Provision of mayoral media slot (36 months) – tender in kwazulu-natal

Closing date: 18 November 2026 at 12:00.

Tender documents available for self-download from e-tender portal from 19 October 2026.

Tender validity period: 90 days after closing date.

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Dr SS Gumede
• Telephone: 034 9822 133 x 3203
• Email: [email protected]

Technical information:

• Contact: Mr N. Zulu
• Telephone: 034 9822 133 x 2277
• Email: [email protected]

SCM enquiries:

• Email: [email protected]

Submission address:

Abaqulusi Local Municipality

Corner of High and Mark Street

Vryheid, 3100

Tender box at ground floor.

Submission method: sealed envelope deposited in the tender box at the ground floor, Abaqulusi Local Municipality, corner of High and Mark Street, Vryheid 3100.

Closing time: 18 November 2026 at 12:00.

Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided (not re-typed) and on original documentation supplied by the municipality.

Envelope must be clearly marked: "PROVISION OF MAYORAL MEDIA SLOT, over 36 months. Tender NO: 8/2/1/647".

Late bids will not be accepted.

Tender documents are self-downloaded from the e-tender portal (www.e-tenders.gov.za) from 19 October 2026.

A non-refundable bid fee of R2,000 is payable in favour of AbaQulusi Municipality; for electronic copies (bidder prints the document), an administration cost of R1,500 is payable. Proof of payment must be attached to the bid.

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

• MBD 2 (Tax Clearance Certificate Requirements): original valid tax clearance certificate or SARS PIN must be submitted; certified copies are not acceptable.
• MBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule – Firm Prices): firm prices only, offer valid for 90 days from closing date.
• MBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any connection to persons in the service of the state.
• MBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims points for specific goals (previously disadvantaged individuals, local labour).
• MBD 7.1 (Form of Offer and Acceptance): contract form to be signed by the successful bidder.
• MBD 8 (Declaration of Bidder's Past SCM Practices): declares any past abuse of supply chain management, fraud, or contract termination.
• MBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies no collusive bidding.

Additional mandatory documents: proof of payment, detailed CSD registration report, valid company registration document, SARS PIN or tax clearance certificate, certified B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, certified current municipal account (water/electricity/rates) not older than three months or lease agreement, certified copies of ID documents of directors/owners.

Disqualification risks:

• Any MBD form not fully completed or omitted.
• Incomplete tender document.
• Bid not submitted on original documentation provided by the municipality.
• Bidder not registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Bidder or any director in the service of the state.
• Bidder is an advisor or consultant contracted with the municipality.
• Late submission.

Evaluation stages: completeness, responsiveness, functionality, then price and specific goals.

Preference point system: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals (previously disadvantaged individuals – 10 points, local labour – 10 points).

Functionality scoring (maximum 100 points):

• Audience Research & Broadcast Coverage (30 points):
• Proven primary signal coverage across Vryheid, eMondlo, Bhekuzulu & Louwsburg with audited listener stats (RAMS) > 100,000 listeners: 30 points.
• Coverage across main urban centres only (50,000 to 100,000 listeners): 20 points.
• Limited local coverage (<50,000 listeners): 10 points.
• No verified audience reach data: 0 points.
• Company Experience in Public Sector Communication (20 points):
• 5 or more signed reference letters/purchase orders from municipality or government department: 20 points.
• 3 to 4 signed reference letters: 15 points.
• 1 to 2 signed reference letters: 10 points.
• No reference letters: 0 points.
• Proposed Media Plan & Slot Scheduling Flexibility (20 points):
• Allocation of prime-time slots (morning peak 06:00–09:00 or afternoon peak 15:00–18:00) with live call-in capability and online live-streaming: 20 points.
• Off-peak slot allocation with live call capacity: 10 points.
• Pre-recorded slots only (no live call-in or interaction): 5 points.
• Technical & Production Capacity (20 points):
• Ability to broadcast in IsiZulu and English with professional studio facilities and mobile/outside broadcast (OB) unit for live town halls: 20 points.
• Studio-only broadcast capability in IsiZulu and English: 10 points.
• Single-language capability without OB unit: 5 points.
• Turnaround Time for Emergency Broadcasts (10 points):
• Immediate activation/broadcast within 2 hours of notice: 10 points.
• Broadcast within 6 to 12 hours of notice: 5 points.
• Turnaround time exceeding 24 hours: 0 points.

The municipality does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid, and reserves the right to accept any bid or part thereof.

Scope of work: integrated branding and media services for the mayoral media slot over 36 months.

Branding services:

• Development and/or refinement of brand strategy.
• Creation of brand collateral: logos, banners, signage, marketing materials.
• Design and layout of publications, brochures, posters, and presentations.
• Development of branding guidelines.
• Production and installation of branding material for events.
• Internal branding and municipal asset branding.

Media buying services:

• Development of media strategies and plans aligned to municipal campaigns.
• Buying of advertising space/time in radio, TV, print, digital, and outdoor platforms.
• Placement in community, regional and national media.
• Development and implementation of digital campaigns (social media, SEO, SEM).
• Monitoring, reporting, and analysis of media coverage and campaign performance.

Key deliverables:

• Branding and campaign concept proposals.
• Monthly reports on campaigns executed, performance, and reach.
• Media plans with estimated reach, value, and cost.
• Content calendar aligned to the municipality's communication strategy.
• Final artworks, videos, and media-ready content for all campaigns.
• Invoicing and proof of flighting/publication.

Additional requirements:

• Demonstrable capacity to handle multilingual campaigns where required.
• Compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Supply Chain Management regulations.

The service provider must deliver integrated branding and media services as described in the scope of work. Key deliverables include branding and campaign concept proposals, monthly reports, media plans, content calendar, final artworks/videos, and invoicing with proof of flighting/publication. The provider must demonstrate capacity to handle multilingual campaigns where required.

Preferred organogram and minimum qualifications:

• Project Lead / Account Director: NQF Level 7 in Communications, Journalism or Public Relations; at least 15 years' experience in journalism, communications, marketing, media liaison and branding; proven managerial experience.
• Media Buyer / Planner: NQF Level 6+ in Journalism or Public Relations; minimum 10 years' media/journalism experience across a variety of media.
• Creative Director / Lead Designer: NQF Level 7 or higher in Graphic Design, Fine Arts or Visual Communication; minimum 5 years' experience in graphic design.
• Graphic Designer: NQF Level 6 or higher in Graphic Design or Visual Communication.
• Finance Manager: NQF Level 7 in Accounting or Financial Management.
• Writer: NQF 6 or higher in Journalism, Public Relations or related fields; proven experience as a journalist or writer.

The GCC includes clauses on standards, inspection, tests and analysis, and warranty. No specific quality management system certification is required.

Pricing must be submitted on MBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule – Firm Prices). Only firm prices are accepted. The offer must be valid for 90 days from the closing date. All applicable taxes and delivery costs must be included in the bid price.

Pricing schedule (MBD 3.1): firm prices only; non-firm prices (including those subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered.

Offer must be valid for 90 days from the closing date.

All applicable taxes (including VAT) must be included in the bid price.

All delivery costs must be included in the bid price.

Non-refundable bid fee: R2,000 (or R1,500 for electronic copies) payable to AbaQulusi Municipality; proof of payment required.

No bid security, bond, or guarantee requirements stated.

Central Supplier Database (CSD): registration is mandatory; no award will be made to unregistered persons. A detailed CSD registration report must be submitted.

Tax compliance: bidders must be tax compliant and submit a SARS PIN or original tax clearance certificate (certified copies not acceptable). For consortia/joint ventures/sub-contractors, each party must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.

B-BBEE: a valid B-BBEE certificate (from a registered accountant) or original sworn affidavit (from a Commissioner of Oaths) is required to claim preference points.

Company registration: a valid copy of the company registration document must be submitted.

Municipal account: a certified current account for water/electricity/rates and taxes, not older than three months, or a lease agreement, must be submitted.

Identity documents: certified copies of ID documents of directors and owners must be submitted.

State service: no bids will be accepted from persons in the service of the state, or from entities where any director, manager, principal shareholder or stakeholder is in the service of the state, or from advisors/consultants contracted with the municipality.

Past practices: bidders must not be listed on the National Treasury's Database of Restricted Suppliers or the Register for Tender Defaulters, and must not have been convicted of fraud or corruption in the past five years.

Municipal arrears: bidders must not owe municipal rates/taxes in arrears for more than three months.

Foreign suppliers: must complete the pre-award questionnaire (Part B:3).

Municipal database: service providers should be on the municipal database; if not, database forms must be collected from the SCM office or downloaded from the municipal website (www.abaqulusi.gov.za) and submitted with the bid.

Preference points: 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals (previously disadvantaged individuals – 10 points, local labour – 10 points). Bidders must submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit to claim points.

No specific health and safety requirements are stated beyond the general GCC clauses.

The contract is subject to the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions. The successful bidder must sign a written contract form (MBD 7.1). The contract will be for a period of 36 months. The municipality reserves the right to withdraw the invitation, re-advertise, reject any bid, or accept part of it. The municipality does not bind itself to accept the lowest bid or the bidder scoring the highest points.

Bids must be submitted on official forms, not re-typed. Late bids will not be accepted. The tender is valid for 90 days after closing. Bids must be in a sealed envelope marked 'PROVISION OF MAYORAL MEDIA SLOT, over 36 months. Tender NO: 8/2/1/647' and deposited in the tender box at the ground floor, corner of High and Mark Street, Vryheid. The municipality reserves the right to withdraw, re-advertise, reject any bid, or accept part thereof.

Minimum requirements: proof of payment, detailed CSD registration report, valid company registration document, SARS PIN or tax clearance certificate, certified B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, certified current municipal account (water/electricity/rates) not older than three months or lease agreement, certified ID copies of directors/owners. No awards to persons not registered on CSD, in the service of the state, or with directors in state service. Bidders must complete all MBD forms, submit original documentation, and be on the municipal database.

Bids are evaluated initially on price (80 points) and specific goals (20 points). Also evaluated on completeness, responsiveness, functionality, then price and specific goals. Functionality scoring: Audience Research & Broadcast Coverage (30 points), Company Experience in Public Sector Communication (20 points), Proposed Media Plan & Slot Scheduling Flexibility (20 points), Technical & Production Capacity (20 points), Turnaround Time for Emergency Broadcasts (10 points).