Sd-wan and telephony services – design, implement, manage and support a fully managed sd-wan-based network infrastructure solution

Briefing session: NONE.

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Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD), have a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, and meet the minimum requirements for experience and qualifications as specified in the tender document

1. Background to cathsseta

1.1. The Skills Development Act (No ), as amended (SDA) makes provision for the

establishment of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for each national

economic sector and thereby aims to develop the skills of the South African workforce by

increasing the investment in education and training in the labour market; and encouraging

employers to play a meaningful role in developing employees, particularly the previously

disadvantaged.

1.2. The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority

(CATHSSETA) was established through the SDA to research and establish a nationally

recognised Sector Skills Plan (SSP) supported by skills development programmes serving the

interest of the following sectors:

1.2.1 Arts, Culture and Heritage;

1.2.2 Conservation;

1.2.3 Gaming and Lotteries;

1.2.4 Hospitality;

1.2.5 Sport, Recreation and Fitness; and

1.2.6 Tourism and Travel Services.

1.3. These sectors are diverse and unique, and they play a significant role not only in the economy

but also in the broader quest for social cohesion and formulation of a unique South African

national identity.

2. Overall objective

2.1. The purpose of this Request for Bid (RFB) is to appoint a qualified service provider to

design, implement, manage, and support a fully managed SD-WAN-based network

infrastructure solution for CATHSSETA. The contract duration is forty (40) months,

inclusive of implementation, support, and maintenance.

2.2. The solution must include:

2.2.1. SD-WAN connectivity across all sites.

2.2.2. Voice and Microsoft Teams integration.

2.2.3. APN mobile connectivity services.

2.2.4. Data centre co-location (Disaster Recovery site).

2.2.5. Network security, monitoring, and reporting services.

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3. Detailed scope of work

3.1. ICT environment overview

CATHSSETA currently operates:

3.1.1. Hyper-V, VMware, and Linux Red Hat KVM virtualised environment.

3.1.2. Microsoft 365 cloud services.

3.1.3. Sage ERP ecosystem integration environment.

The proposed solution must integrate with existing ICT infrastructure.

3.2. Modern sd-wan requirements (next-generation architecture)

The solution must be based on modern SD-WAN architecture, including:

3.2.1. Application-aware routing (AAR);

3.2.2. Cloud-first optimisation (Microsoft 365 prioritisation);

3.2.3. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) principles;

3.2.4. Integrated security capabilities (SASE-ready architecture preferred);

3.2.5. AI-driven traffic optimisation and analytics;

3.2.6. Centralised orchestration and policy control; and

3.2.7. Built-in encryption and segmentation.

3.3. Network connectivity requirements

3.3.1. Head Office (Midrand)

3.3.1.1. Primary: 750 Mbps;

3.3.1.2. Backup: 500 Mbps; and

3.3.1.3. 6 x Static Public IP Addresses.

3.3.2. Regional Offices (FS, KZN, WC)

3.3.2.1. Primary: 500 Mbps per site;

3.3.2.2. Backup: 250 Mbps per site; and

3.3.2.3. 6 x Static Public IP Addresses per region.

3.3.3. DR / Co-location Site

3.3.3.1. Primary: 750 Mbps;

3.3.3.2. Backup: 500 Mbps; and

3.3.3.3. 6 x Static Public IP Addresses.

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Geographic locations

Site Name Address GPS Coordinates

Head Office (Midrand) 270 George Road, Noordwyk, -25.9569, 28.1189

Midrand

KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) 262 D’Aintree Avenue, Asherville, -29.825859, 30.986525

Durban, KZN

Western Cape NorthLink TVET College, -33.874354, 18.574364

(Tygerberg) Tygerberg, Rothschild Boulevard,

Cape Town

Free State (Bloemfontein) Cnr. Goddard Street and OR -29.1220, 26.2265

Tambo Drive, Motheo TVET

College, Bloemfontein

Collocation Site (Outside To use the ISP address, over 50 To be determined by the

50 Kilometers radius) kilometres (KM) radius away from appointment of the service

CATHSSETA premises provider.

3.4. Sd-wan infrastructure

3.4.1. Fully managed SD-WAN solution;

3.4.2. ISP-provided edge routers (primary and backup);

3.4.3. Central orchestration platform;

3.4.4. IPSec and SSL encryption; and

3.4.5. QoS and application prioritisation.

3.5. Network architecture

3.5.1. Fully meshed IPSec tunnels between:

3.5.1.1. Head Office ↔ Regional Offices;

3.5.1.2. Regional Offices ↔ DR Site; and

3.5.1.3. Head Office ↔ DR Site.

3.6. Voice and unified communications

3.6.1. Thirty (30) x Microsoft Teams-compatible IP phones;

3.6.2. Five (5) x SIP trunks for CRM continuity (with 011 numbers);

3.6.3. Dual WAN/LAN support; and

3.6.4. 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports.

3.7. Apn services

3.7.1. 250 Mbps primary / 100 Mbps backup;

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3.7.2. 2 TB pooled monthly data;

3.7.3. 50 APN SIMs (embedded laptop/cellphone eSIM preferred where available);

3.7.4. Radius authentication integration; and

3.7.5. Fully integrated into SD-WAN environment.

3.8. Data centre collocation (dr site)

3.8.1. 12U rack space;

3.8.2. Fully redundant power and cooling; and

3.8.3. Secure hosting environment for DR operations.

3.9. Infrastructure hardware requirements

3.9.1. Switching

3.9.1.1. One (1) x 48-port or two (2) stacked x 24-port enterprise AI-capable switch(es).

3.9.1.2. Support for:

3.9.1.2.1. SFP modules (1G–10G);

3.9.1.2.2. QSFP modules (40G+); and

3.9.1.2.3. Expansion capability.

3.9.2. Servers (x2)

3.9.2.1. Each server must include:

3.9.2.1.1. 250Gb ram;

3.9.2.1.2. 24 TB internal storage;

3.9.2.1.3. 8 x 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports;

3.9.2.1.4. 2 x 10Gbps SFP uplinks; and

3.9.2.1.5. 10Gbps remote (OOB) management port.

3.10. Equipment model

3.10.1. All infrastructure must be provided under a managed service/rental model; and

3.10.2. Includes maintenance, upgrades, and replacement.

3.11. Ip addressing requirements

3.11.1. 6 x static public IPv4 addresses per site.

3.11.2. Dedicated, non-shared allocation.

3.11.3. Fully routable with reverse DNS support.

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3.12. ACCESS CONTROL and GOVERNANCE

3.12.1. Full administrative access for CATHSSETA (collocation layer);

3.12.2. Read-only SD-WAN access across all sites;

3.12.3. Independent reporting portal (no ISP dependency); and

3.12.4. API access for monitoring and reporting.

3.13. Vendor lock-in protection

3.13.1. Full operational independence for CATHSSETA;

3.13.2. Continuous access during disputes or termination; and

3.13.3. Full configuration and reporting continuity.

4. Expected outputs/deliverables

4.1. The appointed service provider will be required to deliver the following outputs and

deliverables for the duration of the contract period:

4.1.1. SD-WAN Infrastructure Deployment

4.1.1.1. Fully implemented and operational SD-WAN solution across:

4.1.1.1.1. Head Office;

4.1.1.1.2. Free State Regional Office;

4.1.1.1.3. KwaZulu-Natal Regional Office;

4.1.1.1.4. Western Cape Regional Office; and

4.1.1.1.5. Disaster Recovery (DR) / Collocation Site.

4.1.1.2. Centralised SD-WAN orchestration and management platform fully

configured and operational.

4.2. Internet Connectivity Services

4.2.1. Provisioning and commissioning of:

4.2.1.1. 750 Mbps primary and 500 Mbps backup links for Head Office;

4.2.1.2. 500 Mbps primary and 250 Mbps backup links for each regional office;

and

4.2.1.3. 750 Mbps primary and 500 Mbps backup links for the DR site.

4.2.2. Provisioning of six (6) static public IP addresses per site.

4.3. Secure Network Architecture

4.3.1. Fully configured IPSec tunnels interconnecting:

4.3.1.1. Head Office;

4.3.1.2. Regional Offices; and

4.3.1.3. DR / Collocation Site.

4.3.2. Secure segmentation and encrypted communication between all sites.

4.4. APN Services

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4.4.1. Deployment and configuration of:

4.4.1.1. 50 APN SIM cards (eSIM configuration preferred where available);

4.4.1.2. 2TB pooled monthly APN data;

4.4.1.3. APN primary and backup connectivity; and

4.4.1.4. Radius authentication services are integrated into the SD-WAN

environment.

4.5. Voice and Unified Communications

4.5.1. Supply, configuration, and commissioning of:

4.5.1.1. 30 Microsoft Teams-compatible desktop phones; and

4.5.1.2. 5 SIP trunks for CRM continuity.

4.5.2. Teams’ phones must support:

4.5.2.1. Dual WAN/LAN interfaces; and

4.5.2.2. 2.5Gbps.

4.6. Data Centre Collocation Services

4.6.1. Provisioning of:

4.6.1.1. Minimum 12U rack space;

4.6.1.2. Redundant power and cooling; and

4.6.1.3. Secure collocation hosting environment for DR operations.

4.7. Infrastructure Hardware

4.7.1. Switching Infrastructure

4.7.1.1. Supply and configuration of:

4.7.1.1.1. 1 x 48-port enterprise AI-capable switch or 2 x 24-port

enterprise AI-capable-stacked switches;

4.7.1.1.2. SFP and QSFP modules as required; and

4.7.1.1.3. Expansion capability for future scalability.

4.7.2. Server Infrastructure

4.7.2.1. Supply and commissioning of:

4.7.2.1.1. 2 x enterprise-grade servers;

4.7.2.1.2. 250 GB RAM per server; and

4.7.2.1.3. 10Gbps SFP uplink capability.

4.8. Access Control and Governance

4.8.1. Full administrative access for CATHSSETA engineers to collocation infrastructure.

4.8.2. Read-only access to SD-WAN infrastructure across all sites.

4.8.3. Independent reporting capability without ISP dependency.

4.9. Reporting and Monitoring

4.9.1. Monthly SLA and network performance reports;

4.9.2. Incident and resolution reports;

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4.9.3. Capacity utilisation and optimisation reports; and

4.9.4. Real-time dashboard and reporting access.

4.10. Documentation and Knowledge Transfer

4.10.1. Comprehensive network documentation;

4.10.2. As-built diagrams and topology diagrams;

4.10.3. IP address allocation schedules;

4.10.4. Administrator guides and operational manuals; and

4.10.5. Skills transfer and technical handover to CATHSSETA ICT personnel.

4.11. Support and Maintenance

4.11.1. Full support and maintenance services for forty (40) months;

4.11.2. Firmware updates, software updates, and security patching;

4.11.3. Hardware replacement and fault resolution; and

4.11.4. 24/7 support and escalation services.

4.12. Service Level Agreement (SLA)

4.12.1. Signed SLA governing:

4.12.1.1. Uptime commitments;

4.12.1.2. Response times;

4.12.1.3. Escalation procedures;

4.12.1.4. Penalty enforcement; and

4.12.1.5. Continuity and reporting obligations.

5. Service provider competencies and qualifications requirement

5.1. The prospective service provider must demonstrate the necessary technical expertise,

experience, capacity, and resources to successfully implement, manage, support, and

maintain the proposed SD-WAN, APN, voice, collocation, and associated network

infrastructure services for the duration of the contract.

5.2. Organisational Experience and Capability

The service provider must:

5.2.1. Demonstrate a proven track record in the design, implementation, and support of

enterprise SD-WAN solutions;

5.2.2. Have experience in managing multi-site Wide Area Network (WAN);

5.2.3. Environments across geographically dispersed locations;

5.2.4. Demonstrate experience in the provision of managed connectivity services;

5.2.5. APN services, voice services, and data centre collocation services;

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5.2.6. Demonstrate experience in implementing secure network architectures, including

IPSec VPNs, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Software-Defined Wide Area

Network (SD-WAN) technologies; and

5.2.7. Provide evidence of similar projects completed within the last five (5) years.

5.3. Technical Resources

The service provider must provide suitably qualified personnel for the implementation and

support of the solution, including:

5.3.1. Project Manager

A dedicated Project Manager with:

5.3.1.1. A minimum of five (5) years' experience managing enterprise ICT

infrastructure or telecommunications projects;

5.3.1.2. Proven experience in managing SD-WAN, network transformation, or

telecommunications implementations; and

5.3.1.3. Relevant project management certification(s) will be advantageous.

5.3.2. Network/SD-WAN Engineers

At least two (2) certified engineers with:

5.3.2.1. A minimum of three (3) years' experience in SD-WAN implementation

and support;

5.3.2.2. Experience in enterprise routing, switching, WAN optimisation, and

network security;

5.3.2.3. Experience in IPSec VPN implementation and troubleshooting; and

5.3.2.4. Experience in cloud connectivity and Microsoft 365 traffic optimisation.

5.3.3. Data Centre and Infrastructure Specialists

Personnel/Specialists with experience in:

5.3.4. Data centre collocation environments;

5.3.5. Enterprise switching and routing infrastructure;

5.3.6. Server deployment and infrastructure management; and

5.3.7. Disaster Recovery (DR) environments and business continuity planning.

5.4. Certifications and Accreditation (Mandatory)

The service provider should possess relevant industry certifications and accreditations

applicable to the proposed solution, which may include:

5.4.1. Cisco;

5.4.2. Fortinet;

5.4.3. Aruba (HPE);

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5.4.4. Huawei;

5.4.5. VMware;

5.4.6. Microsoft;

5.4.7. Palo Alto Networks;

5.4.8. Juniper Networks; and

5.4.9. Other recognised networking and security technology vendors

Proof of certification and accreditation must be submitted where applicable. Failure to

submit proof of certification will result in disqualification.

5.5. Support and Maintenance Capability

The service provider must demonstrate the ability to provide:

5.5.1. 24 hours per day, 7 days per week support services;

5.5.2. Remote and on-site technical support;

5.5.3. Incident management and escalation procedures.

5.5.4. Proactive monitoring and performance management;

5.5.5. Firmware, software, and security updates; and

5.5.6. Capacity planning and optimisation services.

5.6. Skills Transfer and Knowledge Transfer

The service provider must:

5.6.1. Provide formal knowledge transfer to a minimum of three (3) CATHSSETA ICT

personnel;

5.6.2. Conduct administrator training on the implemented solution;

5.6.3. Provide operational and technical documentation; and

5.6.4. Ensure CATHSSETA ICT personnel are capable of accessing reports, dashboards,

and monitoring information independently.

5.7. References

The service provider must provide a minimum of five (5) contactable reference letters for

similar projects completed within the last five (5) years.

Reference letters must:

5.7.1. Be on the client's official letterhead;

5.7.2. Include project scope and services rendered;

5.7.3. Include the project completion date; and

5.7.4. Include the client's contact details for verification purposes.

5.8. Independence and Professional Conduct

The service provider and its personnel must:

5.8.1. Perform services professionally and objectively;

5.8.2. Maintain confidentiality of all CATHSSETA information;

5.8.3. Comply with all applicable legislation, regulations, and industry standards; and

5.8.4. Avoid conflicts of interest that may compromise service delivery or decision-making.

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6. Period of performance

6.1. Contract Period

The successful service provider shall be appointed for a period of forty (40) months,

commencing from the contract commencement date as approved by CATHSSETA.

6.2. The service provider shall be required to complete the implementation, configuration,

testing, commissioning, and migration of all services within a maximum period of three (3)

months from the date of contract award or receipt of the official purchase order, whichever

occurs first.

Implementation activities shall include, but not be limited to:

6.2.1. SD-WAN deployment and configuration;

6.2.2. Internet connectivity provisioning;

6.2.3. APN deployment and integration;

6.2.4. Microsoft Teams voice services implementation;

6.2.5. SIP trunk provisioning and configuration;

6.2.6. Collocation infrastructure deployment;

6.2.7. Server and switch installation and configuration;

6.2.8. IPSec tunnel establishment;

6.2.9. User acceptance testing (UAT);

6.2.10. Knowledge transfer and administrator training; and

6.2.11. Submission of as-built documentation.

6.3. Operational Support and Maintenance

Following successful implementation and acceptance, the service provider shall provide:

6.3.1. Proactive monitoring services;

6.3.2. Preventative maintenance;

6.3.3. Corrective maintenance;

6.3.4. Firmware and software updates;

6.3.5. Security updates and patch management;

6.3.6. Hardware replacement services;

6.3.7. Technical support and incident management; and

6.3.8. Monthly reporting and service reviews.

6.4. Service Availability

The service provider shall ensure that all contracted services remain fully operational and

available throughout the contract period in accordance with the agreed Service Level

Agreement (SLA).

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6.5. Contract Extension

CATHSSETA reserves the right, subject to applicable legislation, organisational policies,

budget availability, and mutual agreement between the parties, to negotiate an extension of

the contract period where such extension is deemed necessary and beneficial to the

organisation.

6.6. Exit Management and Transition

Upon expiry or termination of the contract, the service provider shall:

6.6.1. Provide all relevant configurations, documentation, reports, and records relating to

the services rendered;

6.6.2. Cooperate with CATHSSETA and any incoming service provider to ensure a

smooth transition of services;

6.6.3. Maintain reasonable support during the transition period to minimise operational

disruption; and

6.6.4. Ensure that no service interruption occurs as a result of the transition process.

6.7. Continuity of Access

Throughout the contract period and during any transition period, CATHSSETA shall retain:

6.7.1. Full administrative access to collocation infrastructure under its control;

6.7.2. Read-only access to SD-WAN infrastructure and reporting platforms;

6.7.3. Access to performance reports, dashboards, logs, and historical service data; and

6.7.4. Access to all documentation produced during the contract period.

Geographic locations: Head Office (Midrand) 270 George Road, Noordwyk, Midrand; KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) 262 D’Aintree Avenue, Asherville, Durban, KZN; Western Cape (Tygerberg) NorthLink TVET College, Tygerberg, Rothschild Boulevard, Cape Town; Free State (Bloemfontein) Cnr. Goddard Street and OR Tambo Drive, Motheo TVET College, Bloemfontein; Collocation Site (Outside 50 Kilometers radius) to use the ISP address, over 50 kilometres (KM) radius away from CATHSSETA premises.

5.1. The prospective service provider must demonstrate the necessary technical expertise,

experience, capacity, and resources to successfully implement, manage, support, and

maintain the proposed SD-WAN, APN, voice, collocation, and associated network

infrastructure services for the duration of the contract.

5.2. Organisational Experience and Capability

5.2.1. Demonstrate a proven track record in the design, implementation, and support of

enterprise SD-WAN solutions;

5.2.2. Have experience in managing multi-site Wide Area Network (WAN);

5.2.3. Environments across geographically dispersed locations;

5.2.4. Demonstrate experience in the provision of managed connectivity services;

5.2.5. APN services, voice services, and data centre collocation services;

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5.2.6. Demonstrate experience in implementing secure network architectures, including

IPSec VPNs, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Software-Defined Wide Area

Network (SD-WAN) technologies; and

5.2.7. Provide evidence of similar projects completed within the last five (5) years.

5.3. Technical Resources

5.3.1.1. A minimum of five (5) years' experience managing enterprise ICT

infrastructure or telecommunications projects;

5.3.1.2. Proven experience in managing SD-WAN, network transformation, or

telecommunications implementations; and

5.3.1.3. Relevant project management certification(s) will be advantageous.

5.3.2. Network/SD-WAN Engineers

At least two (2) certified engineers with:

5.3.2.1. A minimum of three (3) years' experience in SD-WAN implementation

and support;

5.3.2.2. Experience in enterprise routing, switching, WAN optimisation, and

network security;

5.3.2.3. Experience in IPSec VPN implementation and troubleshooting; and

5.3.2.4. Experience in cloud connectivity and Microsoft 365 traffic optimisation.

5.3.3. Data Centre and Infrastructure Specialists

5.6.1. Provide formal knowledge transfer to a minimum of three (3) CATHSSETA ICT

personnel;

5.6.2. Conduct administrator training on the implemented solution;

5.6.3. Provide operational and technical documentation; and

5.6.4. Ensure CATHSSETA ICT personnel are capable of accessing reports, dashboards,

and monitoring information independently.

5.7. References

The service provider must provide a minimum of five (5) contactable reference letters for

similar projects completed within the last five (5) years.

6. ZTNA capability, (4) – five (5) of the specified elements.
7. Security controls; and
8. Cloud optimisation The proposed solution addresses 0

three (3) or fewer of the specified

elements.

Experience and Reference Projects Bidder submitted five (5) or more 30

Personnel Competencies and Submitted CVs and copies of relevant 15

Qualifications qualifications: 8 years for Project

The service provider must provide Manager, 5 years for SD-WAN

qualifications, certifications, and CVs of Engineers and 5 years for Network

suitably qualified personnel for the Specialists.

implementation and support of the

solution, including: Submitted CVs and copies of relevant 5

qualifications, 5 years for Project

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1. Project Manager CV Manager, 3 years for SD-WAN

demonstrating a minimum of five Engineers and 3 years for Network

(5) years' experience managing Specialists.

enterprise ICT infrastructure or

telecommunications projects and Submitted CVs and copies of relevant

relevant project management qualifications, 3 years or less for 0

certification(s). Project Manager, 3 years or less for

2. SD-WAN Engineers, at least two SD-WAN Engineers and 3 years or

(2) certified engineers with a less for Network Specialists and

minimum of three (3) years' technical resources.

experience in SD-WAN

implementation and support and

three (3) years’ experience and IT-

related qualifications.

Support, Maintenance and SLA The bidder demonstrated ability to 10

Capability provide all six (6) elements.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Technology that enables computer systems to perform tasks that typically require

human intelligence, such as learning, analysing information, recognising patterns,

understanding language, and making decisions.

APN (Access Point Name) A gateway enabling secure mobile data connectivity between cellular networks and

enterprise systems.

CRM (Customer Relationship A system or approach used to manage an organisation's interactions, relationships,

Management) and information relating to customers, clients, or stakeholders.

CV (Curriculum Vitae) A document that provides a summary of a person's education, qualifications, work

experience, skills, and achievements.

DNS (Domain Name System) A system that translates human-readable domain names, such as example.com,

into IP addresses that computers use to locate network resources.

DR Site (Disaster Recovery Site) A secondary infrastructure environment used to restore operations during system

failure or disaster events.

ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) An integrated software system used by an organisation to manage and automate

core business processes such as finance, human resources, procurement,

inventory, payroll, and operations.

eSIM (Embedded SIM) Digital SIM technology embedded in devices for mobile connectivity.

Gbps (Gigabits per second) A unit used to measure network or data transmission speed. One Gbps represents

one billion bits of data transmitted per second.

IPv4 (Internet Protocol version 4) The fourth version of the Internet Protocol used to identify and route devices across

sometimes just referred to as IP (Internet IP networks using 32-bit addresses. It is the most widely deployed IP protocol and

Protocol) supports approximately 4.3 billion unique addresses.

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) A protocol suite used to encrypt and secure IP communications over networks.

ISP (Internet Service Provider) A telecommunications provider responsible for delivering and managing internet

connectivity and related services.

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KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine) A virtualization technology built into the Linux kernel that allows a physical server to

run multiple virtual machines (VMs), each operating as an independent computer

with its own operating system and allocated CPU, memory, storage, and network

resources.

LAN (Local Area Network) A network that connects computers, servers, and other devices within a limited

geographical area, such as an office, building, or campus.

M365 (Microsoft 365) A cloud-based productivity and collaboration suite by Microsoft.

Mbps (Megabits per second) A unit used to measure the speed at which data is transmitted over a network or

internet connection. One Mbps represents one million bits of data transferred per

second.

6.1. Contract Period

The successful service provider shall be appointed for a period of forty (40) months,

commencing from the contract commencement date as approved by CATHSSETA.

6.2. The service provider shall be required to complete the implementation, configuration,

testing, commissioning, and migration of all services within a maximum period of three (3)

months from the date of contract award or receipt of the official purchase order, whichever

occurs first.

6.2.1. SD-WAN deployment and configuration;

6.2.2. Internet connectivity provisioning;

6.2.3. APN deployment and integration;

6.2.4. Microsoft Teams voice services implementation;

6.2.5. SIP trunk provisioning and configuration;

6.2.6. Collocation infrastructure deployment;

6.2.7. Server and switch installation and configuration;

6.2.8. IPSec tunnel establishment;

6.2.9. User acceptance testing (UAT);

6.2.10. Knowledge transfer and administrator training; and

6.2.11. Submission of as-built documentation.

6.3. Operational Support and Maintenance

conditions of contract. If the suggested changes are unacceptable, the General

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conditions of contract and the special conditions of contract will stand. The potential

bidder will then have to decide to abide by the decision or to withdraw its bid proposal.

9.3.1. If any clarity needs to be obtained for evaluation purposes CATHSSETA may require the

potential service provider to allow officials to undertake a financial/ physical inspection

to assure that capacity and ability is proven.

10. Cathsseta’s rights

10.1. CATHSSETA reserves the right to:

10.1.1. Enter into price negotiations with a prospective service provider.

10.1.2. Award contract or any part thereof to one or more Service Providers or reject all bids.

10.1.3. Consider any bids that may not conform to any aspect of the bidding requirements.

10.1.4. Decline to consider any bids that do not conform to any aspect of the bidding

requirements.

10.1.5. Request further information (Administrative) from any Service Provider after the closing

date; and cancel this tender or any part thereof at any time.

Service providers must submit a detailed pricing schedule that includes:

7.1. Unit price for items as per the expected deliverables;

7.2. VAT exclusive and VAT inclusive amounts;

7.3. Total cost for the full procurement;

7.4. Maintenance/support costs (extended warranty); and

7.5. Any optional add-ons or value-added services.

solution, including, where applicable, certifications from Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba

(HPE), Huawei, VMware, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Juniper Networks,

or other recognised networking and security technology vendors.

1 x Hardcopy Proposal & 1 x Electronic Proposal (USB)

Completed and signed SBD 1, Bidder’s Disclosure SBD 4 and Preference Points

Claim Form SBD Form 6.1

Ceiling Bid Price - Pricing Schedule SBD Form 3.3 and Pricing Proposal on

be permitted under exceptional circumstances.

• The bidder must ensure that the submitted pricing is fully aligned with and reflective of the

scope of services to be rendered.

• Any attempt to gain information in a manner deemed to be fraudulent or disadvantageous to

other bidders or any attempt to influence the outcome of the response evaluation will result

in immediate disqualification from the bid process. It should also be noted that any attempt

at collusion or fronting, may be reported to SAPS in terms of Section 34 of the Prevention

and Combating of the Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA, 2004).

• Bids that do not comply with mandatory and bid requirements will be disqualified.

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

Terms of reference

6.7.1. Full administrative access to collocation infrastructure under its control;

6.7.2. Read-only access to SD-WAN infrastructure and reporting platforms;

6.7.3. Access to performance reports, dashboards, logs, and historical service data; and

6.7.4. Access to all documentation produced during the contract period.

7. Pricing schedule

[A B-BBEE STATUS LEVEL VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE/ SWORN AFFIDAVIT (FOR EMES & QSEs) MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR PREFERENCE POINTS FOR B-BBEE] RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

ARE YOU THE ACCREDITE 2. ARE YOU A D FOREIGN BASED REPRESEN SUPPLIER FOR TATIVE IN THE GOODS SOUTH /SERVICES AFRICA FOR Yes No /WORKS Yes No THE GOODS OFFERED? /SERVICES [IF YES ENCLOSE [IF YES, ANSWER THE /WORKS PROOF] QUESTIONNAIRE BELOW] OFFERED? QUESTIONNAIRE TO BIDDING FOREIGN SUPPLIERS IS THE ENTITY A RESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA (RSA) YES NO DOES THE ENTITY HAVE A BRANCH IN THE RSA? YES NO DOES THE ENTITY HAVE A PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT IN THE RSA? YES NO DOES THE ENTITY HAVE ANY SOURCE OF INCOME IN THE RSA? YES NO IS THE ENTITY LIABLE IN THE RSA FOR ANY FORM OF TAXATION? YES NO IF THE ANSWER IS “NO” TO ALL OF THE ABOVE, THEN IT IS NOT A REQUIREMENT TO REGISTER FOR A TAX COMPLIANCE STATUS SYSTEM PIN CODE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE (SARS) AND IF NOT REGISTER AS PER 2.3 BELOW. RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49 PART B TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR BIDDING

Bid submission: 1.1. Bids must be delivered by the stipulated time to the correct address. Late bids will not be accepted for consideration. 1.2. All bids must be submitted on the official forms provided– (not to be re-typed) or in the manner prescribed in the bid document. 1.3. This bid is subject to the preferential procurement policy framework act, 2000 and the preferential procurement regulations, 2022, the general conditions of contract (gcc) and, if applicable, any other special conditions of contract. 1.4. The successful bidder will be required to fill in and sign a written contract form (sbd7).

TAX COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS 2.1 BIDDERS MUST ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR TAX OBLIGATIONS. 2.2 BIDDERS ARE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT THEIR UNIQUE PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (PIN) ISSUED BY SARS TO ENABLE THE ORGAN OF THE STATE TO VERIFY THE TAXPAYER’S PROFILE AND TAX STATUS. 2.3 APPLICATION FOR TAX COMPLIANCE STATUS (TCS) PIN MAY BE MADE VIA E-FILING THROUGH THE SARS WEBSITE WWW.SARS.GOV.ZA. 2.4 BIDDERS MAY ALSO SUBMIT A PRINTED TCS CERTIFICATE TOGETHER WITH THE BID. 2.5 IN BIDS, WHERE CONSORTIA / JOINT VENTURES / SUB-CONTRACTORS ARE INVOLVED; EACH PARTY MUST SUBMIT A SEPARATE TCS CERTIFICATE / PIN / CSD NUMBER. 2.6 WHERE NO TCS PIN IS AVAILABLE BUT THE BIDDER IS REGISTERED ON THE CENTRAL SUPPLIER DATABASE (CSD), A CSD NUMBER MUST BE PROVIDED. 2.7 NO BIDS WILL BE CONSIDERED FROM PERSONS IN THE SERVICE OF THE STATE, COMPANIES WITH DIRECTORS WHO ARE PERSONS IN THE SERVICE OF THE STATE, OR CLOSE CORPORATIONS WITH MEMBERS PERSONS IN THE SERVICE OF THE STATE.” NB: FAILURE TO PROVIDE / OR COMPLY WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE PARTICULARS MAY RENDER THE BID INVALID. SIGNATURE OF BIDDER: ................................................... CAPACITY UNDER WHICH THIS BID IS SIGNED: ................................................... (Proof of authority must be submitted e.g., company resolution) DATE: ................................................... RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49 BID SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS The completed response and submissions must be hand delivered to

CATHSSETA Head Office 270 George Road, Noordwyk, Midrand (Johannesburg), Attention: Supply Chain Management

Bid proposals must consist of one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic copy (USB Flash drive). All Standard Bid documents (SBD) must be completed and signed and will form part of a signed contract.

E-mail or fax proposals are not acceptable.

Bid enquiries for clarification will be considered by the CATHSSETA up to the close of business on 09 September 2026, all bid-related queries to be sent via email to [email protected]. No verbal requests for information or clarification will be accepted. A bid clarification register (answers to queries) shall be posted on the CATHSSETA website www.cathsseta.org.za (under Bids) and will therefore be in the public domain. MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS Failure to submit requirements will render the bid non-responsive and result in disqualification. YES MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS CHECKLIST ✓ Attach valid proof of certification/accreditation applicable to the proposed solution, including, where applicable, certifications from Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba (HPE), Huawei, VMware, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, Juniper Networks, or other recognised networking and security technology vendors. 1 x Hardcopy Proposal & 1 x Electronic Proposal (USB) Completed and signed SBD 1, Bidder’s Disclosure SBD 4 and Preference Points Claim Form SBD Form 6.1 Ceiling Bid Price - Pricing Schedule SBD Form 3.3 and Pricing Proposal on Company Letterhead Rendering of Services – SBD Form 7.2 (Part 1 signed) General Conditions of Contract (GCC) Valid Tax Clearance Compliance Certificate with Pin issued by SARS Valid BBBEE Certificate or Sworn Affidavit RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49 Company Registration Documents (CIPC) Central Supplier Database (CSD) Summary Report

Incomplete submissions including the insufficient number of printed or electronic copies will result in disqualification.

Supporting documentation should be attached as annexures and cross-referenced to the appropriate section of the bid.

The scope of work/services outlined in this bid document (Terms of Reference) represents CATHSSETA's actual requirements. Once the contract is signed, any amendments will only be permitted under exceptional circumstances.

The bidder must ensure that the submitted pricing is fully aligned with and reflective of the scope of services to be rendered.

Any attempt to gain information in a manner deemed to be fraudulent or disadvantageous to other bidders or any attempt to influence the outcome of the response evaluation will result in immediate disqualification from the bid process. It should also be noted that any attempt at collusion or fronting, may be reported to SAPS in terms of Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of the Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA, 2004).

Bids that do not comply with mandatory and bid requirements will be disqualified. RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

Points Allocation: 3 points

B-BBEE Details: YK, MIDRAND

Johannesburg

Bidding procedure enquiries may be

Directed to technical enquiries may be directed to:

Contact person zanele hlatshwayo contact person zanele hlatshwayo

Telephone

Number telephone number

Facsimile

Number facsimile number

E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected] E-MAIL ADDRESS [email protected]

Supplier information

Name of bidder

Postal address

Street address

Telephone

Number code number

Cellphone

Number

Facsimile

Number code number

E-mail address

VAT

Registration

Number

Supplier tax compliance central

Compliance system pin: supplier

Or

Status database

No: MAAA

B-bbee status tick applicable box] b-bbee status level [tick applicable box]

Level sworn affidavit

VERIFICATION Yes No Yes No

Certificate

[A B-BBEE STATUS LEVEL VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE/ SWORN AFFIDAVIT (FOR EMES & QSEs) MUST

Be submitted in order to qualify for preference points for b-bbee]

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

1. Are you

The

Accredite 2. Are you a

D foreign based

Represen supplier for

Tative in the goods

South /services

AFRICA FOR Yes No /WORKS Yes No

The goods offered?

/Services [if yes enclose [if yes, answer the

/Works proof] questionnaire below]

Offered?

Questionnaire to bidding foreign suppliers

Is the entity a resident of the republic of south africa (RSA)

Yes NO

Does the entity have a branch in the RSA?

Yes NO

Does the entity have a permanent establishment in the RSA?

Yes NO

Does the entity have any source of income in the RSA?

Yes NO

Is the entity liable in the RSA for any form of taxation?

Yes NO

If the answer is “NO” to all of the above, then IT is not a requirement to register for

A tax compliance status system pin code from the south african revenue service

(SARS) and if not register as per 2.3 Below.

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

1.1. The Skills Development Act (No ), as amended (SDA) makes provision for the

establishment of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) for each national

economic sector and thereby aims to develop the skills of the South African workforce by

increasing the investment in education and training in the labour market; and encouraging

employers to play a meaningful role in developing employees, particularly the previously

disadvantaged.

1.2. The Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority

(CATHSSETA) was established through the SDA to research and establish a nationally

recognised Sector Skills Plan (SSP) supported by skills development programmes serving the

interest of the following sectors:

1.2.1 Arts, Culture and Heritage;

1.2.2 Conservation;

1.2.3 Gaming and Lotteries;

1.2.4 Hospitality;

1.2.5 Sport, Recreation and Fitness; and

1.2.6 Tourism and Travel Services.

1.3. These sectors are diverse and unique, and they play a significant role not only in the economy

but also in the broader quest for social cohesion and formulation of a unique South African

national identity.

KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) 262 D’Aintree Avenue, Asherville, -29.825859, 30.986525

13.2. The successful bidder shall generally be the bidder who achieves the highest total number of

adjudication points, as calculated in accordance with the Preferential Procurement

Regulations, 2022. However, in exceptional and duly justified circumstances, the award may

be made to a bidder with a lower score, provided that such deviation is in compliance with the

provisions of the PPPFA and fully motivated in the bid adjudication records.

14. Bidders’ notification

14.1. Notice of unsuccessful bid will be published on our website:

www.cathsseta.org.za/procurement.

OOB (Out of Band) A dedicated communication or management channel used separately from the main

production network to access, monitor, configure, and troubleshoot devices such as

servers, switches, routers, and firewalls, even when the primary network is

unavailable or experiencing failures.

QoS (Quality of Service) A mechanism used to prioritise network traffic.

QSFP (Quad Small Form-factor A high-speed transceiver supporting 40Gbps+ network connections, including

Pluggable) breakout configurations.

RADIUS (Remote Authentication Dial-In A centralised authentication and accounting protocol used for network access

User Service) control.

RAM (Random Access Memory) High-speed temporary memory used by a computer or server to store data and

programs that are actively being used.

RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) A security model assigning system access based on defined user roles.

SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) A cloud-based networking and security architecture that combines network

connectivity and security services into a unified platform, allowing users and devices

to securely access applications and resources from anywhere.

SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area A centrally managed network architecture enabling secure, optimised, and policyNetwork) driven connectivity across multiple sites using software-defined control.

SFP (Small Form-factor Pluggable) A hot-swappable transceiver used for network connectivity supporting fibre or

copper links (1Gbps–10Gbps).

SIMs (Subscriber Identity Modules) Small electronic modules used by mobile devices to identify and authenticate a

subscriber on a cellular network and enable mobile communication services.

SIP Trunk (Session Initiation Protocol A virtual voice channel enabling VoIP communication over IP networks.

Trunking)

SLA (Service Level Agreement) A formal agreement defining service performance levels and penalties.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) A security protocol used to encrypt communications between systems over a

network. SSL has largely been replaced by TLS, although the term “SSL” is still

commonly used when referring to secure web connections and certificates.

TB (Terabyte) A unit of digital data storage equal to approximately one trillion bytes. It is commonly

used to describe the capacity of hard drives, storage systems, and databases.

WAN (Wide Area Network) A network that connects computers, systems, and sites across large geographical

areas, such as between different regional offices or cities.

ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) A security framework that follows the principle of "never trust, always verify,"

requiring continuous authentication and authorisation of users, devices, and

applications before granting access to network resources, regardless of whether

access originates from inside or outside the organisation's network perimeter.

12U (12 Rack Units) A measurement of the vertical space available in a standard IT/network equipment

rack. One rack unit (1U) is 44.45 mm (1.75 inches) high, so a 12U rack provides

approximately 533.4 mm (21 inches) of usable vertical equipment space.

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

Sbd 4

Bidder’s disclosure

combining their expertise, property, capital, efforts, skill and knowledge in an activity for

the execution of acontract.

and or may be reported to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal investigation and or

may be restricted from conducting business with the public sector for a period not exceeding ten (10) years

in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act No or any other applicable

legislation.

I CERTIFY THAT THE INFORMATION FURNISHED IN PARAGRAPHS 1, 2 and 3 ABOVE IS

historically disadvantaged by unfair discrimination on the basis of race, gender

and disability including the implementation of programmes of the Reconstruction

and Development Programme as published in Government Gazette No. 16085

dated 23 November 1994;

(f) “tender” means a written offer in the form determined by an organ of state in

response to an invitation to provide goods or services through price quotations,

competitive tendering process or any other method envisaged in legislation.

(g) “tender for income-generating contracts” means a written offer in the form

determined by an organ of state in response to an invitation for the origination of

income-generating contracts through any method envisaged in legislation that will

result in a legal agreement between the organ of state and a third party that

produces revenue for the organ of state, and includes, but is not limited to, leasing

and disposal of assets and concession contracts, excluding direct sales and

disposal of assets through public auctions; and;

(h) “the Act” means the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act

No. ).

3.4. Sd-wan infrastructure

3.4.1. Fully managed SD-WAN solution;

3.4.2. ISP-provided edge routers (primary and backup);

3.4.3. Central orchestration platform;

3.4.4. IPSec and SSL encryption; and

3.4.5. QoS and application prioritisation.

3.5. Network architecture

3.5.1. Fully meshed IPSec tunnels between:

3.5.1.1. Head Office ↔ Regional Offices;

3.5.1.2. Regional Offices ↔ DR Site; and

3.5.1.3. Head Office ↔ DR Site.

3.6. Voice and unified communications

3.6.1. Thirty (30) x Microsoft Teams-compatible IP phones;

3.6.2. Five (5) x SIP trunks for CRM continuity (with 011 numbers);

3.6.3. Dual WAN/LAN support; and

3.6.4. 2.5 Gbps Ethernet ports.

3.7. Apn services

3.7.1. 250 Mbps primary / 100 Mbps backup;

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

3.7.2. 2 TB pooled monthly data;

3.7.3. 50 APN SIMs (embedded laptop/cellphone eSIM preferred where available);

3.7.4. Radius authentication integration; and

3.7.5. Fully integrated into SD-WAN environment.

3.8. Data centre collocation (dr site)

3.8.1. 12U rack space;

3.8.2. Fully redundant power and cooling; and

3.8.3. Secure hosting environment for DR operations.

3.9. Infrastructure hardware requirements

3.9.1. Switching

3.9.1.1. One (1) x 48-port or two (2) stacked x 24-port enterprise AI-capable switch(es).

3.9.1.2. Support for:

3.9.1.2.1. SFP modules (1G–10G);

3.9.1.2.2. QSFP modules (40G+); and

3.9.1.2.3. Expansion capability.

3.9.2. Servers (x2)

3.9.2.1. Each server must include:

3.9.2.1.1. 250Gb ram;

3.9.2.1.2. 24 TB internal storage;

3.9.2.1.3. 8 x 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports;

3.9.2.1.4. 2 x 10Gbps SFP uplinks; and

3.9.2.1.5. 10Gbps remote (OOB) management port.

3.10. Equipment model

3.10.1. All infrastructure must be provided under a managed service/rental model; and

3.10.2. Includes maintenance, upgrades, and replacement.

3.11. Ip addressing requirements

3.11.1. 6 x static public IPv4 addresses per site.

3.11.2. Dedicated, non-shared allocation.

3.11.3. Fully routable with reverse DNS support.

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

3.12. ACCESS CONTROL and GOVERNANCE

3.12.1. Full administrative access for CATHSSETA (collocation layer);

3.12.2. Read-only SD-WAN access across all sites;

3.12.3. Independent reporting portal (no ISP dependency); and

3.12.4. API access for monitoring and reporting.

3.13. Vendor lock-in protection

3.13.1. Full operational independence for CATHSSETA;

3.13.2. Continuous access during disputes or termination; and

3.13.3. Full configuration and reporting continuity.

5.8.1. Perform services professionally and objectively;

5.8.2. Maintain confidentiality of all CATHSSETA information;

5.8.3. Comply with all applicable legislation, regulations, and industry standards; and

5.8.4. Avoid conflicts of interest that may compromise service delivery or decision-making.

RFB_ CATHS/WAT/07/2026 of 49

7.1. Unit price for items as per the expected deliverables;

7.2. VAT exclusive and VAT inclusive amounts;

7.3. Total cost for the full procurement;

7.4. Maintenance/support costs (extended warranty); and

7.5. Any optional add-ons or value-added services.

8. Evaluation criteria

8.1. Evaluation Process

11.1. Important Notice: The CATHSSETA strongly condemns and prohibits any form of fraud,

corruption, or misrepresentation in the tender process.

• The evaluation and adjudication of bids are conducted strictly in accordance with

applicable legislation, regulations, and internal governance procedures. Awards are based

solely on merit, compliance, and fairness." Bidders are hereby cautioned that:

• No Supply Chain Management (SCM) official, Bid Committee member, or representative

of the CATHSSETA is authorized to solicit, request, or accept any payment, gift, or favour

in exchange for the award of a bid.

• Any individual or entity claiming to guarantee bid outcomes in return for money or other

benefits is acting fraudulently and without authority. Bidders must immediately report any

such approaches or suspicious activity to the CATHSSETA Tip-off hotline via the following

channels: Toll-free telephone number: 0800 222 376, WhatsApp number: 0860 004 004,

SMS: 49017, email address: [email protected] or Online and chat:

www.behonest.co.za. Bidders must take note of the implications of contravening the

Evaluation criteria: The evaluation of bids received will be conducted in accordance with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act No. ) as amended (PPPFA), the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022, the CATHSSETA’s Supply Chain Management Policy, and all other applicable legislation. The evaluation process will be conducted in the following stages: Stage 1: Mandatory and Administrative Compliance Evaluation - Bids will be evaluated for compliance with the administrative and mandatory requirements of the bid. Stage 2: Functionality Evaluation - Bidders meeting all administrative requirements will be evaluated on functionality. Only bidders who achieve the minimum functionality threshold of 80 points will proceed to evaluation on Price and Specific Goals. Functionality evaluation criteria: Technical Proposal and Solution Design (weight 15): The technical proposal fully addresses six (6) specified requirements (15 points); addresses four (4) - five (5) specified requirements (10 points); addresses three (3) or fewer of the specified requirements (0 points). SD-WAN Architecture and Technical Capability (weight 20): The proposed solution fully addresses eight (8) of the specified elements (20 points); addresses six (6) - seven (7) of the specified elements (15 points); addresses four (4) – five (5) of the specified elements (10 points); addresses three (3) or fewer of the specified elements (0 points). Experience and Reference Projects (weight 30): Bidder submitted five (5) or more contactable client reference letters for completed projects implemented within the last five (5) years that demonstrate delivery of an SD-WAN solution covering the following: a) Wide Area Connectivity, b) APN deployment, c) Voice/Unified Communications, and d) Data Centre Collocation (30 points); four (4) contactable client reference letters (15 points); three (3) contactable client reference letters (10 points); two (2) contactable client reference letters (5 points); less than two (2) contactable client reference letters (0 points). Personnel Competencies and Qualifications (weight 15): Submitted CVs and copies of relevant qualifications: 8 years for Project Manager, 5 years for SD-WAN Engineers and 5 years for Network Specialists (15 points); 5 years for Project Manager, 3 years for SD-WAN Engineers and 3 years for Network Specialists (5 points); 3 years or less for Project Manager, 3 years or less for SD-WAN Engineers and 3 years or less for Network Specialists and technical resources (0 points). Support, Maintenance and SLA Capability (weight 10): The bidder demonstrated ability to provide all six (6) elements (10 points); four (4) to five (5) elements (5 points); three (3) or fewer elements (0 points). Lead time from Initiation to Put-into-Service (weight 10): Turnaround time from Initiate, Analyse, Design, Deploy, Migrate, and Implement: Three (3) months or less (10 points); Six (6) months (5 points); Nine (9) months or more (0 points). Total 100.