Panel of legal services for the limpopo economic development agency (leda) — 36 months, five practice categories

Closing: 12 November 2026 at 11:00.

Bid validity: 90 days from the closing date.

Bidding procedure enquiries

• Contact: Santy Mkhabela
• Telephone: 015 633 4700
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Mapula Modjadji
• Telephone: 015 633 4700
• Email: [email protected]

Submission address (bid box)

Limpopo Economic Development Agency

Enterprise Development House

Main Road

Lebowakgomo, 0737

Submission method: sealed bid deposited in LEDA's bid box.

Bid box address:

Limpopo Economic Development Agency

Enterprise Development House

Main Road

Lebowakgomo, 0737

Closing: 12 November 2026 at 11:00 — bids received after the closing time are not accepted.

Format: bids must be submitted on the official forms supplied in the bid pack; retyped forms are not accepted.

Returnable documents — all must be completed and signed by an authorised representative:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule — Professional Services): hourly rates per resource level.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment or relationships with the procuring institution; each joint venture or consortium party must submit a separate form.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): claims specific-goal points; if it is not submitted, no specific-goal points are awarded.
• CSD registration confirmation — bidders not registered on the Central Supplier Database at closing are disqualified.
• Consortium or joint venture agreement, signed by all parties, where applicable.
• Fidelity Fund Certificate, valid where required by law.
• Certificate or letter of professional good standing.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory document omitted or left unsigned.
• Bid received after the closing time.
• Bidder not registered on the CSD at closing.
• False or incomplete declarations.
• Bidders, directors or members who are persons in the service of the state.
• Bid that does not follow the specification.

Stage 1 mandatory returnable documents:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): fully completed and signed.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule — Professional Services): fully completed and signed, with hourly rates for Director/Partner (Lead Attorney), Senior Attorney, Associate and Candidate Attorney.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): fully completed and signed; each joint venture or consortium party must complete a separate form.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): non-submission means no specific-goal points are awarded.
• CSD registration at the time of closing.
• Consortium or joint venture agreement, signed by all parties, where applicable.
• Fidelity Fund Certificate, valid where required.
• Certificate or letter of professional good standing.

Three-stage evaluation.

Stage 1 — Pre-qualification (compliance): mandatory documents must be submitted, completed and signed; non-submission may disqualify. Only compliant bidders proceed.

Stage 2 — Technical evaluation: 100 points; minimum qualifying score 70/100 to proceed to Stage 3.

• Firm/practice experience (40 points): appointment and reference letters for assignments in the last five years in the selected category — five or more letters 40; four 30; three 20; two 10; none 0.
• Lead Attorney qualifications and experience (25 points): 10 years or more as an admitted attorney 25; 9 to 5 years 15; under 5 to 2 years 5; none 0.
• Senior Associate (20 points): 6 to 4 years in practice 20.
• Associate (10 points): 4 to 2 years in practice 10.
• Candidate Attorney (5 points): 2 to 6 months in practice 5.
• Admission certificates and evidence of years in practice must be attached.

Stage 3 — Price and specific goals: the 80/20 preference point system applies (price 80 points, specific goals 20 points); the 90/10 split (price 90, specific goals 10) applies where the value threshold triggers it. Price points are calculated on the prescribed preference-point formula using the lowest acceptable bid.

Specific goals points (80/20 / 90/10):

• Black people ownership: 5 / 2
• Women equity: 3 / 2
• Youth equity: 2 / 1
• Disability: 2 / 1
• Promotion of small businesses: 3 / 2
• Enterprises located within Limpopo: 3 / 1
• Military Veterans (MVA): 2 / 1
• Total: 20 / 10

Verification: CSD for ownership, women and youth; medical certificate or equivalent for disability; latest financial statement for small business promotion; proof of address in the company name for Limpopo location; MVA force number for military veterans.

Deadlock rules: highest specific-goal score wins; if still equal, award by drawing lots; where functionality applies and scores are equal, the highest functionality score wins.

Panel size: a maximum of five service providers per category; fewer may be appointed; meeting the 70-point threshold does not guarantee appointment; where more than five qualify, the five highest-scoring responsive bidders are considered.

Purpose: establish a panel of external legal services providers for LEDA and its subsidiaries for 36 months, on an as-and-required basis. Appointment to the panel does not guarantee any work, volume of assignments or expenditure.

Categories — bidders must select the category or categories they wish to be considered for; each selected category must be supported by relevant experience, qualified practitioners and evidence:

1. Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Debt Recovery — civil and commercial litigation, High Court and Magistrates' Court matters, appeals and reviews, arbitration and mediation, debt collection and recovery, enforcement of judgments.
2. Corporate, Commercial, Governance and Contract Law — commercial advice, drafting, review and negotiation of contracts, governance, subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnerships, board and committee resolutions, shareholder and investment matters, legal opinions.
3. Property, Conveyancing, Town Planning and Construction Law — conveyancing and transfers, bonds and property instruments, acquisitions, disposals and leases, town planning and land use, property development, construction and infrastructure contracts, claims, variations, delays and defects, notarial services, occupational health and safety legal matters on projects.
4. Labour and Employment Law — employment advice, disciplinary and grievance matters, collective bargaining, employment contracts and policies, representation before the CCMA, Labour Court and Labour Appeal Court.
5. Public Law, Regulatory Compliance and Specialist Advisory Services — administrative, constitutional and public law, legislative drafting and review, regulatory compliance, IT, data protection, privacy and cyber law, mining and environmental law, transport, logistics and insurance law, international trade and cross-border matters.

General assignment deliverables: written legal opinions and research; drafting, review and negotiation of contracts, policies and governance instruments; legal due diligence and risk assessment; pleadings, notices, applications, affidavits and settlement agreements; representation in court, arbitration, mediation and labour forums; attendance at consultations, meetings, negotiations and hearings; urgent advice within specified turnaround times; progress, cost and risk reporting; support to LEDA subsidiaries.

Skills transfer: where requested, providers must run knowledge-sharing sessions, briefings, practical guidance and training on legal developments and share precedents; no additional fee may be charged.

Assignment instructions: each assignment is initiated by a written instruction or purchase order from an authorised LEDA official setting out scope, deliverables, timeframe, key personnel, reporting and approved fees; the provider must confirm acceptance in writing and, where required, sign a separate engagement letter. Work outside the approved scope may not start without prior written approval.

Work allocation: LEDA allocates work by rotation, by requesting fee proposals, or directly where justified, considering expertise, complexity, urgency, capacity, continuity, past performance, conflicts, approved rates and value for money.

Technical experience is scored on appointment and reference letters for assignments undertaken in the last five years within the selected area of expertise.

Firm/practice experience (40 points): five or more letters 40; four 30; three 20; two 10; none 0. Project details must cover the work undertaken, the duration and the client's contact details.

Lead Attorney (25 points): 10 years or more as an admitted attorney 25; 9 to 5 years 15; under 5 to 2 years 5; none 0.

Senior Associate (20 points): 6 to 4 years in practice 20.

Associate (10 points): 4 to 2 years in practice 10.

Candidate Attorney (5 points): 2 to 6 months in practice 5; none 0.

Admission certificates and evidence of years in practice must be attached for the practitioners proposed.

Total technical score: 100 points; minimum 70 points required to proceed to price and specific goals.

Bidders must submit a detailed pricing schedule showing hourly rates for each resource level: Director/Partner (Lead Attorney), Senior Attorney, Associate and Candidate Attorney.

SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule — Professional Services) must be completed and signed.

LEDA may negotiate standard hourly rates with all bidders appointed to the panel, on value-for-money principles and internal cost structures. Negotiated rates form the basis of work allocation during the three-year panel period. Bidders unwilling to accept negotiated or benchmarked rates may be excluded from the panel.

Rates remain valid for the duration of the contract, subject to annual performance reviews and inflation adjustments if applicable and agreed in writing.

Pricing format: SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule — Professional Services) must be completed and signed, showing hourly rates for each resource level: Director/Partner (Lead Attorney), Senior Attorney, Associate and Candidate Attorney.

Rate negotiation: LEDA may negotiate standard hourly rates with all appointed panel members on value-for-money principles; negotiated rates form the basis of work allocation over the three-year panel period. Bidders unwilling to accept negotiated or benchmarked rates may be excluded from the panel.

Rate validity: rates remain valid for the duration of the contract, subject to annual performance reviews and inflation adjustments if agreed in writing.

Bid validity: offers must remain open for acceptance for 90 days from the closing date.

Performance security: the successful bidder must provide the performance security specified in the Special Conditions of Contract within 30 days of notification of award.

CSD: bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database at the time of closing; non-registration disqualifies the bid.

Tax: submit a SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, a printed TCS certificate, or a CSD number where no TCS is available. Each party to a consortium, joint venture or subcontract arrangement must submit its own TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.

Legal practice: bidders must be legally constituted and authorised to provide the proposed legal services, comply with the Legal Practice Act and Legal Practice Council rules, and provide evidence of admission, enrolment or other authority to practise.

Professional standing: valid Legal Practice Council registration and a Fidelity Fund Certificate where required by law; a certificate or letter of professional good standing; professional indemnity insurance where applicable.

Conflict of interest: bidders must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict involving LEDA, its subsidiaries, directors, employees or officials; panel members must run a conflict check and confirm in writing that they can act independently before accepting each assignment, and must disclose conflicts arising during an assignment immediately.

State employment: bids from persons in the service of the state, or from companies with directors or members in the service of the state, will not be considered.

Restricted suppliers: bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

Specific goals: preference points are claimed on SBD 6.1 and verified through the CSD and supporting documents; no points are awarded if the form is not submitted.

Specific goals preference points are claimed under the 80/20 and 90/10 systems:

• Black people ownership: 5 points (80/20) / 2 points (90/10) — verified on the CSD.
• Women equity: 3 / 2 — verified on the CSD.
• Youth equity: 2 / 1 — verified on the CSD.
• Disability: 2 / 1 — medical certificate or equivalent.
• Promotion of small businesses: 3 / 2 — latest financial statement.
• Enterprises located within Limpopo: 3 / 1 — proof of address in the company name.
• Military Veterans (MVA): 2 / 1 — MVA force number.
• Total specific-goal points: 20 under 80/20 and 10 under 90/10.

Points are claimed on a duly completed SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim Form. Failure to submit the required proof with the bid means the specific-goal points are not claimed. LEDA may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim at any time.

Panel period: 36 months from the effective date of appointment. Appointment does not create an entitlement to work or expenditure.

Continuation, extension or modification is subject to applicable legislation, procurement requirements, LEDA policies and approval by the appropriate authority.

Assignment instructions: each assignment starts with a formal written instruction or purchase order from an authorised LEDA official specifying background, scope, deliverables, timeframe, key personnel, reporting requirements, approved fees and any assignment-specific conditions. The provider must confirm acceptance in writing and, where required, conclude a separate engagement letter. Work outside the approved scope may not begin without prior written approval.

Confidentiality: strict confidentiality applies to all LEDA information; disclosure to third parties requires prior written authorisation except where required by law or professional duty. Providers must implement safeguards and report any actual or suspected unauthorised access, disclosure, loss or compromise promptly. These obligations survive expiry or termination.

POPIA: where personal information is processed for LEDA, the provider must comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act and LEDA privacy and information-security requirements, restrict access to those who need it, bind third parties to confidentiality and security obligations, and return, retain or securely dispose of information as directed.

Work product and files: ownership and handling are subject to legal and professional obligations and LEDA's requirements.

The General Conditions of Contract apply, covering payment, prices, contract amendments, assignment, subcontracting, delays, penalties, termination for default or insolvency, force majeure, dispute settlement, limitation of liability, applicable law and prohibition of restrictive practices. Where Special Conditions of Contract conflict with the General Conditions, the Special Conditions prevail.

LEDA reserves the right to appoint the bidder that proves fully capable and qualified to execute the work.

Bids must follow the detailed specification; failure to bid accordingly automatically disqualifies the bid.

LEDA may cancel or withdraw the bid where circumstances change, the services are no longer needed, funds are no longer available, no acceptable bids are received, a fair market price cannot be negotiated, or there is a material irregularity in the process.

LEDA may interview shortlisted bidders before final selection and may conduct supplier due diligence before award or during the contract, including unannounced site visits.

Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database before submission.

Bids must be deposited in the tender box at 1 Main Road, Lebowakgomo, by 12 November 2026 at 11:00.

The bid document contains confidential LEDA information; no part may be used, copied, disclosed or conveyed without prior written permission, and LEDA may not be referenced in promotional material without express written consent.

Bidders must be legally constituted and authorised to render the proposed legal services.

Bidders must comply with the Legal Practice Act and all applicable professional requirements, and provide evidence of admission, enrolment or other authority to practise.

Valid Legal Practice Council registration and a Fidelity Fund Certificate are required where the law requires them.

Evidence of professional good standing must be provided.

Bidders must propose appropriately qualified practitioners with experience relevant to each selected category.

Professional indemnity insurance must be maintained where applicable.

Bidders must comply with professional codes, ethical duties and statutory requirements, and disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.

LEDA may verify submitted information with the relevant regulatory or professional bodies.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database at the time of closing.

Three-stage evaluation.

Stage 1 — Pre-qualification: mandatory documents must be submitted, completed and signed; non-submission may disqualify.

Stage 2 — Technical evaluation: 100 points; minimum 70/100 required to proceed.

Stage 3 — Price and specific goals: 80/20 preference point system (price 80 points, specific goals 20 points) or 90/10 (price 90, specific goals 10), consolidated to 100 points. Price points use the prescribed preference-point formula based on the lowest acceptable bid.

Specific goals points (80/20 / 90/10): Black people ownership 5/2; women equity 3/2; youth equity 2/1; disability 2/1; promotion of small businesses 3/2; enterprises located within Limpopo 3/1; Military Veterans 2/1; total 20/10.

Deadlock rules: highest specific-goal score wins; if equal in all respects, award by drawing lots; where functionality applies and scores are equal, the highest functionality score wins.

Panel size: maximum five service providers per category; fewer may be appointed; meeting the technical threshold does not guarantee appointment; where more than five qualify, the five highest-scoring responsive bidders are considered.