Printing of metro ezasegagasini newspaper – 36-Month tender in kwazulu-natal

Closing date: Friday, 11 December 2026 at 11:00

Queries deadline: 23 November 2026 (email to [email protected])

Consolidated queries and answers published: 30 November 2026

No clarification meeting or briefing session.

General / contractual queries:

• Contact: Khanyi Mdluli
• Telephone: 031 322 9908
• Email: [email protected]

Technical queries:

• Contact: Nondumiso Mathomane
• Telephone: 031 311 4813
• Email: [email protected]

ESP (JDE system) queries:

• Contact: Lindo Dlamini
• Telephone: 031 322 7133 / 031 322 7153
• Email: [email protected]

ESP technical queries:

• Contact: Jabulani Chauke
• Telephone: 031 322 9535
• Email: [email protected]

Objections / appeals:

• Contact: Ms S. Pillay
• Postal address: P O Box 1394, Durban, 4000
• Email: [email protected]
• Objection fee: R6,131.00 incl. VAT paid to eThekwini Municipality FNB account 631 6574 6331, reference 36847-1A.

Submission method: sealed hard copy placed in the Tender Box, plus identical electronic copy via the eThekwini JDE System (ESP Module).

Hard copy address: Municipal Buildings, Ground Floor Foyer, 166 KE Masinga Road (Old Fort Rd), Durban.

Hard copy must be addressed to the City Manager, marked with tender number 36847-1A.

Electronic submission link: https://rfq.durban.gov.za/jde/E1Menu.maf

Valid only if hard copy is submitted; hard copy is the ruling version. Electronic copy must be identical; discrepancies invalidate the offer.

No fax, email, or posted tenders accepted. Late tenders returned unconsidered.

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

• Authority of Signatory: authorises the signatory to bind the bidder; attach board resolution (company) or power of attorney (JV).
• Tax Compliance Status PIN or original Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Declaration of Municipal Fees: declares municipal accounts in order or acknowledgements of debt; must include account numbers.
• Declaration with respect to Occupational Health and Safety Act: acceptance of OHS obligations.
• MBD 4 Declaration of Interest: discloses any relationship with municipal officials involved in evaluation.
• MBD 5 Declaration for Procurement Above R10 Million: required because contract value exceeds R10 million.
• MBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim: claims preference points; failure to submit means no preference points claimed.
• MBD 8 Declaration of Bidder's Past SCM Practices: certifies no abuse of supply chain management systems.
• MBD 9 Certificate of Independent Bid Determination: certifies no collusive tendering or price disclosure.

Also submit: valid CSD registration, proof of ownership or lease of printing facility, a sample newspaper, two reference letters, production plan, and audited financial statements if required (see financial section).

Evaluation stages in order:

1. Mandatory requirements: at least two years' experience in newspaper printing (two signed reference letters, not older than five years, on client letterhead), sample of a similar printed newspaper, proof of ownership or valid lease of printing facility and machinery, and a production plan demonstrating continuity during load shedding.
2. Site inspection: only bidders meeting all mandatory requirements are inspected; checklist verifies facility location (must be in eThekwini Municipal area), security (fire extinguishers, CCTV, access control), and facility features (secure loading area, shelving at least 150mm off floor, backup power, cleaning, storage).
3. Price and preference points: 80/20 system applies because contract value is R50 million or less.

Preference points (20) split 50/50 between two specific goals:

• Ownership goal (50% weighting): 0 points for 0% black ownership, 4 for >0% and <51%, 7 for >51% and <100%, 10 for 100%. Proof: CIPC registration, CSD report, B-BBEE certificate (or consolidated for JV/consortium/trust), JV/consortium/trust agreement.
• RDP goal promoting South African-owned enterprises (50% weighting): 0 if not in SA, 4 if in SA, 7 if in KZN, 10 if in eThekwini. Address taken from CSD or eThekwini Vendor Portal. Proof: CSD report, municipal fee statement, lease agreement, or B-BBEE sworn affidavit.

Price points (max 80) calculated per PPPFA formula. Highest total points recommended for award.

Scope: printing of the Metro Ezasegagasini newspaper for 36 months.

Mandatory experience: at least two years in newspaper printing.

Provide two signed reference letters (not older than five years) on client letterhead.

Provide a sample of a similar printed newspaper.

Proof of ownership or valid lease of printing facility and machinery.

Production plan must include continuity during power outages.

Site inspection verifies: facility located within eThekwini Municipal boundaries; portable, serviced fire extinguishers; CCTV; access control; secure loading area; shelving at least 150mm off floor; backup power; regular cleaning; adequate storage for completed production.

Delivery risk remains with supplier until delivery; unit price includes delivery to specified point.

Bidders must have at least two years' experience in the newspaper printing industry. Provide two signed reference letters, not older than five years, on the client's letterhead. Provide a sample of a similar printed newspaper and proof of ownership or valid lease of printing facility and machinery. A production plan demonstrating continuity during power outages is required.

Bidders may be required to provide samples of the full range of products for inspection. The site inspection checklist verifies facility quality aspects: secure loading/unloading area, shelving at least 150mm off floor, backup power systems, regular cleaning, and adequate storage for completed production. A sample of a similar printed newspaper must be provided during evaluation.

Pricing is on the Official Tender Form (Section 9) with a Bill of Quantities / Schedule of Rates in Section 8. Prices quoted in ZAR, net of discounts, with VAT shown separately. Unit prices are firm for each 12-month period. The contract is for 36 months. Tenderers must quote one price per item, which holds for the full contract period.

Pricing per Official Tender Form only; deviations disqualify. Prices in ZAR, net after discounts, excluding and including VAT shown separately. Unit prices fixed for contract, firm for each 12-month period.

Estimated quantities in Section 8 (Bill of Quantities / Schedule of Rates); supplier bound to supply actual quantities required, which may vary.

Tender validity: 120 days after opening, plus an additional 12 months unless bidder states otherwise in writing.

Withdrawal fee if withdrawing during validity: R1,000.

Payment only to supplier; factoring not accepted.

Municipality may require evidence of financial standing; if bidder is legally required to prepare annual financial statements, submit audited statements for past three years (or since establishment if younger).

The contract value triggers MBD 5 (procurement above R10 million), confirming it exceeds R10 million.

CSD registration mandatory for all bidders (each JV partner individually); supplier number (MAAA) required on tender form. Register at https://secure.csd.gov.za.

Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or Tax Clearance Certificate at time of closing; separate for each JV entity; failure to submit makes bid non-responsive.

No award to persons in service of the state (Regulation 44 SCM Regulations).

Municipal fees must be fully paid or acknowledgements of debt in place; signed Declaration of Municipal Fees with account numbers required, even for bidders outside eThekwini.

No state employees, directors, shareholders etc. (Regulation 44).

Bidders must accept an undertaking in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and relevant regulations. The site inspection checklist includes health and safety elements: portable fire extinguishers strategically placed and serviced, CCTV system, access-controlled system.

Contract term: 36 months. Tenders must remain valid for 120 days plus an additional 12 months. A contract form (MBD 7) will be signed with the successful bidder. Payments made only to the supplier; factoring not allowed. Municipality may terminate contract with immediate effect if Regulation 44 (state service) is breached. Appointments are subject to the municipality's standard conditions of contract (GCC and SCC).

Additional evaluation criteria are as per the standard evaluation process: mandatory requirements, site inspection, and price/preference points. Specific goals for preference points are detailed in the SCT: ownership (50% weighting) and promotion of South African-owned enterprises (50% weighting) with points assigned based on black ownership percentage and location respectively.