Csir RFP: pre-feasibility studies & financing for eco-industrial parks at highveld and isithebe

The CSIR seeks a service provider to conduct two pre-feasibility studies for Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) opportunities at Highveld Industrial Park and Isithebe Industrial Estate, and facilitate their financing for implementation. The studies aim to unlock investment by assessing viability and preparing finance-ready reports. Key opportunities: Highveld Industrial Park (Closed Loop Stormwater Management and Reuse via Reverse Osmosis) and Isithebe Industrial Estate (Enhanced Estate Security and Visibility via High Mast Lighting and Perimeter Fencing).

Closing date for submissions: 26 June 2026 at 16h30 (SAST). Last date for enquiries/clarifications: 19 June 2026. CSIR business hours: 08h00–16h30. Validity period: 90 calendar days from closing date (may be extended).

All enquiries must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. Use the RFP number (1229/26/06/2026) and description as the email subject. No other contact with CSIR personnel is permitted during the RFP process unless requested by CSIR.

Submit proposals electronically to [email protected] before 26 June 2026 at 16h30 (SAST). Late or incorrectly addressed submissions will be rejected. Proposals must be split into two separate emails: PART 1 (Technical Proposal) and PART 2 (Pricing Proposal + Specific Goals documentation). Each email subject must include the RFP number (1229/26/06/2026) and description. Files must be short, simply named, and under 25MB (or split into multiple emails). Only signed, authorised submissions are accepted. Cloud-based submissions (e.g., WeTransfer, Google Drive) are not permitted. Mandatory returnable documents (Annexure E) must be included. Non-compliance with submission rules risks disqualification.

Mandatory returnable documents (Annexure E): Signed Proposal Form, List of Returnable Documents, Standard Bidding Documents (SBD 1, SBD 4), Certificate of Acquaintance with RFP, Preference Point Award Form, RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form, Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement, Pricing Schedule (Annexure D), Technical Proposal, Financial Proposal, CSD registration report (RSA suppliers), Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number, company profile, client references, detailed project proposal, and any joint venture documents (if applicable).

Evaluation occurs in three phases: Phase 1 (Elimination): Bids are eliminated if late, submitted to the wrong address, from restricted suppliers/tender defaulters, or missing mandatory documents (Annexure E). Phase 2 (Technical): Minimum 70% overall and 50% per criterion required. Criteria: Company experience in socio-economic research/skills development (30%), client references for similar work (2020–2026, 40%), proposed project plan (30%). Scoring details in Annexure C. Phase 3 (Price & Preference): Only technically qualifying bidders proceed. Points: 80 for price, 20 for preference (B-BBEE). Final award may deviate from highest scorer under PPPFA Section 2(1)(f) if directors/officers are charged with fraud. Objective criteria apply.

Scope: Conduct two pre-feasibility studies for Eco-Industrial Park (EIP) opportunities at Highveld Industrial Park (Closed Loop Stormwater Management and Reuse: Reverse Osmosis Treatment System) and Isithebe Industrial Estate (Enhanced Estate Security and Visibility: Upgraded High Mast Lighting with Zoning and Perimeter Fencing). Deliverables: 1) Inception Report (methodology/work plan), 2) Two finance-ready pre-feasibility study reports (aligned with financier requirements), 3) Financing Instrument Alignment Report (potential financiers/funding mechanisms), 4) Investor-Ready Pitch and Financing Roadmaps (value proposition, financial viability, risks, returns), 5) Implementation Roadmap (next steps toward full feasibility). Timeline: 6 months from award. All work must include technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, regulatory, and risk assessments.

Required methodology: Submit an Inception Report detailing the approach and work plan. Conduct technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, regulatory, and risk assessments for each opportunity. Produce finance-ready pre-feasibility reports, a financing instrument alignment report, investor-ready pitches/roadmaps, and an implementation roadmap. All deliverables must meet financier expectations and provide evidence-based inputs for industrial park management decisions.

Bidder qualifications: Minimum 2 years’ experience in pre-feasibility/feasibility studies (higher experience scores more points). Must provide at least one client reference (2020–2026) for similar work, on referee’s letterhead, dated, and signed. Project plan must include milestones, deliverables, timeframes, risk mitigation, and contingency planning. Joint ventures must submit a signed agreement, B-BBEE certificates, TCS/CSD reports, ownership proof, and registration certificates.

Pricing Schedule (Annexure D) must include: Inception Report, Two Finance-Ready Pre-Feasibility Study Reports, Financing Instrument Alignment Report, Investor-Ready Pitch and Financing Roadmaps, Implementation Roadmap. Pricing must be in ZAR (VAT excl.), with VAT (15%) and total (VAT incl.) clearly stated. Align strictly to the Bill of Quantities. Include all costs (travel, freight, insurance, duty). Submit on company letterhead.

Pricing must be in South African Rand (ZAR), inclusive of all applicable taxes and less unconditional discounts. Prices subject to escalation/exchange rate fluctuations must clearly state the currency and rate of exchange (ROE) used. Include all additional costs (travel, freight, insurance until acceptance, duty). Payment terms follow CSIR’s standard conditions. Submit a detailed Pricing Schedule (Annexure D) strictly aligned to the Bill of Quantities. Pricing and specific goals credentials must be submitted separately from the technical proposal. Errors in pricing/calculations are the bidder’s risk. Payment will be made per CSIR’s Payment Terms and Conditions.

Mandatory: Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN (via SARS e-filing: www.sars.gov.za) or CSD registration number (www.csd.gov.za). Foreign suppliers with no local entity are exempt from CSD registration. Joint ventures must submit: signed joint venture agreement (with lead partner and work split), valid B-BBEE certificate/scorecard, TCS/CSD report for each partner, proof of ownership/shareholder certificates, and company registration certificates. Bidders must not be listed on National Treasury’s Register of Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers. No fronting, corruption, or fraud permitted. CSIR reserves the right to verify all documents and disqualify non-compliant bidders. POPI Act compliance required for personal information handling.

B-BBEE requirements: Submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated scorecard. Fronting is prohibited; CSIR will investigate indicators per DTI guidelines. Bidders must prove no fronting exists within 14 days if flagged. Failure to disprove fronting may invalidate the bid/contract and restrict public sector business for up to 10 years. Joint ventures must provide B-BBEE certificates for all partners.

Environmental requirements: Conduct detailed environmental assessments as part of the pre-feasibility studies for each EIP opportunity. Assessments must evaluate environmental impacts, sustainability, and compliance with relevant regulations for: Highveld Industrial Park (stormwater management/reuse) and Isithebe Industrial Estate (security/lighting upgrades).

Additional contractual terms: Bidders must accept that the RFP terms will be incorporated into the final contract. Misrepresentations may lead to termination and claims. CSIR may recover costs if bidders fail to enter into a contract or commence services within 4 weeks of award. Penalty clauses apply for non-compliance with material terms, including delayed delivery. Non-compliance with material terms constitutes a material breach and may result in cancellation.

CSIR reserves the right to: extend the closing date, correct bid document errors, verify bidder information, request documentary proof, conduct site inspections/product evaluations, award to non-highest scorers (per PPPFA), request audited financials, award in part/whole, award to multiple bidders, cancel/terminate the process at any stage, post-tender negotiate, and reject bidders linked to security breaches or fraud. Bidders must indemnify CSIR for costs/damages arising from breaches. South African law governs the bid, with exclusive jurisdiction in SA courts.

General requirements: All documentation must be in English. Bidders must confirm correctness/validity of proposals and that prices cover all specified work. Pricing schedule and specific goals credentials must be separate from the technical proposal. Bidders are responsible for sub-contractors’ compliance. No goods/services delivered without a CSIR purchase order. Invoices must include CSIR PO numbers. Failure to comply with terms invalidates the proposal.

Three-phase evaluation: Phase 1 (Elimination) checks for late submissions, incorrect addresses, restricted supplier status, tender defaulter status, and missing mandatory documents. Phase 2 (Technical) evaluates company experience (30%), client references (40%), and project plan (30%). Minimum thresholds: 70% overall and 50% per criterion. Phase 3 (Price & Preference) awards 80 points for price and 20 for B-BBEE preference. CSIR may award to a lower-scoring bidder under PPPFA Section 2(1)(f) if fraud charges exist against higher-scoring bidders’ directors/officers.