Stakeholder engagement assessment services for nrf – tender (national)

{"closingDate":"11 September 2026","closingTime":"13h00","briefingSession":"{"date":null,"time":null,"venue":null,"is_compulsory":false}"}

Compulsory Briefing Session: Yes. Venue: Online Session. Date: 11 September 2026, Time: 13h00-14h00. Link & Meeting ID: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/334258740383288?p=X88JFSwc8heIbk9auD. Meeting ID: 334 258 740 383 288. Passcode: 6jg9BK2j.

{"name":null,"email":"[email protected]","phone":null,"department":"of the National Research Foundation (NRF) based at the NRF Head","address":"A STAKEHOLDER"}

Returnable Documents: TAX COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS 6, BIDDER’S DISCLOSURE SBD 4 30, INVITATION TO BID (SBD 1), your CSD login details. Go to the ‘search by’ drop down menu. Select ‘tender number’.

Returnable documents include: SBD1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule), SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form), B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, tax compliance documentation, CSD detail report, company profile, and written references. Each member of a joint venture or consortium must submit separate SBD 1, 4 and 6.1 forms.

Bidders must meet all mandatory returnable document requirements in Stage 1, including completed and signed SBD1, SBD3.1, SBD4, SBD6.1 forms, valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs), tax compliance (CSD report/SARS PIN/tax certificate), CSD registration, company profile, and at least 3 reference letters meeting the minimum threshold. In Stage 2, bidders must meet mandatory functionality requirements: project team with specified qualifications and experience (PI with PhD in STI, 15 years' experience, 5 years' senior management; at least 2 other members with specified degrees and experience), a project design proposal addressing section A4, and at least 3 reports of similar work. Bidders must not be persons in the service of the state, companies with directors in the service of the state, or listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers. Bidders must be registered on CSD and be tax compliant. Foreign suppliers must answer the questionnaire in SBD1.

Appointment of a service provider to undertake a stakeholder

Engagement assessment in respect of nrf stakeholder contracts.

Attention – fraud alert

The NRF would never offer payment or any other consideration in return for the favourable

consideration of a bid. Please report any suspected acts of fraud or corruption to the following

toll-free number: 0

(“NRF”) as the juristic legal entity that will contract with the awarded bidder. Please visit the NRF website

(https://www.nrf.ac.za) for more information.

A2. Background of business advancement

Business Advancement (BA) is a cross-functional unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF) based at the NRF Head

Office. The business unit integrates and optimises the organisation’s impact, innovative partnering and fundraising drive,

working closely with other divisions. Business Advancement builds on the NRF’s strong network and partnership baseline,

at national, regional and international level, to enable collaboration opportunities in the science and innovation ecosystem.

A3. High-level bid requirements

Business Advancement (BA) Directorate is driving a stakeholder-centred approach aligned to the new organisational

structure and NRF strategic priorities. Partnerships provide a critical platform for resource mobilisation, fundraising, and

the co-creation of impactful research programmes across national, regional, and international platforms.

Engagement Framework and Strategy and a draft workplan (not more than 20 pages). The methodology must

clearly address the objectives mentioned in section A4.

section A4?

outlining the methodology to be used in

formulating the Stakeholder Engagement

(not more than 20 pages). The methodology

must clearly address the objectives mentioned

in section A4.

experience in conducting stakeholder analysis, mapping tools and/or related methodologies and evaluation of

national, regional and international programmes.

• The Principal Investigator (PI). The PI must have a minimum PhD qualification in any of the STI fields

with at least 15 years’ experience in research evaluation, programme evaluation or STI sector analysis.

The PI must demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior management or executive level

role relevant to the assignment. (Please provide the curriculum vitae (CV) and qualifications certificate

of the proposed lead individual).

• Other team members. Minimum 2 CVs of the other team members with at least 5 years’ experience

each must be included in the bidder response. Minimum 1 team member must have a master’s degree

qualification in STI, the other(s) can have minimum honours degree in STI.

projects. The bidder must demonstrate

profile?

experience in conducting stakeholder analysis,

mapping tools and/or related methodologies

and evaluation of national, regional and

international programmes.

in any of the STI fields with at least 15 years’

experience in research evaluation, programme

evaluation or STI sector analysis. The PI must

demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ experience

relevant to the assignment. (Please provide the

members?

curriculum vitae (CV) and qualifications

certificate of the proposed lead individual).

• Other team members

Minimum 2 CVs of the other team members

with at least 5 years’ experience each must be

included in the bidder response. Minimum 1

team member must have a master’s degree

qualification in STI, the other(s) can have

minimum honours degree in STI.

.

experience in conducting stakeholder analysis,

mapping tools and/or related methodologies.

a. Where either party has identified poor performance under this contract, both parties will meet and investigate the

matter to determine the root cause.

b. Both parties will agree to a correction plan and will implement it.

c. Both parties will monitor the corrective actions to ensure performance levels are at the agreed minimum.

d. Both parties will assess the applicability of penalties to the incurred poor performance and apply these,

[Sbd6.1] 33

Part c - contract conditions 39

E 1: special conditions of contract 51

Part d - pricing 60

Invitation to bid (sbd 1)

Bid number: NRF RIISA GEBA/20/2026-27

(Pricing Schedule) price offer for the services

offered?

minimum 3 reports of similar

The bidder must have at least 3 reports of

work done?

similar or related work done (including terms of

reference) within the period January 2016 to

date.

Has the bidder complied with all the mandatory evaluation criteria in this stage? Yes – pass to pricing NO- disqualified

Stage 3 – price and preference

Bids which meet the minimum requirements for Stage 2, will be evaluated on price and preference as follows –

cross casting in the Pricing schedule – SBD 3.1.

12.1 This may include providing a breakdown of rates or prices, or correction of arithmetical errors by the adjustment

of certain rates or item prices (or both).

with any competitor regarding the quality, quantity, specifications, pricing,

conditions or delivery particulars of the products or services to which this Bid

invitation relates.

– Evidence Section G - Reference

i.e. bidders that have proved that they can perform the contract at the set levels of performance, are considered

on the basis set out below:

Phase 1: Price competition between the eligible bidders, considering all aspects of pricing requirements on an

equal and fair comparison basis, equitable to all bidders. The NRF ranks prices from lowest to highest.

Phase 2: NRF applies preferential procurement between the eligible bidders as set out in the NRF’s

preferential procurement policy and its SCM Transformation Strategy available on the website and stated in

the standard bidding document 6.1 in this document.

Phase 3: The NRF ranks the combined scores, with the highest-scoring bidder receiving a notice of award and

a pending contract.

(Preferential Points Claim Form) the SBD 6.1 form? Has the bidder submitted a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit in order to claim B-BBEE points? BBBEE Certificate, or sworn affidavit confirming Where no B-BBEE annual turnover and level of black ownership, in Optional certificate or sworn affidavit the case of EMEs and QSEs has been submitted, 0 points will be allocated for preference Provision of B-BBEE Transformation Has the bidder submitted an Improvement Plan, if the Bidders B-BBEE Level Optional improvement plan for their business or company? is 4,5,6,7, 8 & non-Compliant Tax compliance documentation as per options Mandatory Is the tax status in the SBD 1 “compliant”/up to date on tax obligations (CSD report/SARS PIN/Tax certificate)? Central Supplier (service provider) Database Mandatory Has the bidder submitted a Detail Report valid Central Supplier Database Detail Report? Company profile Mandatory Has the bidder submitted a Highlighting previous work experience in similar business or company projects. The bidder must demonstrate profile? experience in conducting stakeholder analysis, mapping tools and/or related methodologies and evaluation of national, regional and international programmes. REFERENCES Has the bidder provided at least 3 reference letters (on client letterhead) including description of project and contact details (contact person name, email address and contact numbers) of similar work done, in the last 10 years, inWritten references Mandatory stakeholder analysis, mapping exercise or related studies (from January 2016 to date). Does the reference letter reflect the minimum threshold of “Meets requirements”? Does the conducted due diligence on the written references and/or contact details support that in the written references? STAGE 2 – FUNCTIONALITY REQUIREMENTS NOTE: Failure to submit evidence that the bidder meets the functional requirements specified in this section will result in disqualification. No second opportunity will be given to submit evidence not submitted, except in the case where there is no competition (i.e. one bid is received) and therefore no prejudice will be suffered by any other bidder. Functional Requirement Weight Evidence required (Mandatory/Optional) CONTRACT STAFFING Project team Mandatory The bidder must propose a project team inclusive of the following resources.

The Principal Investigator (PI). The PI must have a minimum PhD qualification in any of the STI fields with at least 15 years’ experience in research evaluation, programme evaluation or STI sector analysis. The PI must Has the bidder submitted demonstrate a minimum of 5 years’ experience CVs and Qualification in a senior management or executive level role Certificates for PI and other relevant to the assignment. (Please provide the members? curriculum vitae (CV) and qualifications certificate of the proposed lead individual).

Other team members Minimum 2 CVs of the other team members with at least 5 years’ experience each must be included in the bidder response. Minimum 1 team member must have a master’s degree qualification in STI, the other(s) can have minimum honours degree in STI. . The PI and team must have a cross team experience in conducting stakeholder analysis, mapping tools and/or related methodologies. And evaluating national, regional and international programmes. TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES FOR THIS CONTRACT (IF APPLICABLE) METHODOLOGY, PROJECT SCHEDULE, WORK PLAN Project design proposal Mandatory Has the bidder submitted a Proposal with reference to A comprehensive project design proposal section A4? outlining the methodology to be used in formulating the Stakeholder Engagement Framework and Strategy and a draft workplan (not more than 20 pages). The methodology must clearly address the objectives mentioned in section A4. Reports Mandatory Has the bidder submitted minimum 3 reports of similar The bidder must have at least 3 reports of work done? similar or related work done (including terms of reference) within the period January 2016 to date. HAS THE BIDDER COMPLIED WITH ALL THE MANDATORY EVALUATION CRITERIA IN THIS STAGE? YES – PASS TO PRICING NO- DISQUALIFIED STAGE 3 – PRICE AND PREFERENCE Bids which meet the minimum requirements for Stage 2, will be evaluated on price and preference as follows – CRITERIA POINTS PRICE 80 PREFERENCE 20 TOTAL POINTS FOR PRICE AND PREFERENCE 100

B-BBEE Details: ght Criteria Grading Scheme Document Reference BEC Verification

(Mandatory/Optional)

SBD1 Form Mandatory Has the bidder completed

the SBD 1 form?

(Invitation to Bid)

SBD 3.1 Form

Mandatory Has the bidder submitted its

(Pricing Schedule) price offer for the services

offered?

Has the bidder completed

the SBD 4 form?

SBD 4 Form

Has the bidder made any Mandatory

(Bidder’s Disclosure)

disclosure which would

preclude it from responding

to this bid?

SBD 6.1 Form

Has the bidder completed

Mandatory

(Preferential Points Claim Form) the SBD 6.1 form?

Has the bidder submitted a

valid B-BBEE certificate or

sworn affidavit in order to

claim B-BBEE points?

BBBEE Certificate, or sworn affidavit confirming

Where no B-BBEE

annual turnover and level of black ownership, in Optional

certificate or sworn affidavit

the case of EMEs and QSEs

has been submitted, 0

points will be allocated for

preference

Provision of B-BBEE Transformation Has the bidder submitted an

Improvement Plan, if the Bidders B-BBEE Level Optional improvement plan for their

business or company?

is 4,5,6,7, 8 & non-Compliant

Tax compliance documentation as per options Mandatory Is the tax status

in the SBD 1 “compliant”/up to date on

tax obligations (CSD

report/SARS PIN/Tax

certificate)?

Central Supplier (service provider) Database Mandatory Has the bidder submitted a

Detail Report valid Central Supplier

Database Detail Report?

Company profile Mandatory Has the bidder submitted a

Highlighting previous work experience in similar business or company

projects. The bidder must demonstrate

profile?

experience in conducting stakeholder analysis,

mapping tools and/or related methodologies

and evaluation of national, regional and

international programmes.

References

Has the bidder provided

thresholds as well as trigger points for penalties and/or bonuses in writing. Both parties sign the agreed performance levels and

append them to this contract.

levels in writing, sign and append to this contract.

“Offer” means a bid or quotation or a proposal.

“Output specification” means the listing of the functionality of the procured item or scope of works performs to

meet the objectives of the contract.

‘’QSE’’ means Qualifying Small Enterprise with an annual Total Revenue of between R10 million and R50

million.1.1

“Service provider” means the provider of goods, services, or/and works i.e. service provider, supplier,

consultant, specialist, contractor.

Should” means a choosing from a range of options.

“Singular/Plural” means in this document words in the singular also mean in the plural and vice versa unless

precisely stated.

“Specific Goals” means specific goals as contemplated in Section 2(1)(d) of the Act which may include

contracting with persons, or categories of persons, historically disadvantaged by unfair discrimination on the

basis of race, gender and disability including the implementation of programmes of the Reconstruction and

Development Programme as published in Government Gazette No. 16085 dated 23 November 1994.

“Will” is defined as the same meaning as “must”.

do not warrant its accuracy or completeness; make no representation, warranty, assurance, guarantee or

26.1

endorsements to any third parties concerning the document. The NRF has no liability towards the bidders in

connection therewith.

Bidders Due Diligence (PROCEDURAL RULE 10)

Minimum requirements: Bidders must submit: 1. Company profile highlighting previous work experience in similar projects, demonstrating experience in stakeholder analysis, mapping tools and/or related methodologies and evaluation of national, regional and international programmes. 2. A comprehensive project design proposal outlining the methodology and a draft workplan (not more than 20 pages). 3. A project team comprising: Principal Investigator with minimum PhD in STI fields, at least 15 years' experience in research evaluation, programme evaluation or STI sector analysis, and minimum 5 years' experience in senior management or executive level role; other team members with at least 5 years' experience each, minimum 1 with master's degree in STI, others with honours degree in STI. 4. At least 3 reports of similar or related work done (including terms of reference) within January 2016 to date. 5. At least 3 reference letters on client letterhead with project description and contact details of similar work done in the last 10 years.

c) The implementation of a monitoring and evaluation framework to continuously assess partnership effectiveness,

Stage 2 – functionality requirements

experience in research evaluation, programme

evaluation or STI sector analysis. The PI must

Preference points claim form in terms of the preferential procurement regulations

Quality of rendered Meets the agreed requirements Requirements are not X% of total invoice value

Stage 1 – submission of returnable documents and forms

NOTE: All mandatory criteria must be met to proceed to the next stage of evaluation. All SBD forms indicated as mandatory must be completed and signed by bidders. However, NRF may apply

one or more bidders a second and unfair opportunity to augment the quality (substantive) aspects of their bid.

(Preferential Points Claim Form) the SBD 6.1 form?

claim B-BBEE points?

points will be allocated for

preference

e functionality of the procured item or scope of works performs to

“Specific Goals” means specific goals as contemplated in Section 2(1)(d) of the Act which may include