Panel of law firms for legal services to ithala development finance corporation (36-Month contract)

RFP Release Date: 09 June 2026. Compulsory Online Briefing Session: 17 June 2026 at 10:00 (register via [email protected] with RFP number, company name, contact person, and telephone number; meeting link sent upon registration). Written Clarification Questions Deadline: 18 June 2026 at 16:00. Written Responses to Clarifications: 22 June 2026 at 16:00. Bid Submission Deadline: 02 July 2026 at 11:00. Bid Validity Period: 120 days from closing date; extensions may be requested.

Compulsory Online Briefing Session: 17 June 2026 at 10:00. Venue: Online. Registration: Email [email protected] with RFP number (RFP03/26), company name, contact person, and telephone number. Meeting link will be sent upon registration. Certificate of Attendance: Required for compliance; confirms participation in the compulsory briefing.

Procurement Enquiries: Supply Chain Management Unit, Email: [email protected], Tel: 031 907 8911. Submission Address: Ithala Trade Centre, 29 Canal Quay Road (GPS: 29 Signal Road), Point Waterfront, Durban. Complaints: Larissa Warren, Tel: 031 907 8610, Email: [email protected], or anonymous hotline: 0800 004823.

Submit bids in sealed envelopes to Ithala Trade Centre, 29 Canal Quay Road (GPS: 29 Signal Road), Point Waterfront, Durban, deposited in the reception bid box by 02 July 2026 at 11:00. One original and one electronic (USB) copy required. Telephonic, e-mail, and late submissions are not accepted. Bids must be on original tender documents in black ink (not reproduced). All bids will be checked for compliance; obvious deviations will be eliminated. Queries must be emailed to [email protected] quoting the Bid No. (RFP03/26).

Submit one original and one electronic (USB) copy of the bid document in sealed envelopes to the bid box at Ithala Trade Centre reception. Required returnable documents: Bid summary (indicating returnable documents), Certificate of Authority to Sign a Bid (SBD 1 with resolution letter), Declaration of Interest (SBD 4, fully completed), Joint Venture/Consortium Agreement (if applicable), Technical Proposal/Functionality Proposal (detailed methodology, reference letters), Deviations from Request for Bid (Form C13, mark 'Nil' if none), Pricing Schedule (completed as per bid document).

Evaluation is conducted in three stages: 1) Administrative Compliance: Bids are checked for mandatory documents (CSD registration, SARS tax compliance, SBD 1 with resolution letter, SBD 4, 2026 Fidelity Fund Certificate, KZN Legal Practice Council registration per attorney, High Court admission proof per attorney, compulsory briefing attendance proof). Failure to provide any mandatory document results in disqualification. 2) Functionality Evaluation: Responsive bids are scored on company experience/reference letters (minimum 3 per category, from the last 5 years) and lead resource qualifications/experience (8+ years post-admission, relevant post-graduate qualifications, category-specific certifications). Minimum 80% score per category required to progress. 3) Price and Specific Goals: Price evaluation for qualifying bidders. 20 points awarded for specific goals as per SBD 6.1. All prices may be subject to negotiation. IDFC reserves the right to award in full or in part and is not obligated to accept the lowest bid.

IDFC seeks proposals from qualified law firms to form a panel for 36 months, providing specialist legal services in seven categories: a) Conveyancing/Property Law (property transfers, bond registrations, notarising), b) Corporate Law (drafting agreements, legal advice, opinions), c) Construction & Engineering Law (drafting JBCC/NEC contracts), d) Labour Law (employment contracts, CCMA, Labour Court), e) Maritime Law, f) Litigation (civil, criminal, bond foreclosures), g) Administrative and Procurement Law. Maximum 6 firms per category. Firms must select categories and submit separate proposals for each. Work is allocated on a rotation basis per category. Firms report to the Legal Services Divisional Manager. Panel duration: 3 years. IDFC reserves the right to re-advertise if needed. Each category has specific service requirements and lead attorney qualifications (8+ years post-admission experience, relevant post-graduate qualifications, category-specific certifications).

Bidders must submit a detailed methodology in their technical proposal, describing how they will achieve the outcomes in the Terms of Reference. Include: Step-by-step approach to service delivery. Identification of potential problems and mitigation strategies. Resource allocation and timelines. Compliance with IDFC’s SLA and contractual obligations.

Lead Attorneys: Must submit CVs (per ANNEXURE B) and certified copies of qualifications. Proof of High Court admission and KZN Legal Practice Council registration required for each attorney. Category-Specific Requirements: All categories require 8+ years post-admission experience and relevant post-graduate qualifications. Conveyancing: Certified and practising Conveyancer. Corporate Law: Specialisation in corporate law. Construction & Engineering: Specialisation in construction/engineering law. Labour Law: Specialisation in labour law. Maritime Law: Specialisation in maritime law. Litigation: Relevant post-graduate law qualification. Administrative & Procurement Law: Specialisation in administrative/procurement law. Company Requirements: Comprehensive firm profile (history, structure, operations, logistics). Minimum 3 reference letters per category, from clients served in the last 3 years (use ANNEXURE A template). References must be contactable and verifiable. Resource Substitution: Any change to proposed Lead Attorneys requires IDFC approval and must match original qualifications/experience.

IDFC reserves the right to conduct site inspections of bidders to verify suitability of properties, operations, and capacity to perform services effectively and efficiently.

Complete the Pricing Schedule as part of the bid. Rates are for evaluation only and not binding. VAT: Prices must include VAT where applicable. IDFC may require VAT registration if the contract value exceeds R2.3m in any 12-month period. Payment terms: 30 days after receipt of valid invoice. Invoices must comply with VAT Act Section 20. Negotiation: All prices may be subject to negotiation post-evaluation.

Complete the Pricing Schedule as part of the bid. Rates are for evaluation purposes only and not indicative of final rates. Prices must include VAT where applicable. IDFC may request VAT registration if the award exceeds R2.3m in any 12-month period. Payment terms: Invoices must comply with VAT Act Section 20; payment made via bank transfer or cheque within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice. Banking details must be submitted upon award. All prices may be subject to negotiation.

Mandatory: Registration on National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD). SARS tax compliance (TCS PIN or CSD number). For consortia/joint ventures, each party must submit separate TCS/CSD proof. SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) with resolution letter. SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) fully completed. Valid 2026 Fidelity Fund Certificate. Attorney registration with KZN Legal Practice Council for each attorney. Proof of High Court admission for each attorney. Proof of compulsory online briefing attendance (MS Teams register). No bids accepted from state employees or entities with state-employed directors/members. Bids must be submitted on original tender documents in black ink. Indicate compliance/non-compliance paragraph-by-paragraph (YES/NO/NOTED). Deviations must be clearly stated with reasons and referenced in an appendix. Fraudulent documentation or SCM abuses will lead to disqualification and reporting to authorities.

IDFC’s procurement philosophy prioritises the promotion, development, and support of businesses from disadvantaged communities (SMMEs and established businesses) in line with its B-BBEE Policy. National and regional local suppliers are preferred over overseas suppliers. All commercial conduct must align with IDFC’s Business Ethics and Guidelines, based on ethical values and sound business practices.

Contract duration: 36 months from appointment date. IDFC reserves the right to award in full or in part. Contract basis: IDFC Service Level Agreement (SLA) only; standard terms are non-negotiable. Payment: For actual services rendered, invoiced periodically. Invoices must comply with VAT Act Section 20; payment within 30 days of valid invoice receipt. Intellectual Property: All rights vest in IDFC, including deliverables, documentation, and data. Prior written permission required for service provider to use any generated information. Confidentiality: Bidders must hold all bid information in strict confidence and sign a confidentiality agreement. Non-compliance with delivery terms: Immediate written notice to IDFC required; remedies per SLA apply. Warranties: Service provider must not engage in competing ventures without IDFC’s consent. Resource substitution: Unavailable resources must be replaced within 7 days with equivalent qualifications/experience, subject to IDFC approval. Waivers: No waiver of rights by delay or indulgence. Domicilium: Ithala Trade Centre, 29 Canal Quay Road, Point Waterfront, Durban. Addenda: May be issued up to 7 days before closing; tenderers must acknowledge receipt. Fraud: Bids with fraudulent documentation or SCM abuses will be disqualified and reported.

Panel Limits: Maximum of 6 law firms per category. Conflict of Interest: Bidders must not act against IDFC in any awarded category. Category Selection: Failure to select a category or submit separate proposals per category invalidates the bid. Lead Personnel: All personnel assigned to IDFC matters must be those proposed in the RFP. Substitutions require IDFC approval and must match original qualifications/experience. Contract Terms: IDFC’s standard terms are non-negotiable; the SLA is the only binding contract. Additional Information: IDFC may request further details during evaluation; responses due within 5 working days. Confidentiality: Strict confidentiality required; unauthorised disclosure prohibited. Intellectual Property: All rights vest in IDFC; prior permission required for use of generated data. Negotiation: IDFC may negotiate terms, including price, and is not obligated to accept the lowest bid. Site Inspections: IDFC may inspect bidder premises to verify capacity. Bid Validity: 120 days from closing date; extensions may be requested. Addenda: Issued up to 7 days before closing; tenderers must acknowledge receipt. Fraud: Bids with fraudulent documentation or SCM abuses will be disqualified and reported.

General Requirements: Bids must be submitted on original tender documents (not reproduced) in black ink. Indicate compliance/non-compliance paragraph-by-paragraph (YES/NO/NOTED). Deviations must be clearly stated with reasons and referenced in an appendix. Mandatory Documents: CSD registration, SARS tax compliance (TCS PIN or CSD number), SBD 1 (with resolution letter), SBD 4 (fully completed), 2026 Fidelity Fund Certificate, KZN Legal Practice Council registration per attorney, High Court admission proof per attorney, compulsory briefing attendance proof. Category Selection: Firms must tick applicable categories in TABLE 1 and submit separate proposals for each. Failure to select a category or submit separate proposals results in automatic disqualification. Disqualification: Bids from state employees or entities with state-employed directors/members are invalid. Fraudulent documentation or SCM abuses will lead to disqualification and reporting to authorities.

CLOSING DATE: 02 JULY 2026 AT 11:00. Late submissions will not be accepted. A submission will be considered late if it arrives one second after 11:00 or any time thereafter.