Development of assessment tools for qcto occupational certificate: production supervisor (115723)

Invitation date: 8 October 2026.

Non-compulsory briefing: 12 October 2026 at 11:00 via Microsoft Teams (meeting link provided in the RFQ).

Closing date and time: 14 October 2026 at 12:00.

Offer validity: 60 calendar days from closing date.

Project duration: minimum 6 months, maximum 24 months from contract signature.

Non-compulsory briefing session:

Date: 12 October 2026

Time: 11:00

Venue: Microsoft Teams (meeting link: non-compulsory briefing for SDP Assessment | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams)

Attendance is not mandatory.

SCM Enquiries:

• Contact: Thokozani Dlamini
• Email: [email protected]

Technical Enquiries:

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

Submission email: [email protected]

Fraud Hotline: 0800 333 057

Submission method: email to [email protected] with the RFQ number as the email subject.

Closing date and time: 14 October 2026 at 12:00.

Late submissions will not be considered.

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

• Bidders Information form (company details, CSD supplier number, VAT registration, contact details).
• SBD 4 – Bidder's Disclosure: declares any state employment or relationships with procuring institution officials; false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 – Preference Points Claim Form: claims specific-goal points under the 80/20 system; supporting evidence (B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD) must be attached.
• SBD 7.1 – Contract Form (Purchase of Goods/Works): signed by the successful bidder after award.
• Pricing Schedule: firm prices only, inclusive of VAT and all related costs (transport, accommodation, etc.); offer valid for 60 calendar days from closing date.
• Authority to Sign / Board Resolution: authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder; a signed company resolution on letterhead may be attached.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for preference points).
• Proof of CSD registration and tax compliance status.
• References for similar assessment tool / QASA development projects (if required).
• Any certification required by the specifications (e.g., SDP accreditation letter, QCTO acknowledgement).

Disqualification risks: any returnable form left unsigned or omitted; submission after closing time; failure to meet mandatory compliance requirements in Stage 1.

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

• Bidders Information form (company details, CSD supplier number, VAT registration, contact details).
• SBD 4 – Bidder's Disclosure.
• SBD 6.1 – Preference Points Claim Form.
• SBD 7.1 – Contract Form (Purchase of Goods/Works).
• Pricing Schedule (firm prices, VAT inclusive, all costs included).
• Authority to Sign / Board Resolution (signed resolution on company letterhead accepted).
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Proof of CSD registration and tax compliance status.
• References for similar assessment tool/QASA development projects.
• SDP accreditation letter/certificate from QCTO or delegated authority.
• SLA/MoU with relevant industry partner (or letter of intent).
• Registered assessor CVs/proof of registration and experience.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Administrative Compliance (pass/fail):

• Completed all RFQ forms.
• Registered on National Treasury CSD (valid CSD number provided).
• Pricing Schedule submitted.
• SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1 completed and signed.
• Tax matters in order (reflected on CSD).

Stage 2 – Technical / Functionality (minimum 70% overall, and minimum score per component):

1. SDP Accreditation for Related Qualification (25%): valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for Production Supervisor (115723) or closely related occupational qualification = 25 pts; accreditation for unrelated qualification = 10 pts; no accreditation = 0 pts (disqualification).
2. Accreditation Acknowledgement Letter/Certificate (15%): valid/current letter or certificate from QCTO or delegated authority = 15 pts; expired/conditional/incomplete = 5 pts; none = 0 pts (disqualification).
3. Registered Assessor Experience (20%): at least one team member registered as assessor with ≥3 years' relevant occupational assessment/assessment development experience = 20 pts; registered assessor with <3 years = 10 pts; no registered assessor = 0 pts (disqualification).
4. SLA/MoU with Relevant Industry Partner (30%): signed and valid SLA/MoU supporting assessment development/validation/workplace relevance = 10 pts; letter of intent only = 5 pts; none = 0 pts.
5. Relevant Reference Letters – Assessment Tools / QASA Development (10%): three or more similar projects = 10 pts; one to two projects = 5 pts; none = 0 pts.

Minimum threshold to proceed: 70/100.

Stage 3 – Price and Specific Goals (80/20 preference point system):

• Price: 80 points (lowest acceptable price scores maximum).
• Specific Goals: 20 points allocated as follows:

• Black People Ownership ≥51%: 6 pts.
• Black Women Ownership ≥30%: 4 pts.
• Black Youth Ownership ≥30%: 4 pts.
• White Women Ownership ≥30%: 2 pts.
• People with Disability Ownership ≥20%: 4 pts.

Evidence: valid B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD. Failure to submit proof means points are not claimed.

merSETA reserves the right to negotiate terms and price with qualifying bidders and is not obliged to accept the lowest offer.

Scope: Appointment of a merSETA-accredited Skills Development Provider (SDP) or Assessment Centre to develop assessment tools for the Occupational Certificate: Production Supervisor (SAQA ID 115723).

Deliverables:

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

Project timeline: minimum 6 months, maximum 24 months from date of signature.

Team requirement: a lead/subject matter expert for the qualification plus three (3) Assessor/Moderator team members.

Mandatory technical pre-qualification (disqualification if absent):

• Valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for the Production Supervisor qualification or a closely related occupational qualification.
• Valid/current QCTO accreditation acknowledgement letter or certificate.
• At least one registered assessor with ≥3 years' relevant occupational assessment or assessment development experience.

Other scored technical requirements:

• Signed and valid SLA/MoU with a relevant industry partner supporting assessment development, validation or workplace relevance (letter of intent scores partial points).
• Reference letters demonstrating 1–2 or 3+ similar projects developing assessment instruments, RPL tools, or QAS/QASA for occupational qualifications.

Bidder must propose a methodology covering:

• Development of three assessment instruments and one exemplar instrument.
• Development of an RPL Toolkit instrument.
• Development of the QASA.
• Support for QCTO submission and approval process.
• Team composition: lead/subject matter expert plus three Assessor/Moderators.
• Industry partnership via signed SLA/MoU for validation and workplace relevance.
• Project management across 6–24 month timeline.

The technical evaluation scores the bidder's capacity to execute this methodology through accreditation status, assessor experience, industry partnership and reference projects.

Key personnel requirements:

• Lead/subject matter expert for the Production Supervisor qualification (115723) or closely related occupational qualification.
• Minimum three (3) Assessor/Moderator team members.
• At least one registered assessor with ≥3 years' relevant experience in occupational qualifications assessment or assessment development (mandatory; disqualification if absent).

Organisational experience:

• Valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for the related qualification (mandatory; disqualification if absent).
• Valid/current QCTO accreditation acknowledgement letter/certificate (mandatory; disqualification if absent).
• Signed and valid SLA/MoU with relevant industry partner supporting assessment development, validation or workplace relevance (letter of intent scores partial points).
• Reference letters for 1–2 or 3+ similar projects developing assessment instruments, RPL tools, or QAS/QASA for occupational qualifications.

Quality requirements are embedded in the technical evaluation criteria:

• Valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for the relevant qualification.
• Valid/current QCTO accreditation acknowledgement letter or certificate.
• Registered assessor(s) with relevant occupational assessment experience.
• SLA/MoU with industry partner supporting assessment development, validation or workplace relevance.
• Demonstrated track record developing assessment instruments, RPL tools, QAS/QASA for occupational qualifications.
• Formal QCTO approval of the developed QASA is a deliverable.
• merSETA reserves the right to conduct site inspections at bidder premises or client sites.

Pricing Schedule: firm prices only (non-firm prices rejected).

Single line item: CAPABLE SDP ASSESSMENT CENTRE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSESSMENT TOOLS FOR OCCUPATIONAL CERTIFICATE PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR - 115723 (quantity 1).

Price must include all related costs (transport, accommodation, etc.) and VAT at 15%.

Offer valid for 60 calendar days from closing date (14 October 2026).

If the allocated price page is insufficient, a supplementary pricing breakdown on company letterhead may be attached.

Price Declaration must be completed; if totals differ, the Price Declaration amount prevails.

Pricing: firm prices only (no price escalation or exchange-rate variations); prices must be inclusive of VAT (15%) and all related expenses (transport, accommodation, etc.).

Offer validity: 60 calendar days from closing date.

Payment terms: merSETA pays valid invoices in full within 30 days from statement date for work done to its satisfaction upon presentation of a substantiated claim; no payment for unproductive or duplicated time due to staff changes, inefficiencies or rework.

No bid security, performance bond, retention or guarantee requirements are stated.

Contract form: successful supplier may be required to sign SBD 7.1 (Contract Form – Purchase of Goods/Works) or an SLA.

Mandatory eligibility:

• Registered on National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) – valid CSD number required.
• Tax compliance status in order (reflected on CSD) at time of award.
• Completed and signed SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), SBD 7.1 (Contract Form), Pricing Schedule, Authority to Sign / Board Resolution, Bidders Information form.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for preference points; not a disqualification if absent but points are forfeited).

Technical pre-qualification (disqualification if not met):

• Valid QCTO-recognised SDP accreditation for Production Supervisor (115723) or closely related occupational qualification.
• Valid/current QCTO accreditation acknowledgement letter or certificate.
• At least one registered assessor with ≥3 years' relevant occupational assessment/assessment development experience.

Minimum technical score: 70/100 overall in Stage 2 evaluation.

Specific-goal evidence for B-BBEE points: valid B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate, ID or CSD.

merSETA may conduct site inspections, FICA/background checks, and consider its own past experience with bidders over the preceding 5 years.

Contract governed by South African law; domicilium citandi et executandi in the Republic at the bidder's full physical address.

Offer remains binding and open for acceptance for 60 calendar days from closing time.

Contract subject to Public Finance Management Act 1999, merSETA SCM Policy, General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any Special Conditions of Contract.

If bidder withdraws during validity or fails to fulfil contract, merSETA may recover additional expenses by set-off against monies due or guarantees/deposits.

Acceptance may be communicated by email to the address supplied in the quotation.

Successful supplier may be required to sign SBD 7.1 or an SLA.

No services/goods to be rendered/delivered before official merSETA appointment letter or Purchase Order is received.

merSETA reserves the right to appoint more than one supplier, award in whole or in part, amend bid conditions/validity/specifications/closing date before closing, conduct site inspections, require verification information (including FICA/background checks), and consider its own past experience with bidders over the preceding 5 years.

merSETA not obliged to accept lowest-priced bid; award to bidder demonstrating requisite capability, functional compliance and financial advantage.

Intellectual property and copyright vest in merSETA and the bidder; confidential information may not be used, copied or disclosed without prior written permission.

merSETA rights:

• Amend bid conditions, validity period, specifications or closing date at any time before closing; bidders must monitor website.
• Not obliged to accept lowest-priced bid or any bid; award at merSETA's sole discretion to functionally compliant, financially advantageous bidder.
• Award in whole or in part.
• Conduct site inspections at bidder premises or client sites.
• Require any information, agreement or supporting document to verify a bid; bidder consents to verification including FICA/background checks on entity and directors/trustees/shareholders/members.
• Consider own past experience with bidders over preceding 5 years.
• Negotiate terms and price with qualifying bidders.

Confidentiality: document contains merSETA property; no use, copying or disclosure without prior written permission.

Intellectual property: all copyright and IP vest in merSETA and the bidder.

General Conditions of Contract (GCC) apply (available on National Treasury website).

See evaluationCriteria section for full three-stage evaluation detail. No additional criteria beyond those captured there.