Expression of interest to participate in the aggregation of household food production in the eastern cape province

Documents available: 21 August 2026.

Closing date: 14 September 2026 at 11:00 am.

Public opening of bids: 14 September 2026 at 11:00 am at the submission address.

No briefing session will be held.

A briefing session will not be held. Enquiries may be directed to the contact persons provided.

Administrative enquiries:

• Ms A. Jakavula – [email protected], Tel: 040-602 5311
• Ms N Mfunda – [email protected], Tel: (040) 602-5206

Technical enquiries:

• Dr. M. Mbangcolo – [email protected], Cell: 079 528 4347, Tel: 040 602 5130 / 040 602 5152

Submit a signed original and one copy of the proposal in a sealed envelope, clearly marked with the project number (EOI-26/27-0002) and description. Deliver to the tender box at: Department of Agriculture, Office 45, First Floor, Indwe Building, Bhisho, 5605, by 11:00 on 14 September 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted. All ECBD forms must be completed, signed, and witnessed; failure may result in disqualification. Returnable forms (all must be submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and signed offer.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): declares employment by state and relationships with procuring institution.
• POPI Consent Form: consent to process personal information.
• Certificate of Authority (board resolution): authorises the signatory to bind the company.
• Schedule of Previous Work: references for similar contracts.
• Joint venture agreement (if applicable): signed Service Level Agreement between parties.
• Proof of CSD registration (CSD number or MAAA number).
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or certificate.

Documents are available from 21 August 2026 at SCM – Acquisition Management Services, Office No 45, First Floor, Indwe Building, Bhisho, 5605 (08:00-16:30 Mon-Thu, 08:00-16:00 Fri). Completed documents and all supporting documentation must be placed in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the project number and description, and delivered to the tender box at the same address by 11:00 on 14 September 2026. A signed original and one copy of the proposal are required. All ECBD documents must be completed, signed, and witnessed.

Expression of interest is evaluated on functionality only, using a 100-point scale. Bidders must score at least 70 out of 100 to be included in the aggregator database. No price or B-BBEE points are scored. Criteria:

1. Proposal detailing key aspects (20 points) – verified by submitted Business Proposal/Concept/Plan.
2. Letter of intent for investment showing annual investment value (30 points) – minimum investment R50,000 per commodity per year; points based on percentage contribution (>50% = 30, 40-49.9% = 20, etc.) – verified by letter of intent, bank credit facility, business bank balance sheet.
3. Aggregation of at least 20 households (20 points) – detailed list of households with names, ID numbers, contact details, gender, youth, military veterans, people with disability – all documents = 20, none = 0.
4. Experience/track record (20 points) – five or more projects = 20, three to four = 15, one to two = 10, zero = 0 – verified by appointment letters, purchase orders, or signed reference letters.
5. Key staff CV, qualifications, and experience (10 points) – experience: 5+ projects = 5, 3-5 = 3, 1-2 = 1, 0 = 0; qualifications: degree/diploma in Agriculture Production = 5, Project Management = 3, Farmer Training/Development = 1 – verified by CVs and certified copies of qualifications.

Scope: Expression of interest to identify potential aggregators for the Ilima Lokulima Community Food Production Scheme, aimed at improving food security in the Eastern Cape. Aggregators will collaborate with household producers (vulnerable, subsistence, agri-SMMEs, youth, women, entrepreneurs) to collectively produce, store, process, package, and market surplus produce. Key components of a proposal: project overview, operational plan (production, storage, processing, capacitation), financial contribution, implementation strategies, and job creation. Commodities required: grain (maize and beans), potatoes, horticulture (various vegetables), citrus, piggery, poultry, deciduous, and others. Successful applicants will be included in the departmental database for the term 2026/27 to 2028/29. Partnership contracts: 1 to 3 years, subject to annual evaluation.

The engagement model requires proposals to include a project overview and objectives, operational plan (production focusing on high-yield drought-resistant seeds and sustainable practices, storage to reduce harvest losses, processing to enhance value, capacitation of beneficiaries), financial contribution indication, implementation strategies (social facilitation, organizational models, capacity building, policy integration), and job creation with clear indication of direct jobs created. Definitions: Household producer (Vulnerable) – produces primarily for household consumption, limited resources, includes indigents. Household producer (Subsistence) – produces primarily for household consumption, not indigent, annual turnover < R50,000. Vulnerable households – decreased ability to cope with shocks. Poorest ward – most deprived local electoral divisions.

Experience/track record: Bidder must demonstrate experience in implementing similar projects. Points: 5+ projects = 20, 3-4 projects = 15, 1-2 projects = 10, 0 = 0. Verified by appointment letters, purchase orders, or signed reference letters. Key staff: CVs required. Experience points: 5+ projects = 5, 3-5 = 3, 1-2 = 1, 0 = 0. Qualifications: Degree/Diploma in Agriculture Production = 5, Project Management = 3, Farmer Training/Development = 1. Certified copies of qualifications must be submitted.

Standard pricing schedule (SBD 3 or equivalent) is required as part of the bid documents. No specific pricing format or rates are detailed in this expression of interest. The bid amount must be inclusive of all applicable taxes.

Bid amount must be inclusive of all applicable taxes. The evaluation requires a letter of intent showing annual investment of at least R50,000 per selected commodity. No bid bond or guarantee is required for this expression of interest. Pricing schedule (standard SBD form) is required as part of the bid documents.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration required; provide CSD number or MAAA number.
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or certificate.
• Bidders and their directors/trustees/shareholders/members/partners must not be persons in the service of the state (as defined in section 239 of the Constitution).
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers are disqualified.
• Certificate of Authority (board resolution) must be attached to confirm the signatory's authority.
• Joint ventures must submit a signed Service Level Agreement between parties.
• No specific B-BBEE level or CIDB grading is required for this expression of interest.

DOA reserves the right to enter into contractual engagement with more than one aggregator, and also reserves the right not to enter into any engagement. Partnership contracts will be for periods of one to three years, depending on objectives, performance, and requirements. Annual continuation within multi-year contracts is subject to annual evaluation against agreed milestones and deliverables. Successful applicants will serve as aggregators for the term 2026/27 to 2028/29, after which they will be removed from the database.

Bidders must score a minimum of 70 out of 100 points on the functionality evaluation to qualify for the database. All bids must be submitted on official forms provided. The bid is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), General Conditions of Contract (GCC), and any special conditions. The successful bidder will be required to fill in and sign SBD 7 (Contract Form). Tax compliance: bidders must submit a TCS PIN or CSD number. No bids from persons in the service of the state or companies with directors in the service of the state will be considered.

The evaluation criteria are detailed in Table 3 of the Terms of Reference. Functionality criteria (100 points total): Proposal (20 points), Investment commitment (30 points), Aggregation of households (20 points), Experience/track record (20 points), Key staff qualifications (10 points). Minimum qualifying score: 70 out of 100. No price or B-BBEE points are scored. The Department will select entities for the database based on these criteria.