Annual salary and benefits benchmarking services for the NHFC for a period of 5 years

Closing date: 24 August 2026 at 11:00 AM. No other dates (briefings, site visits, clarification deadlines) are stated.

Bidding procedure and technical enquiries: Ms Kamogelo Dagane, email [email protected]. Bids must be emailed to [email protected]. No telephone or fax numbers are stated.

Bids must be emailed to [email protected] before the closing date and time. The soft copy emailed serves as the legal bid contract document. The RFQ document must be converted to a single PDF, numbered per the checklist, and submitted via email. Late bids will not be accepted. Bids must be submitted on official forms provided, not re-typed. Changes to a submission after closing will not be considered. Responses must not reference any other quotation or proposal. Attempts to canvass NHFC SCM officers or employees between closing and award will result in disqualification. Bidders must complete the RFQ documents checklist indicating submission of each annexure. Returnable documents include: Annexure 1 Tax Compliance Status Pin; Annexure 2 Company Registration Documents; Annexure 3 B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit; Annexure 4 CSD report; Annexure 5 SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid); Annexure 6 Pricing Schedule; Annexure 7 SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure); Annexure 8 SBD 6.1 (Preference Point Claim Form); Annexure 9 Identity Documents of Directors; Annexure 10 Signed or initialled General Conditions of Contract (GCC). Mandatory returnable documents must be submitted by closing date and time; failure results in disqualification. Incomplete bids may be disqualified. The successful bidder must sign a written contract form (SBD 7).

Returnable documents include: Annexure 1 Tax Compliance Status Pin; Annexure 2 Company Registration Documents; Annexure 3 B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit; Annexure 4 CSD report; Annexure 5 SBD 1; Annexure 6 Pricing Schedule; Annexure 7 SBD 4; Annexure 8 SBD 6.1; Annexure 9 ID of Directors; Annexure 10 Signed GCC. Mandatory returnable documents must be submitted by closing date or the bidder will be disqualified.

Evaluation is in three phases. Phase 1 – Administrative Compliance: checks legal requirements and that all SBDs are submitted signed; where not applicable, documentary proof of reason must be attached. NHFC may accept a bid on condition the bidder submits supplementary information within 7 working days to achieve full compliance. Phase 2 – Functionality: minimum 70 out of 100 points required to proceed to price and specific goals evaluation. Functionality criteria: Bidder's past relevant experience and track record (30 points) – three reference letters confirming successful delivery of remuneration benchmarking projects, not older than 8 years (2018 onwards), on company letterhead, signed by referee, with contact details and description of service; 3 letters = 30 points, 2 = 20, 1 = 10, none = 0. Qualifications and experience of the team (40 points) – minimum NQF level 7 in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Remuneration Management, Business Management, Economics, Statistics, Finance or related field; at least one team member must hold NQF level 8 postgraduate qualification; combined relevant experience scoring: more than 10 years = 25 points, 8-10 years = 20, 6-7 years = 15, 5 years = 10, less than 5 = 0; professional membership with SARA, SIOPSA, SABPP or another recognised remuneration/HR body = 5 points; one team member with NQF level 8 = 10 points. Methodology and execution approach (30 points) – assessed across five criteria of 6 points each: remuneration benchmarking methodology and market survey approach; salary survey, benefits survey and analytical reporting methodology; incentive, total reward and PayScale assessment approach; comprehensive methodology, project plan, timelines and resource allocation; strategic remuneration advisory, governance and Board support methodology. Phase 3 – Price and Preference: 80/20 system (price estimated below R50 million). Price = 80 points; specific goals = 20 points. Specific goals: South African citizen ownership >50% = 7 points; woman ownership >50% = 8 points; disabled ownership >50% = 1 point; military veteran ownership >50% = 1 point; youth ownership >50% = 3 points. Proof for specific goals includes CIPC registration, certified ID documents, CSD report, and for disabled a medical certificate, for military veteran a verifiable letter. Failure to submit proof for specific goals means points not claimed.

The service provider must provide annual benchmarking of salaries and benefits for NHFC over a 5-year period, comparing NHFC salaries and benefits with the market and making recommendations. Scope of work: outline benchmarking of remuneration and incentive practices (cash and non-cash); provide annual benefits and remuneration surveys; provide salary survey market information for every position as required; provide one-on-one sessions for survey results interpretation with analysis; provide insights on STI and LTI surveys across levels; review organisation PayScale implementation and provide insights; provide a web-based platform with live remuneration and benefits information; provide customised reporting covering related industries and locations, within the private sector and state-owned enterprises focusing on SOEs; provide annual subscription for online service and indicate annual licence fees; provide any other benefits and remuneration reports as required to update or adjust NHFC salary scale yearly after salary increases. The Board may require strategic remuneration and governance support, including executive and Board remuneration benchmarking, pay equity assessments, total reward strategy reviews, retention and succession analyses, remuneration governance alignment, and scenario modelling relating to salary increases and incentives. The provider may also support the Board and Remuneration Committee with strategic remuneration insights, governance compliance, and emerging market trends. Contract duration is 5 years. NHFC operates on a hybrid model (onsite and remote working); service providers must make provision for virtual meetings and in-person engagements.

The methodology and execution approach is evaluated across five criteria, each worth 6 points: (1) Remuneration benchmarking methodology and market survey approach – covering salary structures, benefits, cash and non-cash rewards, industry comparators, state-owned enterprises, private sector organisations, market positioning, data sources, benchmarking philosophy, statistical methodologies, and alignment to NHFC's remuneration framework. (2) Salary survey, benefits survey and analytical reporting methodology – covering annual remuneration and benefits surveys, salary market analysis, survey participation, customised reporting, trend analysis, survey interpretation sessions, and executive-level insights; must detail how findings support annual salary scale adjustments. (3) Incentive, total reward and PayScale assessment approach – covering STI, LTI, total rewards, benefits, retention mechanisms, and NHFC's PayScale implementation; must provide actionable recommendations. (4) Comprehensive methodology, project plan, timelines and resource allocation – must include defined phases, activities, deliverables, milestones, timelines, governance arrangements, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, roles and responsibilities of each key team member, and adequate resourcing. (5) Strategic remuneration advisory, governance and Board support methodology – covering executive and Board remuneration benchmarking, pay equity analysis, governance compliance, succession and retention analysis, total reward strategy, remuneration committee support, scenario modelling, legislative compliance, and emerging reward trends.

Bidders must provide three reference letters in the company's name from clients confirming successful delivery of remuneration benchmarking projects. Letters must be not older than 8 years (2018 onwards), on company letterhead, signed by the referee, with contact details and description of service; letters omitting any required information will not be considered. NHFC reserves the right to contact references. The proposed team must have combined experience in remuneration benchmarking, salary surveys, and benefits benchmarking, including collection, analysis and interpretation of market remuneration data, benchmarking positions across occupational levels, and analysis of salary structures and pay scales. Minimum qualification: NQF level 7 in Human Resources, Industrial Psychology, Remuneration Management, Business Management, Economics, Statistics, Finance or a related field. At least one team member must hold a relevant postgraduate qualification (NQF level 8) in these fields. Copies of qualifications must be attached; foreign qualifications must be accompanied by a valid SAQA verification letter/certificate, otherwise they will not be considered. Combined relevant experience scoring: more than 10 years = 25 points, 8-10 years = 20, 6-7 years = 15, 5 years = 10, less than 5 = 0. Professional membership of at least one team member with SARA, SIOPSA, SABPP or another recognised remuneration/HR professional body = 5 points; no valid proof = 0. One team member with NQF level 8 = 10 points; none = 0.

Pricing must be quoted in South African Rand on a fixed price basis, including VAT. Bidders must indicate a ceiling price based on total estimated time for completion of all phases and including all expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes. The pricing schedule (SBD 3.3) requires annual pricing for Years 1, 2 and 3, subtotal, VAT at 15%, and grand total. Offer must be valid for 60 business days from the closing date. NHFC pays within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice. No payment is made for outstanding information not submitted by the service provider. The cost of compiling a proposal is the bidder's own cost and will not be paid by NHFC.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD); business may not be awarded to a bidder who has failed to register. Only foreign suppliers with no local registered entity need not register. Bidders must comply with tax obligations and submit a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN; a printed TCS certificate may also be submitted. Where no TCS PIN is available but the bidder is registered on CSD, a CSD number must be provided. In consortia/joint ventures/sub-contractors, each party must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number. Bids from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors who are, or close corporations with members who are, will not be considered. A valid B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited rating agency (original or certified) or a sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs) must be submitted to qualify for preference points. Company registration documents and copies of directors' ID documents are required. The successful bidder must maintain an updated tax compliant status for the duration of the contract. Local content commitments made by the successful bidder will be incorporated as a term of the contract and monitored; non-compliance may lead to penalties or termination.

B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs) must be submitted to qualify for preference points. Specific goals for preference points: South African citizen ownership >50% = 7 points; woman ownership >50% = 8 points; disabled ownership >50% = 1 point; military veteran ownership >50% = 1 point; youth ownership >50% = 3 points. Proof required includes CIPC registration, certified ID documents, CSD report, and for disabled a medical certificate, for military veteran a verifiable letter.

The contract is governed by NHFC General Conditions of Purchase. Conditions form the basis of the contract; no oral variation is permitted. Price and payment: NHFC pays within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice. Delivery and documents: supplier must mark consignments, send advice notes and priced invoices. Title and risk pass to NHFC on acceptance. Rejection: NHFC may reject non-compliant items or services and require replacement or re-work. Warranty: items must be fit for purpose and free from defects for one year from acceptance. Indemnity: supplier indemnifies NHFC against claims from negligence, IP infringement, or breach of statutory duty. Assignment and sub-contracting: not permitted without written consent. Termination: NHFC may terminate for default, bankruptcy, financial prejudice, or any other reason, with compensation for costs incurred. Governing law: South African law, non-exclusive jurisdiction of South African courts. Local content obligations are incorporated into the contract and monitored; non-compliance may lead to penalties or termination.

NHFC reserves the right to reject bids, disqualify for non-compliance, conduct due diligence including screening, vetting, and background checks on the bidder and its directors. Bid rigging/collusive behaviour leads to disqualification. Bidders must submit a soft copy via email as the legal bid document. NHFC pays within 30 days of substantiated invoices. Successful bidder must sign a Service Level Agreement. NHFC has zero tolerance for reputational harm; bids may be rejected if the bidder or its principals have adverse reports such as aiding state capture, fraud, misrepresentation, being on the National Treasury restricted database, under investigation, or causing reputational harm. Local content obligations are incorporated into the contract and monitored; non-compliance may lead to penalties or termination.

Prequalification/eligibility criteria: Only bidders satisfying the pre-qualification criteria are eligible to submit quotations. Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD); foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt. Bidders must comply with tax obligations and provide a SARS PIN or CSD number. Bids from persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors who are, will not be considered. Bidders must not be listed on the National Treasury restricted database, must not have directors/members employed by the state, and must not engage in collusive behaviour. Bidders must submit a soft copy via email as the legal bid document. The successful bidder must sign a Service Level Agreement (SLA) measuring and managing performance. NHFC has zero tolerance for reputational harm; bids may be rejected if the bidder or its principals have adverse reports such as aiding state capture, fraud, misrepresentation, being on the National Treasury restricted database, under investigation, or causing reputational harm. Local content obligations are incorporated into the contract and monitored; non-compliance may lead to penalties or termination.

Evaluation is in three phases. Phase 1 – Administrative compliance: checks legal requirements and that all SBDs are submitted signed; where not applicable, documentary proof of reason must be attached. NHFC may accept a bid on condition the bidder submits supplementary information within 7 working days to achieve full compliance. Phase 2 – Functionality: minimum 70/100 points to proceed. Criteria: past experience (30 points – 3 reference letters, not older than 8 years, on letterhead, signed, with contact details); team qualifications and experience (40 points – NQF level 7 minimum, NQF 8 for at least one member, combined experience scoring, professional membership with SARA/SIOPSA/SABPP); methodology and execution approach (30 points – covering remuneration benchmarking methodology, salary/benefits survey methodology, incentive/total reward/PayScale assessment, project plan/timelines/resources, strategic advisory/governance support). Phase 3 – Price and preference: 80/20 system, price 80 points, specific goals 20 points (ownership categories: SA citizen 7, woman 8, disabled 1, military veteran 1, youth 3).