Develop rpl toolkits for cook, kitchen hand and food handler occupational qualifications

Closing date: 06 November 2026 at 11:00

Enquiry deadline: 30 October 2026 (written enquiries to [email protected])

Briefing session: none

Publication date: 16 October 2026

Bid validity period: 120 days

Enquiries

• Contact: Zanele Hlatshwayo
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: not stated

Submission

• Method: online via CATHSSETA Tender Portal
• Portal URL: https://www.cathsseta.org.za/tenders

Fraud reporting (Tip-off hotline)

• Toll-free telephone: 0800 222 376
• WhatsApp: 0860 004 004
• Sms: 49017
• Email: [email protected]
• Online/chat: www.behonest.co.za

Submission method: online only via the CATHSSETA Tender Portal at https://www.cathsseta.org.za/tenders. Physical, hand-delivered, couriered, emailed or faxed submissions will be disqualified and discarded unopened.

Closing: 06 November 2026 at 11:00. The portal's electronic timestamp is the official timekeeper; late submissions are not permitted under any circumstances. Start uploads at least 24 hours before closing.

File format: unlocked PDF only, unless an Excel template is requested. Files must not be corrupted, password-protected or contain viruses; any file that cannot be opened during evaluation will be disqualified.

File labelling: upload files under the correct tabs and name them clearly (Technical Proposal, Pricing Proposal, Mandatory Documents). Cross-reference each file to the relevant section of the evaluation criteria.

Submission confirmation: a bid is only considered received once the portal generates an official electronic submission confirmation email.

Returnable forms (all must be completed, signed and uploaded):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.3 (Ceiling Price): completed with the ceiling price only.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any state employment or connections to the procuring institution; false disclosure disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE and specific-goal points.
• SBD 7.2 Part 1 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services): signed by the successful bidder.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC): acknowledged.
• Detailed Pricing Proposal on company letterhead.
• Valid Tax Clearance Compliance Certificate with PIN.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs).
• Company registration documents.
• Central Supplier Database (CSD) Summary Report.
• Proof of authority to sign (e.g. company resolution).

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable form omitted or unsigned.
• Submission via any channel other than the portal.
• Late submission, regardless of reason.
• Files that cannot be opened, are password-protected, or contain viruses.
• Bids from persons in the service of the state, or companies/close corporations with directors/members in state service.

Evaluation stages:

1. Functionality evaluation (technical proposal) – minimum qualifying score: 70 out of 100. Bidders below 70 are disqualified.
2. Price and specific goals evaluation – qualifying bidders are scored under the 80/20 preference point system (80 points price, 20 points specific goals). Award goes to the bidder with the highest total points.

Functionality scoring (out of 100):

• Detailed methodology and project implementation plan: 20 points if fully responsive to all 3 elements of the scope (General Requirements, Technical Requirements for RPL Toolkit Development, Stakeholder Engagement); 10 points if responsive to 2 elements; 5 points if responsive to 1 element; 0 if non-responsive.
• Proof of ETDP SETA RPL Advisor statement of results or OD ETD qualification: 40 points if submitted; 0 if not.
• Reference letters: 40 points for five or more signed reference letters on client letterhead, each accompanied by a Purchase Order; 20 points for three to four letters; 10 points for one to two letters; 0 for none or irrelevant letters.

CATHSSETA may conduct a financial/physical inspection to verify capacity and ability.

CATHSSETA may negotiate price, split the award, reject all bids, or cancel the tender at any time.

Scope: develop three (3) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) toolkits for the occupational qualifications: Cook, Food Handler, and Kitchen Hand.

The toolkits must:

• Be ready for immediate implementation upon delivery.
• Align with the relevant QCTO curriculum documents for each qualification (obtained directly from the QCTO website).
• Comply with the SAQA RPL policy (2019) and the NQF Act.

Technical content per toolkit:

• Roles and responsibilities of an RPL Advisor and Evidence Facilitator.
• Minimum qualifications and competencies for RPL practitioners per QCTO guidelines.
• Portfolio of Evidence (PoE) guidelines: preparation, planning, evidence gathering, and cross-referencing.
• Types of evidence for each qualification.
• Appeals process guidelines for RPL candidates.
• Assessment strategy: purpose and procedure for assessing competency on all curriculum tasks, plus additional evidence requirements for gap training.
• RPL interview and observation instruments.
• RPL templates for providers and candidates.

Deliverables per toolkit (11 components):

• Candidate application form templates
• Self-assessment questionnaire aligned to learning outcomes
• Gap Implementation Plan template
• Evidence/PoE guidelines
• Assessment Plan templates
• Practical, theoretical and workplace experience assessment tools
• Feedback templates
• Remediation templates
• Mentor report template
• Assessment Matrix
• Mapping Matrix linking assessment tools to curriculum outcomes

Final deliverables:

• Three complete RPL toolkits in editable electronic format (Microsoft Word and PDF).
• Project close-out report summarising activities, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.
• Workshop reports with attendance registers and feedback summaries.

Stakeholder engagement:

• Inception meeting with CATHSSETA ETQA team.
• Engagement with QCTO-accredited training providers during development and validation.
• Progress reports in CATHSSETA-prescribed format and intervals.

Capacity building:

• Conduct workshops with QCTO-accredited providers to capacitate them on toolkit use and implementation.

Contract period: 12 months from date of contract signature, covering all activities from inception to final delivery and acceptance.

Proposal requirements:

• A detailed project proposal and implementation plan.
• A proposed methodology covering all activities, work breakdown, costing and timelines.
• CVs of all key personnel assigned to the project.

Project plan:

• Submit a detailed project plan to CATHSSETA within 10 working days of contract award, highlighting methodology, work breakdown and project timelines.
• After the inception meeting, submit a revised project plan incorporating feedback.
• Prepare and submit an implementation project report outlining methodology, timelines and resource allocation.

Methodology evaluation:

• The methodology and implementation plan are scored against responsiveness to the three scope elements (General Requirements, Technical Requirements, Stakeholder Engagement): 20 points for full responsiveness, 10 for two elements, 5 for one, 0 for non-responsive.

Minimum team requirements:

• Project Manager/Lead with at least 5 years' experience in project management and RPL-related work.
• An RPL Advisor or Assessor with relevant experience in RPL toolkit development.

Lead RPL practitioner:

• Must provide proof of ETDP SETA RPL Advisor statement of results or Occupational Certificate: Education, Training and Development Practices (OD ETD) qualification.

Reference letters:

• At least five signed reference letters from clients (existing or previous) for curriculum development, assessment, RPL instruments or similar work.
• Each letter must be on the client's official letterhead, include contact details, be signed and dated, and clearly specify scope of work, duration and client feedback.
• Each letter must be accompanied by the relevant Purchase Order; failure to submit the Purchase Order invalidates the letter.

Scoring for references: 40 points for five or more letters, 20 for three to four, 10 for one to two, 0 for none or irrelevant.

Quality assurance context:

• The assignment is grounded in the Skills Development Act, NQF Act, SAQA RPL policy (2019), and the White Paper for Post-School Education and Training.
• CATHSSETA exercises QCTO-delegated quality assurance functions including accreditation, monitoring, verification, registration of ETD practitioners, certification, maintenance of learner MIS, uploading to the National Learner Records Database, and management of DQP/AQP functions.

Toolkit quality requirements:

• All RPL toolkits must comply with the relevant QCTO curriculum documents.
• The assessment strategy must cover the purpose and procedure for assessing competency on all required tasks, plus additional evidence requirements for gap training.
• The toolkits must be ready for immediate implementation.

Deliverables must include an Assessment Matrix and a Mapping Matrix linking assessment tools to curriculum outcomes.

Workshops with QCTO-accredited providers must be conducted to build capacity; workshop reports with attendance registers and feedback summaries are required.

Pricing requirements:

• Signed costing proposal on company letterhead, prices inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Pricing schedule uploaded with the file name 'Pricing Proposal' and fully aligned with the scope of services.
• Ceiling price to be completed on SBD 3.3 only.

Costing model must include:

• Professional fees
• Workshop venue (where applicable)
• Workshop facilitation costs
• Printing and reproduction costs (if applicable)
• Any other direct or indirect costs associated with the project

Evaluation: after functionality, price is scored under the 80/20 preference point system (80 points price, 20 points specific goals).

Pricing format:

• Signed costing proposal on company letterhead, prices inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Pricing schedule must be uploaded with the file name 'Pricing Proposal' and fully aligned with the scope of services.
• Ceiling price to be completed on SBD 3.3 only.

Costing model must indicate all costs, including but not limited to:

• Professional fees
• Workshop venue (where applicable)
• Workshop facilitation costs
• Printing and reproduction costs (if applicable)
• Any other direct or indirect costs associated with the project

No bid security, bonds, guarantees, retention or payment terms are stated.

Mandatory registrations and evidence:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration – CSD number (MAAA) required; company profile must be fully completed on the portal.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN – or a printed TCS certificate; each party in a consortium/joint venture/sub-contractor must submit a separate TCS/CSD.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs) – required to qualify for preference points.
• Company registration documents.
• Proof of ETDP SETA RPL Advisor statement of results or OD ETD qualification for the lead RPL practitioner.
• Signed reference letters from at least five clients, each accompanied by the relevant Purchase Order; letters must be on client letterhead, signed, dated, and detail scope, duration and performance feedback.

Eligibility exclusions:

• Bids from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors in state service, or close corporations with members in state service will not be considered.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

Foreign suppliers:

• Foreign-based suppliers must complete the questionnaire on residency, branch, permanent establishment, source of income, and tax liability in South Africa; if the answer is 'no' to all, no SARS TCS PIN is required.

Fraud and corruption:

• Any proven corrupt or fraudulent act in competing for the contract leads to bid rejection.
• Bids may be disregarded if the bidder or its directors have abused SCM systems, committed fraud, or failed to perform on a previous contract.

Contract period: 12 months from date of contract signature, covering all activities from inception to final delivery and acceptance.

The successful bidder must sign a CATHSSETA confidentiality agreement before commencing work.

A written contract form (SBD 7.2) must be completed and signed.

CATHSSETA reserves the right to:

• Enter into price negotiations.
• Award the contract or any part to one or more service providers, or reject all bids.
• Consider or decline non-conforming bids.
• Request further information after closing.
• Cancel the tender or any part at any time.

Bid rejection grounds:

• Proven corrupt or fraudulent act in competing for the contract.
• Abuse of CATHSSETA's SCM systems or processes.
• Proven fraud or improper conduct in relation to such systems.
• Failure to perform on a previous contract (with proof).

Fraud and corruption:

• No SCM official or bid committee member is authorised to solicit or accept payment, gifts or favours.
• Any claim of guaranteed bid outcomes is fraudulent; report to the Tip-off hotline.
• Contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act may result in disqualification, blacklisting and legal action.

Bid adjudication:

• The Bid Adjudication Committee reviews the evaluation and award recommendations, then submits to the Approval Authority.
• The successful bidder is generally the one with the highest total adjudication points under the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022; a lower-scoring bidder may be awarded only in exceptional, duly justified circumstances.

Unsuccessful bidders are notified via https://www.cathsseta.org.za/unsuccessful_bids.

Additional evaluation details:

• Technical proposals must address the evaluation criteria set in the bid document.
• If a bidder proposes changes to the General Conditions of Contract or special conditions, those changes will be evaluated; if acceptable, they may be included as special conditions; if not, the GCC and special conditions stand and the bidder must decide to abide or withdraw.
• CATHSSETA may require a financial/physical inspection to verify capacity and ability.
• The Bid Adjudication Committee reviews the evaluation and award recommendations; the successful bidder is generally the one with the highest total adjudication points under the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, with exceptions only in duly justified circumstances.
• Unsuccessful bidders are notified via the CATHSSETA website.