Development of assessment tools for occupational qualification: plastic machine operator (118697) — accredited sdp or assessment centre

Invitation date: 14 October 2026

Closing date and time: 21 October 2026 at 12:00

No compulsory briefing session or site visit is stated.

SCM enquiries

• Contact: Asisipho Matomane
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 069 008 3764

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Phillip Maleka
• Email: [email protected]

Submission

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]

Fraud hotline: 0800 333 057

Submission method: email to [email protected]

Email subject: the RFQ number

Marking: quotations must be clearly marked with the RFQ number and the description of the goods/services

Closing: 21 October 2026 at 12:00

Late quotations (received after the closing date and time) will not be considered, regardless of the method used

It is the bidder's responsibility to ensure the response reaches merSETA before the closing time

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

• Bidders Information form: company, registration, VAT, contact and CSD details
• Undertaking by Bidder: binds the offer to the RFQ terms and conditions
• Authority to Sign: authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder; attach the board resolution or registration certificates
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses state employment or relationships of directors/shareholders; non-completion may disqualify the bid
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal preference points under the 80/20 system
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form – Purchase of Goods/Works): the contract form signed by the successful bidder
• Pricing Schedule (Firm Prices): completed merSETA quotation form
• CSD registration number
• Copy of the B-BBEE certificate
• Any certification required by the specifications

Disqualification risks:

• Late submission
• Failure to complete SBD 4
• Failure to submit proof for claimed preference points (points are then forfeited)

The quotation must include:

• Total price covering all related expenses
• Firm prices inclusive of VAT
• References for similar work undertaken (if required)
• Central Supplier Database registration number
• Copy of the B-BBEE certificate
• Fully completed and signed Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) forms
• Any certification required by the specifications

Tax matters must be in order and reflected on CSD.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Administrative and mandatory compliance:

• All RFQ forms completed
• Valid CSD registration number
• Pricing schedule submitted
• SBD 4, SBD 6.1 and SBD 7.1 submitted
• Any other mandatory documents

Stage 2 – Compliance to specifications (technical responsiveness):

• Assesses the capacity and technical quality of each proposal
• Bidders who comply progress to Stage 3
• Criteria: SDP accreditation, assessor/moderator team experience, SLA/MoA with an industry partner, and demonstrated assessment/QASA development experience

Stage 3 – Price and preference goals:

• Preference point system: 80/20
• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Total: 100 points
• No minimum qualifying score is stated

Specific-goal points (80/20):

• Black people ownership 51% or more: 6 points
• Black women ownership 30% or more: 4 points
• Black youth ownership 30% or more: 4 points
• White women ownership 30% or more: 2 points
• People with disability ownership 20% or more: 4 points
• Total: 20 points

Preference points are forfeited if the required proof is not submitted with the bid.

Scope: appointment of an accredited SDP or Assessment Centre to develop assessment tools for the Occupational Qualification: Plastic Machine Operator (118697).

Deliverables:

• Develop three (3) assessment instruments and one (1) exemplar assessment instrument
• Develop a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Toolkit instrument
• Develop the Qualification Assessment Specification Addendum (QASA)
• Support the submission process and obtain formal QCTO approval of the QASA

Project timeline: minimum six (6) months, maximum twenty-four (24) months.

Team required:

• Team leader
• Industry subject matter expert for the qualification
• At least one additional assessor/moderator

Three-stage evaluation:

• Stage 1: administrative and mandatory compliance — all RFQ forms completed, valid CSD number, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1 and any other mandatory documents
• Stage 2: compliance to specifications, assessing capacity and technical responsiveness
• Stage 3: price and preference goals

Team leader: minimum three (3) years' work experience in relevant occupational qualification assessment or assessment instrument/tool development, proven by a valid SETA statement of results and an ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate.

Additional assessor/moderator: valid SETA statement of results and ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate.

Industry subject matter expert: comprehensive CV and relevant qualification(s); international qualifications must be converted by SAQA.

Deliverables: three (3) assessment instruments and one (1) exemplar; an RPL Toolkit instrument; the QASA; and support for submission to obtain formal QCTO approval of the QASA.

merSETA may amend bid conditions, the validity period, specifications or the closing date before closing, will notify bidders and publish amendments on its website; bidders must monitor the website.

merSETA is not obliged to accept the lowest or any bid, may award in whole or in part, may conduct site inspections at bidder or client premises, and may require verification documents, including FICA and background checks on the entity and its directors, trustees, shareholders or members.

Only firm prices are accepted; non-firm prices, including those subject to exchange-rate variation, are rejected.

A separate pricing schedule is required for each delivery point where these affect pricing.

The schedule records description, quantity, unit price, total price, subtotal, VAT at 15% and grand total, and the bidder declares that the offer complies with the specification and RFQ conditions.

Pricing format: merSETA Pricing Schedule (Firm Prices); only firm prices accepted — non-firm prices, including those subject to exchange-rate variation, are rejected

Prices must be firm and inclusive of VAT (15%)

Prices must include all related expenses (e.g. transport, accommodation)

Where different delivery points affect pricing, a separate pricing schedule is required for each delivery point

Price validity: minimum 60 days from the closing date and time

Price Declaration must be completed; where totals differ, the price on the declaration prevails

Payment terms: valid invoices paid in full within 30 days from statement date, on a substantiated claim for work done to merSETA's satisfaction

No payment for unproductive or duplicated time caused by staff changes, inefficiencies or rework

No bid security or performance bond is stated

CSD: bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database and provide a valid CSD number

Tax: tax matters must be in order and reflected on CSD; this is a condition of the RFQ at the time of award

B-BBEE: a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit (or CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD record) is required to claim specific-goal preference points

SDP accreditation: valid QCTO-recognised Skills Development Provider accreditation for the related occupational qualification (the specification cites SAQA ID 118097) or a closely related qualification

Team:

• Team leader: minimum three (3) years' experience in occupational qualification assessment or assessment instrument/tool development, proven by a valid SETA statement of results and an ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate
• Additional assessor/moderator: valid SETA statement of results and ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate
• Industry subject matter expert: comprehensive CV and relevant qualification(s); international qualifications must be converted by SAQA

Industry partner: a signed SLA or MoA with a relevant industry partner supporting assessment development, validation or workplace relevance

Experience: demonstrated development of assessment instruments, RPL tools or QAS/QASA for occupational qualifications; three (3) signed, dated, contactable reference letters on company letterhead for work between 2020 and date

Returnable forms (one line each):

• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): declares state employment or relationships of directors/shareholders; non-completion may disqualify
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal points under the 80/20 system
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form): the goods/works contract form
• Authority to Sign: authorises the signatory to bind the bidder

Specific-goal preference points under the 80/20 system:

• Black people ownership 51% or more: 6 points
• Black women ownership 30% or more: 4 points
• Black youth ownership 30% or more: 4 points
• White women ownership 30% or more: 2 points
• People with disability ownership 20% or more: 4 points
• Total: 20 points

Proof required: valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, or CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD record.

Payment terms: merSETA pays valid invoices in full within 30 days from statement date, on a substantiated claim for work done to its satisfaction.

No payment is made for unproductive or duplicated time caused by staff changes, inefficiencies or rework.

merSETA may negotiate terms and conditions, including price, with qualifying bidders, and is not obliged to accept the lowest or any offer.

Mandatory requirements:

• Valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for the related occupational qualification (the specification cites SAQA ID 118097) or a closely related qualification
• Team: team leader with minimum three (3) years' experience in occupational qualification assessment or assessment instrument/tool development, proven by a valid SETA statement of results and an ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate; an additional assessor/moderator with a valid SETA statement of results and ASSESSOR/MODERATOR certificate; an industry subject matter expert with a comprehensive CV and relevant qualification(s) (international qualifications converted by SAQA)
• A signed SLA or MoA with a relevant industry partner supporting assessment development, validation or workplace relevance
• Demonstrated development of assessment instruments, RPL tools or QAS/QASA for occupational qualifications, with three (3) signed, dated, contactable reference letters on company letterhead for work between 2020 and date

Three-stage evaluation:

• Stage 1: administrative and mandatory compliance (completed RFQ forms, CSD registration, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1 and any other mandatory requirements)
• Stage 2: compliance to specifications, assessing capacity and technical responsiveness against SDP accreditation, assessor/moderator experience, SLA with an industry partner, and assessment/QASA development experience
• Stage 3: price and preference goals under the 80/20 system — price 80 points, specific goals 20 points