Supply, install and configure vmware vsphere foundation (vvf) licensing with 3-Year support – nrf riisa ITPR/32/2026-27

Closing date: 13 November 2026 at 11:00

Enquiries deadline: 04 November 2026

Compulsory briefing session: None

No compulsory briefing session or site visit.

Enquiries:

• Contact: Supply Chain Management (Digital Transformation section)
• Email: [email protected]
• Note: Do not submit bids to this mailbox; it is strictly for enquiries.

Submission:

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

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.

Steps: Log in with CSD details, select 'tender number', enter NRF RIISA ITPR/32/2026-27, expand and click 'start e-submission'.

Format: PDF with signatures, password-protected. Passwords must be in a separate file, sent no earlier than 1 minute after bid closure and no later than 2 days after closure.

Two-envelope system: Envelope 1 – Compliance and Technical response; Envelope 2 – Financial response. Both must be submitted.

Bid validity: 120 days from closing date.

Returnable forms (all mandatory unless noted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): completed price offer.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any connection to the state.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points.
• Tax compliance documentation (CSD report, SARS PIN, or tax certificate).
• Central Supplier Database Detail Report.
• Accreditation documentation: proof of being a Broadcom partner on any tier (certificate or letter from authorised distributor or Broadcom).
• Manufacturer warranty on hardware specified on quote.
• Evidence of 2 previous projects of similar scope and size in the previous 60 months, with contactable reference letters.
• For JV/consortium: separate SBD 1, 4, 6.1 for each member, plus the JV/consortium agreement.

Optional: B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, B-BBEE Transformation Improvement Plan, business/company profile, advance payment guarantee.

Disqualification risks:

• Late bids (after 13 November 2026 at 11:00).
• Missing or unsigned mandatory forms.
• Alterations to the bid document.
• Failure to submit both envelopes.
• Listed on National Treasury's Register for Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers.
• Misrepresentation of beneficial ownership.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Returnable documents and forms: All mandatory criteria must be met to proceed. NRF may allow correction of purely administrative omissions, but not substantive ones.

Stage 2 – Functionality requirements (mandatory): Failure to submit evidence results in disqualification. No second opportunity, except when only one bid is received.

• Proof of qualifications for installation technician (VMware certificate or alternative proof of skills to install/configure VMware in SAN/Server configuration).
• CV of technician for SAN switches showing they have installed the proposed solution before.
• Price offer meets compulsory specifications and standards.

Stage 3 – Price and preference:

• Price: 80 points
• Preference (B-BBEE): 10 points
• Total: 100 points

Award to bidder with highest combined score, subject to final verification of tax compliance and other checks.

Scope: Supply, install and configure VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) licensing for 256 cores (8 servers, each with 2 processors of 16 cores) for 3 years, plus 1 VMware vCenter server license.

Purpose: Continued access to technical support, security patches and software updates.

Installation: Must be performed by a certified technician.

Storage: Configure to connect to existing IBM V9000 SAN storage via fibre channel, including storage pathing and possibly fibre channel switch configuration.

Support: Provide support for 3 years.

Delivery timing: Installation depends on delivery of replacement servers and SAN switches; may be delayed due to hardware lead times.

Performance verification: Successful installation of VMware.

Delivery verification: Successful installation of VMware.

Installation and configuration must be performed by a certified technician.

Bidder responsible for configuration of storage pathing within VMware and possibly on fibre channel switches.

Installation technician: Must hold a VMware certificate or provide alternative proof of skills to install and configure VMware in a SAN/Server configuration.

SAN switch technician: CV showing they have installed the proposed solution before.

Bidder must provide evidence of 2 previous projects of similar scope and size in the previous 60 months, with contactable reference letters.

Poor performance management: Both parties meet to investigate root cause, agree and implement correction plan, monitor corrective actions, and assess applicability of penalties.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.1) must be completed without arithmetic errors.

Price offer must state country of origin, brand details, model details, comply with scope of work and equipment specifications, and state lead times if different from required.

Foreign exchange pricing table and escalation table (if applicable) must be completed.

Price component evaluated at 80 points.

Advance payment guarantee (optional) must meet specification in scope of work.

Manufacturer warranty on hardware must be specified on quote.

CSD registration: Mandatory prior to award. Bidders not registered may submit but must register before award.

Tax compliance: Mandatory. Submit SARS PIN or TCS certificate. No award to non-compliant bidders. Preferred bidder must become compliant within 7 days of notification or extended period.

B-BBEE: Submit valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) to claim preference points. If not submitted, 0 points for preference. Bidders with levels 4-8 or non-compliant may submit a B-BBEE Transformation Improvement Plan.

Broadcom partner: Must be a Broadcom partner on any tier, proven with certificate or letter from authorised distributor or Broadcom.

State service: No bids from persons in service of the state, or companies/close corporations with directors/members in service of the state.

Beneficial ownership: Must disclose in accordance with CIPC requirements, PFMA Circular, and anti-money laundering legislation. Failure results in disqualification.

Joint ventures/consortia: Each member must submit separate SBD 1, 4, 6.1 and tax compliance documentation, plus JV/consortium agreement.

Preference points: 10 out of 100. Submit valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) to claim points. If not submitted, 0 points. Bidders with levels 4-8 or non-compliant may submit a B-BBEE Transformation Improvement Plan.

Performance management: KPIs with minimum thresholds and trigger points for penalties/bonuses, agreed in writing and appended to contract. Reviewed monthly, after first 3 months, and every 6 months.

Penalties:

• Late delivery: GCC clause 22 applies.
• Missed installation/configuration deadlines: GCC clause 22 applies.
• Quality not meeting requirements: X% of total invoice value.
• Non-delivery of VMware licences: contract cancellation.

Contract signature: Successful bidder must sign SBD7.1 (goods) or SBD7.2 (services).

NRF may cancel bid before award if: changed circumstances, no funds, no bids meet specs, or material irregularity.

NRF may extend validity period; bidders rejecting extension are excluded.

Price negotiations may occur before award.

NRF retains original document set as defined original.

Must be a Broadcom partner on any tier, proven with certificate or letter from authorised distributor or Broadcom.

Manufacturer warranty on hardware must be specified on quote.

Evidence of 2 previous projects of similar scope and size in previous 60 months, with contactable reference letters.

Mandatory: CSD registration prior to award; tax compliance; not in service of the state; beneficial ownership disclosure; bid signed by authorised person; submission via National Treasury e-submission portal; bid validity 120 days.

Three stages: Stage 1 – returnable documents and forms (mandatory); Stage 2 – functionality (mandatory, failure to submit evidence results in disqualification); Stage 3 – price and preference (80 price, 10 preference, total 100). Award to highest combined score, subject to final tax verification.