Development of assessment tools for occupational qualification: production process machine operator and assembler (102580)

Closing date: 21 October 2026

Closing time: 12:00 (noon)

Invitation date: 14 October 2026

No briefing or site visit is stated.

SCM enquiries:

• Contact: Karabo Phalo
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Phillip Maleka
• Email: not stated

Submission:

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]

Fraud hotline: 0800 333 057

Submission method: email to [email protected], using the RFQ number as the email subject.

Quotations must be clearly marked with the RFQ number and description of the required goods/services.

Only quotations received on or before the closing date and time will be considered; late submissions are disqualified.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted):

• Bidders Information form: company details, contact person, CSD supplier number, signed by an authorised representative.
• Undertaking by Bidder: commits the bidder to the offer, validity period, and acceptance of PFMA, merSETA SCM policy, and General/Special Conditions of Contract.
• Authority to Sign: authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder; attach registration certificates, partnership agreements, powers of attorney, or ID documents as applicable.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any employment by the state or relationship with the procuring institution; false disclosure disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims preference points for specific goals.
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form - Purchase of Goods/Works): signed contract form for the successful bidder.
• Pricing Schedule: firm prices, inclusive of VAT, using the official merSETA quotation form.
• Proof of CSD registration (valid CSD number).
• Copy of B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.
• References for similar work (if required).
• Any certification required by the specifications.

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable form left unsigned or omitted.
• Quotations received after the closing time.
• Failure to comply with specifications or terms of reference.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1: Compliance with administrative and mandatory requirements — all RFQ forms completed, valid CSD registration, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1, and other mandatory documents.

Stage 2: Compliance to specifications / functionality scoring — bidders must meet the minimum technical specification requirements. Any bid failing the overall minimum threshold of 70% or the minimum score for any individual component is disqualified from further evaluation.

Stage 3: Price and preference goals — 80/20 preference point system: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals.

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100 (Stage 2).

Proposals scoring 70 or more proceed on an equal footing to the final round on price and specific goals.

Scope: Development of assessment tools for the Occupational Qualification: Production Process Machine Operator and Assembler (102580).

Deliverables:

• Develop three (3) assessment instruments and one (1) exemplar assessment instrument.
• Develop a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Toolkit instrument.
• Develop the Qualification Assessment Specification Addendum (QASA).
• Support the submission process and obtain formal approval of the QASA by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

Project timeline: minimum 6 months, maximum 24 months from date of signature.

Team requirement: the appointed supplier must have a lead or subject matter expert for the qualification, plus three (3) Assessor/Moderator team members.

The RFQ is evaluated in three stages:

Stage 1: Compliance with administrative and mandatory requirements — all RFQ forms completed, valid CSD registration, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1, and other mandatory documents.

Stage 2: Compliance to specifications / functionality scoring — bidders must meet the minimum technical specification requirements to advance.

Stage 3: Price and preference goals — 80/20 preference point system.

Bidders must fully address the technical/functional requirements of the specification upon submission.

Deliverables must meet the requirements of the Occupational Qualification: Production Process Machine Operator and Assembler (102580).

Develop three (3) assessment instruments and one (1) exemplar assessment instrument.

Develop a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Toolkit instrument.

Develop the Qualification Assessment Specification Addendum (QASA).

Support the submission process and obtain formal approval of the QASA by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO).

The appointed supplier must have a lead or subject matter expert for the qualification, plus three (3) Assessor/Moderator team members.

Pricing schedule — firm prices only; non-firm prices (including prices subject to rates of exchange variations) will not be considered.

Where different delivery points influence pricing, a separate pricing schedule must be submitted for each delivery point.

VAT at 15% applies.

The official merSETA quotation form must be used; if the price page is insufficient, an additional pricing breakdown on company letterhead may be attached.

Price Declaration must be completed; if total RFQ prices differ, the one on the price declaration is considered correct.

Pricing format: firm prices only; non-firm prices (including prices subject to rates of exchange variations) will not be considered.

Prices must be inclusive of VAT (15%) and include all related expenses such as transport and accommodation.

Quoted prices must remain valid for a minimum of 60 days from the closing date and time.

Payment terms: merSETA undertakes to pay valid invoices in full within 30 days from statement date for work done to its satisfaction upon presentation of a substantiated claim.

merSETA will not pay for unproductive or duplicated time caused by staff changes, inefficiencies or rework.

No services may be rendered or goods delivered before acceptance of the official merSETA appointment letter or a Purchase Order.

CSD registration: bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide a valid CSD number.

Tax compliance: tax matters must be in order in line with Treasury Regulations and reflected on CSD; a condition of award.

B-BBEE: a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit is required to claim preference points; supporting proof may include a CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD.

Accreditation: bidders must be an accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) or Assessment Centre.

Returnable forms: SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1, Authority to Sign, and Bidders Information form must be completed and signed.

The applicable preference point system is 80/20: 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals.

Specific goals and points:

• 51% or more black people ownership: 6 points
• 30% or more black women ownership: 4 points
• 30% or more black youth ownership: 4 points
• 30% or more white women ownership: 2 points
• 20% or more owners with disability: 4 points

Supporting proof: valid B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD.

Failure to submit the required proof means preference points for specific goals are not claimed.

merSETA may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim before or after adjudication.

The quotation is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022, the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any applicable Special Conditions of Contract; the GCC is available on the National Treasury website.

The successful supplier may be required to complete and sign an SLA or Contract Form SBD 7.1 or SBD 7.2.

The offer remains binding for the validity period (minimum 60 days) from the closing time.

Withdrawal of a quote within the validity period, or failure to fulfil the contract, may result in the bidder paying any additional expenses incurred by merSETA in accepting a less favourable quote or re-inviting quotes.

merSETA may recover such additional expenditure by set-off against monies due or any guarantee or deposit.

Acceptance of the quote may be communicated by email to the address supplied in the quotation.

South African law governs the contract; the bidder must choose a domicilium citandi et executandi in the Republic.

The bidder accepts full responsibility for the proper execution of all obligations and conditions.

False or incorrect information may lead to recovery of costs, cancellation of contract, and damages.

Payment: merSETA pays valid invoices in full within 30 days from statement date for work done to its satisfaction; no payment for unproductive or duplicated time caused by staff changes, inefficiencies or rework.

Quoted prices must remain valid for a minimum of 60 days from the closing date and time.

Prices must be firm and inclusive of VAT where applicable, and must include all related expenses such as transport and accommodation.

No services may be rendered or goods delivered before acceptance of the official merSETA appointment letter or a Purchase Order.

merSETA reserves the right to appoint more than one supplier/service provider and to award the quote as a whole or in part.

merSETA reserves the right to conduct site inspections at the bidder's premises or client sites, where deemed necessary.

merSETA reserves the right to require any information, agreement, or supporting document necessary to verify a bid, including FICA and related background checks.

merSETA may consider its own past experience with any bidder that has supplied similar goods/rendered similar services within the preceding five (5) years.

Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD) and must provide a valid CSD number.

The service provider must, on submission of the quotation, fully address the technical/functional requirements of the specification.

Tax matters must be in order in line with Treasury Regulations and reflected on CSD at the time of award.

The RFQ is evaluated in three stages: Stage 1 — compliance with administrative and mandatory requirements (all RFQ forms completed, valid CSD registration, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1 and other mandatory documents); Stage 2 — compliance to specifications/functionality scoring; Stage 3 — price and preference goals.

Bidders must meet the minimum technical specification requirements to advance.

Any bid failing the overall minimum threshold of 70%, or the minimum score for any individual component, is disqualified from Stage 3.

Proposals scoring 70 or more proceed on an equal footing to the final round on price and specific goals.