Temporary employment services for etqa administrative support – 36 months

Publication date: 21 October 2026.

Enquiries deadline: 30 October 2026 (written to [email protected]).

Closing date and time: 11 November 2026 at 11:00am.

Briefing session: None (not compulsory).

Bid validity period: 120 days from closing.

No briefing session will be held for this bid. All enquiries must be submitted in writing by 30 October 2026.

Enquiries (both SCM and technical):

• Contact: Zanele Hlatshwayo
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: Not provided in document.

Submission channel:

• Method: Electronic portal
• URL: https://www.cathsseta.org.za/tenders

Fraud / corruption reporting (CATHSSETA Tip-off hotline):

• Toll-free: 0800 222 376
• WhatsApp: 0860 004 004
• Sms: 49017
• Email: [email protected]
• Online/chat: www.behonest.co.za

Submission method: Electronic only via CATHSSETA Tender Portal (https://www.cathsseta.org.za/tenders). No hard copies, hand-delivered, couriered, emailed or faxed submissions accepted.

Closing: 11 November 2026 at 11:00am (system timestamp is official).

Enquiries deadline: 30 October 2026, submitted in writing to [email protected].

Required uploads (clearly labelled): Technical Proposal, Pricing Proposal, Mandatory Documents — all in unlocked PDF unless Excel pricing schedule requested.

Returnable forms (all completed, signed and submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): offer cover page with bidder details and signature.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule): ceiling price only.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): declares state employment and relationships.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal points.
• SBD 7.2 Part 1 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services): contract acceptance.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC): acknowledged.

Mandatory supporting documents: Valid Tax Compliance Certificate with PIN (or CSD number), Valid B-BBEE Certificate or sworn affidavit, Company Registration Documents, CSD Summary Report (MAAA number).

Company profile on portal must be fully completed including CSD number before submission.

System generates confirmation email as proof of receipt; bids without it are not considered received.

Late submissions automatically rejected; bidders advised to start upload at least 24 hours before closing.

Two-stage evaluation:

1. Functionality (minimum qualifying score: 75/100). Bids below 75 are disqualified.

• Detailed methodology & implementation plan (15 points):

• 10 pts – fully responsive to all three elements (Performance Monitoring, Candidate Replacement Guarantee, Comprehensive Monthly Progress Reports).

• 5 pts – responsive to two elements.

• 0 pts – responsive to fewer than two.

• Experience & qualifications of project team (60 points):

• Project Manager/Lead (30 pts): 5+ years exp + NQF 7 = 30; 3–4 years = 15; 1–2 years = 5; <1 year = 0.

• Five Administrators (30 pts): all five with 5+ years SETA exp + NQF 6 = 30; all five with 3+ years = 15; not all meet 3 years = 0.

• Experience with similar projects (30 points):

• 5+ reference letters with purchase orders = 30; 3–4 = 20; 1–2 = 10; none = 0.

• References must be on client letterhead, ≤5 years old, accompanied by relevant Purchase Order (missing PO invalidates reference).

2. Price & Specific Goals (80/20 preference point system – estimated value ≤ R50 million):

• Price: 80 points (lowest acceptable tender formula).
• Specific Goals: 20 points allocated as:

• Black People Ownership ≥51%: 8 pts.

• Black Women Ownership ≥30%: 4 pts.

• Black Youth Ownership ≥30%: 4 pts.

• People with Disability Ownership ≥20%: 4 pts.

• Failure to submit proof for claimed goals = zero points for specific goals.

Final award: highest total adjudication points; CATHSSETA may negotiate price or split award.

Procurement: Temporary Employment Services (TES) provider to source, recruit, appoint and manage temporary administrative personnel for CATHSSETA's ETQA unit for 36 months.

Scope – support delegated QCTO quality assurance functions:

• Accreditation, Monitoring, Verification, Registration of ETD Practitioners, Certification.
• Maintain Learner Management Information System (CIMS).
• Upload learner data to National Learner Records Database (NLRD).
• Manage DQP and AQP functions.

Specific tasks:

• Coordinate qualification development meeting logistics within assigned sub-sectors.
• Filing and recordkeeping of qualification development documentation.
• General administrative tasks in ETQA Unit.
• Match and batch stakeholder invoices.
• Assist with preparation of external integrated summative assessments.
• Capture external integrated summative assessment learner results.
• Distribute learner certificates to Skills Development Providers.
• Complete daily attendance registers and capture daily activities on provided reporting template.

Deliverables:

• Monthly performance reports (candidate performance & attendance) on standardised template.
• Candidate replacement guarantee: suitable replacement within 10 working days of resignation/underperformance.
• Comprehensive monthly progress reports from qualification development activities.

Team requirements:

• Project Manager/Lead: 5+ years work experience; minimum NQF Level 7 qualification in Project Management, Public Administration, Management, Business Administration or Social Science (CVs + certified qualifications).
• Five Administrators: each with 3+ years experience in SETA environment; minimum NQF Level 6 qualification in Public Administration, Management, Business Administration or similar; administration experience (CVs + certified qualifications).

Track record: 5 similar projects within last 5 years; 5 written reference letters on client letterhead with contactable reference; each accompanied by relevant Purchase Order (missing PO invalidates reference).

Tools of trade: Service provider must supply 5 laptops with chargers and data cards for administrators.

Contract period: 36 months.

Bidder must submit a detailed project proposal with clear methodology and implementation plan responsive to the scope of work. The methodology must address three elements: Performance Monitoring, Candidate Replacement Guarantee, and Comprehensive Monthly Progress Reports. Evaluation scores 10 points for full responsiveness to all three, 5 for two, 0 for fewer than two.

Project Manager/Lead: Minimum 5 years' work experience; NQF Level 7 or higher qualification in Project Management, Public Administration, Management, Business Administration or Social Science. CVs and certified copies of qualifications required.

Five Administrators: Each with minimum 3 years' experience in SETA environment; NQF Level 6 or higher in Public Administration, Management, Business Administration or similar; administration experience. CVs and certified qualifications required.

Track record: Five similar projects within last 5 years; five written reference letters on client letterhead with contactable reference; each accompanied by relevant Purchase Order (missing PO invalidates reference).

Quality assurance context: Service provider supports ETQA unit in executing QCTO-delegated functions (accreditation, monitoring, verification, ETD practitioner registration, certification, learner data management via CIMS/NLRD, DQP/AQP management).

Quality deliverables: Monthly performance reports on standardised template; candidate replacement within 10 working days; comprehensive monthly progress reports on qualification development activities.

Quality expectation: Daily attendance registers and activity capture for all administrators; proper filing and recordkeeping of qualification development documentation.

Bidders must provide a signed costing proposal on company letterhead, inclusive of all applicable taxes (VAT). The costing model must indicate all costs including tools of trade (five laptops with chargers and data cards). Ceiling price to be entered on SBD 3.3; detailed pricing proposal on letterhead. Files uploaded as unlocked PDF unless Excel template requested.

Pricing format: Signed costing proposal on company letterhead; all prices inclusive of VAT and all applicable taxes.

Costing model must detail all costs including tools of trade (5 laptops, chargers, data cards).

Ceiling price entered on SBD 3.3; detailed pricing proposal on letterhead.

Preference point system: 80/20 (Price 80, Specific Goals 20) – estimated contract value ≤ R50 million.

No bid security, performance bond, guarantee, retention or specific payment terms stated in document.

Eligibility & mandatory compliance:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration: MAAA number required; CSD Summary Report must be submitted.
• Tax compliance: Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or printed TCS certificate; if no PIN, CSD number accepted. Consortia/JV/sub-contractors: each party submits separate TCS PIN/certificate/CSD number.
• B-BBEE: Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS accredited) or sworn affidavit (EMEs/QSEs) required to claim preference points.
• Company registration documents (CIPC).
• No bids from persons in service of the state, companies with directors in state service, or close corporations with members in state service.

Returnable forms (compressed):

• SBD 1 – Invitation to Bid (signed offer).
• SBD 3.3 – Pricing Schedule (ceiling price).
• SBD 4 – Bidder's Disclosure (state employment/relationships).
• SBD 6.1 – Preference Points Claim (specific goals).
• SBD 7.2 Part 1 – Contract Form (services).
• General Conditions of Contract (acknowledged).

Specific goals thresholds for points:

• Black People Ownership ≥51% (8 pts).
• Black Women Ownership ≥30% (4 pts).
• Black Youth Ownership ≥30% (4 pts).
• People with Disability Ownership ≥20% (4 pts).

Preference points for specific goals (20 points total under 80/20 system):

• Black People Ownership ≥51%: 8 points.
• Black Women Ownership ≥30%: 4 points.
• Black Youth Ownership ≥30%: 4 points.
• People with Disability Ownership ≥20%: 4 points.

Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS) or sworn affidavit (EME/QSE) must be submitted to claim points. Failure to submit proof = zero specific-goal points.

Contract period: 36 months from award.

Successful bidder must sign SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services).

CATHSSETA rights: may enter price negotiations; award whole or part of contract to one or more providers; reject all bids; consider or decline non-conforming bids; request further administrative information after closing; cancel tender or any part at any time.

Fraud & corruption: zero tolerance; no SCM official or committee member may solicit payments/gifts; bidders must report suspicious approaches to Tip-off hotline (0800 222 376, WhatsApp 0860 004 004, SMS 49017, [email protected], www.behonest.co.za).

Bid rejection grounds: proven corrupt/fraudulent act in competing; abuse of SCM systems; proven fraud/improper conduct; previous contract failure with proof. National Treasury informed of such actions.

Adjudication: Bid Adjudication Committee reviews BEC recommendations; final recommendation to Approval Authority. Award generally to highest total points; deviation only in exceptional, justified circumstances compliant with PPPFA.

Mandatory administrative requirements: CSD registration (MAAA number); valid SARS Tax Compliance PIN or certificate (or CSD number); B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit for preference points; company registration documents; no state-employed directors/members; consortia/JV parties each submit separate tax compliance. All returnable forms (SBD 1, 3.3, 4, 6.1, 7.2 Part 1, GCC) completed and signed. Electronic submission via portal only; files in unlocked PDF, correctly labelled.

Covered in main evaluationCriteria section. No additional criteria beyond functionality (75/100 minimum) and price/specific goals (80/20).