Remuneration and service benefits benchmarking for merseta (RFQ/HRM/26/27/249)

SCM enquiries:

• Full Name: Thokozani Dlamini
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries:

• Full Name: Felicia Magano
• Email: [email protected]

Submission email: [email protected]

Fraud Hotline: 0800 333 057

Submission method

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]
• Use the RFQ number as the email subject line.
• Quotations must be clearly marked with the RFQ number and description of the goods/services.
• Late submissions (after closing date and time) will not be considered.

Returnable documents — complete, sign and submit with the quotation:

• Bidders Information form (company, VAT, CSD, contact details).
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and signed offer cover page.
• SBD 4 (Bidder’s Disclosure): discloses any state employment or relationship with the procuring institution; failure to complete may disqualify.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claim specific goals; failure to complete specific goals results in zero points.
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form – Purchase of Goods/Works).
• Authority to Sign: entity type, authorised signatory, board resolution or equivalent; attach registration certificates, JV agreements, or ID.
• Pricing schedule (official merSETA form), fully priced.
• Price Declaration: if totals differ, the price declaration prevails.
• Valid CSD registration number.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate, CIPC B-BBEE certificate, or CIPC-issued affidavit.
• Company profile with years of experience and qualifications of project team.
• Signed, verifiable reference letters from 2019 to date.
• Proposed methodology and implementation plan.
• High-level project plan with milestones and timelines.
• Detailed pricing (VAT inclusive).
• For JV/consortium: Joint Venture Agreement with partnership split and lead partner, and B-BBEE certificates of all partners.
• Valid SARA certificate of good standing (mandatory).

Three-stage evaluation:

1. Stage 1 – Mandatory and Administrative Compliance

• Must hold valid SARA certificate of good standing; otherwise immediate disqualification.
• Must be registered on National Treasury CSD (provide valid CSD number).
• All returnable forms completed and signed.
• Tax matters in order as reflected on CSD.
• Failure at this stage may lead to disqualification.

2. Stage 2 – Technical Evaluation (Functionality)

• Minimum qualifying score: 70% for functionality.
• Scoring grid (0–5 scale) per criterion:
• Company profile and registration: 20%
• 0 = <1 year; 1 = 1–2 years; 2 = 3–4 years; 3 = 5–6 years; 4 = 7–8 years; 5 = 9+ years
• Lead Consultant qualification and credentials: 30%
• 0 = no qualification; 1 = below NQF 7; 2 = NQF 7 or higher; 3 = NQF 7+ valid SARA/IPM; 4 = NQF 7+ valid SARA/IPM+GRP; 5 = NQF 7+ valid SARA/IPM+GRP+CCP
• Lead Consultant experience: 20%
• 0 = <1 year; 1 = 1–2 years; 2 = 3–4 years; 3 = 5–6 years; 4 = 7–8 years; 5 = more than 8 years
• Track record (reference letters): 20%
• 0 = none; 1 = 1; 2 = 2; 3 = 3; 4 = 4; 5 = 5 or more
• Technical capacity / methodology: 10%
• 0 = no methodology; up to 5 = comprehensive methodology and plan

3. Stage 3 – Price and Preference Points

• 80/20 preference point system.
• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Total: 100 points

Specific goals (claimed on SBD 6.1; proof required, e.g. B-BBEE certificate/affidavit):

• 51%+ black ownership: 6 points
• 30%+ black women ownership: 4 points
• 30%+ black youth ownership: 4 points
• 30%+ white women ownership: 2 points
• 20%+ owners with disability: 4 points

Project: Comprehensive Remuneration and Service Benefits benchmarking and reporting for merSETA.

Contract period: estimated 6 months, commencing on signing of the Service Level Agreement.

Scope of work:

• Conduct salary benchmarking against at least 27 comparator organisations:
• 13 largest SETAs
• 10 MER sector organisations
• 4 public entities that are levy-funded
• Benchmark against other PFMA Schedule 3A entities of similar size.
• Review and propose market-aligned salary adjustments, considering allowances, contributions, and best practice.
• Recommend salary scales/bands for each grade (minimum, midpoint, maximum).
• Advise on managing salaries above or below benchmarked ranges.
• Review and benchmark all monetary and non-monetary service benefits (e.g. housing, medical aid, education, travel allowances, pension/provident contributions).
• Review and benchmark performance-related incentives.
• Facilitate stakeholder consultations (virtual or in-person; merSETA covers logistics for its employees).
• Present findings to unions, HR, management, and governance structures.
• Produce financial impact/cost-benefit analysis of proposed adjustments.
• Deliver comprehensive remuneration benchmarking report, benefits review reports, reward index framework, costing model, and implementation scenarios.
• Include all positions (Annexure C – current job titles).

Submission content:

• Proposal addressing the scope of work.
• Detailed pricing (VAT inclusive).
• Project plan with milestones and timeline.
• Company profile (years of experience, operations, project team CVs).
• Reference letters from similar work (2019 to date) on client letterhead.
• Proposed methodology and implementation approach.

Pricing:

• Only firm prices accepted; non-firm or exchange-rate-variable prices not considered.
• Prices must be inclusive of VAT where applicable.
• Prices must cover all related expenses (transport, accommodation, etc.).
• Offer valid for 60 calendar days from closing date.
• The official merSETA quotation form must be used; extra pricing breakdown allowed on letterhead.
• Price Declaration must be completed; in case of discrepancy, declared total prevails.

Payment terms:

• Payment within 30 days from statement date for work done to merSETA’s satisfaction.
• No payment for unproductive or duplicated time due to staff changes, inefficiencies, or rework.

No bid security, guarantees, or retention mentioned.

Mandatory:

• Valid certificate of good standing with South African Reward Association (SARA). Failure to attach = automatic disqualification.
• Registration on National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Tax matters in order, as reflected on CSD.

B-bbee:

• Submit valid B-BBEE certificate, or CIPC B-BBEE certificate, or CIPC-issued affidavit.
• For JV/consortium, all partners’ B-BBEE certificates required.

Cipc:

• Company/CIPC registration certificate required in company profile.

Professional registrations:

• Lead Consultant must hold relevant NQF 7+ qualification and valid SARA/IPM certificates; GRP/CCP certifications earn higher points.

Submissions/forms:

• SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1, Authority to Sign, and pricing schedule.

Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers: automatic disqualification.