Appointment of a service provider to develop a business case for the implementation of the development bank of southern africa (DBSA or the bank) carbon market framework.

• Purpose: Appoint a service provider to develop a business case for implementing the DBSA Carbon Market Framework.
• Background: DBSA is a development finance institution owned by the South African government, with a mandate to promote sustainable economic growth and infrastructure development in Africa.
• Context: DBSA has a Carbon Market Framework with five strategic pillars: developing local voluntary carbon market (VCM), business case for participation, building internal capacity, funding carbon projects, and advancing sustainable finance.
• Objective: Produce an authoritative study to guide DBSA's carbon market implementation, informing governance, investors, and policymakers about roles, risks, and opportunities in carbon markets.

• Compulsory briefing session: 22 July 2026 at 10:00 Johannesburg time, conducted online via Microsoft Teams.
• Closing date for bid submission: 10 August 2026.
• Closing time: 23:55 (midnight).
• Deadline for clarification requests: 05 August 2026 at 16:30 Johannesburg time.
• Deadline for requesting submission link: At least three working days before submission day (by 05 August 2026).
• Bid validity period: 120 calendar days from the closing time.

• For tender queries and submission link requests: Email [email protected]. Quote RFP number RFP117/2026 in the subject line.
• For technical and general queries: DBSA Supply Chain Management Unit, email [email protected]. No telephonic queries.
• Complaints about the tendering process: Submit in writing to [email protected].
• Note: All communications must be in writing via email. No physical submission address provided.

• Submission method: Electronic submission only via a OneDrive link provided by DBSA. No physical, faxed, or emailed bids accepted.
• Deadline: Bids must be submitted by 23:55 (midnight) on 10 August 2026.
• Link request: Bidders must request the submission link by emailing [email protected], quoting RFP number RFP117/2026, at least three working days before submission day.
• Bid format: Submit using the official forms provided (not to be re-typed).
• Submission structure: Submit as two separate electronic folders: Folder 1 for Pre-Qualifying Criteria and Functional Evaluation; Folder 2 for Price/Financial Proposal.
• Compulsory briefing: Attendance is mandatory. Register via the provided Microsoft Teams link on 22 July 2026 at 10:00 Johannesburg time.
• Clarification deadline: Written requests for clarification must be submitted to [email protected] by 16:30 on 05 August 2026.
• Validity period: Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from the closing time.
• Disqualification risks: Late submissions, failure to attend compulsory briefing, incomplete returnable documents, or non-compliance with submission format may lead to disqualification.

Mandatory pre-qualifiers: (a) Two-folder submission format compliance; (b) Compulsory briefing attendance register signed by tenderer; (c) CSD registration (SA bidders) or equivalent tax compliance (foreign bidders); (d) Valid tax compliance status (TCS/PIN) - 7 working days to provide if requested; (e) B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit; (f) All returnable documents completed and signed within 48 hours if requested. Functional evaluation requires minimum 70/100 points. Only bidders passing both stages proceed to price/preference evaluation. Foreign suppliers without RSA residence, branch, permanent establishment, or RSA-sourced income are exempt from SARS tax compliance but must comply with home country legislation.

• Scope: Develop a comprehensive business case for the implementation of the DBSA Carbon Market Framework.
• Objectives: Map the South African carbon market landscape, diagnose challenges, assess DBSA's readiness, identify opportunities, analyse financial flows, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Key deliverables: Literature review and gap analysis; stakeholder engagement report; alignment assessment with DBSA's Carbon Market Framework; governance and institutional alignment proposal.
• Required expertise: Team must have qualifications and experience in climate change, carbon finance, economics, financial modelling, and institutional knowledge. Focus on carbon markets, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the Paris Agreement (Article 6).
• Methodology: Include work plan, project management approach, timeframe, and detailed understanding of assignment risks and value-added innovations.
• Stakeholder engagement: Engage with internal DBSA stakeholders (CIO, CFO, Risk, ESG Unit, etc.) and external entities (government, private sector, NGOs, academia).

• Proposal requirement: Demonstrate comprehension, approach, and methodology in the bid, including work plan, project management approach, and timeframe.
• Scoring: Methodology scored out of 20 points based on how well it addresses requirements, demonstrates understanding of assignment risks, and includes value-added innovations.
• Key elements: Provide detailed understanding of assignment, analysis of key challenges and risks, and concrete suggestions on methodology beyond the Terms of Reference.

• Key personnel: Team must have relevant qualifications and professional experience in business case development, carbon finance, climate change, and carbon markets.
• Qualifications: Project Lead requires Master's degree (NQF 9+) in climate finance, economics, or related field. Economist, Financial Modelling Specialist, and Institutional Knowledge Specialist require relevant degrees at NQF 7+ level.
• Experience: Project Lead needs 20+ years post-qualification experience; other roles require 5+ years. Provide detailed CVs highlighting relevant timelines and roles.
• References: Submit signed letters on letterhead from contactable references for at least three relevant projects, demonstrating experience in carbon market strategies with a focus on Africa.

• Accuracy disclaimer: DBSA makes no warranties regarding accuracy, currency, or completeness of RFP content. Bidders must notify DBSA of any discrepancies promptly.
• Correction process: DBSA may correct errors and provide updates to all bidders without attribution.
• Quality expectations: Unnecessarily elaborate responses or expensive presentation aids are not required. Bids should be complete and effective.

• Submission: Pricing proposal must be submitted separately in Folder 2.
• Error notification: Bidders must promptly notify DBSA of any pricing errors discovered after submission.
• Note: No detailed pricing schedule, bill of quantities, or payment schedules are provided in the extracted text.

• Pricing format: Submit price proposal in separate Folder 2 (Pricing/Financial Proposal).
• Pricing errors: Bidders must promptly notify DBSA of any errors in pricing discovered after submission, excluding clerical errors.
• Financial capacity: Not explicitly stated, but due diligence may consider financial stability.
• Payment terms: Not specified in extracted text.
• Bonds/guarantees: Not specified in extracted text.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): South African bidders must be registered on the CSD and submit a CSD Summary Report. If not registered, mandatory business and tax information must be submitted with the bid.
• Tax compliance: South African bidders must submit a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN issued by SARS. Foreign suppliers may be exempt if they have no South African presence or income.
• B-BBEE: Submit a valid B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit. Exempt Micro Enterprises (EMEs) with annual revenue ≤ ZAR10 million must submit an auditor's certificate.
• Company registration: Submit certified copies of CIPC company registration documents and share certificates (if applicable).
• Consortium requirements: Each entity in a consortium/joint venture must submit separate tax compliance proofs.
• Other registrations: No specific CIDB or professional registrations required for this service.

• Environmental focus: The project centres on carbon markets, climate finance, and sustainable development. The business case must align with DBSA's net-zero commitment by 2050 and Just Transition Framework.
• Sustainability requirements: Ensure projects deliver positive social and environmental impacts, with robust safeguards, integrity standards, and inclusive benefit-sharing mechanisms.
• Regulatory alignment: Must comply with international carbon market governance frameworks under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement and national climate commitments.

• Contract basis: Subject to General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any Special Conditions of Contract in Part C.
• Intellectual property: Bidders retain IP rights in their bids but grant DBSA a licence to reproduce content for evaluation purposes.
• Bid acceptance: Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 days from closing time, extendable by mutual agreement.
• Warranties: By submitting a bid, bidders warrant compliance with RFP terms, no reliance on unauthorised DBSA representations, and responsibility for all bidding costs.
• Anti-corruption: Bidders must comply with Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004. Improper assistance or corrupt activities may lead to disqualification.
• Conflict of interest: Bidders must disclose any actual or potential conflicts. Failure to disclose may result in disqualification.
• Confidentiality: Bidders must keep RFP contents confidential and not disclose except for bid preparation.
• Unauthorised communications: Communications with DBSA staff regarding the tender are prohibited except via designated tender officer.

• Pre-qualifying criteria: Includes attendance at compulsory briefing, two-folder submission structure, and adherence to clarification response times.
• Functional criteria: Technical proposal evaluated out of 100 points, with minimum threshold of 70 points to proceed to price evaluation.
• Scoring details: Qualifications and Skills of Key Personnel (60%), Relevant Experience (20%), Comprehension/Approach/Methodology (20%).
• Price evaluation: Based on lowest price, following PPPFA regulations.
• Preferential procurement: B-BBEE points applied in accordance with Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022.