Development of reconciliation strategy and catchment management strategy for vaal-orange cma (30-Month contract, 80/20 preference)

Closing date and time: 22 October 2026 at 11:00

No briefing meeting to be held.

No briefing meeting to be held.

For technical information and completion of bid documents:

• Contact: Bid Office
• Email: [email protected]
• Email: [email protected]
• Hours: 08:00-16:00

Submission address: https://www.etenders.gov.za/Home/opportunities?id=1

Deliver and submit bids via the National Treasury E-tender Portal at https://www.etenders.gov.za/Home/opportunities?id=1 before 22 October 2026, 11:00. No briefing meeting will be held. Bids must be submitted on official forms (SBD 1, SBD 3.3, SBD 4, SBD 6.1) without retyping. Returnable documents include:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and CSD MAAA number.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule): priced offer.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any relationship with state employees or connections to the procuring institution; false declaration disqualifies.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims points for specific goals; B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit required to claim points.
• Agreement between joint venture/consortium parties identifying lead partner (if applicable).
• Valid Letter of Good Standing from the Compensation Commissioner (COIDA).
• Valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or original sworn affidavit.
• Certified copies of academic qualifications, professional registration certificates, and CVs for key personnel.
• Signed reference letters for completed projects with minimum value of R1,000,000.00.
• Tax Compliance Status PIN page and CSD registration.

The bid is evaluated under the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022 using the 80/20 preference points system (80 points price, 20 points specific goals). Evaluation is in four phases:

Phase 1 – Mandatory Compliance: Study Leader must be registered with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (or recognized Washington Accord institution) or with SACNASP as a Professional Scientist, with valid certified registration certificate. Failure disqualifies.

Phase 2 – Functional/Technical Evaluation: minimum qualifying score 70%. Weighted criteria: Qualifications of Study Leader (15%), Experience of project team (15%), Company track record (25%), Methodology (25%), Skill transfer (10%), Expertise (10%).

Phase 3 – Administrative Compliance: CSD registration, tax compliance (SARS PIN), CIPC registration, letter of appointment of authorized signatory, completed SBD forms, JV/consortium agreement if applicable, COIDA letter of good standing, B-BBEE certificate/affidavit.

Phase 4 – Price and Specific Goals: 80/20 system; specific goals include Women Ownership (5 points), Disability Ownership (5 points), Youth Ownership (5 points), Location of enterprise (2 points), B-BBEE status level contribution from levels 1 to 3 which are QSE or EME (2 points). Total specific goals points: 20.

The assignment is to develop a Catchment Management Strategy (CMS) for the Vaal-Orange Catchment Management Agency (VOCMA) as required by the National Water Act. Deliverables include:

• Inception report confirming methodology, deliverables, timeframes, and stakeholder list.
• Situational assessment covering biophysical, social, economic, political, and institutional characteristics of the WMA.
• Assessment of current situation, projected trends, and potential future scenarios.
• Water Reconciliation Strategy to balance water requirements with availability.
• Visioning process with stakeholder participation.
• Water Resource Protection Strategy addressing classification, Reserve, and Resource Quality Objectives.
• Water Use Regulation Strategy for allocation planning, authorisation, and compliance.
• Monitoring and information management strategy.
• Public Engagement strategy.
• Co-operative relationship strategy.
• Financial strategy.
• Final CMS document with implementation plan, including peer review before finalisation.
• Facilitate four physical and four virtual national stakeholder consultation workshops.
• Present the project during intergovernmental structures as required.
• Develop presentations and materials for consultations using existing platforms.
• Submit a stakeholder consultation report and comments matrix/register.
• Provide a capacity building programme demonstrating skills transfer through hands-on training, inclusion of VOCMA officials, quantifiable measures, software training, and inclusion of SMME/local specialists.

The service provider must submit a methodology covering: 1) Project Control Plan, 2) Project Execution Plan, 3) Broad methodologies aligned to the task descriptions, 4) Clear milestones and timeframes for each task, 5) Evaluation and supervision of work. The methodology will be scored based on the number of items included. Bidders must also demonstrate an innovative approach and attention to project management.

Study Leader must hold an Engineering or Natural Science qualification and be registered with ECSA as a Professional Engineer (or Washington Accord recognised institution) or SACNASP as a Professional Scientist. Key personnel must have experience in water resource management strategy studies, strategy development and implementation, and legislation development. Project team must include expertise in areas such as Civil/Chemical Engineering (water), Hydrology/Geohydrology, Environmental Science, Water Resource Economics, Environmental Law, Developmental Studies, Social Science, GIS and Remote Sensing, Socio-Economics, Water Resource Modelling, Public Policy, and Monitoring and Evaluation. Quantity of points depends on number of areas covered. Company track record: submit signed reference letters from completed projects with minimum R1,000,000 value.

The Project Management Committee/Reference Group (PMC/RG) will review all deliverables prior to sign-off. The draft CMS must be peer-reviewed before finalisation. The service provider must provide supporting documentation for each deliverable to allow comprehensive assessment.

A comprehensive budget indicative of all activity costs must be provided in a separate envelope, inclusive of all disbursement costs, expenses and V.A.T. The budget should cover all deliverables listed under the scope of work.

A comprehensive budget indicative of all activity costs must be provided in a separate envelope, inclusive of all disbursement costs, expenses and V.A.T. Payment will be made within 30 days of valid claims for work done to VOCMA's satisfaction, upon presentation of substantiated claims and required reports. No payment for outstanding work. The project cost must be covered for the period of 30 months.

Mandatory administrative compliance:

• Registered on National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) – provide MAAA number on SBD1.
• Tax compliant with SARS – submit Tax Compliance Status PIN or CSD number.
• Active registration with CIPC – attach certificate.
• Letter of appointment of duly authorised signatory, with proof of authority (e.g., board resolution).
• Complete and sign SBD 1, SBD 3.3, SBD 4, SBD 6.1.
• Joint venture/consortium agreement identifying lead partner (if applicable).
• Valid Letter of Good Standing from Compensation Commissioner (COIDA).
• Valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or sworn affidavit (for QSE/EME) – failure forfeits B-BBEE points.

B-BBEE requirements: points awarded for specific goals based on ownership (women, disability, youth), location of enterprise, and B-BBEE status level 1-3 (QSE or EME).

The CMS must address water quality across the entire water cycle, including drinking water quality, monitoring, groundwater, rural land uses, stormwater, sewage systems, wastewater treatment plant return flows, and effluent control for industries. It must consider climate, rainfall, water availability, and international obligations, including the Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) agreement. The strategy must respond to water quality deterioration caused by irrigation run-off, industrial and urban activities, and mining impacts.

The project will run for 30 months from the date of signing the Service Level Agreement. All reports, data, calculations, and documents prepared by the service provider become the property of VOCMA, with copyright resting with VOCMA. Payments are made within 30 days of valid claims for work done to VOCMA's satisfaction, upon presentation of substantiated claims and required reports. No payment will be made for outstanding work. A Project Management Committee/Reference Group (PMC/RG) led by the VOCMA CEO will review deliverables before sign-off and provide strategic guidance.

The service provider must: be registered on CSD, be tax compliant with SARS, have active CIPC registration, submit a letter of appointment for the authorised signatory, complete and sign SBD forms, submit a joint venture/consortium agreement if applicable, provide a COIDA letter of good standing, and submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. The Study Leader must be registered with ECSA or SACNASP. The service provider must demonstrate a capacity building programme for skills transfer, including inclusion of interns and SMMEs.

Bids are evaluated in four phases: 1) Mandatory compliance (Study Leader registration with ECSA/SACNASP); 2) Functional/technical evaluation (minimum 70% score) weighted as: Qualifications of Study Leader 15%, Experience of project team 15%, Company track record 25%, Methodology 25%, Skill transfer 10%, Expertise 10%; 3) Administrative compliance (CSD, tax, CIPC, SBD forms, COIDA, B-BBEE); 4) Price and specific goals using 80/20 preference points system.