RFQ: external ghg/carbon accounting specialist to review land bank's ghg methodology and support FY2026/27 baseline

Closing date: 26 October 2026 at 11:00

Issue date: 09 October 2026

No compulsory briefing or site visit is stated.

SCM contact:

• Name: Bathabile Nkosi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: not stated

Technical enquiries:

• Name: Bathabile Nkosi
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: not stated

Submission email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Issuing institution address:

Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa

P O Box 375

Pretoria, 0001

First Floor Block A

Lakefield Office Park

272 West Avenue (Corner of Lenchen Avenue and West Avenue)

De Hoewes, Centurion

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Closing time: 26 October 2026 at 11:00

Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided, not re-typed.

Late bids will not be accepted.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed as the offer cover page with bidder and contact details.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any director or shareholder employed by the state or connected to the procuring institution; a declared conflict renders the bid non-responsive.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): fully completed to claim B-BBEE points.
• Proof of SARS tax compliance status (TCS PIN or CSD number).
• Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Completed Vendor Accreditation Form.
• Cancelled cheque or stamped bank letter.
• Supplier information and disclosure forms signed and stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited agency or sworn affidavit.
• Certified copies of ID documents of shareholders/directors.
• Proof of authority to sign (e.g. company resolution).
• KYC documents as listed in Annexure D (for FICA and PEP screening).
• Confidentiality agreement.

Consortium, joint venture or sub-contractor bidders must each submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.

Land Bank may request outstanding essential documents during evaluation; bidders have not more than 5 working days to provide them, otherwise the quotation is deemed non-responsive.

False declarations result in exclusion.

Evaluation stages:

Stage One – Mandatory requirements (non-compliance disqualifies):

• Minimum 4–6 years' cumulative technical experience in GHG accounting under the GHG Protocol, evidenced by a project list or portfolio summary (max 2 pages) naming at least three relevant engagements with client, years, scopes, frameworks and the bidder's role.
• Demonstrated familiarity with South African agricultural systems and SA-specific emission factor sources (DFFE National GHG Inventory AFOLU chapters, ARC research, Stats SA agricultural census), evidenced by at least two relevant projects and a brief description (max half page) of how SA-specific sources were applied or evaluated.
• Demonstrated experience with the PCAF Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard and financed emissions estimation for agricultural/AFOLU lending portfolios, evidenced by at least three contactable reference letters on client letterhead (at least one from a financial institution), each naming a contact person with email and telephone.
• Demonstrated experience with climate governance reporting frameworks (IFRS S2, TCFD, CDP), with at least one relevant project completed in the past five years.
• Proposed Team Lead: detailed CV (max 4 pages) with highest academic qualification (NQF Level 7 or above in a relevant discipline), years of GHG experience, at least three relevant engagements, and professional accreditations.
• Technical/Senior Specialist: detailed CV (max 4 pages) with AFOLU/agricultural finance and emission factor expertise; if the same person fills both roles, one CV with a confirming note.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills: at least three projects involving stakeholder workshops or multi-stakeholder presentations to roughly 10–15 stakeholders.

Stage Two – Technical evaluation (score out of 100):

• Company profile: 20 points (6+ years = 20, 4–5 years = 5, 3 or less = 3)
• Project Team Lead experience: 25 points (6+ years = 25, 4–5 years = 15, 3 or less = 5)
• Methodology and approach: 40 points (comprehensive = 40, partial = 30, inadequate = 5)
• Client references and track record: 15 points (three or more positive = 15, less than three = 10, none = 0)

Minimum technical threshold to proceed to pricing: 85/100

Stage Three – Price and specific goals (80/20 preference point system):

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals (B-BBEE): 20 points (Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 15, Level 3 = 10, Level 4 = 5)

Award-stage checks: tax compliance status, CSD registration, no misrepresentation, no non-performance on Land Bank projects, not listed on Register of Tender Defaulters, no conflicts of interest, no fraud/corruption convictions, no removal from a state contract for non-performance, and no unduly high or low tendered rates.

Scope of work:

• Review Land Bank's draft GHG Reporting Boundary and Methodology Note for technical soundness, completeness and alignment with the GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, GHG Protocol Scope 3 Standard, PCAF Standard and IFRS S2 disclosure expectations.
• Advise on the appropriateness, accuracy and hierarchy of emission factors, including applicability and material gaps.
• Provide structured technical input on the Scope 3 / PCAF financed emissions methodology, particularly for the agricultural (AFOLU) lending portfolio.
• Produce a data-informed initial estimate of Scope 1–3 operational emissions (excluding financed emissions) and a separate first-cut estimate of AFOLU financed emissions.
• Provide ongoing advisory support through the FY2026/27 baseline data collection, calculation and reporting cycle, and help close open methodology decisions.
• Recommend and implement a plan for improving data accuracy in future cycles.

Out of scope:

• Formal external assurance opinion on the FY2026/27 baseline.
• Full financed emissions coverage beyond the AFOLU/agricultural lending pilot.
• Primary data collection from Land Bank business units.
• Design or implementation of GHG accounting software/systems.
• Legal advice on disclosure obligations.

Methodology and approach:

• Apply GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, Scope 2 Guidance, Scope 3 Standard, and PCAF Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard.
• Collaborative, phased process aligned to Land Bank's baseline data collection phasing (mobilisation, quarterly data collection, structured gap closure, iterative monitoring, steady-state collection).
• Budget for three structured workshops with the Sustainability Team and data-owning business units (Facilities, Fleet Management, Credit and Agricultural Banking). Land Bank provides venue, catering and IT equipment; the service provider is responsible for facilitation materials, agendas and documented outcomes.

Deliverables (all in editable formats, e.g. unprotected Excel, Word):

• D1: Inception Report and confirmed workplan
• D2: Methodology review report
• D3: Emission factor recommendation register
• D4: AFOLU / PCAF technical note
• D5: Baseline results and phase sense-check notes
• D6: Open-decisions closure support
• D7: Final baseline results presentation
• D8: Recommendations and Implementation Plan
• D9: Final sign-off support memo

Project duration:

• Core methodology review, emission factor review, PCAF/AFOLU review and initial baseline (Tasks 1–7) to run no more than three months from appointment.
• Follow-on advisory phase anticipated through the remainder of FY2026/27, with option to extend into FY2027/28 subject to satisfactory performance and separate agreement.

The engagement is a collaborative, phased process aligned to Land Bank's baseline data collection phasing (mobilisation and quarterly data collection; structured gap closure; iterative monitoring; steady-state collection and institutionalisation). The specialist works alongside the Sustainability Team to build internal capability. Three structured workshops are required:

• Workshop 1 (Inception and methodology alignment): introduce/confirm GHG Protocol and PCAF concepts, agree roles, responsibilities, data requirements and workplan.
• Workshop 2 (Data and calculation working session): work through available activity data for Scope 1/2 and the AFOLU lending pilot, test draft calculations and emission factor application, agree treatment of data gaps.
• Workshop 3 (Results and recommendations): present initial Scope 1–3 estimate, methodology review findings and implementation plan; support sign-off.

Land Bank provides venue, catering and IT equipment for in-person sessions; the service provider is responsible for facilitation materials, agendas and documented outcomes. Deliverables must be in editable formats (unprotected Excel, Word) for the Sustainability Team to maintain.

Mandatory experience and qualifications:

• Minimum 4–6 years' cumulative technical experience in GHG accounting under the GHG Protocol, with at least three relevant engagements.
• Demonstrated familiarity with South African agricultural systems and SA-specific emission factor sources (DFFE AFOLU chapters, ARC, Stats SA), with at least two relevant projects.
• Demonstrated experience with the PCAF Standard and financed emissions estimation for agricultural/AFOLU lending portfolios, with at least three contactable reference letters (at least one from a financial institution).
• Demonstrated experience with IFRS S2, TCFD or CDP, with at least one relevant project in the past five years.
• Team Lead: senior-level technical experience, NQF Level 7 or above qualification in a relevant discipline, detailed CV (max 4 pages) with at least three relevant engagements and professional accreditations.
• Technical/Senior Specialist: AFOLU/agricultural finance and emission factor expertise, detailed CV (max 4 pages).
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills with at least three relevant projects.

Pricing is on a fixed-fee basis per phase, quoted exclusive of VAT with VAT shown separately. Prices must remain firm for the contract duration and be valid for 120 days. All pricing assumptions, excluded costs and estimated costs must be documented; no price adjustments will be entertained. The pricing schedule covers six phases (Inception & Workshop 1; Methodology & emission factor review; Scope 3 / PCAF / AFOLU review; Workshop 2; Initial baseline & ongoing sense-checks; Workshop 3 & final reporting). Payment is milestone-based: 15% on D1, 30% on D2/D3/D4, 25% on D5, 10% on D6, 20% on D7/D8/D9. Bidders must indicate how they claim specific goals points in SBD 6.1 and attach a B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.

Pricing format:

• Fixed fee per phase, quoted exclusive of VAT, with VAT shown separately.
• Prices must remain firm for the duration of the contract and be valid for 120 days.
• All pricing assumptions, excluded costs and estimated costs must be clearly documented; no price adjustments will be entertained.

Pricing schedule phases:

• Phase 1 (Tasks 1–2): Inception & Workshop 1, weeks 2–4, fixed fee
• Phase 2 (Task 3): Methodology & emission factor review, weeks 5–6, fixed fee
• Phase 3 (Task 4): Scope 3 / PCAF / AFOLU review, weeks 7–8, fixed fee
• Phase 4 (Task 5): Workshop 2, week 8, fixed fee
• Phase 5 (Task 6): Initial baseline & ongoing sense-checks, weeks 9–10, fixed fee
• Phase 6 (Task 7): Workshop 3 & final reporting, weeks 11–12, fixed fee

Payment schedule (milestone-based, to be confirmed at contracting):

• Inception and Workshop 1 (D1): 15%
• Methodology, emission factor and PCAF/AFOLU review (D2, D3, D4): 30%
• Workshop 2 and initial baseline results (D5): 25%
• Open items closure and support (D6): 10%
• Workshop 3, recommendations and final sign-off support (D7, D8, D9): 20%

No bid security, bond or guarantee is stated.

Mandatory compliance:

• Valid SARS tax compliance status (TCS PIN) or CSD number; verified via CSD or SARS e-filing before award.
• Registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited agency or sworn affidavit, required to claim specific goals points.
• Completed Vendor Accreditation Form.
• Cancelled cheque or stamped bank letter.
• Supplier information and disclosure forms signed and stamped by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• Certified copies of ID documents of shareholders/directors.
• KYC documents for FICA and PEP screening.
• No persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors who are, may bid.
• Bidders must not be listed on the Register of Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers.
• False declarations result in exclusion.

The engagement focuses on establishing a credible GHG baseline using recognised methodologies (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard, Scope 2 Guidance, Scope 3 Standard, PCAF Standard). The specialist must advise on emission factor sources and hierarchy, including South African sources (DFFE National GHG Inventory AFOLU chapters, ARC, Stats SA) to address the documented understatement of IPCC Tier 1 defaults for dryland beef, small ruminant, agropastoral and smallholder farming systems. The work supports Land Bank's environmental sustainability objectives and future IFRS S2 / TCFD disclosures.

The successful bidder must sign a written contract form (SBD 7). The bidder must sign a confidentiality agreement to manage Land Bank data confidentially. Land Bank reserves the right to amend the terms of reference at its sole discretion. The contract is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000, the Preferential Procurement Regulations, the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions. Land Bank may conduct a due diligence exercise on the preferred bidder, including financial analysis, judgements and criminal convictions, pending litigation, performance history and reputational harm. The engagement may be extended into FY2027/28 subject to satisfactory performance and separate agreement on terms.

Stage One mandatory requirements (non-compliance disqualifies):

• Minimum 4–6 years' cumulative technical experience in GHG accounting under the GHG Protocol, evidenced by a project list or portfolio summary (max 2 pages) naming at least three relevant engagements.
• Demonstrated familiarity with South African agricultural systems and SA-specific emission factor sources (DFFE AFOLU chapters, ARC, Stats SA), evidenced by at least two relevant projects and a brief description (max half page).
• Demonstrated experience with the PCAF Standard and financed emissions estimation for agricultural/AFOLU lending portfolios, evidenced by at least three contactable reference letters on client letterhead (at least one from a financial institution).
• Demonstrated experience with IFRS S2, TCFD or CDP, with at least one relevant project in the past five years.
• Proposed Team Lead: detailed CV (max 4 pages) with NQF Level 7 or above qualification, years of experience, at least three relevant engagements, and professional accreditations.
• Technical/Senior Specialist: detailed CV (max 4 pages) with AFOLU/agricultural finance and emission factor expertise.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills: at least three projects involving stakeholder workshops or multi-stakeholder presentations.

Stage Two technical evaluation (score out of 100):

• Company profile: 20 points (6+ years = 20, 4–5 years = 5, 3 or less = 3)
• Project Team Lead experience: 25 points (6+ years = 25, 4–5 years = 15, 3 or less = 5)
• Methodology and approach: 40 points (comprehensive = 40, partial = 30, inadequate = 5)
• Client references and track record: 15 points (three or more positive = 15, less than three = 10, none = 0)

Minimum technical threshold to proceed to pricing: 85/100

Stage Three price and specific goals (80/20 system):

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals (B-BBEE): 20 points (Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 15, Level 3 = 10, Level 4 = 5)