Hemp and cannabis beneficiation through biotechnology – EOI in eastern cape

Closing date: 07 December 2026 at 12:00 (noon)

Briefing session: 25 November 2026 at 10:00, online via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 354 016 816 357 727 5, Passcode: 9sa9pV9b) – not stated as compulsory

Questions deadline: 30 November 2026 at 12:00 (noon)

Responses to questions: 01 December 2026

EOI document available for download: 13 November 2026 at 12:00 (noon) from www.elidz.co.za

Enquiries (before closing):

• Contact: Anathi Mzantsi
• Email: [email protected]

Post-closing enquiries (Supply Chain Officer):

• Telephone: 043 702 8258
• Email: [email protected]

Submission portal: https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za

Document download: www.elidz.co.za (under Opportunities, Tender bulletin)

Submission method: online only via https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za

• Only PDF documents accepted, maximum file size 2GB per file.
• Hard copy submissions will not be considered.
• All returnable documents listed in Section 4 must be submitted, signed and dated.
• The person signing must be legally authorised to do so.
• Changes to a submission after closing date will not be considered.
• Incomplete or non-compliant proposals will generally not be considered.

Returnable documents (minimum requirements):

• Valid Tax Clearance certificate of enterprise
• Company registration documents
• Declaration of the product's stage of development
• Latest audited financial statements or DTI affidavit indicating turnover and B-BBEE level
• ELIDZ Procurement Handbook (Annexure 1) fully completed
• Valid proof of address (most recent 3 months)
• Project Information Form
• Proof of relevant industry experience for directors and project members
• Project Concept Note or Business Proposal (objectives, product of interest, target markets, technology)
• Proof of current development stage and TRL evidence
• Joint venture agreement or written confirmation of intention to enter into one (if applicable)
• Valid original or certified copy of B-BBEE compliance proof
• Fully completed Expression of Interest Application Form with milestones and costing
• Relevant licences, permits or regulatory approvals
• Supporting documents (product certification, market studies, IP registrations, letters of intent/off-take agreements)

Essential returnable documents (used for scoring; missing these results in a zero score for the applicable criterion, not automatic disqualification):

• Project Concept Note/Business Proposal
• Relevant licences, permits or regulatory approvals
• CVs of team members with verifiable references
• Proof of current development stage and TRL evidence
• Fully completed EOI Application Form with milestones and costing

Other essential returnable documents (failure to provide may lead to disqualification):

• Authority of signatory: certified board resolution (company), partner resolution (partnership), or proof of sole ownership (one-man business)
• Declaration confirming the project has not previously received funding for product development (signed, with witnesses)

Disqualification risks:

• Submission after closing time
• Attempts to canvas ELIDZ officers between closing and award
• Collusion with other respondents
• Misrepresentation of facts (may lead to termination and recovery of payments if discovered after award)
• Missing or unsigned returnable documents

Evaluation stages (EOI process ends at Stage 4):

1. Pre-qualification (minimum eligibility criteria)
2. Returnable documents and schedules compliance
3. Technical evaluation (functionality) – minimum threshold 70%
4. Presentations (if required) – minimum threshold 70%
5. Post-EOI negotiation (at RFP stage, if applicable)
6. Award

Minimum eligibility criteria (pre-qualification):

• Registered business entity
• Qualify as an SMME under the National Small Enterprise Act
• Product at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher
• Potential to generate competitive new Intellectual Property (IP)
• Product scalable to pilot and industrial levels
• Only one project per applicant will be considered if selected

Exclusions:

• Entities outside Eastern Cape only considered if development work is undertaken in the province via ELIDZ or in collaboration with provincial universities, incubators or technology stations
• Previously funded by ELIDZ
• Funded for the same activities elsewhere (no double-dipping)
• Submissions without a completed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook

Functionality evaluation matrix (Stage 3) – minimum 70% to qualify:

• Technology Readiness and Innovation: 25%
• Commercialisation Potential: 20%
• Beneficiation Impact: 20%
• Scalability and Sustainability: 20%
• Economic Development and Job Creation: 10%
• Implementation Capacity: 5%

Presentation evaluation (Stage 4) – minimum 70%:

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Technical Feasibility: 20%
• Innovation and Value Proposition: 15%
• Commercialisation Strategy: 15%
• Beneficiation Impact: 15%
• Scalability and Industrialisation Potential: 10%
• Intellectual Property (IP) Potential: 10%
• Economic Impact: 10%
• Team Capability and Implementation Readiness: 5%

Note: ELIDZ may award funding to a respondent that did not score the highest if reasonable and justifiable grounds exist. Weightings may change at RFP stage.

The ELIDZ Science and Technology Park (STP) seeks expressions of interest from innovators, small enterprises and entrepreneurs for the beneficiation of hemp and cannabis through biotechnology. The programme supports product and process development, enterprise development services, compliance testing and commercialisation support.

Supported product categories:

• Biofuels and bioenergy: bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen, biogas, syngas
• Bio-based materials: bio-composites, bioplastics, textiles from hemp fibres and hurds
• Bio-based industrial products: bio-foams, bio-lubricants, bioconstruction materials, bio-packaging
• Bio-fertilisers and soil enhancement: bio-fertilisers, biochar, other soil conditioners

Key objectives:

• Convert hemp and cannabis biomass into value-added products
• Promote green industrial development and job creation
• Support small-scale farmers and emerging enterprises in the Eastern Cape
• Reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy security

This EOI is for prototype development only; no business operations will be awarded through this process. ELIDZ may increase or decrease quantities/scope at its discretion.

Evaluation methodology:

• ELIDZ will use a staged evaluation process: pre-qualification, returnable documents and schedules compliance, technical evaluation (minimum 70%), presentations (minimum 70%), and post-EOI negotiation (if applicable).
• Stages may be conducted in parallel at ELIDZ's discretion.
• The EOI process ends at Stage 4 (presentations).
• Weightings and criteria may change at RFP stage.

Experience and qualifications:

• Proof of relevant industry experience for company directors and any other members who will play a role in the project is required.
• CVs of team members allocated to the project, with verifiable references, are essential returnable documents.
• The application form requires listing key team members (names, surnames, ID numbers, current occupation, role in project) and their qualifying attributes and years of experience.
• If part of a consortium, external partners and their role/contribution must be listed, with proof of Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding.

Quality requirements:

• Products must achieve Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 or higher, supported by evidence of technical feasibility, experimental proof of concept, and early laboratory testing.
• The programme offers compliance testing and commercialisation support to help bring products to market.
• Respondents must demonstrate the potential to scale from pilot to industrial production.
• Evidence of testing, validation, or proof-of-concept activities completed to date must be provided.

Pricing requirements:

• The EOI application form requires a milestone-based costing with total amount requested.
• ELIDZ may enter into price negotiations with the preferred innovator.
• No changes to proposal rates accepted after closing date unless the contract specifically provides for it.
• ELIDZ may increase or decrease quantities/scope as indicated in the EOI.
• All costs of preparing and submitting the EOI are for the respondent's own account.

No bid security, bonds, guarantees or retention specified.

Costs:

• All costs of preparing and submitting the EOI are for the respondent's own account; ELIDZ will not reimburse any preparatory costs.
• ELIDZ may invite respondents to present or demonstrate their solution at the respondent's own cost.

Pricing:

• The EOI application form requires milestones with costings and a total amount requested.
• ELIDZ may enter into price negotiations with the preferred innovator/s.
• No changes to proposal rates accepted after closing date unless the contract specifically provides for it.

Financial capacity:

• Latest audited financial statements or DTI affidavit indicating turnover and B-BBEE level required.
• Preference given to SMMEs with the lowest turnover.
• ELIDZ may request audited financial statements for due diligence purposes.

Tax compliance:

• Valid SARS PIN or Tax Clearance Certificate (TCS) must be submitted.
• Each party in a consortium/joint venture/sub-contractor arrangement must submit separate proof of TCS/PIN/CSD number.
• If no TCS available, a CSD number must be provided.
• Approved respondents must register on Treasury's CSD database.

B-bbee:

• Verified original or certified B-BBEE Certificate required.
• Companies with annual turnover less than R10 million (EMEs) may submit an accountant's letter or sworn affidavit confirming turnover and black ownership.
• EMEs automatically receive Level 4 status; 51%+ black-owned EMEs receive Level 2; 100% black-owned EMEs receive Level 1.
• B-BBEE certificates from non-accredited verification agencies will not be accepted.
• ELIDZ may verify B-BBEE credentials through an independent agency.

Other compliance:

• Company registration documents
• ELIDZ Procurement Handbook (Annexure 1) fully completed
• Valid proof of address (most recent 3 months)
• Relevant licences, permits or regulatory approvals
• Declaration confirming no previous funding for the same product development activities
• POPIA consent: by submitting, the bidder consents to ELIDZ processing personal information for evaluation and contracting purposes

Environmental objectives:

• Reducing carbon emissions
• Enhancing energy security
• Creating sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products
• Promoting rural and youth employment
• Supporting green industrial development through sustainable hemp and cannabis beneficiation

Contract terms:

• The EOI is not an offer or award; ELIDZ is under no obligation to accept any proposal.
• ELIDZ may withdraw from the process at any time, change dates, or take no further action.
• ELIDZ may validate any information submitted and request supporting evidence.
• ELIDZ may request audited financial statements for due diligence.
• ELIDZ may enter into price negotiations with the preferred innovator.
• ELIDZ's decisions are final; no correspondence will be entered into after selection.
• The successful respondent must keep all returnable documents (including Tax Clearance and B-BBEE certificate) valid for the duration of any contract; failure to renew may lead to termination without liability.
• Misrepresentation of facts may lead to disqualification, termination of contract, and recovery of all payments made.
• All information related to the EOI and any subsequent contract must be treated as strictly confidential; written approval required to divulge any information.
• Respondents must comply with POPIA regarding personal information processing.

Additional evaluation criteria:

• Minimum eligibility: registered business entity, SMME status, TRL 3 or higher, potential for new IP, scalability to pilot/industrial levels.
• Exclusions: entities outside Eastern Cape (unless work done in province), previously funded by ELIDZ, double-dipping, incomplete Procurement Handbook.
• Functionality evaluation matrix (Stage 3) and presentation evaluation (Stage 4) both require minimum 70%.
• Weightings for functionality: Technology Readiness and Innovation 25%, Commercialisation Potential 20%, Beneficiation Impact 20%, Scalability and Sustainability 20%, Economic Development and Job Creation 10%, Implementation Capacity 5%.
• Presentation weightings: TRL and Technical Feasibility 20%, Innovation and Value Proposition 15%, Commercialisation Strategy 15%, Beneficiation Impact 15%, Scalability and Industrialisation Potential 10%, IP Potential 10%, Economic Impact 10%, Team Capability 5%.