Panel of legal service providers for free state development corporation (3-Year contract)

FDC seeks to appoint a panel of legal firms to provide legal services/support for 3 years. FDC is a Schedule 3D Public Entity under the PFMA, driving economic development in the Free State. The panel aims to provide specialized legal skills and curb exorbitant costs. Bidders must select their area(s) of expertise from 16 categories (e.g., Labour Law, Litigation, Corporate Law).

Closing date: 29 July 2026 at 12:00. Non-compulsory briefing session: 15 July 2026 at 12:00 (virtual). Query deadline: 22 July 2026 at 16:00. Bids must remain valid for 120 days after closing date.

Technical contact: Moitheki Mokoena ([email protected], 051 400 1500). SCM contact: Kelebogile Mokopi ([email protected], 051 400 1500). Submission address: 33 Kellner Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein.

Submit bids in a sealed envelope marked 'BID: APPOINTMENT OF PANEL OF ATTORNEYS' to the tender box at 33 Kellner Street, Westdene, Bloemfontein by 29 July 2026 at 12:00. Include: Original bid + one electronic copy (CD/memory stick). All documents must be signed/initialed on every page. Use official forms (SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1). Failure to comply (e.g., pencil/erasable ink, missing signatures, late submission) disqualifies the bid. Queries must be emailed to [email protected] by 22 July 2026 at 16:00. Non-compulsory virtual briefing on 15 July 2026 at 12:00 (Meeting ID: 356 545 050 288 177, Passcode: fn3vh3R7). FDC reserves rights to reject bids, cancel the process, or request additional information. Successful bidders must sign an SLA.

Scope: Appointment of a panel of legal firms to provide legal services/support to FDC for 3 years. Required expertise: Labour/Employment Law, Intellectual Property/IT/Telecoms, Litigation, Debt Collection, Environment, Funding/Project Finance, Energy, Corporate Law, Administrative/Procurement, Regulatory Law, Cross-Border/IPP, Conveyancing, Construction Law, Tax Law, Commercial Law, Forensic Investigation. Deliverables: Legal opinions, representation in disciplinary/labour matters, and other legal support. Skills transfer to FDC’s in-house team is mandatory. Contract period: 3 years. Work is assignment-based with no guaranteed volume.

Required documents: Company profile, CVs of key personnel, certified proof of admission as a legal practitioner (<6 months), certified LLB copies (<6 months), company registration certificate, certified ID copies, valid Tax Status PIN, Fidelity Fund Certificate, Legal Practice Council letter of good standing (<6 months), declaration of interest, reference letters (<5 years) with payment proof, B-BBEE certificate, and proof of Bar Council membership (for advocates). Experience scoring: Reference letters (30 points max) and key personnel years of practice (25 points max). Free State-based firms earn 20 points with proof (lease/municipal account).

Pricing: 80 points allocated in the 80/20 system. Fees must align with Magistrates/High/Constitutional Court tariffs for litigation, conveyancing, and non-debt services. Debt collection: 10% commission on collected amounts (no collection, no fee). All fees are subject to the agreed structure in the SLA.

Fees: For litigation, conveyancing, and other legal services (excluding debt collection), use court tariffs (Magistrates, High, Constitutional). Debt collection: 10% commission on collected amount (no collection, no fee). Payment terms: FDC pays valid claims within a reasonable time upon submission of substantiated invoices. Pricing forms part of the 80/20 evaluation (80 points for price).

Mandatory: Legal Practice Act compliance (for firms) or Bar Council membership (for advocates). Tax Compliance Status PIN (or CSD registration if no PIN). Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS-accredited or sworn affidavit). CSD registration. SBD documents (SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1) signed by authorized personnel. Proof of admission as a legal practitioner (<6 months old). Fidelity Fund Certificate (where applicable). Letter of good standing from Legal Practice Council (<6 months old). Company profile, CVs of key personnel, certified LLB copies (<6 months), and reference letters (<5 years) with proof of payment. Conflict of interest declarations required.

Contract terms: Fees follow court tariffs (litigation, conveyancing, non-debt services) or 10% commission for debt collection. Engagement is assignment-based; no work is guaranteed. FDC may assign work to multiple panel members or vary instructions. Legal Professionals must sign confidentiality/indemnity agreements, declare conflicts of interest, and return FDC’s documents if conflicts arise. SLA includes: period, charges, communication/reporting, performance, termination, payment procedures, deliverables, review, confidentiality, breach, and disputes. Contract duration: 3 years. Termination: 30-day notice for non-performance or material breaches.

FDC reserves rights to: appoint capable bidders, reject non-compliant bids, cancel/withdraw the bid (e.g., no funds, no acceptable bids, irregularities), enter a single contract for joint ventures, call interviews, conduct due diligence (including site visits), and require SLAs. Bids in pencil/erasable ink are disqualified. Successful bidders must sign an SLA. Bid documents are confidential; unauthorized disclosure is prohibited. Disputes resolved via consultation, mediation, or SA courts. Bids must remain valid for 120 days post-submission.

Evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system (80 points for price, 20 for B-BBEE goals: 10 for Black Women Ownership, 10 for Black Youth Ownership). Functionality evaluation (100 points total) requires a minimum 70/100 to qualify. Criteria: (1) Bidders’ experience (30 points: based on reference letters and payment proof). (2) Key personnel experience (25 points: years of practice for directors/partners/candidates). (3) Free State-based firms (20 points: proof via lease/municipal account). Administrative compliance is disqualifying if not met.