automatically prevent late uploads. Bidders are responsible for a successful upload before the closing time; GPAA is not liable for unsuccessful uploads.
• An incomplete, unsigned, or partially signed pricing schedule will be deemed non-compliant and result in automatic disqualification.

• Required documents include: SBD 1 (completed in full), SBD 4 (completed in full), SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule (separately uploaded), SBD6.1 (for preference points), Company Experience Template (listing clients and details), CVs for all service delivery team members (3 per role), and contactable reference letters.
• Failure to submit requested documents may allow a 2-working-day grace period; otherwise, the bid will be disqualified.

The bid follows a four-phase evaluation process. Failure in any phase leads to disqualification.

• Phase 1 – Mandatory Technical Criteria (Pass/Fail):

• Must be accredited on SITA RFB 1183 (Business Solutions Delivery Services).
• Must have a physical presence in Gauteng, per SITA RFB 1183.
• Bid must be submitted by 06 July 2026 at 11h00 AM.
• Proposed resources for Senior Solutions Architect must have TOGAF 9, ITIL, and multiple Cisco certifications (CCNA/CCNP/CCDP).
• Proposed resources for Senior Infrastructure Architect must have TOGAF 9, ITIL, and multiple Cisco certifications (CCNA/CCNP/CCDP).

• Phase 2 – Rated Criteria (Scored out of 100 points; minimum qualifying score is 70 points):

• Company Experience (10 points): Provide details of architecture services in a pension administration environment over the last ten years.
• Work Plan / Implementation Plan / Methodology (25 points): Must include methodology for service delivery, governance model, escalation matrix, reporting requirements, and risk management plan.
• Experience of the Service Delivery Team (60 points): CVs required for team members; points awarded based on years of experience and relevant skills.
• References (5 points): Submit contactable reference letters related to the scope of work.

• Phase 3 – Administrative Compliance: SBD 1 and SBD 4 must be completed in full. The bidder must be registered on the CSD and directors must not be restricted from doing business with the state.
• Phase 4 – Price and Preference Evaluation: Uses the 80/20 preference system (80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals as per PPR2022). Complete SBD6.1 to claim preference points.

Scope: Provision of Senior Solutions, Enterprise and Infrastructure Architect Services.

• Senior Solutions Architect Services:

• Role: Design, govern, and oversee complex, scalable, and secure technology solutions aligned with business strategy.
• Key Focus Areas: Enterprise and solution architecture (TOGAF), application and integration architecture (Java, microservices, APIs), cloud and hybrid architecture (AWS, Azure), architecture and portfolio management, project leadership and delivery (SDLC), governance and compliance (ISO, enterprise standards), stakeholder and vendor engagement.
• Required Experience: 8–10+ years in enterprise IT, digital transformation, legacy modernisation, complex regulated environments.
• Technical Expertise: TOGAF 9, ITIL, Java, Spring Boot, microservices, REST, Oracle, SQL Server, AWS, Azure, Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes.
• Behavioural Competencies: Analytical thinking, communication, leadership, adaptability, stakeholder management.

• Senior Infrastructure Architect Service:

• Role: Design, implement, and optimise complex enterprise ICT infrastructure, including networking, security, cloud, datacentre, and storage.
• Key Focus Areas: Infrastructure architecture, cloud modernisation (Azure), networking and security (Cisco, Microsoft Sentinel), solution architecture, project leadership, stakeholder engagement, governance, business continuity.
• Required Experience: 20+ years in enterprise ICT infrastructure, strong experience with Cisco, F5, Microsoft, Azure, Hyper-V/VMware, 10+ years in architecture roles leading large transformations.
• Certifications: TOGAF 9, ITIL, multiple Cisco certifications (CCNA/CCNP/CCDP).

• Location: Services delivered onsite at GPAA Head Office in Arcadia, Pretoria.
• Project Management Methodology: Waterfall approach with phased implementation, change management, and GPAA-approved Project Management Framework.
• Project Performance Measures: Include approved charters, signed plans, progress reports, risk matrices, expenditure records, milestone sign-offs, implemented solutions within scope/time/budget, and training/testing reports.

• The service provider must adhere to the GPAA-approved Project Management Framework, using a waterfall methodology.
• This includes a phased system implementation approach with clear milestones, deliverables, activities, and timelines.
• A robust change management plan, communication, and user training are required.
• The bidder must submit a detailed methodology covering: recurring services, project-related services, a governance model, an escalation matrix, reporting requirements to manage service delivery and failures, and a detailed risk management plan.

• Senior Solutions Architect: Requires 8–10+ years in enterprise IT with a focus on solution and enterprise architecture, digital transformation, legacy modernisation, and experience in complex regulated environments. Technical expertise must include TOGAF 9, ITIL, Java, Spring Boot, microservices, REST, Oracle, SQL Server, AWS, Azure, Git, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes.
• Senior Infrastructure Architect: Requires 20+ years in enterprise ICT infrastructure (networking, hosting, storage, security), strong experience with Cisco, F5, Microsoft, Azure, Hyper-V/VMware, and 10+ years in architecture roles leading large transformations. Certifications required: TOGAF 9, ITIL, multiple Cisco certifications (CCNA/CCNP/CCDP).
• The bidder must provide CVs for all service delivery team members (3 CVs per role) to demonstrate qualifications and years of experience.
• Company experience: Must provide details of architecture services in a pension administration environment over the last ten years, including client names, project duration, value, specific services rendered, and contactable references.

• All activities must comply with the GPAA System Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Project Management Framework, aligned to PRINCE2 and PMBOK.
• SDLC deliverables include: requirements analysis, planning and design, development and configuration, testing (unit, integration, system and user testing), deployment, and post-implementation support.
• Project performance measures include: approved project charters, signed project plans, weekly/monthly/quarterly progress reports, project risk matrices, disbursement packs and expenditure records, milestone sign-off documents, implemented solutions within scope/time/budget, and reports on user training and system testing.

• The prescribed SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule must be completed electronically, printed, signed, and uploaded as a separate file labelled “Pricing Schedule (SBD 3.3)” on the eTender portal.
• An incomplete, unsigned, or partially signed pricing schedule will result in automatic disqualification.
• Only the financial proposal of acceptable bidders will be evaluated in Phase 4.

• Pricing Format: Complete the prescribed SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule electronically, print, sign, and upload as a separate file labelled “Pricing Schedule (SBD 3.3)” on the eTender portal.
• Disqualification Risk: An incomplete, unsigned, or partially signed pricing schedule (including missing initials or blank fields) will be deemed non-compliant and result in automatic disqualification.
• Evaluation: Only the financial proposal of acceptable bidders will be evaluated in Phase 4.
• Preference System: The 80/20 preference point system applies (80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals).

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): The bidder must be registered on the CSD. If not, provide a CSD number.
• Tax Compliance: Submit a valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN issued by SARS or a printed TCS certificate. For consortia/joint ventures/sub-contractors, each party must submit separate proof.
• B-BBEE: Must submit proof of B-BBEE status level (certificate, sworn affidavit, or CIPC certificate) as per the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.
• Standard Documents: Complete SBD 1 and SBD 4 in full.
• Restrictions: No bids accepted from persons in the service of the state or companies with directors/members in the service of the state.

• Mandatory Technical Criteria: Accreditation on SITA RFB 1183, physical presence in Gauteng, submission by the closing date, and proposed resources holding required certifications (TOGAF 9, ITIL, multiple Cisco certifications).
• Due Diligence: GPAA may verify the bidder's capability, capacity, and claims made in the bid response.
• Vetting: GPAA will review company history, financial information, directors, business interests, and any judgements against the company or directors.

• The evaluation uses a four-phase process: Mandatory Technical Criteria (pass/fail), Rated Criteria (scored), Administrative Compliance, and Price/Preference Evaluation.
• The 80/20 preference point system applies (80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals as per PPR2022).
• Bidders must complete SBD6.1 to claim points for specific goals; failure to submit a correctly completed SBD6.1 results in no points for specific goals.