RFP: media agency panel for idc’s 360° strategy, planning, buying & implementation services

• Enquiries contact: Mr Fhulufhedzani Kone.
• Email: [email protected].
• Telephone: +27 11 269 3565.
• All communication must be in writing. Enquiries response will be posted on IDC website (www.idc.co.za) under tenders.

• Submit bid electronically only via the dedicated SharePoint link: https://idcza-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/moitlisim_idc_co_za/IgCEr-OShIRCSZsYepv4aqsVAbcMX3BF0MbNszfBkbP3mhs.
• Closing date: 30 July 2026 at 11:00 AM. No late bids accepted.
• Submit at least 30 minutes before deadline to avoid IT issues.
• File size limit: 50MB. Use standard formats (Microsoft suite or PDF). Non-standard formats will be disqualified.
• Amended bids must be sent to the same platform marked “Amendment to bid” before the closing date.
• Returnable schedules must be clearly marked and submitted as per the document:

• Schedule 1: Cover Page, Executive Summary, Annexure 1.
• Schedule 2: Board Resolution, ID copy of Company Representative, Annexures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 (if applicable), B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, Financial Statements, Joint Venture agreement (if applicable).
• Schedule 3: Response to Section 2 and Annexure 1.
• Schedule 4: Price Proposal (separate file).

• Disqualification risks include: non-compliant tax status, incomplete documentation, fraudulent information, non-compliance with mandatory requirements, POPIA non-compliance, prime contractor holding lower contract value percentage than subcontractor.

Bidders must be tax compliant and provide proof. B-BBEE status must be verified (certificate or sworn affidavit for EME/QSE). Prime contractors must not hold a lower contract value percentage than subcontractors. Mandatory technical requirements include specific client experience, qualified personnel, media strategy methodology samples, media buying capacity with letters from mainstream media houses, and active licenses for specified media tools. Failure to meet mandatory requirements leads to disqualification.

Scope of work: Appointment of a panel of media agencies for 360 strategy, planning, buying, and implementation. Services include:

• Develop Through-The-Line (TTL) annual media strategies for corporate brand and Strategic Business Units.
• Develop tactical campaign media plans with a digital bias.
• Provide presentations on new media trends and innovations.
• Evaluate ad-hoc market opportunities.
• Build social media engagement strategies.
• Incorporate AI and robotics in execution.
• Manage media selection and buying.
• Provide chase-lists to creative agencies.
• Continuous reporting on insights and competitive landscape.
• Provide account and project management.
• Offer strategic counsel for cost efficiencies.
• Partner with brand communication agencies.
• Provide voucher copies/tear sheets and post-campaign evaluations.
• Share media benchmarks.

Project timelines: Contract duration is 3 years, subject to annual performance review. Start immediately after award.

Key personnel requirements:

• Lead (Senior) Media Strategist: Minimum 10 years’ experience in TTL strategy, including financial services.
• Middleweight Strategist: Minimum 5 years’ experience in media strategy and planning.
• Digital Media Specialist: Minimum 3 years’ experience in digital-first strategies and engagement tools.
• Recommended: Senior/Middleweight Planners and buyers (5 years’ experience), Account Manager (5 years’ cross-sector experience).

Team must provide CVs with qualifications, experience, and certification/accreditation for media tools.

• The media strategy must utilise strategic opportunities to highlight IDC’s role and tell inclusive economic development stories.
• Strengthen digital-first approach to maximise budget and achieve quantifiable media ROI.
• Use performance marketing tools to augment traditional dealmaking with digital lead generation.
• Invest in customer insights and data to develop segment-specific media strategies for priority segments (Black Industrialists, Women, Youth, peri-urban & rural communities).
• Explore non-traditional media platforms to reach priority segments resonating with their business needs.
• Introduce brand partnerships for amplification leveraging audience synergies.
• For evaluation, bidders must provide two samples of 360 Media Strategy and implementation plans for previous clients, including one for a financial services client.
• Presentation requirement: Shortlisted bidders must present a case study demonstrating TTL media solutions for an events-based media activation, and a walk-through of a campaign (2024-2026) leveraging new technology (AI, chatbots).

• Bidder must demonstrate experience in media strategy, planning, and buying.
• Provide minimum four contactable references from past five years:

• One compulsory financial services client reference (tangible financial product/service provider).
• One compulsory public sector client reference (state-owned entity or agency operating nationally).
• One compulsory IDC-serviced economic sector client reference.
• One client project (any industry) with single billable project value ≥ R2 million.

• Key personnel qualifications:

• Lead (Senior) Media Strategist: 10 years’ TTL strategy experience, including financial services.
• Middleweight Strategist: 5 years’ media strategy and planning experience.
• Digital Media Specialist: 3 years’ digital-first strategies and engagement tools experience.
• Recommended: Senior/Middleweight Planners and buyers (5 years’ experience), Account Manager (5 years’ cross-sector experience).

• Team must provide CVs with qualifications, experience, and certification/accreditation for media tools.
• Media buying capacity: Provide two letters of good standing from mainstream media houses (e.g., SABC, Primedia, DSTV Media Sales), at least one broadcaster, not older than April 2024.
• Media tools: Provide proof of active licenses for at least three media software tools: one broadcast media tool, one analytics/buying tool specialising in SEO/Video/AI, one social media tool (excluding Google Analytics). Licenses must pre-date 1 October 2025 or show renewal process.

• Pricing must be submitted as Schedule 4: Price Proposal, separate file.
• Include detailed costing for illustrative media placement across Print, Radio, Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH), and Television.
• Print publications: Sunday Times, IOL (The Star), Business Day, Mining Weekly & Engineering News packages.
• Radio stations: 702, SAFM, Power FM partnerships.
• DOOH: O.R Tambo, King Shaka, Cape Town airports.
• Television: CNBC Africa package.
• Disbursements must be clearly defined or marked “No Charge/Free of Charge”.
• Include standard agency commission percentage chargeable on bookings.
• Complete Price Declaration Form confirming total price covers all services, valid for 120 days.

• All prices must be VAT inclusive (where applicable) and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR).
• Bidders must indicate if rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, detail basis for adjustments (e.g., CPI).
• All additional costs must be clearly specified and included in the Total Bid Price.
• Indicate if bid price is linked to exchange rate; if yes, specify portion.
• Payments linked to approved deliverables, within 30 days of invoice.
• IDC may consider National Treasury Instruction 02 of 2016/2017: Cost Containment Measures.
• Pricing model: Based on illustrative multi-media approach (Print, Radio, Digital Out-of-Home, Television) with estimated quantities. Actual context may vary.
• Disbursements (incidental expenses) must be clearly defined or marked “No Charge/Free of Charge”. Failure may result in penalty pricing.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): IDC will use CSD to verify company registration, tax compliance, and other checks.
• Tax compliance: Bidders must have tax affairs in order with SARS and provide written confirmation.
• B-BBEE: Submit a B-BBEE verification certificate. For EMEs (annual revenue < R10 million) and QSEs (revenue R10-50 million), a sworn affidavit confirming annual revenue and black ownership is acceptable.
• Prime Contractor/Subcontractor: Prime contractor must not hold a lower percentage of contract value than any subcontractor.
• Mandatory documentation includes: ID copy of Company Representative, Board Resolution, completed Annexures (1-8), Financial Statements, and Joint Venture/Consortium agreement if applicable.
• Promotion of emerging black-owned service providers: Encouraged to partner with black-owned entities (50%+1 black-owned and controlled). Partnership proposal required.

• Bid validity period: 120 days from closing date.
• IDC rights: May amend bid conditions, validity period, specifications, or closing date before closing; changes posted on website.
• IDC reserves right not to accept lowest priced bid or any bid; award based on capability and financial advantage.
• IDC may conduct site visits at bidder’s offices or client sites.
• IDC may request additional information and conduct background checks (including FICA).
• IDC may appoint multiple vendors to a panel.
• IDC has final decision on interpretation of requirements.
• Past performance with IDC (last 5 years) may be considered.
• Undertakings by bidder: Offer binding during validity period; responsible for costs; must prepare for possible presentation within 5 days’ notice; accept risk for pricing errors; successful bidder responsible for contract fulfilment.
• Supplier Performance Management: Successful bidder must conclude a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to measure and monitor performance.
• Enterprise and Supplier Development: Successful bidders may be required to mentor SMMEs or youth-owned businesses.