Supply, delivery, installation & configuration of 8 servers & 2 san switches – national tender

Closing date: 13 November 2026 at 11:00 am

• Compulsory briefing session: No
• Site visit: None
• Enquiries deadline: Two weeks before closing date (approximately 30 October 2026)
• Last date for submission of enquiries: 3 working days from closing date

Enquiries (procedural and technical):

• Contact: Supply Chain Management
• Email: [email protected]
• Note: Do not submit bids to this mailbox; it is strictly for enquiries.
• Enquiries must be submitted in writing.

Submission:

• Method: National Treasury e-submission portal
• Link: https://www.etenders.gov.za/Login/Login

Service/delivery address:

NRF Head Office

Brummeria, Pretoria

Submission method: National Treasury e-submission portal only (https://www.etenders.gov.za/Login/Login). Bids submitted by any other method will not be accepted.

• Login using CSD details, search by tender number NRF RIISA ITPR/31/2026-27, and start e-submission.
• Closing: 13 November 2026 at 11:00 am. Late bids are not accepted.
• Bid validity: 120 days from closing date.
• Submission must be in PDF format, password-protected, with signatures. Advanced Electronic Signatures (AES) accepted.
• Two-envelope system: submit both a technical proposal and a separate financial offer. Failure to submit both invalidates the bid.
• Bids must be submitted on official forms, not re-typed. No alterations to the bid document.
• Returnable forms (all mandatory unless noted):
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): price offer for services.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): declaration of interest.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points.
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE) to claim preference points.
• B-BBEE Transformation Improvement Plan if level 4-8 or non-compliant (optional).
• Tax compliance documentation (CSD report, SARS PIN, or tax certificate).
• CSD Detail Report.
• Business/company profile (optional).
• Manufacturer letter confirming TOP TIER authorized reseller (MR1).
• For JV/consortium: all mandatory documents for each member plus JV agreement (MR2).
• Manufacturer warranty on hardware, specified on quote (MR3).
• Written references: 2 previous projects of similar scope/size in last 60 months, stating contract value (MR4).
• CVs of technicians (MR5, MR6) and technical compliance evidence (MR7).
• Disqualification risks: late submission, missing/unsigned mandatory forms, failure to submit both envelopes, listed on Register for Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers, misrepresentation of beneficial ownership, collusion, fronting.

Evaluation is in three stages:

• Stage 1 – Returnable documents: all mandatory criteria must be met to proceed. NRF may allow correction of purely administrative omissions.
• Stage 2 – Functionality: mandatory evidence required. Failure to submit evidence results in disqualification, with no second opportunity (except when only one bid received).
• Stage 3 – Price and preference: 80/20 system.
• Price: 80 points
• Preference: 20 points
• Total: 100 points
• Award to highest combined score, subject to final tax compliance verification.
• NRF may conduct due diligence on shortlisted bidders, including reference checks.
• Price negotiations may occur prior to award; overpriced or under-priced bids may be rejected.

Scope: Supply, deliver, install and configure 8 servers and 2 SAN switches, with 3-year support.

• Installation site: NRF head office, Brummeria, Pretoria.
• NRF IT staff will install hypervisor and migrate servers; bidder must rack and stack hardware.

Servers (8 x 2U rack mount), each with:

• 2 x physical processors equivalent to Intel Xeon Gold 6544Y 16C 270W 3.6GHz (min 16 cores, min 3.6GHz)
• 12 x 64GB DDR5 5600MHz RAM (768GB total per server)
• 1 x M.2 RAID controller (RAID 1)
• 2 x non-hot-swap 240GB (min) hard drives, 6Gbps throughput (min)
• 4 x 2-port 10/25GbE SFP NIC (with SR transceivers)
• 2 x 2-port 32Gb PCIe FC HBA
• All required power cables
• 6 x FC cables for NIC, 5m
• 1 x cable management arm
• 24/7 same-day warranty and maintenance

SAN switches (2 x SAN64B, compatible with existing IBM storage), each with:

• 32GB Fibre Channel ports
• 24 x 32GB SFPs
• 24 x OM4 LC/LC 8m cables
• 24x7 same-day warranty and maintenance
• Rack stack switches
• Configure LUNs and pathing with existing SAN solution

Support service:

• Provide latest firmware, security updates and support for 3 years.

Performance KPIs:

• Delivery: time from purchase order to delivery; penalty per GCC clause 22 if not delivered by specified date.
• Installation: meet agreed deadlines; penalty per GCC clause 22 if missed.

Bidder must supply and install (rack and stack) hardware for new server cluster. NRF IT staff will install hypervisor and migrate servers. Technical approach must meet compulsory specifications and standards in scope of work.

Bidder must provide evidence of 2 previous projects of similar scope and size in last 60 months, with reference letters stating contract value.

• Server technician: CV showing experience installing the proposed brand (MR5) and relevant qualification.
• SAN switch technician: CV showing experience installing the proposed solution (MR6).

Performance management includes:

• Initial performance review with contract manager.
• Agreed performance levels with measurable KPIs, minimum thresholds, and penalty/bonus triggers, signed and appended.
• Monthly maintenance of performance indicators; review after first 3 months.
• Six-monthly reviews.
• Poor performance: root cause investigation, correction plan, monitoring, and penalties per GCC clause 22.

SBD 3.1 Pricing Schedule must be submitted. Price offer must meet compulsory specifications. Price evaluated at 80 points in 80/20 system.

Pricing format: SBD 3.1 Pricing Schedule must be submitted.

• Price is evaluated at 80 points in the 80/20 preference system.
• No bid security or guarantee specified in the document.
• Price negotiations may be conducted prior to award.
• Bids significantly over or under market value may be rejected.

Mandatory compliance:

• CSD registration: required prior to award; CSD Detail Report must be submitted.
• Tax compliance: SARS TCS PIN or printed tax certificate; each JV/consortium member must submit separately. Preferred bidder must be tax compliant within 7 days of notification or be disqualified.
• B-BBEE: valid certificate or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE) to claim preference points; if not submitted, 0 points for preference. B-BBEE Transformation Improvement Plan required if level 4-8 or non-compliant.
• No bids from persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors in the service of the state.
• Not listed on Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers.
• Beneficial ownership disclosure per CIPC requirements; misrepresentation leads to disqualification.
• Manufacturer accreditation: letter confirming TOP TIER authorized reseller (MR1).
• References: 2 previous projects of similar scope/size in last 60 months, stating contract value (MR4).
• Technician experience: CVs showing installation of proposed brand/solution (MR5, MR6).

Contract governed by PFMA, Treasury Regulations, PPPFA, National Treasury Instruction Notes, and section 217 of the Constitution. GCC applies.

• Bid validity: 120 days from closing date.
• NRF may cancel bid before award if no longer needed, funds unavailable, no bids meet specs, or material irregularity.
• NRF may extend validity period; bidders who reject extension are excluded.
• Award subject to final tax compliance verification.
• Successful bidder must sign SBD 7.1 contract form.
• Performance levels agreed and appended to contract; reviewed after 3 months and every 6 months.
• Poor performance: root cause investigation, correction plan, monitoring, and penalties per GCC clause 22.

Bid validity 120 days. Submission via e-submission portal only. No late bids. Official forms required. Successful bidder signs SBD 7.1. Tax compliance mandatory. No bids from state employees. NRF may cancel bid before award. Price negotiations possible. Validity may be extended.

Mandatory documents: SBD1, SBD3.1, SBD4, SBD6.1, B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, tax compliance docs, CSD Detail Report, manufacturer accreditation letter (MR1), JV agreement if applicable (MR2), manufacturer warranty (MR3), written references (MR4), technician CVs (MR5, MR6), technical compliance evidence (MR7).

• Functional requirements: technician experience and qualifications, price offer meeting specifications.

Three-stage evaluation: Stage 1 returnable documents (mandatory criteria), Stage 2 functionality (mandatory evidence, failure disqualifies), Stage 3 price and preference (80/20, total 100 points). Award to highest combined score, subject to tax compliance verification.