Appointment of an adr agent for research on enforcement of alternative dispute resolution outcomes under the national credit act

Closing date: 05 November 2026 at 11:00 AM (strict)

• RFQ issue date: 27 October 2026
• Evaluation: 09 November 2026
• Appointment of supplier: 16 November 2026
• Project duration: 6 months from signing of SLA

Submission contact:

• Email: [email protected]
• Copy email: [email protected]

Physical address:

127 - 15th Road, Randjespark, Midrand

PO Box 209 Halfway House, 1685

Telephone: 011 554 2600

Website: www.ncr.org.za

Toll-free: 0860 627 627

Fraud hotline: 0800 20 53 17 (KPMG Ethics Line)

Submission method: email to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected].

• Closing time: 05 November 2026 at 11:00 sharp; late submissions will not be considered.
• Entire proposal, including all required documentation, must be in one email.
• Submission must reference the RFQ number NCR1050.10.2026 and be signed and dated in black ink, with each page initialled.
• Proposals must be valid for at least 60 days from the due date.
• Do not include documents relating to any other RFQ.
• Returnable forms:
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): serves as the offer cover page and must be completed and signed.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any state employment or connection to NCR staff; false declarations disqualify.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Point Claim Form): claims specific-goal points; non-submission results in zero points for those goals.
• Acceptance of the NCR General Terms and Conditions (Annexure B and B.1) must be confirmed.
• Proof of CSD registration (vendor number starting with MAAA) must be submitted.
• Failure to submit any required documentation may result in the bid being discarded.

Evaluation stages: functionality first, then price and specific goals.

• Functionality threshold: Bidders must score at least 70 out of 100 to proceed to price and specific goals evaluation.
• Functionality scoring (100% total):
• Company practical experience: 40% (score higher for more years in the South African credit industry or financial sector)
• Team experience: 30% (team leader must have a minimum of 5 years' research experience in the financial sector or credit industry, and a minimum degree)
• Methodology: 20% (work plan, understanding of scope, risk matrix)
• References: 10% (at least three reference letters from the financial sector or credit industry in South Africa, from the last 36 months, with contact details, and not from the same company or person)
• After functionality, price and specific goals are scored under the 80/20 system:
• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Specific goals scoring based on ownership:
• Black-owned SMMEs: 81%-100% = 7 points; 51%-80% = 5; 31%-50% = 3; 0%-30% = 1
• Women-owned SMMEs: 81%-100% = 7 points; 51%-80% = 5; 31%-50% = 3; 0%-30% = 1
• Disability-owned SMMEs: 50%-100% = 3 points; 30%-49% = 2; 0%-29% = 1
• Youth-owned SMMEs: 50%-100% = 3 points; 30%-49% = 2; 0%-29% = 1
• Evidence for specific goals must be attached: share certificates, stamped ID copies, sworn affidavits, B-BBEE certificates, proof of disability, CIPC documents. Points are only awarded based on evidence submitted.
• Evaluation committee may shortlist and request presentations with at least 2 days' notice.

Appointment of a service provider to act as ADR agent registered under the National Credit Act (NCA).

• The provider will undertake a comprehensive assessment of enforcement challenges affecting ADR mechanisms, and develop recommendations to strengthen the legal, institutional, and operational framework.
• Scope includes:
• Legislative review: assess adequacy of legislation on recognition and enforcement of ADR outcomes, interplay with court-annexed mediation and Ombud regime, feasibility of a CCMA-style national body, mapping of the private ADR market.
• Institutional assessment: review mandates and capacity of courts, arbitration centres, mediation institutions, government agencies, professional bodies.
• Operational assessment: types of disputes, consumer access, complaint volumes, enforcement procedures, administrative processes, timeliness, resource constraints, digital systems.
• Stakeholder analysis: consult judiciary, legal practitioners, arbitrators, mediators, ADR institutions, government, private sector, civil society, academic institutions, and credit providers.
• Comparative analysis: benchmark against regional and international best practices.
• Outputs:
• Project plan prior to kick-off meeting
• Inception report
• Draft report (executive summary, literature review, methodology, data analysis, conclusions, recommendations)
• Final report addressing draft comments
• Presentation of findings (overview, key data, stakeholder list)

Methodology (20% of functionality):

• Provide a work plan outlining how the work will be completed.
• Demonstrate understanding of the subject matter and expansion on key issues in the scope.
• Include a risk matrix identifying key project risks and corrective measures, e.g., how objectives will be assessed.
• Scoring: 5 (exceeds) to 1 (poor); 5 requires a detailed plan and risk matrix.

Company experience (40% of functionality):

• Provide number of years for each project in the South African financial sector or credit industry.
• Scoring: >8 years = 5; 4-7 years = 4; 2-3 years = 3; >1 year = 2; <1 year = 1.
• Team experience (30%):
• Team leader must have a minimum of 5 years' research experience in the financial sector or credit industry.
• Provide detailed CV of team leader; minimum degree required.
• Team members' competencies must be summarised.
• References (10%): at least three reference letters from the financial sector or credit industry in South Africa, from the last 36 months, with contact details, and not from the same company or person.

Only South African service providers, companies, or entities; promote employment of South African citizens.

• Must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD); vendor number starting with MAAA; submit proof of registration.
• Must provide written confirmation that SARS may disclose the bidder's tax compliance status during the contract tenure.
• Must accept the NCR General Terms and Conditions (Annexure B and B.1).
• Must sign and submit SBD 1, SBD 4.
• Must submit SBD 6.1 to claim specific goals points.
• Evidence of specific goals as per the preference point claim form.

Project duration: 6 months from signing of SLA.

• General Terms and Conditions of the NCR (Annexure B and B.1) apply; bidders must accept them.
• No other specific contract terms (termination, penalties) are stated in the document.

Functionality evaluation criteria (each scored 1-5):

• Company's practical experience: 40%
• Team experience: 30%
• Methodology: 20%
• References: 10%
• Minimum functionality score: 70 points to proceed.
• After functionality, price and specific goals are scored under the 80/20 system: price = 80 points, specific goals = 20 points.