Podcast production services for the national consumer commission (nccq46)

1.1. This document outlines the Terms of Reference for the National Consumer

Commission (NCC) to procure the services of a qualified podcast studio or

production service provider for the production of high-quality podcast content

for consumer education and awareness purposes.

1.2. The podcasts will support the NCC’s mandate of promoting consumer rights,

raising awareness, and empowering consumers through accessible digital

content in line with the Consumer Protection Act .

2.1. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is mandated to promote and

advance consumer awareness and education in South Africa. As part of

strengthening its public education initiatives and digital engagement strategy,

the NCC intends to produce a series of professional podcast episodes focusing

on consumer rights, prohibited conduct, scams, product safety, supplier

compliance, and other matters relevant to consumers.

2.2. To achieve this objective, the NCC seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and

experienced podcast production service provider with access to a fully equipped

professional podcast studio capable of producing high-quality audio and visual

podcast material for digital platforms and public dissemination.

1 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

3. Objectives

The primary objectives of this project are to:

• Produce professional and engaging podcast content for consumer education and

awareness;

• Enhance public awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities;
• Expand the NCC’s digital footprint and audience reach across online platforms;
• Provide accessible educational content through modern digital communication

channels; and

• Produce content that aligns with the Consumer Protection Act and the

NCC’s communication objectives.

Area description of required services

Studio Facilities The service provider must provide access to a fully

(The studio facilities equipped professional podcast studio suitable for high-

must be within quality audio and visual recording. The studio environment

Gauteng) must be professional, clean, safe, and suitable for formal

institutional recordings. The studio must include

professional microphones, audio mixers, cameras,

lighting equipment, monitoring equipment,

teleprompter facilities where necessary, and studio

aesthetics suitable for institutional branding.

Podcast Recording The service provider will be responsible for recording ten

and Production (10) podcast episodes and providing a total studio

allocation of fifteen (15) production hours. The provider

must manage audio and visual recording during podcast

sessions, provide technical support during recording

sessions, and ensure professional sound and video

quality throughout the production process.

Editing and Post- The service provider will professionally edit all podcast

Production episodes and package the final products for distribution

across digital platforms. Services must include opening

and closing sequences where required, incorporation of

NCC branding elements, audio enhancement, colour

grading, subtitles, graphics where necessary, and final

2 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

delivery in formats suitable for social media and digital

platforms.

Deliverables The service provider must deliver ten (10) fully edited

podcast episodes, all raw audio and video footage, all

edited versions of the recordings, and social media teaser

clips where applicable. All content must be delivered in

accessible digital formats suitable for online publication and

archiving. All content and materials produced under this

project shall remain the sole property of the NCC.

3 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

Invitation to Bid – Complete, sign and submit the provided pro forma document. Tax status – Tax Compliance will be verified on the Compliant Central Supplier Database (CSD). Supplier to be Tax-Compliant before an award is made and throughout the contract period. CSD Supplier number will be used to verify Tax Compliance. Bidder’s Disclosure– Complete and sign the supplied pro forma SBD 4 document. Preference Point Claim Form – SBD document. Preference points will be verified using the following documents; Certified copy of BBBEE Certificate or Sworn Affidavits, Certified copies of CIPC documents, CSD. Failure to provide the listed documents as indicated above will lead to forfeiture of specific goals points.

A maximum of 20 points may be allocated to a bidder for attaining the specific goals in accordance with the table below: 100% Black owned = 6 points, 51-99% Black owned = 4 points, 100% women owned = 6 points, 51% to 99% women owned = 4 points, 5% Youth Ownership = 2 points, 2% Owned by persons with disabilities = 1 point, Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) = 5 points, Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) = 3 points, Large Enterprise = 0 points.

Nccq46

1. Purpose

1.1. This document outlines the Terms of Reference for the National Consumer

Commission (NCC) to procure the services of a qualified podcast studio or

production service provider for the production of high-quality podcast content

for consumer education and awareness purposes.

1.2. The podcasts will support the NCC’s mandate of promoting consumer rights,

raising awareness, and empowering consumers through accessible digital

content in line with the Consumer Protection Act .

2. Introduction

2.1. The National Consumer Commission (NCC) is mandated to promote and

advance consumer awareness and education in South Africa. As part of

strengthening its public education initiatives and digital engagement strategy,

the NCC intends to produce a series of professional podcast episodes focusing

on consumer rights, prohibited conduct, scams, product safety, supplier

compliance, and other matters relevant to consumers.

2.2. To achieve this objective, the NCC seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and

experienced podcast production service provider with access to a fully equipped

professional podcast studio capable of producing high-quality audio and visual

podcast material for digital platforms and public dissemination.

1 | P a g e

(The studio facilities equipped professional podcast studio suitable for high-

must be within quality audio and visual recording. The studio environment

Gauteng) must be professional, clean, safe, and suitable for formal

institutional recordings. The studio must include

professional microphones, audio mixers, cameras,

lighting equipment, monitoring equipment,

teleprompter facilities where necessary, and studio

aesthetics suitable for institutional branding.

Is the studio in a safe location? (Entering the facility must

be access controlled to meet the safety criteria)

Does the studio have professional microphones?

Does the studio have audio mixers?

Does the studio have professional cameras?

Does the studio have lighting equipment?

Does the studio have monitoring equipment?

7 | P a g e

7.1. The project will consist of:

• Ten (10) podcast episodes; and

• Fifteen (15) total studio production hours.

7.2. The recording schedule will be agreed upon between the NCC and the appointed

service provider.

8. Evaluation criteria

8.1. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in podcast or studio production services;

• Availability of a professional and fully equipped studio;

• Quality of previous work and portfolio submitted;

• Experience producing institutional or educational content;

• Technical capability and production quality;

• Cost-effectiveness of the proposal; and

• Understanding of consumer education and public communication.

8.2. Phase 4: Price and Specific Goals

8 | P a g e

The Service Provider must be registered as a service provider on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). If not registered, the service provider must visit https://secure.csd.gov.za/ to register on the CSD. An award will not be made to any bidder who is not registered on the CSD. Pricing Schedule – Submit full details of the pricing proposal in a separate folder or PDF document ONLY and not as part of the technical proposal. Non-compliance will lead to disqualification.

5.1. The NCC will evaluate all proposals in terms of the Preferential Procurement

Policy Framework Act. No. (PPPFA). A copy of the PPPFA regulations

can be downloaded from www.treasury.gov.za. In accordance with the PPPFA,

submissions will be adjudicated on 80/20 points system and the evaluation

criteria.

Table 1.

Pre-qualification Functional Presentation Price and Specific

Criteria (Phase 1) Evaluation Criteria Evaluation (Phase Goals Evaluation

(Phase 2) 3) (Phase 4)

Bidders must Bidder(s) are required Bidders must score Only bidder(s) who

submit all to achieve a minimum 25 points out of 25 have met or

documents as of 50 points out of 75 points to proceed to exceeded the

outlined in points to proceed to price and preference threshold of 50

paragraph (Table 2) phase 3. points evaluation. points on functional

below. evaluation and 25

points on

Only bidders that

presentation

comply with

evaluation will be

administrative and

evaluated on price

or mandatory

and specific goals.

requirements will

proceed to phase

2.

5.1.1. Phase 1: Administrative and Mandatory Compliance:

Without limiting the generality of the Commission’s other critical requirements for this

Bid, bidders must submit the documents listed in Phase 1 below. All documents must

be completed and signed by the duly authorized representative of the prospective

bidders. During this phase, bidders’ responses will be evaluated based on compliance

with the listed administration and mandatory bid requirements. The bidders’ proposals

may be disqualified for non-submission of some of the documents.

Table 2.

4 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

Administrative

Compliance Guideline Consequence of

Documents Non-submission

of Information:

Disqualification?

Invitation to Bid – Complete, sign and submit the provided pro NO

SBD 1 forma document.

Tax status – Tax Compliance will be verified on the NO

Compliant Central Supplier Database (CSD).

Supplier to be Tax-Compliant before an

award is made and throughout the contract

period.

CSD Supplier number will be used to verify

Tax Compliance.

Bidder’s Disclosure– Complete and sign the supplied pro forma YES

SBD 4 document.

Preference Point Complete and sign the supplied pro forma NO

Claim Form – SBD document. Preference points will be verified

6.1 using the following documents;

Certified copy of BBBEE Certificate or Sworn

Affidavits

Certified copies of CIPC documents

Csd

Failure to provide the listed documents as

indicated above will lead to forfeiture of

specific goals points.

5 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

Registration on The Service Provider must be registered as NO

Central Supplier a service provider on the Central Supplier

Database (CSD) Database (CSD). If not registered, the

service provider must visit

https://secure.csd.gov.za/ to register on the

CSD. An award will not be made to any

bidder who is not registered on the CSD.

Pricing Schedule – Submit full details of the pricing proposal in a YES

SBD 3 separate folder or PDF document ONLY and

not as part of the technical proposal. Non-

compliance will lead to disqualification.

5.1.2. Phase 2: Functional Evaluation:

• Only Bidders that have met the pre-qualification criteria in Phase 1 will be

evaluated in Phase 2 for functionality. Bidders will be evaluated out of 75 points

and are required to score a minimum threshold of 50 points to be evaluated on

phase 3 i.e. presentation evaluation.

Table 3.

Functionality criteria points

Allocation

Experience in podcast production, video production, or 20

digital media production services (Attach company

profile).

More than 5 years’ experience = 20 points

3-5 years’ experience = 10 points

Less than 3 years’ experience = 0 points

6 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

Quality and relevance of previous work performed (links 25

are accepted).

3 or more links or electronic files = 25 points

2 links or electronic files = 15 points

1 link or electronic file = 5 points

0 links or electronic files = 0 points

Experience of the videographer. 20

More than 3 years’ experience = 20 points

2 – 3 Years’ experience = 10 points

1 year experience = 5 points

Less than 1 = 0 points

Provide reference letters for similar work done in 10

producing educational, public sector, advocacy, or

institutional content.

3 contactable reference letters = 10 points

2 contactable reference letters = 5 points

1 or less contactable reference letter(s) = 0 points

Total 75

Minimum score 50

5.1.3. Phase 3: Presentation Evaluation:

• Bidders must score 25 points out of 25 points to proceed to price and preference

points evaluation.

• Bidders will be scored on the following criteria which is out of 25 points, any

“No” on the criteria will automatically disqualify the bidder.

• The NCC may conduct site inspections in order to verify the nature and quality of

services offered by the service providers.

Table 4.

Availability of a fully equipped professional podcast Yes No

studio with audio and visual production capability

Studio aesthetics and cleanliness

Is the studio in a safe location? (Entering the facility must

be access controlled to meet the safety criteria)

Does the studio have professional microphones?

Does the studio have audio mixers?

Does the studio have professional cameras?

Does the studio have lighting equipment?

Does the studio have monitoring equipment?

7 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

6. Intellectual property and confidentiality

• All raw footage, edited content, audio recordings, graphics, and related materials

produced during the project shall remain the exclusive property of the NCC.

• The appointed service provider shall not publish, distribute, reuse, reproduce, or

use any footage or material produced for the NCC without prior written approval

from the NCC.

• The service provider shall maintain confidentiality regarding all information and

content produced during the project.

• The NCC reserves the right to use the content across all communication and

media platforms without limitation.

7. Duration of work

7.1. The project will consist of:

• Ten (10) podcast episodes; and

• Fifteen (15) total studio production hours.

7.2. The recording schedule will be agreed upon between the NCC and the appointed

service provider.

8.1. Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience in podcast or studio production services;

• Availability of a professional and fully equipped studio;

• Quality of previous work and portfolio submitted;

• Experience producing institutional or educational content;

• Technical capability and production quality;

• Cost-effectiveness of the proposal; and

• Understanding of consumer education and public communication.

8.2. Phase 4: Price and Specific Goals

8 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

• In terms of Regulation 6 of the Preferential Procurement Regulations pertaining

to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000 (Act ),

responsive bids will be adjudicated on the 80/20 preference point system.

Stage 1 - Price Evaluation (80 Points)

The following formula will be used to calculate the points for price:

Where

Ps = Points scored for the comparative price of the bid under consideration

Pt = Comparative price of a bid under consideration

Pmin = Comparative price of lowest acceptable bid

Stage 2 – Specific Goals Evaluation (20 Points)

Specific Goals Points allocation

A maximum of 20 points may be allocated to a bidder for attaining the specific goals in

accordance with the table below:

Specific Goals Number of Points

100% Black owned 6

51-99% Black owned 4

100% women owned 6

51% to 99% women owned 4

5% Youth Ownership 2

2% Owned by persons with disabilities 1

Exempt Micro Enterprise ( EME) 5

Qualifying Small Enterprise ( QSE) 3

Large Enterprise 0

9 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

Specific Goal points may be allocated to bidders on the submission of the following

documentation or evidence:

• A duly completed Preference Point Claim Form: Standard Bidding Document

(Sbd 6.1)

• Certified B-BBEE Certificate or Sworn Affidavit
• Certified CIPC Documents
• CSD Report

a. Joint Ventures, Consortiums and Trusts

i. A trust, consortium or joint venture, will qualify for points for their B-BBEE status

level as a legal entity, provided that the entity submits their B-BBEE status level

certificate.

ii. A trust, consortium or joint venture will qualify for points for their B-BBEE status

level as an unincorporated entity, provided that the entity submits their

consolidated B-BBEE scorecard as if they were a group structure and that such

a consolidated B-BBEE scorecard is prepared for every separate bid.

iii. Bidders must submit concrete proof of the existence of joint ventures and/or

consortium arrangements. The National Consumer Commission will accept

signed agreements as acceptable proof of the existence of a joint venture

and/or consortium arrangement.

iv. The joint venture and/or consortium agreements must clearly set out the roles

and responsibilities of the Lead Partner and the joint venture and/or consortium

party. The agreement must also clearly identify the Lead Partner, who shall be

given the power of attorney to bind the other party/parties in respect of matters

pertaining to the joint venture and/or consortium arrangement.

9. General conditions of contract

9.1. Any award made to a bidder(s) under this bid is conditional upon;

9.2. The bidder(s) accepting the terms and conditions contained in the General

Conditions of Contract as the minimum terms and conditions upon which the

National Consumer Commission is prepared to enter into a contract with the

successful Bidder(s).

10 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

10. Conditions of contract

• The NCC reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received.

• The NCC is not obliged to appoint the lowest bidder.

• The successful bidder will be expected to comply with all NCC procurement and

contractual requirements.

• Any award made to a bidder shall be subject to the General Conditions of Contract

and any other special conditions determined by the NCC.

11. Payment structure

11.1. Payment will be made upon submission of invoice(s), accompanied by an

itemised statement of account, covering all services rendered. Such payment

will be effected within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of the undisputed

invoice.

12. Confidentiality

12.1. The NCC will treat all relevant and available data and/or information provided

by the Service Provider with confidentiality. The Service Provider is not allowed

to discuss or make any information available to any member of the public, press

or other service provider/consultant or any other unauthorized person(s) except

as authorized by the Commissioner or his delegate.

13. Submission requirements

13.1. Interested service providers must submit:

• A company profile;

• A detailed proposal and quotation;

• Portfolio or links to previous podcast or studio production work;

• Proof of studio capability and available equipment;

• References from previous clients;

• Relevant compliance documentation.

11 | P a g e

Terms of reference for podcast production services for the national consumer commission

13.2. Interested service providers should submit their proposals on or before 08 July

2026 at 15h00. Quotations must be sent through to the address as stated below

or via the following email: [email protected].

14. Conclusion

14.1. The NCC seeks to partner with a professional podcast production service

provider capable of producing high-quality and impactful educational content

that advances consumer awareness and public education.

14.2. Through this initiative, the NCC aims to strengthen its digital communication

efforts and ensure that consumer education content remains accessible,

engaging, and informative to the public.

15. Contact information

For any enquiries regarding these Terms of Reference, please contact:

For technical enquiries:

Name: Mr. Phumlane Magubane

Position: Senior Manager: Stakeholder and Advocacy

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: (012) 065 2010

For SCM enquiries:

Name: Mr. Daniel Modiba

Position: SCM Officer: Supply Chain Management

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: (012) 065 1995

12 | P a g e