Feasibility study: marula fruit beneficiation – professional services tender in limpopo

Closing date: 17 November 2026 at 11:00.

Briefing session: none stated (the briefing/site inspection fields are marked as not applicable).

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Voster Masemola
• Department: Supply Chain Management
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 013 262 7656

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Cleopas Nchabeleng
• Department: Planning and Economic Development (Manager: LED)
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 083 345 7579

Submission address:

AB Sikhosana Fire Station reception area

Groblersdal

0470

Postal address (for bid delivery):

The Municipal Manager

Sekhukhune District Municipality

Private Bag X8611

Groblersdal

0470

Submission method: deposit the bid into the bid box at the AB Sikhosana Fire Station (Groblersdal Fire Station) reception area, Groblersdal, 0470. The bid box is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Bids submitted at the Bareki Mall offices will not be considered.

Bid marking: proposals must be clearly marked 'SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY FEASIBILITY STUDY ON BENEFICIATION OF THE MARULA FRUIT'.

Addressed to: The Municipal Manager, Sekhukhune District Municipality, Private Bag X8611, Groblersdal, 0470.

Closing time: 17 November 2026 at 11:00. Bids received after the closing time will not be considered. Faxed and emailed bids will not be considered. Amendments to bids are accepted only if received before the closing date.

Bids must be submitted on official forms, not re-typed. Bids must remain valid for 90 days from the closing date.

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

• MBD 1: Invitation to Bid (Part A & B) – bidder details and offer.
• Pricing Schedule – completed price for the services.
• MBD 4: Declaration of Interest – discloses whether the bidder or any director/shareholder is in the service of the state or related to anyone involved in the evaluation/adjudication.
• MBD 6.1: Preference Points Claim Form – claims preference points under the 80/20 system.
• MBD 7.2: Contract Form (Rendering of Services) – undertaking to render services and accept the contract terms.
• MBD 8: Declaration of Bidder's Past Supply Chain Management Practices – records any past SCM abuse, fraud, corruption or contract failures.
• MBD 9: Certificate of Independent Bid Determination – certifies the bid was prepared independently without collusion.
• MBD 5: Declaration for Procurement Above R10 Million – required if the estimated value exceeds R10 million; includes financial statements and municipal commitments declarations.
• Schedule 1A: Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire.
• Schedule 1B: Authority for Signatory / Letter of authorised signatories.
• Bidder Municipal Services Account Verification Consent Form – authorises verification of outstanding municipal services payments.
• Certificate of Authority for Joint Venture – compulsory where applicable.
• Original certified copy of ID documents for directors, not older than three months.
• Copy of company registration documents or CK1 for Close Corporations.
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status certificate or PIN.
• Compliant CSD registration/CSD Summary Report.
• Form of offer properly signed.

Disqualification risks:

• Bids not submitted to the correct bid box by the closing time.
• Missing, unsigned, or incomplete returnable forms.
• Bids from persons in the service of the state.
• Bids with false declarations (e.g., false MBD 4 or MBD 9) will be disqualified.

Three-stage evaluation:

First stage: evaluation of returnable documents and completeness.

Second stage: functionality – scored out of 100 points. Minimum qualifying score: 60 points. Bidders below 60 are not progressed.

Third stage: preference point system 80/20 – 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals (PPPFA Regulations 2022).

Functionality criteria (total 100 points):

• Experience of company (feasibility studies conducted): 40 points – 1-3 studies: 15; 4-5 studies: 30; 6-7 studies: 40. Evidence: appointment letters or completion certificates.
• Experience of key staff in similar projects: 20 points – 2 studies: 10; 3 studies: 20. Evidence: CVs with contactable references or signed and stamped reference letters.
• Qualifications of key staff (admin support and account support): 20 points – National diploma (Agricultural Sciences or Economics): 5; Degree (Agricultural Sciences or BCom Economics): 10; Honours degree: 15; Master's degree: 20. Evidence: certified copies of certificates, less than three months old.
• Methodology and workplan: 20 points – overall approach and understanding of the TOR (Excellent 10, Good 8, Satisfactory 4, Unsatisfactory 0); clear workplan (Excellent 10, Good 8, Satisfactory 4, Unsatisfactory 0). Evidence: project proposal.

Project: development of a feasibility study on the beneficiation of marula fruit in Sekhukhune District (once-off).

The study must assess the strategic and commercial potential of marula beneficiation and provide recommendations to guide future decision-making, investment planning and possible implementation.

Scope of work:

• Assess the availability, seasonality and broad utilisation potential of marula resources in the district.
• Review market opportunities and potential value-added product categories at a high level.
• Identify suitable beneficiation options and associated technical considerations (without requiring disclosure of proprietary methods).
• Develop proof-of-concepts for targeted applications in cosmetics, nutraceuticals and food.
• Assess broad regulatory, quality, environmental, institutional and community participation considerations.
• Identify potential partnerships, enterprise development opportunities and stakeholder roles.
• Provide an implementation roadmap and recommendations to guide future planning, investment readiness and possible industrial-scale development.

Deliverables:

• Inception report (methodology, workplan, stakeholder engagement approach, reporting framework).
• Situational analysis and opportunity assessment report.
• Draft feasibility study report.
• Prototype development (validation of proof-of-concept prototypes for cosmetic, nutraceutical and food applications).
• Stakeholder engagement summary.
• Final feasibility study and presentation (including stakeholder feedback, conclusions, recommendations and roadmap).

Consultant profile requirements:

• Post-graduate degree in Agricultural Sciences, Horticulture, Food Science and Technology, Agro-processing, Agricultural Economics or Chemical Engineering.
• Relevant experience in agricultural development, agro-processing, feasibility studies, market analysis, commercialisation, local economic development or related fields is advantageous.
• Must provide time estimates for milestones, methodology, company profile and previous similar jobs.

The service provider will work in collaboration with SDM staff, local municipalities, service providers and stakeholders.

The service provider must propose a detailed methodology and workplan that demonstrates how each deliverable will be achieved. This is evaluated as part of functionality (20 points). The method must include: overall approach and understanding of the TOR (excellent 10, good 8, satisfactory 4, unsatisfactory 0) and a clear workplan (excellent 10, good 8, satisfactory 4, unsatisfactory 0). The methodology should cover confirmed methodology, workplan, stakeholder engagement approach and reporting framework (as per the inception report). Time estimates for reaching milestones must be provided. The study must be delivered in collaboration with SDM staff, local municipalities and relevant stakeholders.

Company experience: scored up to 40 points based on number of feasibility studies conducted (evidence: appointment letters or completion certificates). 1-3 studies: 15 points; 4-5 studies: 30 points; 6-7 studies: 40 points; no experience: 0.

Key staff experience: scored up to 20 points based on involvement in similar projects (evidence: CV with contactable references or signed and stamped reference letter). 2 studies: 10 points; 3 studies: 20 points; no experience: 0.

Key staff qualifications: scored up to 20 points. National diploma (Agricultural Sciences or Economics): 5 points; Degree (Agricultural Sciences or BCom Economics): 10 points; Honours degree (Agricultural Sciences or Economics): 15 points; Master's degree (Agricultural Sciences or Economics): 20 points. Evidence: certified copies of certificates, less than three months old.

Additional requirements: relevant experience in agricultural development, agro-processing, feasibility studies, market analysis, commercialisation, local economic development or related fields is advantageous.

Pricing must be submitted on the official Pricing Schedule. Bid price must be inclusive of VAT. The 80/20 preference point system applies: 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals.

For bids below R10 million, the following are required:

• Municipal rates proof for the bidder and directors (payments not overdue more than 90 days) or proof of lease agreement including rates for the landlord. If in a rural area where rates are not paid, attach proof from the local authority/municipality and an affidavit, or proof that no municipal rates are payable.
• Consent form to verify outstanding municipal services.

For bids above R10 million (MBD 5):

• Audited annual financial statements for the past three years (or since establishment) – for JVs, the lead partner's statements.
• Certificate of no undisputed municipal services commitments overdue more than 30 days.
• Municipal rates proof as above.
• Particulars of contracts awarded by organs of state in the past five years, including material non-compliance or disputes.
• Statement on any portion of goods/services sourced from outside the Republic and payments to be transferred out.

No bill of quantities, schedule of rates, or payment schedules are specified.

Bid price must be quoted inclusive of VAT.

Payment terms: the municipality undertakes to pay within 30 days after receipt of an invoice (per MBD 7.2 contract form).

For bids expected to be below R10 million:

• Submit municipal rates proof for the bidder and its directors (payments not overdue more than 90 days) or proof of lease agreement including rates for the landlord. If in a rural area where rates are not paid, attach proof from the local authority/municipality and an affidavit, or proof that no municipal rates are payable.
• Submit consent forms to verify outstanding municipal services (water, electricity, taxes) prior to contract award.

For bids expected to exceed R10 million (MBD 5):

• Submit audited annual financial statements for the past three years (or since establishment if less than three years). For JVs, the lead partner's audited statements.
• A certificate signed by the bidder certifying no undisputed municipal services commitments overdue more than 30 days.
• Municipal rates proof as above.
• Particulars of any contracts awarded by an organ of state during the past five years, including material non-compliance or disputes.
• A statement on any portion of goods/services expected to be sourced from outside the Republic and any payment expected to be transferred out of the Republic.

No bid security, guarantee or retention requirements are stated.

CSD registration: bidder must be registered on the Central Supplier Database; a CSD number or CSD Summary Report must be provided. Where no TCS is available, a CSD number suffices.

Tax compliance: bidder must submit a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status certificate or a unique SARS PIN. Foreign suppliers must complete the pre-award questionnaire (Part B:3) and are not required to register for a TCS PIN if they have no South African establishment or tax liability.

For consortia/JVs/sub-contractors, each party must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.

State employees: no bids will be considered from persons in the service of the state.

Disqualification risks: failure to provide any required particulars may render the bid invalid. Bidders listed on the National Treasury's Database of Restricted Suppliers or the Register for Tender Defaulters, or convicted of fraud or corruption in the past five years, will be rejected.

B-BBEE: preference points will be awarded under the 80/20 system for specific goals (HDI ownership, women ownership, disability ownership, HDI youth, locality within SDM jurisdiction). Evidence required via MBD 6.1.

No health and safety, OHS, or HSE requirements are stated in this tender. The content provided for this section is boilerplate and not specific to the assignment.

The feasibility study must assess environmental considerations as part of the scope. Specifically, the scope includes assessing 'broad regulatory, quality, environmental, institutional and community participation considerations' for marula beneficiation. No separate environmental compliance requirements are specified.

Contract form: the successful bidder must complete and sign MBD 7.2 (Contract Form - Rendering of Services). The contract will include the bidding documents, tax compliance proof, pricing schedule, task directive/proposal, preference claim form, declarations of interest and past SCM practices, certificate of independent bid determination, and special conditions of contract, along with the General Conditions of Contract.

Payment terms: payment to be made within 30 days after receipt of an invoice.

Bid validity: bid must remain valid for 90 days from the closing date.

Municipal services verification: the municipality requires all bidders to complete and submit the consent form authorising verification of outstanding municipal services payments (water, electricity, taxes) prior to contract award.

False declarations: if any specific goal or preference point is claimed fraudulently, the municipality may disqualify the bidder, recover costs, cancel the contract, and recommend restriction from doing business with organs of state for up to 10 years, and/or refer for criminal prosecution.

No liquidated damages or termination terms are stated beyond general conditions.