ICT managed services provider for KZN growth fund agency – 36-Month contract

Appointment of a service provider for ICT Managed Services for 36 months to support KZN Growth Fund Agency’s operations, ensuring secure, reliable ICT infrastructure, cybersecurity, network management, email security, telephony, and web-hosting.

• Compulsory Briefing Session: 10 July 2026 at 09:30 via Microsoft Teams. Join by 09:40 to be considered as attended.
• Closing date for written clarification questions: 23 July 2026 at 16:00.
• Response to clarifications issued: 27 July 2026.
• Proposal Submission Deadline: 31 July 2026 at 11:00.
• Bid validity period: 120 days.
• Anticipated award date: 1 September 2026.
• Contract commencement date: 30 September 2026.

• Compulsory briefing session: 10 July 2026 at 09:30 via Microsoft Teams.
• Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/353167015391334?p=OSKdbUaQiT2PIpIZ41
• Meeting ID: 353 167 015 391 334
• Passcode: Su9vD67M
• Companies joining after 09:40 will not be considered as having attended.

• All procurement and technical enquiries must be directed in writing to the Supply Chain Management Unit.
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 031 372 3720
• Contact persons: Sijabulile Ntshangase (bidding procedure) and Mthokozisi Cele (technical).
• Clarifications must be requested by email, quoting the bid number. Telephonic requests are not accepted.

• Submit your proposal via email to [email protected] by no later than 11:00 on 31 July 2026.
• Late submissions will not be accepted – even one second after 11:00 is considered late.
• Use the original tender documentation issued by KZNGFA, completed in black ink.
• Returnable documents must include: company registration number, VAT registration number, Workman’s Compensation number, Tax Clearance Certificate/CSD report.
• Complete and submit the Certificate of Authority to Sign a Bid (C.4) and other SBD forms as required.
• Bids must be structured in the prescribed format (Parts 1-10).
• Failure to provide mandatory information or comply with submission rules will render the bid invalid.

Name of Bidder: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Scope: Provision of end-to-end ICT Managed Services for 36 months to ensure secure, reliable, and compliant operations.

Key service areas:

• Security Managed Services: 24/7 SOC, threat monitoring, EDR/XDR, vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, SIEM, firewall management, Mimecast licensing, MFA, patch management.
• LAN Managed Services: Management of HP Aruba switches and access points; configuration, monitoring, optimisation, 99.5% uptime SLA.
• Email Security & Mimecast Licensing: License supply, anti-spam, ATP, archiving, DLP, integration with Microsoft 365.
• Telephony (PABX): Supply, implementation, and support of a cloud-based VoIP system with 50 IP handsets, call routing, recording, and scalable storage.
• Domain and Web-hosting: Fully managed domain renewal, DNS, secure hosting (99.9% uptime), SSL, backups, WAF.

Existing environment includes Microsoft 365 E5, FortiGate firewall, HP Aruba switches, Mimecast A1.

Service Level Agreements (SLAs): 24/7 support with incident response times: Critical ≤1 hour, High ≤4 hours, Medium ≤8 hours.

Governance: Monthly operational reports, quarterly review meetings.

Team Requirements: Submit a detailed organogram and CVs for mandatory key roles:

• Technical Lead/SDM: 10 years IT experience, 5 years management, Bachelor’s degree, ITIL certification.
• Security Engineer: 5 years cybersecurity experience, degree/diploma, Fortinet NSE5+ certification.
• Network Engineer: 5 years LAN/WAN experience in HP/Aruba, degree/diploma, CCNP certification.
• VOIP Engineer: 5 years VoIP/PABX experience, degree/diploma, CCNP Collaboration certification.

• Bidders must submit a company profile detailing ICT experience.
• Provide reference letters for similar projects on client letterhead, including client name, project scope, dates, and contact details.
• Submit a detailed team organogram with named resources for mandatory roles: Technical Lead/SDM, Security Engineer, Network Engineer, VOIP Engineer.
• Each key role has minimum experience and qualification requirements (e.g., 10 years IT experience for Technical Lead, Bachelor’s degree, ITIL certification).
• Failure to provide organogram, CVs in prescribed format, or copies of certificates results in zero score for that component.

• The service provider must deliver managed services with defined SLAs, including 24/7 SOC, continuous monitoring, and regular vulnerability assessments.
• Network uptime must be maintained at a minimum of 99.5%.
• Provide monthly operational reports and quarterly strategic reviews.
• Implement continuous service improvement plans.
• Team organogram must demonstrate segregation of duties, oversight mechanisms, and quality assurance responsibilities.

• Pricing must include VAT where applicable.
• KZNGFA reserves the right to require the preferred bidder to register for VAT if the award exceeds R1 million over 12 consecutive months.
• Payment terms: Normally 30 days after receipt of a valid VAT-compliant invoice.
• Banking details must be submitted upon award.
• The bidder must hold prices valid for 120 days.

Mandatory compliance documents:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration – verified online.
• Tax Compliance: Submit SARS PIN and a printed TCS certificate. Joint venture/subcontractor members must each submit their own.
• B-BBEE: Submit a B-BBEE Verification Certificate from a SANAS-accredited agency or an affidavit from an IRBA-registered auditor/accounting officer to qualify for preference points.
• Foreign suppliers: Must complete a questionnaire; if answer 'NO' to all questions, no SARS PIN required.
• Declaration forms: Fully completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 6.1, and SBD 4 (disclosure).
• No bids accepted from persons in the service of the state or their companies.
• Failure to provide these documents will render the bid non-responsive.

• Submit a B-BBEE Verification Certificate or sworn affidavit to qualify for preference points.
• Specific Goals points are awarded for Black Ownership, Black Women Ownership, Black Youth Ownership, and Disability ownership levels.
• Proof may include B-BBEE certificate, CSD report, ID documents, municipal account/lease agreement, doctor’s certificate.

• The contract will be based on the KZNGFA Service Level Agreement (SLA); KZNGFA’s terms are non-negotiable.
• Intellectual property rights for all deliverables vest in KZNGFA; the service provider must keep all information confidential.
• Payments are made for actual services rendered, invoiced in accordance with VAT Act.
• The service provider must notify KZNGFA immediately of any inability to meet delivery terms.
• The bidder warrants it can perform the services and will not engage in competing business without prior written consent.
• The bid is valid for 120 days and may be extended if requested by KZNGFA.
• KZNGFA may issue addenda; bidders must acknowledge receipt.
• Submission of fraudulent documents will lead to disqualification and listing on the restricted suppliers register.

• Bidders must initial and sign the Special Conditions of Contract (SCC); failure to do so will result in disqualification.

• Bids must be submitted by the stipulated deadline; late bids are not accepted.
• Use official forms; do not retype.
• Comply with Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 and Regulations, 2017.
• Successful bidder must sign written contract form SBD7.
• Bidders must ensure tax compliance and submit SARS PIN.
• Provide CSD registration details.
• Submit B-BBEE certificate or affidavit for preference points.
• Joint venture/consortium agreements must be included.
• Indicate any deviations from the bid requirements.
• Bidders bear own bid preparation costs.
• KZNGFA reserves the right to award in full or part, and not to award to any bidder.

• Stage 1: Administrative compliance check.
• Stage 2: Functionality scored out of 100 (70% threshold).
• Stage 3: Demo presentation for qualifying bidders.
• Stage 4: Price and B-BBEE scored on 80/20 system.
• Specific Goals points table provided for B-BBEE ownership categories.