Provision of internet services – RFP tender in gauteng (ICT)

Closing date: 29 September 2026 at 11:00 AM

Enquiries deadline: 21 September 2026

RFP issue date: 15 September 2026

No briefing session is scheduled.

Enquiries

• Contact: Lunga Mbatha
• Telephone: 011 269 4376
• Email: [email protected]

Enquiries accepted in writing only, until 21 September 2026. Consolidated responses posted on IDC website (www.idc.co.za) within two days after the enquiry deadline.

Submission platform: https://idcza-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/moitlisim_idc_co_za/IgBYks-3ihWgR5WPoWJ67qx1AWMjGBhjB-M9Ad2NXsYla2A

Submission method: electronic only, via the dedicated SharePoint platform. Bids sent to any other address are disqualified.

Submission platform: https://idcza-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/moitlisim_idc_co_za/IgBYks-3ihWgR5WPoWJ67qx1AWMjGBhjB-M9Ad2NXsYla2A

Closing time: 29 September 2026 at 11:00 AM. Submit at least 30 minutes early; the platform accepts files up to 50MB.

Bids must be in English and in standard electronic formats (PDF, Microsoft Office).

Returnable schedules (each clearly marked):

• Cover page: RFP number, bid description, bidder name.
• Schedule 1: Executive summary of understanding and proposed solution.
• Schedule 2: Certified Board Resolution; certified ID copy of company representative; Annexure 2 (Acceptance of Bid Conditions and Bidder's Details); Annexure 3 (Tax Compliance Requirements); Annexure 4 (Bidder's Disclosure); Annexure 5 (Shareholders and Directors Information); Annexure 6 (BEE Commitment Plan); Annexure 7 (Disclosure Statement); Annexure 8 (POPIA Requirements, if applicable); financial statements (audited, independently reviewed, or cashflow budget for new entities); Joint Venture/Consortium/Subcontracting Agreement if applicable.
• Schedule 3: Response to Section 2 (Functional Requirements), using Annexure 1 format.
• Schedule 4: Price Proposal (separate file).

Disqualification risks: late or incomplete submissions, incorrect platform, non-standard file formats, missing or unsigned forms, non-compliant tax status, fraudulent information, failure to comply with mandatory requirements or POPIA, prime contractor holding a lower contract value percentage than a subcontractor.

Evaluation in four phases:

Phase 1 – Initial screening: CSD registration, tax compliance, B-BBEE status, submission of all required documents. Non-compliance leads to disqualification.

Phase 2 – Technical/Functionality: Mandatory requirements (ICASA licence, own backbone network) must be met or the bid is disqualified. Other functional criteria (weightings):

• Bidder's Relevant Experience: 25
• Bidder's Proposed Design: 20
• Bidder's Service Level Agreement: 20
• ISP Managed Devices: 5
• SNMP Access: 5
• Portal Access: 5
• Technical Support: 10
• Bidder's Proposed Implementation Plan: 10

Minimum qualifying score for functionality: 70%. Bids below this are not evaluated further.

Phase 3 – Preference points (80/20 system):

• Price: 80 points
• Specific Goals: 20 points

Specific Goals breakdown:

• Black ownership: 10 points (100% black-owned scores full 10; 51%–99.99% scores 4)
• 30% Black women ownership: 5 points
• Any % ownership by Black Designated Groups: 3 points
• Promotion of SMMEs (EME or QSE): 2 points

Only direct Black shareholding with exercisable voting rights qualifies.

Phase 4 – Objective criteria: Award to highest scorer unless another bidder poses less risk (reputational, concentration, financial capability, past IDC performance).

Scope: Provision of Direct Internet Connectivity for 10 IDC regional offices across South Africa (Cape Town, East London, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Polokwane, Mbombela, Brits, Mahikeng, Gqeberha, eMalahleni).

Each site requires 100 Mbps Direct Internet Access (100 Mbps upload and download).

All last-mile connectivity must be over fibre; RF considered only where fibre is impossible.

Required services:

• SNMP read-only access to ISP-managed routers.
• Internet bandwidth usage management reports (utilisation graphs, top talkers) via a management portal.
• 8x5 (Monday–Friday) technical support, with next-business-day hardware replacement.
• Solution must be flexible for downgrade, upgrade, or cancellation of sites.

Implementation must be operational within 12 weeks of award.

Contract options: Option 1 – three years; Option 2 – five years. Both options must be priced.

Successful bidder must sign an IT Master Agreement and an SLA, subject to annual performance review.

Bidder must provide a detailed implementation plan with key activities, timelines, and milestones, completing the assignment within 12 weeks from commencement.

Bidder must submit a proposed design document with network diagrams showing IDC's connection to the ISP network (PoP names per region) and connections to international peering points, including available capacity and bandwidth IDC can utilise.

Bidder must propose an SLA with 98% monthly average availability (24x7x365), proactive monitoring, monthly availability reports, single point of contact, and access to a monitoring system.

Bidder must demonstrate ability to provide ISP-managed routers, SNMP read-only access, and a management portal for bandwidth usage reports.

Bidder must provide 8x5 technical support and next-business-day hardware replacement.

Bidder must have relevant experience in providing internet services.

Provide a minimum of three contactable references for similar work done in the past 5 years.

Bidder must own, operate, or have direct control over the core network; not rely solely on third-party infrastructure.

Bidder must hold a valid ICASA licence.

Bidder's key personnel must be able to support the service as per the technical requirements.

Pricing must be VAT inclusive and in ZAR.

Provide two pricing options: Option 1 (3 years) and Option 2 (5 years).

Use the prescribed tables for each option:

• Table A: Once-off installation cost per site.
• Table B: Internet bandwidth – monthly and annual fees per site for each year.
• Table C: Access circuit/port – last-mile connectivity monthly and annual fees.
• Table D: Hardware (CPE) rental – monthly and annual fees per site.

Total Bid Price = A + B + C + D (VAT incl.).

State whether rates are firm for the full period; if not, provide adjustment basis.

State if any portion of price is exchange-rate linked.

All additional costs must be included in the Total Bid Price.

Payments linked to approved deliverables, within 30 days of invoice.

All prices must be VAT inclusive (where applicable) and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR).

Rates must be firm for the full contract period; if not, state the adjustment basis (e.g., CPI).

All additional costs must be included in the Total Bid Price.

If any portion of the price is exchange-rate linked, specify clearly.

Payments linked to approved deliverables, made within 30 days of invoice.

Pricing must be provided for both options (3-year and 5-year) using the prescribed tables:

• Table A: Once-off installation cost per site.
• Table B: Internet bandwidth – monthly and annual fees per site for each year.
• Table C: Access circuit/port – last-mile connectivity monthly and annual fees.
• Table D: Hardware (CPE) rental – monthly and annual fees per site.

Total Bid Price = A + B + C + D (VAT incl.).

Rates should align with National Treasury Instruction on Cost Containment Measures (hourly fee rates guide).

CSD registration: mandatory; IDC will verify company registration, tax compliance, and other checks via CSD.

Tax compliance: must be tax compliant with SARS and provide written confirmation.

ICASA licence: valid licence to operate as an ISP; submit certificate.

Backbone network: must own or have direct control over core network; submit design drawing.

B-BBEE: submit verification certificate, or sworn affidavit for EME (revenue < R10m) or QSE (revenue R10m–R50m). Misrepresentation is a criminal offence.

POPIA: comply with POPIA requirements; submit Annexure 8 if applicable.

Board Resolution: certified copy authorising the signatory.

Financial statements: latest audited or independently reviewed statements, or cashflow budget for new entities.

Joint Venture/Consortium: if applicable, submit agreement and all required documents for each member.

Prime contractor must hold a higher percentage of contract value than any subcontractor.

B-BBEE verification certificate required, or sworn affidavit for EME (revenue < R10m) or QSE (revenue R10m–R50m).

Specific Goals points (80/20 system):

• Black ownership: 10 points (100% black-owned scores full 10; 51%–99.99% scores 4)
• 30% Black women ownership: 5 points
• Any % ownership by Black Designated Groups: 3 points
• Promotion of SMMEs (EME or QSE): 2 points

Only direct Black shareholding with exercisable voting rights qualifies.

Bidders encouraged to partner with black-owned entities (50%+1 black owned and controlled) via JV or subcontracting; submit partnership proposal and consolidated or individual B-BBEE certificates.

Bid validity: 120 days from closing date.

Successful bidder must sign an SLA and an IT Master Agreement; SLA measures performance and delivery.

IDC may amend bid conditions or extend closing date before closing; amendments posted on IDC website.

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 any number of vendors to a panel if applicable.

IDC may consider bidder's past performance with IDC over the last 5 years.

Bidder must be prepared for a presentation within 5 days of notice, including practical demonstration.

Bidder's offer remains binding during the validity period.

Bidder bears all costs of preparation and presentation; submitted documentation becomes IDC property unless otherwise stated.

Bidder accepts full responsibility for contract execution and fulfilment.

Mandatory technical requirements:

• Valid ICASA licence to operate as an ISP (submit certificate).
• Own backbone network infrastructure (submit design drawing).
• Own, operate, or have direct control over the core network; not rely solely on third-party infrastructure.

Other requirements:

• Minimum three contactable references for similar work in the past 5 years.
• Submit a design document with network diagrams (PoP names, international peering points, bandwidth capacity).
• Submit a proposed SLA with 98% monthly average availability, proactive monitoring, monthly reports, single point of contact, and monitoring system access.
• Provide ISP-managed routers, SNMP read-only access, and a management portal for usage reports.
• Provide 8x5 technical support and next-business-day hardware replacement.
• Provide a detailed implementation plan completing within 12 weeks.

Evaluation phases:

1. Initial screening: compliance with CSD, tax, B-BBEE, and all required documents.
2. Technical/Functionality: mandatory requirements (ICASA, backbone) must be met; other criteria weighted as listed (experience 25, design 20, SLA 20, ISP devices 5, SNMP 5, portal 5, support 10, implementation 10). Minimum 70% to proceed.
3. Preference points: 80/20 system (price 80, specific goals 20). Specific goals: black ownership (10), black women ownership (5), black designated groups (3), SMME promotion (2).
4. Objective criteria: award to highest scorer unless another bidder poses less risk (reputational, concentration, financial capability, past performance).