Supply of high-security ballot paper printing services for south africa’s 2026 local government elections

Closing date and time: 3 July 2026 at 11:00. Tender briefing sessions: 17, 18, and 19 June 2026 at 11:00 at the following venues: 1 Langford, The Bridge, 1st Floor, Unit 4, Election House, Dawncliffe; 2 Buckingham Terrace, 304 Durban Road, Bellville, Cape Town; 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion. Attendance is not compulsory.

Enquiries: Tel: 012 622 5700 or Email: [email protected]. Submission addresses: Tender boxes or designated rooms at 1 Langford, The Bridge, 1st Floor, Unit 4, Election House, Dawncliffe; 2 Buckingham Terrace, 304 Durban Road, Bellville, Cape Town; or 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion. National Office: Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157. P/Bag X112, Centurion, 0046. Tel: (+27) 12 622 5700. Email: [email protected]. Website: www.elections.org.za.

Submit your bid by completing all relevant forms in the tender document. Deposit the bid in a sealed envelope or container, clearly marked with your company name and tender reference (IEC/LG-04/2026), into the designated tender box or room at one of the following addresses before 11:00 on 3 July 2026: 1 Langford, The Bridge, 1st Floor, Unit 4, Election House, Dawncliffe; 2 Buckingham Terrace, 304 Durban Road, Bellville, Cape Town; or 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion. Bids submitted elsewhere, late, or via email/fax will be disqualified. Ensure all pages are signed/initialled in original ink; no correction fluid or tape is allowed. Photocopied pages must also be signed/initialled. Incomplete submissions or missing pages will be disqualified. Do not retype or substitute tender document pages.

Scoring follows the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) and Regulations, 2022. The applicable preference point system (80/20 or 90/10) will be determined by the lowest acceptable bid's rand value: 80/20 for ≤R50M, 90/10 for >R50M. Points are allocated as follows: Price (80 or 90 points) using the formula Ps = 80 or 90 (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin), where Pt = bid price, Pmin = lowest acceptable bid price. B-BBEE specific goals (20 or 10 points) awarded per the following table: Level 1: 20/10, Level 2: 18/9, Level 3: 14/6, Level 4: 12/5, Level 5: 8/4, Level 6: 6/3, Level 7: 4/2, Level 8: 2/1, Non-compliant: 0/0. Bidders must submit valid B-BBEE certificates/affidavits (EMEs: CIPC certificate or sworn affidavit; QSEs: sworn affidavit or SANAS-verified certificate; others: SANAS-verified certificate). Subcontracting >25% to entities with lower B-BBEE status forfeits specific goal points. Ties are resolved by highest specific goal points, then by drawing lots. Market-related pricing is mandatory; non-compliance may lead to negotiation or cancellation.

Scope: Printing of ballot papers for the Local Government Elections 2026 (LGE2026). The Electoral Commission (IEC) requires high-quality, secure, and timely delivery of ballot papers to support free and fair elections. Deliverables must meet IEC specifications for material, design, and durability. Bidders must demonstrate capacity to handle large-scale printing, logistics, and strict deadlines. Compliance with IEC’s technical and security standards is mandatory. Deviations from specifications must be explicitly declared; unauthorised changes will disqualify the bid.

Pricing schedules must be fully completed in the tender document. All applicable costs (including VAT for registered vendors) must be included. Denote non-applicable items as N/A. Failure to complete schedules or provide required pricing details will disqualify the bid. Prices must be market-related; IEC may negotiate or cancel non-compliant bids. Non-firm prices must account for exchange rate fluctuations and include forward cover details where applicable.

Pricing must be all-inclusive (VAT where applicable) and market-related. Non-VAT registered bidders cannot charge VAT. Comprehensive completion of pricing schedules is compulsory; denote non-applicable items as N/A. Prices must be firm unless otherwise stated; adjustments allowed only for changes in customs/excise duties, taxes, or levies (proof required). Non-firm prices may be adjusted per published indices or net cost changes (evidence required). Payment terms: 30 days from receipt of valid tax invoice. Banking details must be validated on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). Failure to complete pricing schedules or submit required financial documents will disqualify the bid.

Mandatory compliance: Registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) is required; non-registration invalidates the bid. Tax compliance status must be verified on the CSD; non-compliant bidders will be disqualified. B-BBEE compliance: Submit valid B-BBEE status level certificate (SANAS-accredited for non-EMEs/QSEs), CIPC B-BBEE certificate, or sworn affidavit (EMEs/QSEs). Supporting documents (e.g., share certificates, IDs, EEA1 forms) must validate ownership claims. Subcontracting >25% requires subcontractors to meet equal/higher B-BBEE status and tax compliance. Public servants and entities affiliated with political parties/candidates are prohibited from bidding. Employment Equity Act (EEA) compliance: Designated employers must submit a Section 53(2) certificate or declaration. False or omitted information may invalidate the bid and lead to legal consequences.

Contract terms include: Firm prices unless adjusted for statutory duties/taxes (proof required). Non-firm prices may adjust per published indices or net cost changes (evidence required). Payment within 30 days of valid invoice receipt; banking details must match CSD. IEC reserves rights to: cancel orders for late delivery, reject non-conforming goods, recover costs/damages, and procure externally in emergencies. No price adjustments unless stipulated. Service Level Agreement (SLA) will be signed with the successful bidder. Contractors must supply all tools/equipment unless otherwise stated. Force majeure delays must be reported in writing with requested extensions.

Evaluation is governed by the PPPFA and Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022. The 80/20 or 90/10 preference point system applies based on the lowest acceptable bid’s rand value (≤R50M: 80/20; >R50M: 90/10). Price accounts for 80 or 90 points (formula: Ps = 80/90 (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin)). B-BBEE specific goals account for 20 or 10 points, awarded per the official table (Level 1: 20/10, Level 8: 2/1, Non-compliant: 0). Certificates must be valid and verifiable (SANAS for non-EMEs/QSEs; CIPC or affidavits for EMEs/QSEs). Subcontracting >25% to lower B-BBEE status entities forfeits specific goal points. Ties are broken by higher specific goal points, then by lot.