Digital transformation partner for the design, implementation and delivery of the irba digital transformation programme

The IRBA invites suitably qualified and experienced bidders to submit Stage 1 proposals for the appointment of a Digital Transformation Partner to validate, design, implement, integrate, transition and support the IRBA's Digital Transformation Programme.

• The engagement is a two-stage competitive tender.
• The IRBA reserves the right to accept, reject or negotiate any proposal, and to cancel the bid if budget is unavailable or specifications change.

Closing date: 15 January 2027 at 12h00 (South African Time)

Compulsory virtual briefing session: 06 November 2026 at 09h00 to 12h00 (SAST), via Microsoft Teams Webinar (link provided in the tender document).

Enquiries closing date: 13 November 2026 at 16h00

Consolidated responses to enquiries posted: 27 November 2026 on the IRBA website (www.irba.co.za) under tenders.

A compulsory virtual briefing session will be held on 06 November 2026 from 09h00 to 12h00 (South African Standard Time) via Microsoft Teams Webinar. The Teams link is provided in the tender document.

Enquiries:

• Contact: Koketso Moeng
• Email: [email protected]
• Enquiries must be submitted in writing by 13 November 2026 at 16h00.

Submission address:

Tender box, Ground Floor, Building 2, Greenstone Hill Office Park, Emerald Boulevard, Modderfontein, 1609.

Submission method: hand delivery only; deposit into the tender box on the Ground Floor of Building 2, Greenstone Hill Office Park, Emerald Boulevard, Modderfontein, 1609.

• Submit one original hard copy and one duplicate electronic copy on a USB device.
• The sealed envelope must show the bid number, bidder's name and return address.
• Any amendment must be clearly marked "Amendment to Bid" and deposited before the closing date and time.
• Bids sent by email, fax or similar means will not be accepted; late bids will not be considered.
• All documentation must be in English, paginated and arranged in the order of the submission checklist (Table 1).
• Company bids must be signed by a person authorised by a board resolution; a certified copy of that resolution must accompany the bid.

Returnable documents (Stage 1):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) with an Authority to Sign document.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest).
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form under the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022).
• Declaration of Independence from the Auditing Profession (Annexure A).
• Proof of current CSD registration or the CSD registration number.
• For a joint venture or consortium: a signed JV agreement, and each entity must provide all administrative requirements.
• Complete Table 1 (Checklist), Table 2 (Proposed Key Personnel), Table 3 (Comparable Project Portfolio) and Table 4 (Assumptions, Dependencies and Information Requirements).

Stage 1 proposals must include: completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, Declaration of Independence from the Auditing Profession, CSD registration proof, and for JVs, a signed JV agreement. Subcontracting arrangements must be declared. The submission checklist (Table 1) and supporting tables (Table 2: Key Personnel, Table 3: Comparable Project Portfolio, Table 4: Assumptions) must be completed.

Two-stage tender process.

Stage 1 – Qualification and shortlisting:

• Phase 1: Administrative compliance (mandatory documents).
• Phase 2: Functionality evaluation out of 100 points; minimum threshold 74 points; criteria-specific thresholds apply.
• Up to ten (10) highest-scoring qualifying bidders are shortlisted.

Stage 2 – Refined solution and competition:

• Phase 3: Engagements with shortlisted bidders (refined technical response, demonstrations, scenario-based presentations, architecture/integration reviews, total cost of ownership validation, due diligence, staff certification checks, contractual compliance review).
• The three (3) highest-scoring bidders proceed to Phase 4.
• Phase 4: Specific Goals and Pricing under the 80/20-point system:
• Specific Goals: 20 points
• Pricing: 80 points
• Total: 100 points

Specific Goals points (ownership of 51% or more by the stated group):

• Black persons: 10 points
• Women: 5 points
• Youth: 3 points
• Persons with disabilities: 2 points

Proof for Specific Goals: CSD Report, BEE Certificate, Sworn Affidavit, Share Certificates, or Medical Certificate/Report; the CSD Report verifies ownership percentage.

A Best and Final Offer (BAFO) process may be run for shortlisted bidders; participation does not guarantee appointment.

The IRBA requires a Digital Transformation Partner to validate, design, implement, integrate, transition and support its Digital Transformation Programme.

• The IRBA employs about 100 professionals across seven departments (Executive, Standards, Investigations, Inspections, Education and Transformation, Legal, and Operations).
• The approved Digital Transformation Strategy and Implementation Plan (approved 30 May 2025) forms the baseline; the partner must validate and build on this work, not repeat it.
• End-user hardware, infrastructure maintenance and onsite hardware support are excluded from scope and remain the IRBA's responsibility.
• The partner must address eight focus areas: business processes, information management, systems and integration, data and reporting, stakeholder services, cybersecurity and privacy, people and change, and delivery capacity.
• The Stage 1 proposal must respond to the key question: how the bidder will translate the IRBA's digital transformation vision into a practical, sustainable and measurable programme of change.
• The proposal must use the 12 specified response headings (understanding of the challenge; use of prior work and targeted validation; outcome and benefits model; proposed digital operating model; conceptual enterprise and solution architecture; solution options and investment logic; delivery roadmap and implementation approach; governance, assurance and risk; change, adoption and capability transfer; resourcing and accountability; support and sustainability; assumptions, dependencies and information requirements).
• Required artefacts: Outcome-to-Solution Traceability Matrix, Conceptual Architecture Diagram, Current-to-Target Transition View, Options Decision Matrix, Indicative Total Cost of Ownership Framework, Indicative Roadmap, and Risk and Constraint Register.
• Indicative workstreams: strategy validation and mobilisation; business process transformation; enterprise and solution architecture; information, data and records management; solution design and delivery; cybersecurity and privacy; change management, training and adoption; programme governance and assurance; support and sustainability.
• The partner must comply with IRBA cybersecurity policies, data governance requirements and POPIA, including for subcontractors and third parties.

The Stage 1 proposal must address the 12 response components: understanding of the challenge; use of prior work and targeted validation; outcome and benefits model; proposed digital operating model; conceptual enterprise and solution architecture; solution options and investment logic; delivery roadmap and implementation approach; governance, assurance and risk; change, adoption and capability transfer; resourcing and accountability; support and sustainability; and assumptions, dependencies and information requirements.

• The proposal must use the specified headings and include an Outcome-to-Solution Traceability Matrix, Options Decision Matrix, Indicative Total Cost of Ownership Framework, Indicative Roadmap, and Risk and Constraint Register.
• The approach must preserve and build on the approved Digital Transformation Strategy and Implementation Plan, not repeat it.

Bidders must demonstrate comparable project experience within the five years preceding the closing date, supported by at least three signed client reference letters on official letterheads.

• References must identify the bidder, describe services and outcomes, indicate current stage or completion date, and provide referee contact details.
• Project-specific evidence must be recorded in Table 3.

Key personnel minimum requirements:

• Digital Transformation Programme Lead: minimum 10 years' relevant experience in digital transformation, enterprise technology implementation, systems integration, programme management and/or related advisory services; and a diploma or higher qualification in IT, computer science, engineering, business information systems, digital transformation, project/programme management or a related field.
• Digital Transformation Specialists (x2): each must have a minimum of five years' relevant experience in digital transformation, systems implementation, business analysis, solution architecture, data, change management, project management or a related specialist area; and a diploma or higher qualification relevant to the assigned role.
• Bidders progressing to Stage 2 may be asked to submit certified copies of certifications and professional qualifications.

The proposal must describe governance, assurance and risk management arrangements, including design authority, quality assurance, risk and issue management, security and privacy assurance, architecture control, reporting and escalation mechanisms.

• A Risk and Constraint Register must be submitted, identifying bidder-controlled risks, IRBA dependencies, third-party dependencies, proposed mitigation actions and escalation arrangements.

Pricing is evaluated only in Stage 2, Phase 4, for the three highest-scoring qualifying bidders.

• Pricing carries 80 points under the 80/20 system.
• A Best and Final Offer (BAFO) process may be conducted.
• The Indicative Total Cost of Ownership Framework must identify cost drivers, licensing assumptions, implementation costs, support costs, migration costs, internal resource requirements and exit costs.
• Detailed pricing must not be submitted during Stage 1.

Mandatory for Stage 1:

• Completed and signed SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) with Authority to Sign.
• Completed and signed SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest).
• Completed and signed SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form).
• Completed and signed Declaration of Independence from the Auditing Profession (Annexure A).
• Proof of current CSD registration or CSD registration number.
• For JVs/consortia: signed JV agreement; each entity must meet all administrative requirements.
• Subcontracting is permitted up to a maximum of 30% of total contract value; arrangements must be declared at submission, identifying subcontractors, services and percentage.
• Bidders must maintain independence and avoid conflicts of interest; must not be connected to the auditing profession in a way that compromises independence.
• The IRBA may disqualify bidders for false, inaccurate or misleading information, misrepresentation, attempted fraud, or conduct compromising procurement integrity, including from previous procurement processes.
• Bidders must conduct business from the Republic of South Africa.

Specific goals points are allocated for enterprises with 51% or more ownership by Black persons (10 points), women (5 points), youth (3 points), and persons with disabilities (2 points).

• Proof documents: CSD Report, BEE Certificates, Sworn Affidavit, Share Certificates, or Medical Certificate/Report.
• The CSD Report will be used to verify ownership percentage.
• Failure to submit proof with the tender means those points are not claimed.

The successful bidder must conclude a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the IRBA within 30 days of award notification.

• Contract terms are negotiated after Stage 2; successful conclusion of negotiations is a prerequisite for final award.
• The bidder may not assign, transfer or delegate obligations without prior written approval.
• The bidder must maintain independence and avoid conflicts of interest.
• The bidder must immediately notify the IRBA in writing of any unforeseeable circumstances that may adversely affect contract execution.
• The IRBA may cancel the bid if budget is unavailable, the need no longer exists, or specifications change.
• No legal obligation arises until the formal contract and SLA are signed.
• The contract will define phased deliverables, acceptance criteria, governance and reporting obligations, service levels, information security and privacy requirements, intellectual property and usage rights, data ownership and portability, knowledge-transfer obligations, operational handover, warranty or post-implementation support, exit assistance, and remedies for non-performance.

Bids must be submitted via hand delivery into the tender box at Building 2, Greenstone Hill Office Park, Emerald Boulevard, Modderfontein, 1609. The bid number, bidder's name, and return address must appear on the sealed envelope. Amendments must be marked 'Amendment to Bid' and deposited before closing. Email, fax, or similar submissions are not accepted. Late bids will not be considered.

Minimum requirements for a bid (Stage 1, Phase 1): completed and signed SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) with Authority to Sign, SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), Declaration of Independence from the Auditing Profession (Annexure A), proof of CSD registration, and for JVs, a signed JV agreement.

• Subcontracting is permitted up to 30% of contract value and must be declared at submission.
• Failure to comply with any minimum requirement renders the bid non-compliant.

The tender uses a two-stage process. Stage 1 includes administrative compliance and functionality evaluation out of 100 points, with a minimum threshold of 74 points and criteria-specific thresholds. Up to ten highest-scoring bidders are shortlisted. Stage 2 includes refined technical response, demonstrations, and commercial evaluations, with the three highest-scoring bidders proceeding to Specific Goals and Pricing under the 80/20-point system (Specific Goals 20 points, Pricing 80 points). Specific goals points are allocated for Black ownership (10), women (5), youth (3), and disability (2).