Epwp non-state sector npo programme participation (2026/27–2028/29) – request for proposals

Closing date: 29/07/2026 at 12H00 PM. Compulsory briefing sessions: 06th to 17th July 2026 (attendance mandatory; non-attendees will be eliminated). Queries will be addressed only up to 5 calendar days before the closing date. Bid validity period: 90 calendar days from submission.

Enquiries: Email [email protected]. Regional contact details (names, emails, phones, addresses) are listed in Section H of the tender document. Submission address: IDT regional office bid box (addresses provided in Section H).

Submit bids by the closing date and time (29/07/2026 at 12H00 PM) to the IDT regional office bid box. Bids must be hand-delivered in a sealed envelope, marked with bid number, description, closing date/time, NPO name, and contact details. Emailed or faxed bids will be disqualified. Bidders must sign the Bid Submission Register upon delivery. Late bids will not be accepted. Required forms: SBD1 (Invitation to Bid) and SBD4 (Bidder’s Disclosure), both fully completed and signed. Returnable documents: Full Central Supplier Database (CSD) report and valid Tax Compliance Letter with a unique PIN. Bids must be completed in permanent black ink and not typed. Courier submissions must ensure the courier signs the register in the NPO’s name.

Programme duration: 2026/2027 to 2028/2029 financial years. NPOs must select and bid for one or more of the 8 EPWP Phase V focus areas: 1) Cleaning and maintenance of public facilities, 2) Cleaning/beautification of public/open spaces, 3) Road maintenance (stormwater channels, kerb cleaning, potholes, grass cutting), 4) Waste management (recycling and waste processing), 5) Energy-related projects, 6) Art and craft for People with Disabilities, 7) Food security and farming support, 8) Gender-Based Violence and Femicide programmes. For each selected focus area, NPOs must: identify sites, obtain permission letters, define scope of work, prove capacity to deliver, and specify the number of work opportunities (minimum 25 participants per main site, with sub-sites within 5km radius). NPOs must provide a signed Project Implementation Plan and align with EPWP demographic targets (women, youth, people with disabilities).

NPOs must submit a signed, verifiable Project Implementation Plan outlining work packages/activities for EPWP participants, including: number of work opportunities per activity, site details, and permission letters. NPOs must also provide: organisational details (name, registration, contact info, physical address), staff complement (Manager, Financial Officer, Administrator), geographic info (province, municipality, ward), and proposed work opportunities (female/male totals, targeted groups: women, youth, people with disabilities). NPOs must select focus areas from the 8 EPWP Phase V options and prove capacity to deliver.

NPOs must have a minimum of 2 years in existence and provide: NPO Registration Certificate, DSD Compliance Letter (2025/2026), and proof of past funding (if applicable). Key personnel must include: Manager/Director (Diploma), Financial Officer (Certificate in Finance), Administrator (Certificate in Office/Public/Business Administration). Previous EPWP experience is evaluated (15 points). NPOs must demonstrate ability to manage work opportunities, governance (constitution stamped by DSD, meeting minutes), and financial capability.

NPOs must pay participant wages within 3 days of receiving funds from IDT. IDT pays COIDA annually in March; NPOs must provide receipts. Monthly UIF payments must cover all contracted participants. Invoices must match attendance registers and be submitted monthly. NPOs must have financial capacity to manage stipends and operational costs (IDT funds cover participant stipends only).

Mandatory documents: Valid COIDA Certificate (Letter of Good Standing) for 2026/2027 (not month-to-month), Proof of UIF Registration (UI54), NPO Registration Certificate (minimum 2 years in existence), Department of Social Development (DSD) Valid Compliance Letter (2025 or 2026), proof of business address (not older than 3 months), and permission letters for each site. B-BBEE: Submit a B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or Sworn Affidavit (for EMEs & QSEs) to qualify for preference points. Tax Compliance: Submit a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number. Foreign suppliers must answer the foreign supplier questionnaire. No bids from state employees or entities with state-employed directors/members. Blacklisted bidders will be eliminated.

NPOs must provide a minimum of 3 human resources: Manager/Director (Diploma), Financial Officer (Certificate in Finance), Administrator (Certificate in Office/Public/Business Administration or equivalent). All certified copies of qualifications and IDs must be less than 3 months old. Staff must be available full-time; replacements must have equivalent or higher qualifications. NPOs are responsible for participant safety and compliance with relevant OHS regulations.

For waste management projects: Identify hotspots (towns, townships, informal settlements, beaches, harbours, illegal dumping sites, cemeteries). Obtain permission from municipalities or departments (DFFE, DWS). Define scope (collection, sorting, recycling) and extent (weight of waste or ha/km of land). Prove capacity to deliver. Objectives: create work opportunities, maintain clean environments, and support recycling enterprises.

Contract duration: 3 financial years (2026/2027 to 2028/2029). Renewal for years 2 and 3 is subject to valid COIDA, CSD, and DSD compliance letters. IDT reserves the right to: cancel/withdraw the bid, amend requirements, assess bidder facilities, contact landlords (for lease agreements), and verify referees. Contracts are non-transferable; only one bid per NPO will be evaluated. IDT will contract a maximum of 4 sites per NPO, each with 25 participants (sub-sites within 5km of main sites). NPOs must use a biometric system (smartphone with 4GB RAM, 32GB storage). Termination may occur for fraud, misconduct, or double-dipping (participants in multiple EPWP projects).

Three-stage evaluation: 1) Mandatory Requirements (gatekeeper; failure disqualifies). 2) Functionality (minimum 70 points). Criteria: readiness (15), capacity (15), governance (10), EPWP understanding/implementation plan (15), previous experience (15), financial capability (15), fundraising ability (15). 3) Due Diligence/Site Inspection (minimum 90 points). Only NPOs passing all stages qualify.