Supply, implementation and two-year support of a cloud business intelligence & data analytics tool for the ipp office (RFP176/2026)

Compulsory briefing session (pre-qualifying requirement)

• Date: 02 October 2026
• Time: 10:30 to 11:30
• Venue: online via Microsoft Teams
• Bidders must register and join through the Teams link provided in the bid document; the link becomes accessible 15 minutes before the meeting and bidders must complete their details fully to gain access.

Closing

• Date: 16 October 2026
• Time: 23:55

OneDrive submission link requests

• Deadline: 15 October 2026 at 16:00 Johannesburg time

Clarifications

• Written clarification requests must reach the DBSA at least three working days before the submission date.
• Clarification response times required of bidders: 48 hours for standard conditions of tender and for returnable documents completed and signed; 7 days for CSD registration proof and for the SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.

Bid validity

• Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time.

Compulsory briefing session

• Date: 02 October 2026
• Time: 10:30 to 11:30
• Venue: online via Microsoft Teams
• Bidders must register and join through the Teams link provided in the bid document; the link becomes accessible 15 minutes before the meeting and bidders must complete their details fully to gain access.
• Attendance is a pre-qualifying requirement; a bidder that does not attend is disqualified.

Enquiries

• Unit: DBSA Supply Chain Management Unit
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: no questions will be answered telephonically
• Clarification and OneDrive link requests must be emailed to [email protected] only, quoting the RFP number in the subject line.

Complaints

• Email: [email protected]
• Complaints about the conduct of a DBSA employee must be addressed in writing to the Chief Executive Officer of the DBSA at the DBSA's physical address.

Submission

• Method: electronic upload via a OneDrive link issued on request
• No physical bids will be received at the DBSA offices.

Submission method

• Electronic submission only, through a OneDrive link issued by the DBSA. Physical, faxed and emailed bids will not be accepted.
• Bidders must email [email protected] to request the OneDrive submission link, quoting the RFP number in the subject line.
• Link requests close on 15 October 2026 at 16:00 Johannesburg time; requests received after that may be disregarded.
• Bidders must nominate one dedicated contact person (name, email address and telephone number).
• Bidders must upload using the correct bidder document and tender link. The DBSA accepts no responsibility for an incorrect bidder email address or for the bidder's own computer, network or internet failures.
• Where an upload fails, the bidder must provide evidence of the attempted upload before the cut-off time together with the error received.
• Clarification requests must be emailed to [email protected] at least three working days before the submission date.
• Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided; retyped documents are not accepted.
• Two-folder submission: Folder 1 for functionality and returnable documents; Folder 2 for the pricing proposal.
• Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time; a bidder who does not accept a requested extension may be excluded while the process continues.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and included; omission may disqualify)

• Parts A to E of the bid document: Invitation to Bid, Terms and Conditions of Bidding, Checklist of Returnable Schedules, Conditions of Tendering and Undertakings, and Specifications/Terms of Reference.
• Annexure B, SBD 4 Declaration of Interest: discloses whether any director, trustee, shareholder or member is employed by the state or connected to anyone at the DBSA.
• Annexure C, SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim plus the B-BBEE status level certificate: claims preference points under the PPPFA.
• Annexure D: CIPC registration documents listing all members with percentages, for close corporations.
• Annexure E: latest share certificates, for companies.
• Annexure F, where applicable: breakdown of how fees and work will be split between consortium members.
• Annexure G: supporting documents for the pre-qualifying and functional evaluation criteria.
• Annexure H: General Conditions of Contract.
• Annexure I: CSD Tax Compliance Status and Registration Requirements Report.
• Proof of National Treasury CSD registration (summary report) and a SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.
• Proof of authority to sign the bid, such as a directors' resolution.

Disqualification risks

• Late submission, or submission by any channel other than the OneDrive link.
• Any returnable document omitted or left unsigned.
• Failure to attend the compulsory briefing session.
• Failure to answer a DBSA clarification request within the stated response time.

All returnable documents must be completed, signed where applicable and attached in the prescribed sequence; omission may disqualify the bid.

• Original bid document.
• Part A: Invitation to Bid.
• Part B: Terms and Conditions of Bidding.
• Part C: Checklist of Compulsory Returnable Schedules and Documents.
• Part D: Conditions of Tendering and Undertakings by Bidders.
• Part E: Specifications/Terms of Reference and Project Brief.
• Annexure B: SBD 4 Declaration of Interest, disclosing any director or shareholder employed by the state or connected to the DBSA.
• Annexure C: SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim and B-BBEE status level certificate, claiming preference points under the PPPFA.
• Annexure D: CIPC company registration documents listing all members with percentages, for close corporations.
• Annexure E: latest share certificates, for companies.
• Annexure F, where applicable: breakdown of how fees and work will be split between consortium members.
• Annexure G: supporting documents for the pre-qualifying and functional evaluation criteria.
• Annexure H: General Conditions of Contract.
• Annexure I: CSD Tax Compliance Status and Registration Requirements Report.

Evaluation is staged; a bid must pass each stage to proceed.

Stage 1 — Administrative responsiveness (pre-qualifying)

• Two-folder submission: Folder 1 functionality and returnable documents, Folder 2 pricing proposal.
• Attendance at the compulsory briefing session.
• OEM certification confirming the bidder is an accredited reseller of the proposed solution.
• Bidders who do not meet the clarification response times are treated as non-responsive.

Stage 2 — Functionality (100 points; minimum 70 required)

• Contactable references for similar services in the last five years, with reference letters showing company name, contract value, contact person and details, and date signed: 20 points (5 years or more = 20; 4–3 years = 15; 2–1 years = 8; under 1 year or none = 0).
• Project team track record and experience in business intelligence and data analytics, with a proposed support team structure and at least three CVs: 15 points (5 years or more = 15; 4–3 years = 10; 2–1 years = 5; under 1 year or none = 0). Each member is scored separately and the three primary members averaged.
• Project manager's experience in implementing business intelligence and data analytics solutions, with CV: 15 points (5 years or more = 15; 4–3 years = 10; 2–1 years = 6; under 1 year or none = 0).
• Understanding of scope of work, through a detailed write-up on methodology, approach, deliverables and artefacts covering the seven SOW elements: 20 points (Excellent = 20; Good = 15; Satisfactory = 7; Poor = 5; no response = 0).
• Support offering, through a support methodology covering maintenance, error tracking and debugging, upgrade capability, technical troubleshooting and user support: 15 points (all five points = 15; three to four = 12; two = 5; none = 0).
• Training offering, covering user training, IS personnel training, user manuals and other documentation: 15 points (full provision = 15; staff training and skills transfer without manuals = 8; no adherence = 0).
• Bidders scoring 70 or higher are invited to the presentation stage.

Stage 3 — Presentation/demo (30 points; minimum 21 required)

• Technical solution, high-level view of the proposed infrastructure: 5 points (meets = 5; somewhat meets = 4; does not meet = 0).
• Technical solution, high-level view of the proposed data solution and capabilities: 5 points (meets = 5; somewhat meets = 4; does not meet = 0).
• Previous work, showing four previous client dashboards and websites: 4 points.
• Previous work, showing a working dashboard or ETL pipeline: 4 points.
• Innovation and future-readiness, use of AI/ML for report categorisation, quality validation and trend detection: 4 points.
• Security and compliance, demonstrating data protection, encryption and MFA implementation: 4 points.
• Knowledge transfer strategy, how training and handover will be conducted: 4 points.
• Bidders scoring 21 or higher proceed to the price and specific goals stage.

Stage 4 — Price and specific goals (100 points, PPPFA 2022 80/20 system)

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals (B-BBEE level): 20 points.
• The recommended preferred bidder is the bidder with the lowest overall price, unless the DBSA cancels the RFP in line with the PPPFA Regulations.
• Pricing is submitted on the schedule in Annexure A1.

Risk analysis and objective criteria applied to the highest-ranked bidders

• Active, compliant SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN confirmed at recommendation stage.
• Full registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database.
• No misrepresentation in the tender information; professional registration documents may be verified online.
• The DBSA may demand independent documentary evidence within 48 hours to prove authenticity, failing which the bid is non-responsive; it may also contact employers and references directly.
• The bidder and its directors or shareholders must not appear on the Register of Tender Defaulters, must not have been convicted of fraud or corruption, and must not have been removed from a state contract for non-performance.
• A tender award terminated by the DBSA for non-performance in the 18 months before the closing date disqualifies the bidder; a written notice of non-performance in the 12 months before award may lead to exclusion.
• PEP and Procure Check screening is run; a negative result may lead to exclusion.
• A bidder with five active awards carrying outstanding value may be excluded, unless the outstanding value is 10% or less, or where three active awards include a project stalled for six months or more or placed on indefinite hold.

Due diligence on the preferred bidder

• The DBSA assesses civil judgements and criminal convictions, pending litigation, liquidation or business rescue, performance history including poor performance or gross breach of contract, reputational harm, restricted or blacklisted status, and may conduct vetting of the bidder or its directors.
• Financial assessment may cover key ratio analysis, efficiency, profitability, financial risk, liquidity, acid test, solvency, and commercial relationships with politically exposed persons.
• The DBSA may award the scope in full or in part subject to budget availability, and may negotiate to protect value for money.

Purpose

• Appointment of a professional service provider to supply, implement and maintain a Business Intelligence and Data Analytics tool for the Independent Power Producer Office (IPP Office) for 24 months (2 years), covering design, implementation and maintenance.

Current environment

• The IPP Office runs an on-premises Microsoft SQL environment with reporting and analytics delivered through Power BI, with some data still held in Excel.
• The IPP Office wants secure cloud-based access to data and dashboards for internal and external users without VPN connections, integrated with Microsoft Power Pages and Power Apps.

Objectives

• Design, implement and maintain a secure cloud-based data analytics environment integrated with the existing SQL and Microsoft Power Platform ecosystem.
• Migrate or integrate existing on-premises data sources into the new environment.
• Build automated models and ETL processes to ingest data from Excel and other structured and unstructured sources.
• Develop an integrated data architecture and enhance or extend existing Power BI dashboards and datasets for core business functions and reporting.
• Provide continuous support, maintenance and capacity building for two years.
• Establish a data governance framework aligned with the IPP Office's data protection, privacy and cybersecurity policies.

Business challenges to be solved

• Automatic categorisation and prioritisation of reports and unstructured text using machine learning instead of manual keyword work.
• Automated quality evaluation of regulatory reports (TECH, PM, ED, CM and similar) against a model, replacing manual business rules.
• Linking business units to unique identifiers without manual batch linking of data sets to folders.
• Automated detection of patterns, trends and typologies on production reports using different algorithms.
• Automated detective processes such as data preparation, cleansing and transaction profiling, replacing manual spreadsheet work.

Scope of work

Assessment

• Assess the current SQL Server and Power BI environment and data still held in Excel.
• Design a secure data architecture enabling Power BI cloud access without VPN, compliant with the IPP Office's data protection and cybersecurity policies.
• Recommend an optimal hosting and data gateway strategy, for example Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse or other Microsoft cloud solutions.
• Recommend the most cost-effective and scalable Power BI and data licensing model.
• Assess data quality, structure and readiness for migration.

Solution implementation and design

• Procure, configure and deploy the required cloud-based data infrastructure (SQL or equivalent).
• Establish secure connectivity between on-premises and cloud data sources.
• Set up ETL pipelines to automate ingestion from Excel files and other structured data sources into the SQL environment.
• Configure the ETL process for reporting data onto the cloud platform.
• Configure Power BI Service for secure organisation-wide access without VPN dependency.

Further scope elements referenced in evaluation

• Dashboard and report development.
• Maintenance and support.
• Capacity building and handover to IPP Office IS officials.
• Deliverables and artefacts.
• Technical and security requirements.

Bidders must set out a detailed methodology, approach, deliverables and artefacts addressing the seven scope elements: assessment and design; solution implementation; dashboard and report development; maintenance and support; capacity building and handover; deliverables; and technical and security requirements.

Assessment phase

• Assess the current SQL Server and Power BI environment and data still held in Excel.
• Design a secure data architecture enabling Power BI cloud access without VPN, compliant with the IPP Office's data protection and cybersecurity policies.
• Recommend an optimal hosting and data gateway strategy, for example Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse or other Microsoft cloud solutions.
• Recommend the most cost-effective and scalable Power BI and data licensing model.
• Assess data quality, structure and readiness for migration to ensure integrity and compatibility.

Implementation phase

• Procure, configure and deploy the required cloud-based data infrastructure (SQL or equivalent).
• Establish secure connectivity between on-premises and cloud data sources.
• Set up ETL pipelines to automate ingestion from Excel files and other structured data sources into the SQL environment.
• Configure the ETL process for reporting data onto the cloud platform.
• Configure Power BI Service for secure organisation-wide access without VPN dependency.

Support methodology required

• Maintenance of the application offered.
• Error tracking and debugging.
• Ability to upgrade or enhance the solution.
• Technical troubleshooting included.
• User support offering included in the SLA.

Training methodology required

• Training offered to all staff.
• Training and skills transfer plan during implementation for four IPP Office IS officials.
• User manuals and other relevant documentation.

Contactable references

• References for similar related services delivered within the last five years, supported by reference letters showing company name, contract value, contact person and contact details, and the date the letter was signed.
• Scoring: 5 years or more = 20 points; 4–3 years = 15 points; 2–1 years = 8 points; under 1 year or none = 0.

Project team

• A proposed support team structure and CVs of team members with relevant years of experience.
• At least three CVs must be submitted for evaluation, covering members who will work on and support the solution, with their roles and relevant experience against the scope of work.
• Scoring: 5 years or more = 15 points; 4–3 years = 10 points; 2–1 years = 5 points; under 1 year or none = 0. Each member is scored separately and the three primary members averaged.

Project manager

• A project manager CV showing years of experience in implementing business intelligence and data analytics solutions.
• Scoring: 5 years or more = 15 points; 4–3 years = 10 points; 2–1 years = 6 points; under 1 year or none = 0.

OEM accreditation

• Certification from the OEM of the proposed solution confirming the bidder is an accredited reseller is a pre-qualifying requirement.

Pricing is submitted separately in Folder 2 as the pricing proposal, using the pricing schedule in Annexure A1.

• Price carries 80 of 100 points at the price and specific goals stage under the PPPFA 2022 80/20 system; specific goals (B-BBEE level) carry 20 points.
• The recommended preferred bidder is the bidder with the lowest overall price, unless the DBSA cancels the RFP under the PPPFA Regulations.
• Only bidders that pass the responsiveness test and the functionality evaluation are evaluated on price.
• Bidders must promptly notify the DBSA of any error in their submitted response, including pricing errors, other than clerical errors with no bearing on evaluation.
• All costing must be in South African Rand.
• The DBSA may award the scope in full or in part subject to budget availability and may negotiate to protect value for money.

Pricing

• Pricing is submitted as a separate pricing proposal in Folder 2, on the pricing schedule in Annexure A1.
• Evaluation of price carries 80 of 100 points under the PPPFA 2022 80/20 system; specific goals (B-BBEE level) carry 20 points.
• The recommended preferred bidder is the bidder with the lowest overall price at the price stage, unless the DBSA cancels the RFP under the PPPFA Regulations.
• Bidders must promptly notify the DBSA of any error in their submitted response, including pricing errors, other than clerical errors with no bearing on evaluation.
• All costing must be in South African Rand.

Bid validity

• Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time; the period may be extended by written mutual agreement.

Costs and risk

• Participation in the process is at the bidder's own risk, cost and expense; the DBSA does not pay bid preparation or lodgement costs.
• The DBSA may award the scope in full or in part subject to budget availability and may negotiate to protect value for money.
• No bid security, performance bond, guarantee or retention percentage is stated in the bid document.

Registration and tax

• South African bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database and submit a CSD summary report; only SA-registered entities are affected.
• A valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN must be submitted; bidders not on the CSD must submit business registration, directorships, membership and identity numbers and tax compliance status with the bid.
• Consortia, joint ventures and subcontractors must each submit separate proof of tax compliance, PIN or CSD number.
• Tax compliance status is re-checked at recommendation stage and must still be active.

B-bbee

• A B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a B-BBEE status level sworn affidavit must be submitted.
• South African bidders with annual total revenue of R10 million or less qualify as Exempted Micro Enterprises and must submit a certificate issued by a registered independent auditor (not the bidder or part of the bidder) or an accredited verification agency.
• South African bidders other than EMEs must submit an original and valid B-BBEE status level verification certificate, a copy, or a sworn affidavit substantiating their B-BBEE status, in line with National Treasury instructions and Department of Trade and Industry notices.
• The DBSA may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim in any manner it requires; failure to provide required information may disqualify the bid.
• B-BBEE level is scored as specific goals for 20 of 100 points at the price stage.

Pre-qualifying compliance

• Two-folder submission structure.
• Attendance at the compulsory briefing session.
• OEM certification that the bidder is an accredited reseller of the proposed solution.
• Adherence to clarification response times: 48 hours for standard conditions of tender and returnable documents; 7 days for CSD proof and the SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.

Exclusion grounds

• Listing on the Register of Tender Defaulters, conviction for fraud or corruption, or removal from a state contract for non-performance.
• A DBSA tender award terminated for non-performance in the 18 months before the closing date.
• A written notice of non-performance in the 12 months before award.
• Negative PEP or Procure Check results.
• Five active awards with outstanding value, subject to the stated exceptions.
• Misrepresentation of any kind, collusion, failure to disclose ownership, financial position or B-BBEE status, corrupt activity, or harassment of DBSA employees.
• Undisclosed conflicts of interest, improper assistance from DBSA employees, or anti-competitive conduct.
• A bid made conditional on board approval, further due diligence, regulatory consent, third-party approval or negotiation of commercial terms.

Evidence required

• A B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a B-BBEE status level sworn affidavit must be submitted with the bid.
• South African bidders with annual total revenue of R10 million or less qualify as Exempted Micro Enterprises and must submit a certificate issued by a registered independent auditor, who must not be the bidder or part of the bidder, or by an accredited verification agency.
• South African bidders other than EMEs must submit an original and valid B-BBEE status level verification certificate, a copy, or a sworn affidavit substantiating their B-BBEE status, in line with National Treasury instructions and guidelines and applicable Department of Trade and Industry notices.

Scoring and verification

• B-BBEE level is scored as specific goals for 20 of 100 points at the price and specific goals stage under the PPPFA 2022 80/20 system.
• The DBSA may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim in any manner it requires, before adjudication or afterwards.
• Failure to provide the required information may result in disqualification.

Status of the RFP

• The RFP is an invitation to submit proposals, not an offer capable of acceptance, and creates no contractual, promissory or other rights.
• No binding contract exists until the DBSA executes a formal written contract with the successful bidder.
• The DBSA gives no warranty that the RFP or information provided during the process is accurate, current or complete, and its officers, employees and advisers are not liable in that regard.
• The DBSA may change information in or issue addenda to the RFP before the closing time and may seek amended bids.
• No representation by or on behalf of the DBSA binds it unless expressly incorporated into the executed contract.
• The RFP and process are governed by South African law; bids must be in English and all costing in South African Rand.

Bid status and acceptance

• Each bid is an irrevocable offer to provide the services on the specification set out in the RFP.
• A bid may not be conditional on board approval, the bidder conducting its own due diligence, obtaining regulatory or third-party consent, or negotiating commercial terms; a conditional bid may be disregarded.
• The DBSA may accept a bid in part or in whole and may negotiate with a bidder.
• Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time, extendable by written mutual agreement.
• Selection as a successful bidder does not create a contract; the bidder is bound by its bid and must contract on that basis with or without further negotiation.
• The DBSA is under no obligation to appoint a successful bidder or to enter into a contract.
• The DBSA may seek clarification, hold discussions, invite presentations, request site visits, references, additional information or panel interviews, and is under no obligation to do so; failure to clarify to the DBSA's satisfaction may disqualify a bid.
• The DBSA may conduct a debriefing session for successful and unsuccessful bidders.

Late bids

• Bids must be delivered by the closing time; the DBSA may extend it by written notice.
• Late bids, or bids lodged contrary to the specified manner, are disqualified, except where the bidder shows to the DBSA's satisfaction that the delay was caused by the DBSA, that access was denied or hindered, or that a major incident prevented delivery, and that process integrity is not compromised.
• The DBSA's determination of the actual lodgement time is final; late bids are opened only to identify the business name and address, and are generally returned within five working days.

Bidder responsibilities

• Examine the RFP and referenced documents, inform themselves fully, ensure bids are accurate and complete, assess all risks, comply with applicable laws including National Treasury Regulations, Guidelines, Instruction Notes and Practice Notes, and submit all compulsory documents.
• The DBSA may reject a bid that omits requested information or is not in the required format, may disregard illegible content without seeking clarification, and may allow correction of an unintentional error only where it would not materially alter the bid or affect fairness.
• Bidders must promptly notify the DBSA of any error in their response, excluding clerical errors with no bearing on evaluation.
• Participation is at the bidder's sole risk, cost and expense; the DBSA is not liable for any costs incurred.

Confidentiality, ownership and intellectual property

• Bids are treated as confidential, except as required by law, for investigation by government authorities, for disclosure to the DBSA's external consultants and advisers, or as required by National Treasury prescripts.
• All bids become the property of the DBSA, while bidders retain ownership of intellectual property in their bids and are deemed to license the DBSA to reproduce the bid for evaluation purposes.

Conflict of interest, integrity and prohibited conduct

• Bidders must avoid actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest and disclose any interests, relationships or clients that may create one; failure to notify may lead to immediate disqualification.
• Bidders may not seek or obtain assistance from DBSA employees in preparing their responses; doing so may lead to immediate disqualification.
• Collusion, anti-competitive conduct or similar conduct in preparing, lodging, clarifying or negotiating a bid is prohibited and may lead to immediate disqualification.
• Bidders must comply with the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004 and other relevant legislation.
• The DBSA will not tolerate misrepresentation, collusion, failure to disclose accurate ownership, financial or B-BBEE information, corrupt activity, or harassment, intimidation or aggression towards its employees.

DBSA rights

• The DBSA may cease or suspend the process before a formal contract is executed, alter the structure or timing of the RFP, vary or extend any time or date, and terminate any participant's involvement.

Pre-qualifying criteria (Stage 1 — responsiveness)

• Two-folder submission: Folder 1 for functionality and returnable documents; Folder 2 for the pricing proposal.
• Attendance at the compulsory briefing session.
• OEM certification confirming the bidder is an accredited reseller of the proposed solution.
• Bidders who do not meet the DBSA's stated clarification response times are treated as non-responsive and are not evaluated further.

Clarification response times

• Standard conditions of tender: 48 hours.
• Returnable documents completed and signed: 48 hours.
• Proof of National Treasury CSD registration (summary report): 7 days; applies to SA-registered entities, which must be registered on the CSD to do business with the DBSA.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN: 7 days.

Other requirements

• Bids must be submitted on the official forms; retyped documents are not accepted.
• Bidders must nominate one dedicated contact person with name, email address and telephone number.
• Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time.

Stage 1 — Administrative responsiveness (pre-qualifying)

• Two-folder submission: Folder 1 functionality and returnable documents, Folder 2 pricing proposal.
• Attendance at the compulsory briefing session.
• OEM certification that the bidder is an accredited reseller of the proposed solution.
• Clarification response times: 48 hours for standard conditions of tender and for returnable documents completed and signed; 7 days for CSD registration proof and the SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN.

Stage 2 — Functionality, 100 points, minimum 70 required

• Contactable references for similar services in the last five years, with reference letters showing company name, contract value, contact person and details, and date signed: 20 points (5 years or more = 20; 4–3 years = 15; 2–1 years = 8; under 1 year or none = 0).
• Project team track record and experience in business intelligence and data analytics, with a proposed support team structure and at least three CVs: 15 points (5 years or more = 15; 4–3 years = 10; 2–1 years = 5; under 1 year or none = 0); each member scored separately and the three primary members averaged.
• Project manager's experience in implementing business intelligence and data analytics solutions, with CV: 15 points (5 years or more = 15; 4–3 years = 10; 2–1 years = 6; under 1 year or none = 0).
• Understanding of scope of work through a detailed write-up on methodology, approach, deliverables and artefacts covering the seven SOW elements: 20 points (Excellent = 20; Good = 15; Satisfactory = 7; Poor = 5; no response = 0).
• Support offering through a support methodology covering maintenance, error tracking and debugging, upgrade capability, technical troubleshooting and user support: 15 points (all five = 15; three to four = 12; two = 5; none = 0).
• Training offering covering user training, IS personnel training, user manuals and other documentation: 15 points (full provision = 15; staff training and skills transfer without manuals = 8; no adherence = 0).

Stage 3 — Presentation/demo, 30 points, minimum 21 required

• Technical solution, high-level view of proposed infrastructure: 5 points (meets = 5; somewhat meets = 4; does not meet = 0).
• Technical solution, high-level view of proposed data solution and capabilities: 5 points (meets = 5; somewhat meets = 4; does not meet = 0).
• Previous work, four previous client dashboards and websites: 4 points.
• Previous work, a working dashboard or ETL pipeline: 4 points.
• Innovation and future-readiness, AI/ML for report categorisation, quality validation and trend detection: 4 points.
• Security and compliance, demonstrating data protection, encryption and MFA: 4 points.
• Knowledge transfer strategy, how training and handover will be conducted: 4 points.

Stage 4 — Price and specific goals, 100 points, PPPFA 2022 80/20

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals (B-BBEE level): 20 points.
• The recommended preferred bidder is the bidder with the lowest overall price, unless the DBSA cancels the RFP under the PPPFA Regulations.
• Pricing is submitted on the schedule in Annexure A1.

Risk analysis and objective criteria for the highest-ranked bidders

• Active compliant SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN at recommendation stage.
• Full National Treasury CSD registration.
• No misrepresentation; professional registration documents may be verified online.
• The DBSA may require independent documentary evidence within 48 hours, failing which the bid is non-responsive, and may contact employers and references.
• No listing on the Register of Tender Defaulters, no fraud or corruption conviction, no removal from a state contract for non-performance.
• A DBSA tender award terminated for non-performance in the 18 months before closing disqualifies the bidder; a written notice of non-performance in the 12 months before award may lead to exclusion.
• PEP and Procure Check screening; a negative result may lead to exclusion.
• Five active awards with outstanding value may lead to exclusion, unless the outstanding value is 10% or less, or three active awards include a project stalled for six months or more or placed on indefinite hold.

Due diligence on the preferred bidder

• Consideration of civil judgements and criminal convictions, pending litigation, liquidation or business rescue, performance history including poor performance or gross breach of contract, reputational harm, restricted or blacklisted status, and vetting of the bidder or its directors.
• Financial assessment may cover key ratio analysis, efficiency, profitability, financial risk, liquidity, acid test, solvency, and commercial relationships with politically exposed persons.
• The DBSA may award the scope in full or in part subject to budget availability and may negotiate to protect value for money.