Panel appointment for quality assurance and verification of discretionary grant projects

• Appointment of a panel of service providers located in South Africa to provide quality assurance and verification services for performance information of selected Discretionary Grant funded projects.
• A minimum of three to a maximum of four qualified panellists will be appointed.

• Closing date: Wednesday 22 July 2026 at 11h00.
• Non-compulsory virtual briefing: Monday 6 July 2026 at 11h00 via Microsoft Teams link.
• Deadline for bidders to indicate attendance at briefing: within one week after advert date (by 6 July 2026).
• Final questions and answers must be emailed to BANKSETA by close of business on 13 July 2026. Responses will be published on the BANKSETA website.
• Tender advert date: Friday 26 June 2026.

• For tender document enquiries: Ms Eva Ratema, Specialist: Supply Chain Management.
• Email for briefing attendance and general enquiries: [email protected] and copy [email protected].
• For questions not on the website, escalate to [email protected] and [email protected] at least 10 days before tender closes.
• All clarifications must be in writing; telephonic requests are not accepted.
• Physical submission address: Eco Origin Office Park, Block C2, 349 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park Estate, Highveld, Centurion, 0144.

• Submit one original hardcopy clearly marked 'Original', one hard copy of the original, and one soft copy on a memory stick.
• Prepare three separate envelopes: Envelope 1 (Original), Envelope 2 (Hard Copy and Soft Copy), Envelope 3 (Pricing and SBD1 with BANKSETA Preference Points Claim Document).
• Each envelope must be clearly labelled with the tender description and bid number BS/2026/RFB557.
• Deliver submissions to the SUBMISSION BOX at BANKSETA Offices: Eco Origin Office Park, Block C2, 349 Witch-Hazel Avenue, Eco Park Estate, Highveld, Centurion, 0144. Use gate 1.
• The closing date is Wednesday 22 July 2026 at 11h00. Late submissions will not be accepted.
• Faxed, telexed, or emailed submissions will not be accepted.
• You must sign a register upon submission.
• Discrepancies between submission documents may lead to rejection.
• Required returnable documents: fully completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), Special Conditions signed page, and Central Supplier Database report (or CSD MAAA number).

Must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) with compliant tax status and no restrictions from doing business with the public sector. Must submit fully completed SBD forms (1, 4, 6.1) and a CSD report. Must meet minimum technical/functional evaluation threshold of 65% (fall-back to 60% if no bids meet 65%). Must submit pricing schedule (Annexure A) with VAT separately. Joint ventures must submit JV agreement and all documents from each partner.

• Scope: Provide quality assurance and verification services for performance information of selected Discretionary Grant funded projects across all nine provinces.
• Deliverables include: requesting learner evidence for QA, requesting tranche invoices, coordinating correction requests, compiling listings of verified learners, submitting evidence packs to BANKSETA, conducting regular project reviews, and providing monthly progress reports.
• Service providers must manage stakeholders with a national footprint and handle contracts typically lasting 12-24 months.
• Key personnel requirements: A minimum team of five with specific roles:
• Project Executive/Manager: NQF Level 7+ in any field, project management qualification/certificate at NQF 5+ or module, experience in project management within post-school education/training environment.
• Project Administrator: NQF Level 6+ in any field, experience in project management administration within post-school education/training environment.
• Three additional team members: NQF Level 5+ in any field, experience in administration.
• Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a SAQA evaluation certificate.
• Service providers must have an established office with infrastructure (space, computers, document storage), a document management system, data tracking tools, and capacity to handle large volumes of contracts.

• Familiarise and adhere to BANKSETA reporting requirements, including DHET NSDP reporting template.
• Set up facilities for receiving beneficiary performance information.
• Assist stakeholders to comply with BANKSETA's Project Management Methodology; customised templates will be provided.
• Create a central repository with a systematic filing system for project documentation.
• Utilise a project tracking and reporting instrument.
• Review and finalise project plans per stakeholder group.
• Agree deliverables, due dates, checkpoints, and milestones with BANKSETA.
• Conduct regular contract reviews, update plans, highlight issues, and produce management reports including learner success stories.

• Provide a minimum team of five: Project Executive/Manager, Project Administrator, and three additional team members.
• Project Executive/Manager: NQF Level 7+ in any field, project management qualification at NQF 5+ or module, experience in project management within post-school education/training environment.
• Project Administrator: NQF Level 6+ in any field, experience in project management administration within post-school education/training environment.
• Additional three team members: NQF Level 5+ in any field, experience in administration.
• Submit CVs/profiles showing relevant experience, qualifications, and an organogram.
• Provide Monitoring and Evaluation reports from previous/current clients.
• Submit signed reference letters on client letterhead from clients in post-school education/training environment, issued within past three years, with contact details.
• Demonstrate work facilities, resources, data management tools, contract management knowledge, and stakeholder management experience.

• Conduct quality assurance and verification of performance data for Discretionary Grant-funded projects.
• Manage deliverables: request learner evidence for QA, request tranche invoices after QA, coordinate corrections, compile listings of verified learners, submit evidence packs to BANKSETA.
• Use skilled staff to maintain a project management environment.
• Key personnel qualifications are scored: Project Executive/Manager requires NQF Level 7+ and project management qualification at NQF 5+ or module; Project Administrator requires NQF Level 6+.
• Foreign qualifications must have SAQA evaluation certificates.

• Complete the Pricing Schedule (Annexure A) in full. Failure leads to disqualification.
• Submit pricing in Envelope 3 along with SBD1 and BANKSETA Preference Points Claim Document.

• Complete the Pricing Schedule (Annexure A) in full. Failure to comply leads to disqualification.
• Price evaluation will be conducted at the 2,000 learners per year level.
• Quoted prices will remain fixed for the particular year based on learners assigned.
• No pricing adjustments will be entertained after contract signing.
• Pricing sheet must show VAT separately.
• Include sufficient detail and all pricing assumptions, excluded costs, and estimated costs. BANKSETA assumes the pricing document is complete.
• Submit pricing in Envelope 3 along with SBD1 and the BANKSETA Preference Points Claim Document.

• Mandatory registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). Provide CSD report or MAAA number.
• BANKSETA will check CSD for tax compliance, director prohibitions, and state employee/stakeholder status. Non-compliance leads to no award.
• Submit fully completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), and signed Special Conditions page.
• Preference points are allocated for B-BBEE goals: Black person ownership (51%+ threshold), Women ownership (33%+), Youth ownership (33%+, persons 35 and below), Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Promotion of SMMEs/co-ops/NGOs.
• Foreign qualifications require a SAQA evaluation certificate.
• Joint venture submissions require all documents from each partner and a JV agreement.

• Service provider must advise stakeholders on acceptable invoicing requirements to expedite processing.
• Implement appropriate audit controls for budgets and payment records.
• Follow up with stakeholders to ensure correct performance information and invoices are submitted.
• Assist BANKSETA with audit requests from Internal Audit/Auditor General.
• Capture and save performance information per stakeholder/contract with systematic filing.
• Quality assure all performance information for accuracy and audit compliance.
• Provide BANKSETA with soft copies of all learners’ supporting evidence.
• Keep records of learner employment (for unemployed learners) for at least twelve months after programme completion.
• Update BANKSETA database with learner terminations, completions, and employment details.
• Be available for monthly meetings (in person or virtually via MS Teams) and assist with audit requirements.

• Price evaluation formula: Ps = 80[1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin], where Ps is points scored for price, Pt is price of bid under consideration, Pmin is price of lowest acceptable bid.
• Preference points are awarded for meeting BANKSETA goals as per Gazette 2721.