Transaction advisor for non-revenue water reduction: bankable feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, financial modelling and pbc procurement documents — mogale city, lesedi, merafong city and rand west city local municipalities (RFP178/2026)

Employer's Agent / enquiries

• Name: Mr Vusi Kunene
• Role: Employer's Agent, Development Bank of Southern Africa
• Email: [email protected]
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: (011) 313 3409
• Fax: (011) 206 3409

Submission link requests

• Email: [email protected] (only)

Issuing office address

Water Partnerships Office (WPO)

C/O Development Bank of Southern Africa Limited

1258 Lever Road

Headway Hill

Midrand

Johannesburg

Gauteng Province

Submission address

• Electronic Tender Box: OneDrive submission link issued by the DBSA SCM Unit

Note

• Verbal information from the Employer's Agent before the closing time is not binding; only written information issued formally by the Employer amends the tender documents.

Submission method

• Electronic submission only, through a OneDrive link issued by the DBSA SCM Unit.
• Request the submission link by email to [email protected], quoting RFP178/2026 in the subject line, at least three (3) working days before the submission day.
• Link requests close at 16:00 on 13 November 2026; requests received after that time will be disregarded.
• Tenders not submitted through the issued electronic link, or received late, will not be evaluated.
• Telegraphic, telephonic, telex and facsimile tenders are not accepted.
• Tenders may only be submitted on the documentation issued by the DBSA.

Packaging — two separate electronic folders

• Folder 1: pre-qualifying and functionality proposal documents.
• Folder 2: financial proposal only.
• Failure to follow the two-envelope process is a disqualifier.

Returnable documents (complete in black ink, sign and submit)

• Cover pages to the returnable documents.
• Schedule T2.2.0: Declaration of Attendance of Briefing Session.
• Schedule T2.2.1: Record of Addenda to Tender Documents.
• Schedule T2.2.2: Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire, with company registration documents; separate questionnaires for each JV, consortium or association partner.
• Schedule T2.2.3: copy of the Joint Venture, Association or Consortium Agreement with company profiles.
• Schedule T2.2.4: SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN.
• Schedule T2.2.5: proof of the Lead Tenderer's Professional Indemnity Insurance cover.
• Schedule T2.2.6: Proposed Methodology and Approach.
• Schedule T2.2.7: Tenderer's experience and track record on similar work.
• Schedule T2.2.8: experience of the proposed Key Resources / Experts.
• Schedule T2.2.9: Lead Tenderer's Quality Management policies.
• C1.1: the offer portion of the Form of Offer and Acceptance.
• C1.2: Contract Data (Parts 1 and 2).
• C1.3: Occupational Health and Safety Agreement.
• C2.1: Pricing Assumptions.
• C2.2: Time-Based Fees.
• C2.3 to C2.5: Pricing Data / Price Schedules.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) and SBD 6 (Preference Points Claim) issued by National Treasury.
• CSD Summary Report, COIDA letter of good standing, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, and proof of professional body registration.
• A signed declaration by all parties that the team assessed for functionality will remain in place until the end of the contract period.

Disqualification risks

• No attendance at the compulsory briefing session.
• Non-adherence to the two-envelope process.
• Offer not submitted on the bound Form of Offer and Acceptance (C1.1), or submitted unsigned, or with the tenderer's name missing or illegible.
• Tender not completed in non-erasable ink.
• Any returnable document omitted.
• Late submission or submission outside the issued electronic link.
• Tender offers are not opened in the presence of tenderers' agents.

Evaluation method

• Method 4: Financial offer, Quality (Functionality) and Preference, aligned to the PPPFA and Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022.
• Two-envelope system (PP2E); no competitive negotiation and no two-stage system.
• No alternative tender offers will be considered.

Stages

1. Responsiveness
2. Quality (Functionality)
3. Financial Offer (Price) and Preference
4. Risk Analysis

Stage 2 — Functionality (100 points maximum)

• Proposed Methodology and Approach: 20 points maximum, 14 points minimum.
• Experience / Track Record of the Tenderer (Lead Tenderer and JV, consortium or association entities): 35 points maximum, 24.5 points minimum.
• Experience of the proposed Key Resources / Experts: 40 points maximum, 28 points minimum.
• Lead Tenderer's Quality Management Policies: 5 points maximum, 3.5 points minimum.
• Scoring below the minimum threshold on any single criterion disqualifies the proposal; the financial and preference envelopes are then not evaluated.
• Any proposed Key Resource scoring below "Satisfactory" disqualifies the tenderer.

Methodology scoring bands

• No response or scope not covered: 0 points.
• Poor (covers fewer than three of the seven critical aspects in Schedule T2.2.6): 8 points.
• Satisfactory (up to five of the seven aspects): 14 points.
• Good (up to six of the seven aspects): 18 points.
• Very good (all seven aspects, innovative approach): 20 points.

Tenderer experience scoring bands (combined professional fees on qualifying NRW / WC&WDM / PBC projects in the past ten years)

• No or inadequate information: 0 points.
• Poor — less than R25 million: 14 points.
• Satisfactory — R25 million to R30 million: 24.5 points.
• Good — R30 million to R40 million: 31.5 points.
• Very good — above R40 million: 35 points.

Key expert scoring bands (post-registration experience)

• Project Manager and Team Leader (10 points): under 20 years 4.0; 20 to under 25 years 7; 25 to under 30 years 9; 30 years or more 10.
• Civil Engineer: Non-Revenue Water (10 points): under 15 years 4.0; 15 to under 20 years 7.0; 20 to under 25 years 9.0; 25 years or more 10.
• Legal, Regulatory Compliance and Construction Contracts Expert (5.0 points): under 15 years 2.0; 15 to under 20 years 3.50; 20 to under 25 years 4.50; 25 years or more 5.0.
• Institutional / Organizational Development Expert (Water Sector) (5.0 points): under 15 years 2.0; 15 to under 20 years 3.50; 20 to under 25 years 4.50; 25 years or more 5.0.
• Municipal Finance / Infrastructure Investment Analysis Expert (7.5 points): under 15 years 3.0; 15 to under 20 years 5.25; 20 to under 25 years 6.75; 25 years or more 7.5.
• Environmental Management and Development / Social Facilitation Expert (2.5 points): under 15 years 1.0; 15 to under 20 years 1.75; 20 to under 25 years 2.25; 25 years or more 2.5.

Quality Management System scoring (5 points)

• No QMS policy or sub-standard policy: 0 points.
• Poor (basic policy, fewer than six of the ten critical aspects in Schedule T2.2.9): 2 points.
• Satisfactory (six or seven aspects, organogram with CVs, proof of internal norms and standards): 3.5 points.
• Good (eight or nine aspects, plus SANS 9000 / ISO 9001 certification process at an advanced stage with external auditor letter): 4.5 points.
• Excellent (all ten aspects, plus SANS 9000 / ISO 9001 or equivalent certification): 5 points.

Stage 3 — Price and Preference (80/20)

• Price: 80 points.
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment: 20 points.
• Total: 100 points.
• The contract may be awarded to a tenderer that did not score the highest points, in terms of section 2(1)(f) of the PPPFA.

Stage 4 — Risk Analysis (applied to the highest-ranked tenderers)

• Tax compliance status re-verified at recommendation stage.
• Full registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database.
• No misrepresentation in the tender information submitted.
• Online verification of professional registration documents.
• The DBSA may require independent documented evidence within 48 hours to prove authenticity of documents and content, including a contactable reference by email and telephone; failure makes the bid non-responsive.
• No listing on the Register of Tender Defaulters under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004.
• Completed Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire with no conflicts of interest.
• No conviction for fraud or corruption.
• No removal from a contract with an organ of state for failure to perform or comply.
• A tender award terminated by the DBSA for non-performance in the 18 months before the closing date disqualifies the bidder; a written notice of non-performance in the 12 months before award may lead to exclusion until remedied.
• PEP Check and Procure Check will be run; a negative result may lead to exclusion.
• A cumulative order book of three awards with outstanding value may lead to exclusion, unless the outstanding value is 10% or less, or at least one project has stalled for six months or more or been placed on hold indefinitely.

Scope of services

• Act as Transaction Advisor for the National Water Partnerships Programme (NWPP) Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Reduction Programme.
• Undertake bankable feasibility studies.
• Undertake cost-benefit analysis (CBA).
• Undertake financial modelling.
• Undertake project preparation.
• Develop procurement documents for Performance-Based Contract (PBC) projects for NRW reduction.

Project areas

• Mogale City Local Municipality
• Lesedi Local Municipality
• Merafong City Local Municipality
• Rand West City Local Municipality

Appointment

• Only one Transaction Advisor will be appointed across the four municipal project areas.

Required key resources (one of each)

• Project Manager and Team Leader: registered Professional Engineer under the Engineering Professions Act, 2000, with post-registration experience in planning, design, implementation, operations and maintenance of municipal and water services infrastructure in South Africa.
• Civil Engineer: Non-Revenue Water: registered Professional Engineer or Professional Engineering Technologist under the Engineering Professions Act, 2000, with post-registration experience in NRW reduction PBC or NRW reduction projects in South Africa or internationally.
• Legal, Regulatory Compliance and Construction Contracts Expert: admitted Attorney of the Legal Practice Council of South Africa, or registered Professional Engineer, with professional membership of the Association of Arbitrators Southern Africa, AFSA or the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; post-registration experience in legal and regulatory compliance, preparation of FIDIC contracts, contract management and construction dispute resolution for municipal water services infrastructure.
• Institutional / Organizational Development Expert: Chartered HR Professional or Master HR Professional registered with the SABPP, with post-registration experience in assessment, analysis, functioning, development and strengthening of water services authorities, public sector or private sector organisations.
• Municipal Finance / Infrastructure Investment Analysis Expert: Chartered Accountant CA (SA) or Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), member of CIPFA or a similar public-sector professional body, with post-registration experience in bankable feasibility studies, project finance, infrastructure investment analysis, financial analysis and financial modelling.
• Environmental Management and Development / Social Facilitation Expert: registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner with EAPASA under section 24H of the National Environmental Management Act, with post-qualification experience in environmental management services and development or social facilitation on public or private sector infrastructure programmes in South Africa.

Contract framework

• Based on the CIDB Professional Services Contract (July 2009).
• Conditions of tender follow the Standard Conditions of Tender in Annex C of the CIDB Standard for Uniformity in Engineering and Construction Works Contracts (August 2019); the Tender Data takes precedence on any ambiguity or inconsistency.
• Where the tendering entity is a joint venture, use of the standard CIDB Joint Venture Agreement is recommended.
• The Employer may negotiate final contract terms with preferred tenderers, provided no second or unfair opportunity is created, no other tenderer is disadvantaged, and the price does not exceed the submitted tender price.

Pricing

• Pricing must be submitted in the separate financial envelope (Folder 2) using C2.1 Pricing Assumptions, C2.2 Time-Based Fees and C2.3 to C2.5 Pricing Data / Price Schedules.
• Price carries 80 of the 100 price-and-preference points.

Professional indemnity insurance

• The Tenderer, or the Lead Tenderer in a joint venture, consortium or association, must hold professional indemnity cover of not less than twice the proposed fee, per claim, with no limit on the number of claims.
• Cover must be effective no later than the closing date and enforceable in South Africa, issued by a reputable insurer.
• A copy of the entity's professional indemnity insurance must be submitted with the tender.

Tender validity

• 120 calendar days from the closing time.

Contract copies

• The Employer provides one (1) paper copy of the signed contract.

No bid security, performance guarantee, retention or payment terms are stated in the tender data.

Eligibility (pre-qualification)

• Only unincorporated joint ventures, consortia or associations that meet the stated eligibility criteria may submit and be evaluated.
• Proven delivery of professional services in bankable feasibility studies, cost-benefit analysis, financial modelling, project preparation and procurement documents for water conservation and water demand management projects, or for performance-based contracts, on NRW reduction projects in South Africa or internationally, with combined applicable professional fees of at least R25 million over the last ten (10) years.
• Employment of, or firm undertakings from, South African recognised professionally registered persons covering the six required disciplines.
• Professional indemnity insurance of not less than twice the proposed fee, effective from the closing date and enforceable in South Africa; the Lead Tenderer must meet this minimum.
• The Tenderer or a team member must not appear on National Treasury's Register of Tender Defaulters under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004, and must not be restricted from doing business with the Employer.

Mandatory registrations and evidence

• Active Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN issued by SARS, or certified written confirmation from SARS of arrangements to meet outstanding tax obligations.
• National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, with the CSD Summary Report submitted.
• COIDA letter of good standing, also verified on the LOGS portal.
• Original or copy of the B-BBEE Certificate or Affidavit (B-BBEE carries 20 of the 100 price-and-preference points).
• Proof of registration with a recognised professional body or institution.
• Company registration documentation with the Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire.
• For joint ventures of two or more firms: the joint venture formation document, authenticated by a notary public or other official deputed to witness sworn statements, setting out the conditions of operation, duration, authorised representatives, and each firm's participation.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director, shareholder or controlling person is employed by the state or connected to anyone at the department; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6 (Preference Points Claim): claims preference points under the applicable PPPFA system.
• Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire completed with no conflicts of interest that could compromise the tender process or the contract.

Tender acceptance conditions

• Tenders are accepted for evaluation only if the TCS PIN is active, the tenderer is not on the Register of Tender Defaulters, the Compulsory Enterprise Questionnaire is completed without conflicts of interest, and all returnable documents in T2.1 are included.