Expression of interest: hemp and cannabis beneficiation through biotechnology (elidz stp)

Closing date: 18 September 2026 at 12h00 (noon). Non-compulsory briefing: 25 August 2026 at 14:00 via Teams (Meeting ID: 344 089 489 539 886, Passcode: 7Dd27aH3). Questions accepted until 12h00 on 01 September 2026; responses issued by 01 September 2026. EOI document available for download from 14 August 2026 at 12h00.

Queries before closing: submit by email to Anathi Mzantsi at [email protected] before 12:00 on 01 September 2026. After closing date, contact the Supply Chain Officer at 043 702 8258 or [email protected]. Provide correct contact details to the Secretariat at the briefing session.

Submission is online only at https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za before 12h00 on 18 September 2026. Upload PDF files only, maximum 30MB per file. Hard copy submissions will not be considered. The EOI document is available for download from 14 August 2026 at www.elidz.co.za under Opportunities, Tender bulletin. All returnable documents listed in Section 4 must be submitted, signed and dated. The person signing must be legally authorised. Changes to a submission after closing date are not considered. Incomplete or non-compliant proposals will generally not be considered. ELIDZ is not obligated to accept any proposal and will not reimburse preparation costs.

Returnable documents: Respondents must submit with their responses to this EOI, as a minimum requirement, all the returnable documents indicated below with a [√]. All Sections must be signed and dated by the Respondent. Section 1: Applicant Details – Valid Tax Clearance certificate of enterprise. Section 2: EOI Scope of Requirements – Company Registration documents; Declaration of the product's stage of development; Latest Company Audited Financial Statements or DTI Affidavit indicating turnover and BBBEE Level. Preference to be given to SMMEs with the lowest turnover; ELIDZ Procurement Handbook; Valid proof of address (most recent 3 months); Project Information Form. Section 3: ELIDZ's EOI Information – Documents as proof of relevant Industry experience for the Company Director(s) and any other member(s) that will play a role in the project. Section 4: Expression of Interest – Project Concept Note or Business Proposal. Objectives, Product of Interest, Target Markets, Technology to be used; Proof of the current development stage of the product or technology, including evidence of its Technology Readiness Level (TRL); In case of a joint venture, a copy of the joint venture agreement or written confirmation of the intention to enter into a joint venture agreement; Valid and original (or a certified copy) of proof of Respondent's compliance to B-BBEE requirements stipulated in Section 1 of this EOI; Fully Completed Expression of Interest Application Form with clear milestones and costing (Section 4); Relevant licences, Permits or Regulatory Approvals; Any Supporting Documents. Product Certification, Market Studies, IP registrations, Letters of Intent/Off-take agreements. Essential Returnable Documents: In addition to the requirements of section (a) above, Respondents are further required to submit with their Proposals the following essential Returnable Documents as detailed below. Failure to provide all essential Returnable Documents used for purposes of scoring a bid, by the closing date and time of this bid will not result in a Respondent's disqualification. However, Bidders will receive an automatic score of zero for the applicable evaluation criterion. Bidders are therefore urged to ensure that all these documents are returned with their Proposals. Please confirm submission of these essential Returnable Documents by indicating Yes or No in the table below: Project Concept Note/ Business Proposal; Relevant licences, Permits or Regulatory Approvals; Experience Level of the Team (CV's of Members allocated to the project with verifiable references); Proof of the current development stage of the product or technology, including evidence of its Technology Readiness Level (TRL); Fully Completed Expression of Interest Application Form with clear milestones and costing (Section 4). Other Essential Returnable Documents: Failure to provide other essential Returnable Documents may result in a Respondent's disqualification. Bidders are therefore urged to ensure that all these documents are returned with their Proposals.

Evaluation is in stages: Stage 1 pre-qualification, Stage 2 administrative responsiveness, Stage 3 technical evaluation (minimum 70% functionality threshold), Stage 4 presentations (70% threshold), Stage 5 negotiation (if applicable). The EOI process ends at Stage 4. Stages may run in parallel. Technical/functionality is weighted 100% of the final score. Functionality Evaluation Matrix: Technology Readiness and Innovation (25%), Commercialisation Potential (20%), Beneficiation Impact (20%), Scalability and Sustainability (20%), Economic Development and Job Creation (10%), Implementation Capacity (5%). Minimum functionality score is 70%; proposals below this are eliminated. Presentations may be required; respondents will be notified at least 5 days in advance. Presentation evaluation: TRL and Technical Feasibility (20%), Innovation and Value Proposition (15%), Commercialisation Strategy (15%), Beneficiation Impact (15%), Scalability and Industrialisation Potential (10%), IP Potential (10%), Economic Impact (10%), Team Capability and Implementation Readiness (5%). ELIDZ may conduct post-tender negotiations with preferred respondents during RFP stage. Funding may be awarded to a respondent that did not score highest if reasonable and justifiable grounds exist.

The programme supports enterprises that develop and optimise processes for converting hemp and cannabis biomass into biofuels and bio-based materials. Target products include: Bioethanol, Biodiesel, Biohydrogen, Biogas and Syngas; Bio-composites, Bioplastics and Textiles from hemp fibres and hurds; Bio-foams, Bio-lubricants, Bioconstruction and Bio-packaging materials; Biochar. Applicants must have a product at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4 or higher. The EOI is for prototype development only; no business operations are awarded through this process. The programme offers product and process development, enterprise development services, compliance testing, and commercialisation support.

The EOI application form requires: Project Description (product and core purpose); Technology Readiness and Innovation (current TRL, evidence, innovation, testing outcomes); Intellectual Property (anticipated IP protection); Beneficiation Impact (contribution to local value addition, target value chain segment); Scalability and Sustainability (steps to scale, resources, partnerships, long-term sustainability); Commercialisation Potential (market need, target customers, route-to-market, revenue generation); Economic Development and Job Creation (expected jobs over 3-5 years, opportunities for local suppliers/farmers/SMMEs/communities, skills development); Project Risks (technical/commercial risks and mitigation); Project Support (previous assistance); Team (key members with ID numbers, roles, qualifications, experience); Milestones (key deliverables, estimated delivery dates, total amount requested).

Respondents must submit proof of relevant industry experience for company directors and any other members involved in the project. The team section requires listing key members with ID numbers, current occupation, role in the project, qualifying attributes, and years of experience. Attach profiles of team members. If part of a consortium, list external partners and their role/contribution, attaching proof of Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding.

Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) guide: TRL 1-3 research and concept; TRL 4-6 development and prototyping (TRL 4: lab validation of basic prototype; TRL 5: validation in simulated environment; TRL 6: demonstration in representative environment); TRL 7-9 commercialisation and deployment (TRL 7: prototype in real-world environment; TRL 8: system complete and qualified; TRL 9: fully operational in production). Applicants must be at TRL 4 or higher.

The application form includes a Milestones section where respondents outline key deliverables, estimated delivery dates, and a total amount requested. ELIDZ will not reimburse any preparation costs. ELIDZ may enter into price negotiations with preferred innovators.

Respondents bear all costs of preparing and submitting the EOI; ELIDZ will not reimburse any expenses. ELIDZ may invite respondents to present or demonstrate their solution at the respondent's own cost. The application form requires a milestone-based budget with total amount requested. ELIDZ may request audited financial statements for due diligence. ELIDZ may enter into price negotiations with preferred innovators.

Minimum eligibility: registered business entity; qualify as an SMME under the National Small Enterprise Act; fully operational and based in the Eastern Cape Province (verifiable proof of residence or business location); product at TRL 4 or higher; potential to generate competitive new IP; product scalable to pilot and industrial levels; Project Information Form. Exclusions: entities outside Eastern Cape; previously funded by ELIDZ; funded for same activities elsewhere (no double-dipping); submissions without completed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook. Returnable documents: valid Tax Clearance certificate; Company Registration documents; Declaration of product's stage of development; Latest audited financial statements or DTI Affidavit indicating turnover and B-BBEE level; ELIDZ Procurement Handbook; valid proof of address (last 3 months); Project Information Form; proof of industry experience for directors/team; Project Concept Note or Business Proposal; proof of current development stage including TRL evidence; joint venture agreement if applicable; valid original or certified B-BBEE certificate; fully completed EOI Application Form with milestones and costing; relevant licences, permits or regulatory approvals; supporting documents (product certification, market studies, IP registrations, letters of intent/off-take agreements). Essential returnable documents (missing these results in zero score for that criterion, not disqualification): Project Concept Note/Business Proposal; relevant licences, permits or regulatory approvals; CVs of team members with verifiable references; proof of TRL; fully completed EOI Application Form. B-BBEE: EMEs (turnover under R10m) automatically level 4; black-owned (>51%) level 2; 100% black-owned level 1. Acceptable proof: letter from accounting firm or SARS confirming turnover under R10m, plus sworn affidavit. B-BBEE certificates from non-accredited agencies not accepted. ELIDZ may verify B-BBEE credentials independently. Tax compliance: submit SARS PIN or Tax Clearance Certificate; if in consortia/JV/sub-contractors, each party must submit separate proof. If no TCS, provide CSD number. Successful respondents must register on Treasury's CSD database. Authority to sign: certified board resolution (company), resolution of partners (partnership), or certified proof of sole ownership (one-man business).

B-BBEE requirements: EMEs (turnover under R10m) automatically level 4; black-owned (>51%) level 2; 100% black-owned level 1. Acceptable proof: letter from accounting firm or SARS confirming turnover under R10m, plus sworn affidavit. B-BBEE certificates from non-accredited agencies not accepted. ELIDZ may verify B-BBEE credentials independently. Procurement Handbook Annexure 1 must be fully completed; supplementary information may be provided by service providers with turnover under R10m.

The programme aims to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy security, and create sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. It supports the production of biofuels and bio-based materials from hemp and cannabis biomass, promoting local green industries and sustainable cannabis-based value chains.

Confidentiality: all information related to the EOI and subsequent contract must be treated with strict confidence; written approval required to divulge any information. The EOI document remains property of ELIDZ. Respondents must accept all terms and conditions; qualifications or exceptions must be noted. Costs of responding are for the respondent's own account. Authority of signatory: certified board resolution (company), resolution of partners (partnership), or certified proof of sole ownership (one-man business). ELIDZ may take no further action, withdraw, change dates, not invite respondents, not accept any or all EOIs, increase or decrease scope, validate information, request audited financial statements, and enter price negotiations. ELIDZ's decisions are final. General obligations: respondents are fully responsible for acts and omissions of their personnel and must comply with EOI requirements.

Funding may be awarded to a respondent that did not score highest if reasonable and justifiable grounds exist. Misrepresentation may lead to disqualification, contract termination, and recovery of payments. ELIDZ may verify B-BBEE credentials independently. Successful respondents must keep returnable documents valid for contract duration; failure may lead to termination. ELIDZ may conduct post-tender negotiations during RFP stage.

Minimum eligibility: registered business entity; SMME per National Small Enterprise Act; fully operational and based in Eastern Cape (verifiable proof); product at TRL 4 or higher; potential for competitive new IP; product scalable to pilot and industrial levels; Project Information Form. Exclusions: entities outside Eastern Cape; previously funded by ELIDZ; funded for same activities elsewhere (no double-dipping); submissions without completed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook.

Evaluation criteria include Technology Readiness and Innovation (weight 25% in functionality matrix, 20% in presentation), Commercialisation Potential (20% / 15%), Beneficiation Impact (20% / 15%), Scalability and Sustainability (20% / 10%), Economic Development and Job Creation (10% / 10%), Implementation Capacity (5% / 5%), plus in presentations: Innovation and Value Proposition (15%), Commercialisation Strategy (15%), IP Potential (10%). Minimum functionality threshold is 70%.