Appointment of delivery channel partners (dcps) panel for spaza shop support fund infrastructure refurbishment

The Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF) is a Government initiative to improve the sustainability, competitiveness and compliance of township and rural spaza shops. The National Empowerment Fund (NEF), as implementing agent, seeks to appoint a panel of Delivery Channel Partners (DCPs) to implement infrastructure refurbishment projects for approved SSSF beneficiaries. The refurbishment programme includes structural repairs, roofing, painting, electrical and plumbing works, shelving, refrigeration, lighting, security systems, POS systems, signage and other approved infrastructure improvements. DCPs appointed to the Panel will receive approved beneficiary allocations within the geographic areas for which they are appointed. The objectives are to improve compliance with health, safety and municipal requirements, enhance trading environment and operational efficiency, improve customer experience and long-term sustainability, promote local economic participation, and deliver infrastructure projects efficiently through geographically allocated DCPs.

Closing date: 26 October 2026 at 14:00

No compulsory briefing or site visit is stated.

Possible presentation: bidders will be notified at least 4 days before the presentation date.

Bidders shall prepare for a possible presentation should NEF require such; bidders shall be notified thereof no later than 4 days before the actual presentation date.

Enquiries (all questions must be in writing):

• Contact: Kedibone Mboweni
• Role: Supply Chain Management
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27 11 305 8000
• Contact: Siziwe Zulu
• Role: Spaza Shop Support Fund
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

Submission emails:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]

Submission method: email only, in PDF format.

• Submission emails: [email protected] and [email protected]
• Closing: 26 October 2026 at 14:00. Late bids are not considered.
• Bids by telegram, telex, fax or similar are not accepted.
• All documentation must be in English.
• The bidder bears all costs of preparing and submitting the bid.
• Bids by juristic persons or partnerships must be signed by a person authorised by a board resolution; a certified copy of the resolution must accompany the bid.
• Bidders may be required to make a presentation; notice will be given at least 4 days before the presentation date.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted):

• Cover page showing the RFP reference number, bid description and bidder's name.
• Valid Tax Status Pin document.
• B-BBEE credentials / rating certificate.
• Valid CIDB Registration Certificate or CIDB CRS Registration Number (minimum Grade 1GB or higher).
• Names and details of senior management.
• Shareholders Certificate.
• Details of employees at operational level.
• Completed and signed bid document including annexures (Company Details, Declarations and Annexures).
• Copies of qualifications, identity documents and CVs of personnel who will execute the work.
• List of five (5) contactable references for similar projects, with client contact details and project information.
• Copies of any affiliations.
• CSD supplier number and unique registration reference number.
• Ownership percentages (by number and profit share) for Black, Black women and Youth ownership.

Disqualification risks:

• Missing or invalid Tax Status Pin document.
• Missing or invalid CIDB registration (below Grade 1GB).
• Omission of any required returnable document.
• Submission after the closing time.

The following returnables must be submitted: Cover Page (clearly indicating RFP reference number, bid description and bidder's name), valid Tax Status Pin document, BEE credentials/rating certificate, valid CIDB Registration Certificate or CIDB CRS Registration Number (minimum Grade 1GB or higher), names and details of Senior Management, Shareholders Certificate, details of employees at Operational Level, completed and signed bid document including annexures (Company Details, Pages 14 to 24 Declarations and Annexures).

Two-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Functionality (technical) evaluation. Minimum qualifying score: 70 out of 100.

Scoring scale for each criterion: 0 = No evidence/unacceptable; 1 = Very weak; 2 = Below average; 3 = Acceptable; 4 = Very good; 5 = Excellent.

Functionality criteria and weights:

• Relevant Experience and Track Record: 20 points. Evidence of successfully completed infrastructure refurbishment, maintenance, construction or fit-out projects within the last five years.
• Implementation Methodology and Work Plan: 20 points. Detailed methodology covering site verification, planning, procurement, implementation, project scheduling, quality management, reporting, beneficiary sign-off and handover.
• Geographic Delivery Capacity: 20 points. Organogram, fleet list, equipment list, branch information, resource allocation plan, operational footprint and evidence of ability to service the geographic areas applied for.
• Team Capacity and Technical Competence: 15 points. CVs, certified qualifications, trade certificates, professional registrations and proof of experience of key personnel.
• Compliance and Accreditation: 10 points. CIDB Registration (minimum Grade 1GB), COIDA Letter of Good Standing, Public Liability Insurance and specialist registrations.
• Local Economic Participation Plan: 5 points. Plan indicating utilisation of local labour, SMMEs, local suppliers and subcontractors.
• Contactable References: 5 points. Minimum five signed and contactable reference letters on client letterheads for similar completed projects.
• Reporting and Contract Administration: 5 points. Sample reports, reporting templates, project controls, contract administration process and quality assurance procedures.

Bidders must provide documentary evidence for each criterion; insufficient evidence may result in zero points for that criterion. The NEF may verify submitted information and contact references.

Stage 2 – Preference point system (80/20 or 90/10) applied to bids that pass functionality:

• 80/20 system: Price 80 points, Specific Goals 20 points.
• 90/10 system: Price 90 points, Specific Goals 10 points.

Specific goals points (80/20 / 90/10):

• 51% Black ownership: 10 / 5

• 30% Black Women's ownership: 5 / 3

• Any % of ownership by Black Designated Groups (>0): 1 / 0
• RDP objective – Promotion of SMMEs (EME or QSE): 2 / 2
• Youth ownership: 2 / 0

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF), as implementing agent of the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF), seeks to appoint a panel of Delivery Channel Partners (DCPs) to implement infrastructure refurbishment projects for approved spaza shop beneficiaries.

Scope of refurbishment includes (but is not limited to): structural repairs, roofing, painting, electrical and plumbing works, shelving, refrigeration, lighting, security systems, Point of Sale (POS) systems, signage and other approved infrastructure improvements.

Budget: up to R50 000 per beneficiary, inclusive of all costs (VAT, transport, delivery, supervision, project management, procurement, installation, contingencies, professional/specialist fees, testing, certification and defects liability period).

DCP responsibilities:

• Accept beneficiary allocations from the NEF within the allocated geographic areas.
• Conduct pre-implementation site visits to verify beneficiary details, measurements, premises condition and implementation constraints.
• Assess whether the approved intervention will enable compliance with health, safety and municipal requirements; implement reasonable adjustments within budget.
• Develop project implementation schedule, procurement plan and mobilisation strategy.
• Procure, deliver and install all approved infrastructure items and materials.
• Execute all approved refurbishment works in accordance with specifications and standards.
• Supervise works, manage subcontractors and ensure quality workmanship.
• Conduct final inspections, rectify defects, obtain beneficiary acceptance and hand over completed projects.
• Submit implementation reports, milestone reports, expenditure reports, completion certificates, beneficiary sign-offs and before-and-after photographs.
• Provide post-implementation support and rectify defects during the defects liability period.
• Specialist works (electrical, plumbing, refrigeration, security) may be subcontracted, but the DCP remains fully responsible; subcontractors must be qualified, registered and licensed.
• All works must comply with applicable legislation, municipal requirements, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable SANS standards, building regulations and electrical compliance requirements. Statutory inspections, certificates and approvals must be obtained and submitted as part of close-out.

Geographic coverage: bidders may bid for an entire province, an individual district, a metropolitan municipality, one or more local municipalities and/or a cluster. Bidders must indicate the geographic areas applied for and demonstrate sufficient operational capacity to service those areas. The NEF may appoint multiple DCPs within the same geographic area.

The DCP must follow a structured implementation approach: 1) Accept beneficiary allocations from the NEF. 2) Conduct pre-implementation site verification (verify details, measurements, premises condition, constraints). 3) Assess compliance with health, safety and municipal requirements; implement reasonable adjustments within budget. 4) Develop project implementation schedule, procurement plan and mobilisation strategy. 5) Procure, deliver and install all approved items and materials. 6) Execute refurbishment works per specifications and standards. 7) Supervise works, manage subcontractors, ensure quality. 8) Conduct final inspections, rectify defects, obtain beneficiary acceptance and hand over. 9) Submit required reports (implementation, milestone, expenditure, completion certificates, beneficiary sign-offs, before-and-after photographs). 10) Provide post-implementation support and rectify defects during the defects liability period. 11) Subcontract specialist works only if necessary, remaining fully responsible. 12) Ensure statutory compliance and obtain all required inspections, certificates and approvals.

Bidders must demonstrate relevant experience and track record (20 points) through evidence of successfully completed infrastructure refurbishment, maintenance, construction or fit-out projects within the last five years. Team capacity and technical competence (15 points) requires CVs, certified qualifications, trade certificates, professional registrations and proof of experience of key personnel, supervisors and project managers. Bidders must submit copies of qualifications, IDs and CVs of personnel who will execute the work. A minimum of five (5) signed and contactable reference letters on client letterheads for similar completed projects is required.

Quality management is addressed through the functionality criterion 'Reporting and Contract Administration' (5 points), which requires sample reports, reporting templates, project controls, contract administration process and quality assurance procedures. The DCP must supervise all refurbishment works, manage subcontractors and ensure quality workmanship throughout implementation.

Pricing submitted in response to this RFP will be considered as part of the establishment of the DCP Panel and for services subsequently allocated. Inclusion on the Panel does not guarantee any minimum volume or value of work. All pricing must be inclusive of the full cost of delivering the approved beneficiary intervention, including transport, supervision, installation, applicable specialist/subcontracted works, testing/certification and the defects liability period, unless specifically excluded. The 80/20 or 90/10 preference point system shall apply depending on the estimated value of the procurement, beneficiary allocation, package of work, or project instruction. Under the 80/20 system, price is allocated 80 points and specific goals 20 points; under the 90/10 system, price is allocated 90 points and specific goals 10 points.

Pricing must be inclusive of the full cost of delivering the approved beneficiary intervention, including transport, supervision, installation, applicable specialist/subcontracted works, testing/certification and the defects liability period, unless specifically excluded. VAT must be included where applicable.

Inclusion on the panel does not guarantee any minimum volume or value of work.

Preference point system: 80/20 or 90/10 depending on the estimated value of the procurement, beneficiary allocation, package of work or project instruction.

• 80/20 system: Price 80 points, Specific Goals 20 points.
• 90/10 system: Price 90 points, Specific Goals 10 points.

No bid security, guarantee, retention or payment terms are stated.

Mandatory registrations and documents:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration with National Treasury; submit CSD supplier number and unique registration reference number.
• Valid Tax Status Pin document (failure to submit renders the bid invalid).
• Valid CIDB registration of minimum Grade 1GB or higher.
• COIDA Letter of Good Standing.
• Public Liability Insurance.
• B-BBEE credentials / rating certificate, or sworn affidavit for EMEs/QSEs.
• Shareholders Certificate.
• Board resolution authorising the signatory (for juristic persons or partnerships).
• Copies of qualifications, IDs and CVs of key personnel.
• Details of senior management, employment equity at operational level, and ownership percentages (Black, Black women, Youth).

B-BBEE categories by annual turnover:

• EME: R10 million or less.
• QSE: between R10 million and R50 million.
• Generic/Large: above R50 million.

Specific goals for preference points (as listed in evaluation criteria).

B-BBEE size is determined by annual turnover: Exempted Micro Enterprises (EMEs) with turnover of R10 million or less, Qualifying Small Enterprises (QSEs) with turnover between R10 million and R50 million, and Generic/Large Enterprises with turnover exceeding R50 million. Specific goals for preference points: >51% Black ownership (10 points under 80/20, 5 under 90/10), >30% Black Women's Ownership (5 points under 80/20, 3 under 90/10), any % of ownership by Black Designated Groups >0 (1 point under 80/20, 0 under 90/10), Reconstruction Development Programme Objective: Promotion of SMMEs (Entities that are EME or QSE) (2 points under both systems), Youth ownership (2 points under 80/20, 0 under 90/10). Total points: 20 under 80/20, 10 under 90/10.

All refurbishment works must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, applicable SANS standards, building regulations and electrical compliance requirements. The DCP must assess whether the approved intervention will enable the beneficiary premises to comply with applicable health, safety and municipal requirements, and implement reasonable adjustments within the approved budget. COIDA Letter of Good Standing is required as part of compliance and accreditation evaluation.

The NEF reserves the right not to accept the lowest bid or any bid in part or in whole. The NEF reserves the right to appoint one or more successful bidders to the DCP Panel, in whole or in part, for one or more geographic areas. Appointment to the Panel does not guarantee allocation of any minimum number or value of beneficiaries, projects or work. The NEF reserves the right to withdraw this RFP at any stage with or without giving reasons. The RFP and the Bidder's response shall form part of any panel agreement, service level agreement or other agreement; in case of conflict, the applicable service level agreement or subsequent contractual instrument shall take precedence. Bids submitted by juristic persons or partnerships must be signed by a person duly authorized by a resolution of the board, a certified copy of which must be submitted. The Bidder's offer shall remain binding during the validity period. The Bidder confirms correctness and validity of its response, that prices and rates cover the services and requirements, and that any mistakes regarding prices, rates or calculations are at the Bidder's risk. The Bidder accepts full responsibility for proper execution and fulfillment of all obligations and conditions. The NEF will treat personal information as confidential in accordance with POPIA; by signing, the bidder consents to the use of their personal information as part of the bid process.

The NEF is entitled to amend any RFP conditions, validity period, specifications, or extend the closing date before the closing date; all bidders will be advised in writing of such amendments. The NEF may allocate beneficiary projects to one or more Panel DCPs within any geographic area based on programme demand, geographic coverage requirements, operational requirements and DCP performance. No Panel DCP shall have an exclusive right to a geographic area unless expressly stated in writing. Each beneficiary or project allocation shall be subject to the approved intervention, applicable budget, scope, pricing and contractual requirements communicated by the NEF. Panel DCPs shall not commence work outside an approved allocation or instruction issued by the NEF.

Bidders must submit a list of five (5) contactable references for similar infrastructure refurbishment, construction, maintenance or fit-out projects, including client contact details and project information. Copies of qualifications, identity documents and CVs of personnel who will execute the work must be attached. The following information must be provided: names and details of senior management, employment equity details of employees at operational level, percentage of ownership by number and profit share for Black ownership, Black women ownership and Youth ownership. A valid Tax Status Pin document must be included. Copies of any affiliations must be attached. Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide their CSD supplier number and unique registration reference number.

Bidders must score a minimum of 70 out of 100 points in technical functionality to qualify for further evaluation. Evaluation criteria and weights: Relevant Experience and Track Record (20 points) - evidence of successfully completed infrastructure refurbishment, maintenance, construction or fit-out projects within the last five years. Implementation Methodology and Work Plan (20 points) - detailed methodology covering site verification, planning, procurement, implementation, project scheduling, quality management, reporting, beneficiary sign-off and handover. Geographic Delivery Capacity (20 points) - organogram, fleet list, equipment list, branch information, resource allocation plan, operational footprint and evidence of ability to service the geographic areas applied for. Team Capacity and Technical Competence (15 points) - CVs, certified qualifications, trade certificates, professional registrations and proof of experience of key personnel. Compliance and Accreditation (10 points) - CIDB Registration (minimum Grade 1GB), COIDA Letter of Good Standing, Public Liability Insurance and specialist registrations. Local Economic Participation Plan (5 points) - plan indicating utilisation of local labour, SMMEs, local suppliers and subcontractors. Contactable References (5 points) - minimum five signed and contactable reference letters on client letterheads for similar completed projects. Reporting and Contract Administration (5 points) - sample reports, reporting templates, project controls, contract administration process and quality assurance procedures. Total 100 points. Bidders must provide documentary evidence supporting each criterion; where sufficient evidence is not submitted, the criterion may receive zero points. NEF reserves the right to verify submitted information and contact references.