Supply and management of cellular and data contracts for the east london industrial development zone soc ltd

RFP available for download: 7 August 2026 at 12:00.

Closing date: 2 September 2026 at 12:00.

Written questions deadline: 14 August 2026 at 16:00.

Responses to questions sent by: 18 August 2026 at 15:00.

Project commencement: December 2026 after signing the service level agreement.

No briefing session.

No briefing session. Tenderers are encouraged to submit written questions by email to Zandile Mtebele at [email protected] on or before 14 August 2026 at 16:00. Responses will be sent not later than 18 August 2026 at 15:00.

Queries: Zandile Mtebele

Email: [email protected]

Tel: (043) 702 8200

Fax: (043) 702 8251

Submission address: online at https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za

Submit online at https://tenderportal.elidz.co.za before 12:00 on 2 September 2026.

• Envelope A (Technical Proposal) must contain: completed and signed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook, CSD report, valid tax clearance certificate or SARS PIN, B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, company profile, proof of office location, three reference letters (Annexure 2), detailed proposed solution, and JV documentation if applicable.
• Envelope B (Financial Proposal) must contain the price schedule and proposed solution costing.
• E-mailed, faxed, late, or incomplete proposals will not be considered.
• Any contact with ELIDZ staff or the adjudication team that could be seen as a conflict of interest, bribe, or influence will result in immediate disqualification.
• Queries must be in writing to the Project Manager only within one week of the briefing session (no briefing session is held).
• Misrepresentation, especially regarding HDI involvement, will lead to disqualification.

Supporting documentation to be submitted with Envelope A - Technical Proposal includes: Accredited Valid Original or Certified B-BBEE Certificate or Letter from an Accountant confirming Annual Turnover for EMEs - Sworn Affidavit confirming annual turnover and B-BEE management split; Company Profile; Valid Proof of Office Location (Municipality Bill or Lease agreement); Three (3) Completed Reference Letters (Annexure 2); Detailed proposed Solutions. Compulsory documentation includes: Completed and Signed ELIDZ Procurement Handbook with all relevant supporting documentation; CSD Report; Valid Tax Clearance Certificate or SARS PIN; JV Participation Documentation (if applicable).

Two-stage evaluation:

1. Functionality (technical proposal) – minimum 80 out of 100 points to proceed.

• Proposed solutions (detailed specification and brochures): 70 points for meeting minimum requirements including comprehensive insurance and 500-minute closed user group; 0 if not met.
• Management portal for detailed reports: 5 points if provided; 0 if not.
• Multi-sim cards, sim-swaps, delivery, and warranty: 5 points if provided; 0 if not.
• Service provider expertise and resources: 15 points for three or more similar contracts in past five years (three reference letters); 10 points for two contracts (two letters); 5 points for one contract (one letter); 0 for none.
• Service provider quality of work: 15 points for a total rating of at least 6 out of 10 from three reference letters; 10 points for at least 6 out of 10 from two letters; 5 points for at least 6 out of 10 from one letter; 0 for no rating of at least 6 out of 10.

2. 80/20 preference points system: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals.

• Price points formula: Ps = R x (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin), where R is a maximum of 80.
• Specific goals points: 10 points for 51%+ Black-owned; 5 points for 25-50% Black-owned; 5 points for Eastern Cape-based suppliers; 1 point for 51%+ youth-owned; 1 point for 51%+ Black women-owned; 3 points for SMMEs (EME or QSE).
• Contract awarded to the tenderer with the highest total points, subject to justifiable grounds for deviation.

Scope: supply and management of 239 cellular and data contracts and associated services for 24 months.

Package requirements:

• Package 1 (4 units): unlimited anytime minutes, 50GB data, 150 SMS.
• Package 2 (45 units): 750 minutes, 30GB data, 150 SMS.
• Package 3 (70 units): 750 minutes, 20GB data, 150 SMS.
• Package 4 M2M (80 units): 0 minutes, 500MB data, 50 SMS.
• Package 5 M2M (15 units): 0 minutes, 0 data, 1000 SMS.
• Data 1 Top Up (25 units): 0 minutes, 20GB data, 0 SMS.

Minimum anytime minutes and data bundles must be met for all packages; SMS bundles must fall within the specified range.

All employee numbers to remain the same; numbers ported if applicable.

Handsets:

• Package 1: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra 5G (Dual Sim) 256G or equivalent.
• Package 2: Samsung Galaxy S26 5G Ultra 256Gb or equivalent.
• Package 3: Samsung Galaxy A57 5G 256GB or equivalent.
• No handsets for Package 4, Package 5, or Data 1.

Loan handsets required for emergencies or repairs.

Multi-data SIM cards: two per contract for packages 1 to 3.

Delivery: all SIM cards, handsets, and accessories delivered to site at no charge.

Warranty: 24 months on all handsets and accessories.

SIM swaps: service provider must provide when required.

Comprehensive insurance: included in contract price for all handsets for 24 months; replacement device of same value.

Closed user group: all contracts in a closed user group; minimum 500 free anytime minutes per contract within the group.

Clip and itemised billing: required for packages 1 to 4.

Management portal: ELIDZ requires access to a portal to manage all contracts.

Project management deliverables: Project Initiation Document, Project Kick-off Meeting, Project Close-out Report.

Reporting and training: monthly meeting with summary printed report of previous month's usage per contract; variation report for changed contracts; electronic CSV report; technical and user training for the project duration.

Proposed solution must include:

• Detailed package options, quantities, and handsets.
• Comprehensive insurance cover details.
• Management portal solution including interface screenshots.
• Handling of multi-sims.
• Closed user group details.

Project management deliverables: Project Initiation Document, Project Kick-off Meeting, Project Close-out Report.

Monthly meetings: summary printed report of previous month's usage per contract; variation report for contracts that changed; electronic CSV report.

Technical and user training required for the project duration.

Company profile: overview and organogram for the team allocated to this project, with roles, responsibilities, and supporting CVs.

References: minimum three reference letters relevant to this tender, completed on Annexure 2, stamped/signed by the reference entity. ELIDZ may verify references.

Experience: functionality evaluation awards points for managing similar contracts in the past five years: 15 points for three or more contracts (three reference letters), 10 points for two contracts (two letters), 5 points for one contract (one letter), 0 for none.

Quality of work: points for a total rating of at least 6 out of 10 from reference letters: 15 points for three letters, 10 points for two, 5 points for one, 0 for no rating of at least 6 out of 10.

Price schedule and proposed solution costing must be submitted in Envelope B (Financial Proposal).

Tender price firm for 90 days after closing date.

Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

No price revision without prior mutual agreement and official contract modification.

Payment: maximum 30 days from receipt of a complete claim (original invoices, covering letters of approval where applicable, statement of accounts).

Payment milestones: monthly over 2 years according to the SLA commencement date.

Tender price firm for 90 days after closing date.

Prices in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

No price revision without prior mutual agreement and official contract modification.

Payment: maximum 30 days from receipt of a complete claim, which requires original invoices, original covering letters of approval where applicable, and statement of accounts.

Payment milestones: monthly over 2 years according to the service level agreement commencement date.

CSD registration: mandatory; tenderers must be registered on the CSD database from National Treasury.

Tax compliance: valid tax clearance certificate or SARS PIN required at submission; successful bidder must remain tax compliant for the entire contract duration.

B-BBEE: submit a valid original or certified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency (for generic suppliers) or a sworn affidavit confirming ownership and turnover (for QSEs and EMEs). Failure results in zero preference points. EMEs with turnover under R10 million are automatically level 4; if more than 50% Black-owned, level 2; if 100% Black-owned, level 1. Non-accredited certificates not accepted. ELIDZ may verify credentials independently.

Proof of office location: municipality bill or lease agreement (for Eastern Cape-based status).

Reference letters: minimum three, completed on Annexure 2, stamped/signed by the reference entity.

Company profile: overview and organogram with CVs for the allocated team.

Joint ventures: certified copy of JV agreement, authorisation certificates, and each party must complete Annexure A with profit-sharing percentages.

Authority to sign: board resolution for companies; proof of authority for individuals.

POPIA: bidder consents to ELIDZ processing personal information for tender assessment and contracting.

Confidentiality agreement: successful bidder must enter into one.

Supplier development plan: required if contract value exceeds R5 million for the same goods/services on a consecutive basis.

B-BBEE is a specific goal in the 80/20 preference points system, contributing up to 20 points.

Points allocation: 10 points for 51%+ Black-owned; 5 points for 25-50% Black-owned; 1 point for 51%+ youth-owned; 1 point for 51%+ Black women-owned; 3 points for SMMEs (EME or QSE).

Returnable documents: SANAS-accredited B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs); CSD report for youth and women-owned; municipality bill or lease for Eastern Cape-based.

EMEs with turnover under R10 million: automatically level 4; if more than 50% Black-owned, level 2; if 100% Black-owned, level 1.

Non-accredited B-BBEE certificates not accepted.

ELIDZ may verify B-BBEE credentials through an independent agency.

Unincorporated joint ventures must submit a consolidated verified B-BBEE certificate.

Before starting work, service providers must undergo ELIDZ SHE induction and produce a SHE file for approval containing:

• Project-specific Safety, Health & Environmental (SHE) risk assessments (including activity-specific risks, risks to ELIDZ, and risks from ELIDZ).
• SHE plans and safe work procedures (e.g., waste management plans, fall protection plans).
• Emergency preparedness plans with relevant emergency contact information.
• List of applicable PPE and PPE issue register.
• List of chemicals and Material Safety Data Sheets.
• Letter of good standing with Workman's Compensation (where applicable).
• Applicable legal appointments.
• Requisite training/competency certificates.
• Medicals as applicable (e.g., for working at heights).
• Applicable certifications and/or registrations from relevant authorities.

The SHE file must also include a copy of the scope of work and copy of appointment.

Contract duration: 24 months.

Service level agreement: successful tenderer must enter into a written SLA based on the draft in Section C, incorporating Sections A and B.

Modification of terms: must be mutually agreed and in writing.

Set-off: ELIDZ may set off any liability of the service provider against amounts due under the contract.

Tax compliance: successful bidder must remain tax compliant for the entire contract; failure may result in ELIDZ procuring outside the contract and recovery of damages.

Supplier development plan: required if contract value exceeds R5 million for consecutive same goods/services.

Local content: ELIDZ may impose local production and content thresholds as per dti standards.

Inadequate performance: if service levels are inadequate, ELIDZ will issue a written notice; service provider has 14 days to remedy; failure allows ELIDZ to cancel and recover costs.

Confidentiality: successful tenderer must enter into a confidentiality agreement.

POPIA: bidder consents to ELIDZ processing personal information; ELIDZ undertakes to protect data and not share without authorisation.

ELIDZ rights: may accept the complete tender or only specific areas of work; may split the award; not obligated to accept the lowest or any proposal.

Modification of terms of reference must be mutually agreed and in writing.

All prices inclusive of VAT unless otherwise stated.

All services must comply with pertinent laws and policies of government.

ELIDZ may set off any liability of the service provider against amounts due.

Successful bidder must remain tax compliant for the entire contract duration; failure may result in ELIDZ procuring outside the contract and recovery of damages.

If contract value exceeds R5 million for consecutive same goods/services, successful bidder must submit a supplier development plan for SMMEs.

ELIDZ may impose local production and content thresholds as per dti standards.

Inadequate performance: ELIDZ will issue a written notice; service provider has 14 days to remedy; failure allows ELIDZ to cancel and recover costs.

Disqualification: any contact with ELIDZ staff or adjudication team that could be seen as a conflict of interest, bribe, or influence will result in immediate disqualification. Queries must be in writing to the Project Manager only. Misrepresentation, especially regarding HDI involvement, will lead to disqualification.

POPIA: bidder consents to ELIDZ processing personal information; ELIDZ undertakes to protect data and not share without authorisation.

ELIDZ reserves the right to negotiate, modify the RFP, reject proposals, disqualify late or non-conforming proposals, split the award, make no award, or not award to the highest scoring bidder if objective criteria justify another award.

Tenderers must be registered on the CSD database.

All tenders must be signed by an authorised individual; proof of authority (e.g., board resolution) must be attached.

For joint ventures: certified copy of the JV agreement defining conditions, duration, and participation; authorisation certificate from each party; each party must complete Annexure A with profit-sharing percentages.

Tenderers must satisfy themselves as to the correctness and sufficiency of their tender.

All tenderers are deemed to have waived any terms and conditions printed on their stationery that conflict with the tender.

Two-stage evaluation: functionality (minimum 80/100) then 80/20 preference points.

Functionality matrix:

• Proposed solutions (detailed specification and brochures): 70 points for meeting minimum requirements including comprehensive insurance and 500-minute closed user group; 0 if not met.
• Management portal for detailed reports: 5 points if provided; 0 if not.
• Multi-sim cards, sim-swaps, delivery, and warranty: 5 points if provided; 0 if not.
• Service provider expertise and resources: 15 points for three or more similar contracts in past five years (three reference letters); 10 points for two contracts (two letters); 5 points for one contract (one letter); 0 for none.
• Service provider quality of work: 15 points for a total rating of at least 6 out of 10 from three reference letters; 10 points for at least 6 out of 10 from two letters; 5 points for at least 6 out of 10 from one letter; 0 for no rating of at least 6 out of 10.

Preference points: 80 points for price; 20 points for specific goals (Black ownership, Eastern Cape location, youth, women, SMMEs).