Appointment of a service provider to provide business case development, transaction advisory and implementation readiness services for the sasolburg concrete reservoir bulk storage and distribution project, metsimaholo local municipality

Appointment of a service provider to provide business case development, transaction advisory and implementation readiness services for the Sasolburg Concrete Reservoir Bulk Storage and Distribution Project, Metsimaholo Local Municipality. Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) is a central government agency responsible for coordinating and driving the national infrastructure investment programme. The IDC, on behalf of ISA, intends to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Transaction Advisor to support business case preparation of identified water and sanitation projects in Metsimaholo Local Municipality. The project involves construction of a new 60Ml/day concrete reservoir in Sasolburg, with current storage capacity shortfall of 51% and zero 24-hour emergency backup storage, creating high-risk profile for industrial and residential consumers.

Closing date and time: 14 October 2026 at 11:00

• Non-compulsory briefing session: 05 October 2026 at 13:30, via Microsoft Teams
• Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/379128459913876?p=V5buLmmVraxQaXkem1
• Meeting ID: 379 128 459 913 876
• Passcode: NX9et3P8
• Enquiries deadline: within 5 days after RFP issue (by 03 October 2026). No enquiries entertained after 05 October 2026.
• Bid validity period: 120 days from closing date.

Non-compulsory briefing session: 05 October 2026 @ 13:30pm, via Microsoft Teams. Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/379128459913876?p=V5buLmmVraxQaXkem1, Meeting ID: 379 128 459 913 876, Passcode: NX9et3P8.

Enquiries:

• Contact: Joseph Phiri (Procurement Specialist)
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27 11 269 3810
• Enquiries must be submitted in writing within 5 days after RFP issue. Consolidated response posted on IDC website (www.idc.co.za) under tenders within 2 days after enquiry deadline.

Submission portal (SharePoint link):

https://idcza-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/moitlisim_idc_co_za/IgBAFs-RnV2KRqqZndPC0EnLAVtYPoBKyWxO86TSiYM1Vzs

Submission method: electronic only, via the dedicated SharePoint portal link provided in the RFP. Bids sent to any other address will be disqualified.

• Closing date and time: 14 October 2026 at 11:00 (before midday). No late bids will be considered.
• Submit at least 30 minutes before the deadline to avoid technical issues. Email servers accept attachments up to 50MB.
• Use standard formats (Microsoft Office or PDF). Unreadable formats lead to disqualification.
• All documentation must be in English.
• Bids must be signed by a person authorised by a certified board resolution.
• Returnable schedules (each clearly marked):
• Cover page: RFP reference number, bid description, bidder's name.
• Schedule 1: Executive Summary.
• Schedule 2: Certified board resolution, certified ID copy of company representative, Annexure 2 (Acceptance of Bid Conditions and Bidder's Details), Annexure 3 (Tax Compliance Requirements), Annexure 4 (Bidder's Disclosure), Annexure 5 (Shareholders and Directors Information), Annexure 6 (BEE Commitment Plan), Annexure 7 (Disclosure Statement), Annexure 8 (POPIA requirements), Statement of Financial Position (latest audited or independently reviewed financial statements, or cashflow budget for new entities), and Joint Venture/Consortium/Subcontracting Agreement if applicable.
• Schedule 3: Response to Section 2 Functional Requirements Specification, including Annexure 1 (Response format for Section 2).
• Schedule 4: Price Proposal (separate file marked 'Schedule 4: Price/Cost Proposal').
• For consortia, JVs, or prime contractor with subcontractors, submit the above documents for each member.
• Disqualification risks: incomplete or unsigned returnable forms, late submission, sending to wrong address, non-standard file formats, non-compliant tax status, fraudulent or inaccurate information, failure to comply with mandatory requirements, failure to comply with POPIA, or prime contractor holding a lower percentage of contract value than any subcontractor.

Evaluation is in four phases:

• Phase 1 – Initial Screening: compliance with RFP requirements, including CSD checks (company registration, tax compliance), BEE status certification, submission of ID copy, and completion of all standard bidding documents and annexures. Failure leads to disqualification.
• Phase 2 – Technical/Functionality Evaluation: Mandatory functional requirements must be met; failure leads to disqualification. Other functional requirements weighted as follows:
• Bidder's Relevant Experience: 30
• Proposed Methodology & Approach: 30
• Proposed Project Plan: 10
• Qualifications, Skills and Experience of Key Personnel: 30
• Total: 100
• Minimum qualifying score for functionality: 70%. Bidders scoring below 70% are not considered further.
• Phase 3 – Preference Point System (80/20):
• Price: 80 points
• Specific Goals: 20 points
• Black ownership: 10 points (100% black owned = 10; 51%–99.99% = 4)
• 30% Black women ownership: 5 points
• Any % ownership by Black Designated Groups: 2 points
• Promotion of SMMEs (EME or QSE): 3 points
• Only enterprises with direct Black shareholding and exercisable voting rights qualify for Specific Goals points.
• Phase 4 – Objective Criteria: contract awarded to highest scoring bidder unless objective criteria justify otherwise. Risk assessed on reputational risk (disclosure and CRAD screening), concentration risk, financial capability, and past performance in IDC contracts.

The IDC, on behalf of Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), seeks to appoint a Transaction Advisor to support business case development, transaction advisory and implementation readiness for the Sasolburg Concrete Reservoir Bulk Storage and Distribution Project in Metsimaholo Local Municipality.

• Project: Construction of a new 60Ml/day concrete reservoir in Sasolburg. Current storage capacity is 45.2 ML against a technical requirement of 93 ML (51% shortfall), with zero 24-hour emergency backup.
• Scope of work, using the 5-case model methodology, in four phases:
• Phase 1 – Information Review and Gap Analysis: update existing needs assessment, produce scoping gap analysis report.
• Phase 2 – Comprehensive Feasibility Study: technical, environmental & statutory, economic & financial, institutional/social/operational feasibility assessments, and a consolidated comprehensive feasibility study report.
• Phase 3 – Transaction Advisory and Implementation Readiness: preliminary design package, implementation readiness study, transaction advisory and funding support.
• Phase 4 – Intermediate Business Case (IBC) Compilation: compile a decision-ready IBC aligned to the 5-case model.
• Progress meetings with ISA and MLM on a bi-weekly basis.
• Service provider must inform ISA and MLM before contacting third parties, sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), and disclose any current work with ISA.
• Assignment duration: 8 months from appointment, starting immediately after award.
• Technical requirements and Municipal Water and Sanitation Masterplan will be provided at contracting stage.

The bidder must submit a project-specific methodology demonstrating a clear, logical and coherent approach to delivering the scope of services. The methodology must be tailored to the Sasolburg 60ML Concrete Reservoir and distribution network assignment, covering project preparation, feasibility assessment, transaction advisory and implementation readiness. It must explain how technical, environmental, economic, financial, commercial and institutional inputs will be integrated, describe QA/QC processes, approach to risk management, and demonstrate understanding of stakeholder interfaces and approvals.

Bidder must demonstrate relevant experience in infrastructure project preparation, technical feasibility studies, transaction advisory, implementation readiness and business case development, particularly in the water and sanitation sector. Must provide three (3) references of similar projects with contactable references (name, designation, relationship, email, telephone); references without contact details are invalid. Key personnel must have minimum 5 years' post-professional registration experience (for regulated professions). Required team:

• Project Lead: registered with ECSA (Pr. Eng), SAICA, or SAIPA.
• Project Manager/Technical Lead: registered with SACPCMP (Pr. CPM) or ECSA (Pr. Eng).
• Finance Lead: registered with SAICA/SAIPA; FMVA certification advantageous.
• Economics Lead: experience in socio-economic impact assessments and formal Cost-Benefit Analyses for public infrastructure.
• Additional resources as essential, with relevant experience and valid professional registration.

Submit team structure, CVs of key personnel, and proof of professional registration.

The bidder's proposed methodology must describe quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) processes to ensure accuracy, consistency and robustness of deliverables.

All prices must be VAT inclusive and quoted in South African Rand. Rates must be firm for the full contract period unless otherwise specified. Additional costs must be included in Total Bid Price. Payments linked to deliverables approved by IDC, within 30 days from invoice. IDC may consider National Treasury Instruction 02 of 2016/2017 Cost Containment Measures. Costing model: itemised prices per deliverable across four phases: Phase 1 - Information Review and Gap Analysis, Phase 2 - Comprehensive Feasibility Study, Phase 3 - Transaction Advisory and Implementation Readiness, Phase 4 - Intermediate Business Case Compilation. Provide rate/hour, number of hours, total cost per deliverable, plus disbursements breakdown. If no disbursements, indicate 'No Charge / Free of Charge'. Summary of costs: number of resources, project duration, commencement date. Price Declaration Form: total amount in words and figures, VAT inclusive.

Pricing format:

• All prices must be VAT inclusive (where applicable) and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR).
• Rates must be firm for the full contract period unless otherwise specified; if not firm, provide basis for adjustments (e.g., CPI).
• All additional costs must be included in the Total Bid Price.
• Indicate if bid price is linked to exchange rate; if yes, specify which portion.
• Costing model: itemised prices per deliverable across the four phases, with rate/hour, number of hours, and total cost per deliverable, plus a detailed breakdown of disbursements (travel, accommodation, printing, etc.).
• If no disbursements are envisaged, state 'No Charge / Free of Charge'. Failure to do so results in the IDC using the highest bidder's disbursement cost plus 50% for price comparison.
• Payments linked to deliverables approved by the IDC, payable within 30 days from invoice.
• IDC may consider National Treasury Instruction 02 of 2016/2017 Cost Containment Measures, including the DPSA 'Guide on Hourly Fee Rates for Consultants'.
• Price Declaration Form: total amount in words and figures, VAT inclusive, valid for 120 days.

Mandatory compliance:

• Tax compliance: bidder's tax affairs with SARS must be in order; provide written confirmation and SARS PIN (Annexure 3).
• Central Supplier Database (CSD): must be registered; provide CSD supplier number and unique registration reference.
• B-BBEE: submit a valid B-BBEE verification certificate. EMEs (revenue < R10 million) and QSEs (revenue R10–50 million) may submit a sworn affidavit confirming annual total revenue and level of black ownership. Misrepresentation is a criminal offence.
• Board resolution: certified copy authorising the signatory.
• Certified ID copy of the company representative.
• Complete all annexures (2–8) as listed in returnable schedules.
• POPIA compliance: complete Annexure 8.
• Bidders are encouraged to partner with black-owned entities (50%+1 black owned and controlled) through JV or subcontracting, and must submit a partnership/subcontracting proposal detailing portion of work outsourced and level of involvement.

Bidders must submit a B-BBEE verification certificate. For EMEs (revenue < R10 million) and QSEs (revenue R10-50 million), a sworn affidavit confirming annual total revenue and level of black ownership may be submitted. Misrepresentation constitutes a criminal offence. Specific Goals scoring: Black ownership (100% black owned = 10 points, 51%-99.99% = 4 points), 30% Black women ownership (5 points), any % ownership by Black Designated Groups (2 points), Promotion of SMMEs (3 points). Only enterprises with direct Black shareholding with exercisable voting rights qualify. Bidders are encouraged to partner with black owned entities (50%+1 black owned and controlled) through JV or subcontracting, and must submit a partnership/subcontracting proposal detailing portion of work outsourced and level of involvement.

Phase 2 includes an Environmental and Statutory Feasibility Assessment: identification of environmental sensitivities, statutory and approval requirements for the project.

The successful bidder must conclude a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the IDC, forming an integral part of the supply agreement, to measure and monitor supplier performance. The bidder accepts full responsibility for proper execution of all obligations under the supply agreement and SLA. The service provider must sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). The IDC may conduct site visits, request additional information, and perform background checks including FICA verification. The IDC reserves the right to amend bid conditions, extend closing date, or not accept the lowest priced bid.

Bid validity period: 120 days from the closing date. Closing date and time: 14 October 2026 at 11:00. Responses must be submitted electronically only to the dedicated portal. Bids sent to any other address will be disqualified. Bidders must ensure tax compliance with SARS. The successful bidder will be required to conclude a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with IDC. Bidders may be required to mentor SMMEs and/or Youth-Owned businesses. The IDC reserves the right to conduct site visits, request additional information, and conduct background checks including FICA verification. Bidders must prepare for possible presentations within five days of notification. The bidder accepts that all costs incurred in preparation are for its account. The IDC may disqualify bidders for non-compliance with mandatory requirements, fraudulent information, or non-compliance with POPIA. The IDC reserves the right not to accept the lowest priced bid.

Evaluation process: Phase 1 - Initial Screening for compliance with RFP requirements, including CSD checks, BEE status, and completion of all standard bidding documents. Phase 2 - Technical/Functionality Evaluation: Mandatory Functional Requirements must be met; Other Functional Requirements weighted: Bidder's Relevant Experience (30), Proposed Methodology & Approach (30), Proposed Project Plan (10), Qualifications of Key Personnel (30). Minimum qualifying score for functionality is 70%. Phase 3 - Preference Point System: Price (80 points), Specific Goals (20 points) under 80/20 system. Specific Goals: Black ownership (10 points), 30% Black women ownership (5 points), any % ownership by Black Designated Groups (2 points), Promotion of SMMEs (3 points). Phase 4 - Objective Criteria: award to highest scoring bidder unless objective criteria justify otherwise, considering reputational risk, concentration risk, financial capability, and past performance.