Csir RFP: mapping local green economy capabilities at atlantis sez – demographic, skills & enterprise assessment

Closing date for submissions: 26 June 2026 at 16h30 (SAST). Last date for enquiries/clarifications: 19 June 2026. CSIR business hours: 08h00–16h30.

All enquiries and submissions must be sent to [email protected]. Use the RFP number and description as the email subject. No other contact with CSIR personnel is permitted during the RFP process.

Submit proposals electronically to [email protected] before 26 June 2026 at 16h30 (SAST). Use the RFP number (1230/26/06/2026) and description as the email subject. Proposals must be split into two separate emails: PART 1 (Technical Proposal) and PART 2 (Pricing Proposal + Specific Goals documentation). Each file/folder must clearly reference the RFP number. Submissions exceeding 25MB may be sent in multiple emails. Cloud-based submissions (e.g., WeTransfer, Google Drive) are not accepted. Late submissions, submissions to incorrect addresses, or unsigned proposals will be disqualified. All documents must be in English and use simple, clear file naming conventions.

(If tender submission exceeds 25MB Electronical Submission multiple emails can be sent)

Evaluation occurs in three phases: Phase 1 (Elimination Criteria): Bids are eliminated if submitted late, to the wrong address, from restricted suppliers/tender defaulters, or missing mandatory returnable documents (Annexure E). Phase 2 (Technical Evaluation - 100 points): Minimum 70% overall and 50% per criterion required to advance. Criteria: Company experience in socio-economic research, skills development, enterprise development, or local economic development (30%). Client references for similar work (2020-2026, aligned to scope) (40%). Proposed Project Plan (30%). Scoring rubrics are detailed in Annexure C. Phase 3 (Price and Preference Points - 100 points): 80 points for price, 20 points for preference (B-BBEE). Only bidders passing Phase 2 proceed to Phase 3. The CSIR reserves the right to award to a bidder not scoring the highest points under PPPFA Section 2(1)(f) if directors/shareholders are not formally charged with fraud/illegal conduct.

Scope: Conduct a study to map local capabilities for green economic participation at Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), focusing on demographic, skills, and enterprise assessment. Objectives: Align skills development with green industry demand. Strengthen enterprise participation in SEZ value chains. Enhance understanding of infrastructure and investor readiness. Improve partnership coordination. Enable inclusive, scalable, and sustainable green industrial development. Deliverables: Inception report. Demographic and labour market profile report. Skills mapping and gap analysis report. Enterprise and local supply chain mapping report. Strategic partnerships and ecosystem review report. Capability–Opportunity alignment assessment. Targeted intervention recommendations. Implementation framework and action plan. Methodology: Desktop review of ASEZ strategies, policies, and prior studies. Comprehensive demographic and labour market analysis. Skills mapping and gap analysis. Local enterprise and industrial capability mapping. Strategic partnerships and ecosystem review. Capability–Opportunity alignment assessment. Stakeholder engagement and validation workshops. Timeline: Project must be completed within 6 months of award.

Required methodology: Desktop review of ASEZ strategies, plans, prior studies, and relevant national/provincial/local policy frameworks. Comprehensive demographic and labour market analysis: Assess population profile (age, education, employment, socio-economic conditions) and identify strengths/constraints for green industrialisation. Skills mapping and gap analysis: Identify existing technical/vocational/green economy skills, assess local training institutions, map gaps against SEZ/green industry needs, and propose targeted interventions. Local enterprise mapping: Profile formal/informal enterprises, assess capabilities/readiness for green value chains (manufacturing, services, logistics, circular economy), and identify SMME development opportunities. Strategic partnerships review: Map partnerships (government, industry, academia, training institutions), assess effectiveness/alignment with SEZ objectives, identify gaps/overlaps, and recommend models for skills pipelines, enterprise development, innovation, and funding mobilisation. Capability–Opportunity alignment: Evaluate alignment between local capabilities and SEZ green economy needs, identify mismatches, and propose industry-community linkage mechanisms. Interventions: Recommend skills development, enterprise support, and partnership coordination measures. Implementation: Develop a framework with short/medium/long-term actions, roles, partnerships, and enabling conditions. Validation: Conduct stakeholder workshops and prepare draft/final reports.

Technical Proposal Requirements: Company profile demonstrating experience in socio-economic research, skills development, enterprise development, or local economic development. Client references: At least one contactable reference letter (2020–2026) on referee’s letterhead, dated, signed, and aligned to the scope of work. Detailed Project Proposal: Must include a Project Plan with milestones, deliverables, timeframes, budget, risk mitigation, and contingency planning. Evaluation weights: Company experience (30%). Client references (40%). Project Plan (30%). Scoring: 0 points for <2 years experience or no valid references. 5 points for 2–4 years experience or 1 valid reference. 7 points for 4–5 years experience or 2–3 references. 10 points for >5 years experience or 4+ references. Project Plan scoring: 0 points (no milestones/deliverables), 5 points (high-level only), 7 points (summarised with basic risk mitigation), 10 points (comprehensive with review cycles, roles, and robust risk planning).

Pricing Schedule (Annexure D) must include: Inception Report (methodology and work plan). Demographic and labour market profile report. Skills mapping and gap analysis report. Enterprise and local supply chain mapping report. Strategic partnerships and ecosystem review report. Capability–Opportunity alignment assessment. Targeted intervention recommendations. Implementation framework and action plan. Total Amount (VAT Excl), VAT (15%), and Total Amount (VAT Incl). Pricing must be in ZAR, inclusive of all taxes and costs (travel, freight, insurance, duty). Submit as a separate document from the technical proposal. Financial Proposal Requirements: Cover Letter. Completed Pricing Schedule (Annexure D) on official company letterhead. CSD registration report (RSA suppliers only).

Pricing must be in South African Rand (ZAR), inclusive of all applicable taxes and less unconditional discounts. Prices subject to escalation or exchange rate fluctuations must clearly indicate the currency and rate of exchange (ROE) used. Pricing must include all additional costs (e.g., travel, freight, insurance until acceptance, duty). Payment terms follow CSIR Payment Terms and Conditions. Submit a detailed Pricing Schedule/Bill of Quantities (Annexure D) strictly as per the provided format. Financial proposal must include: Cover Letter. Completed Pricing Schedule (Annexure D) on official company letterhead. CSD registration report (RSA suppliers only). Pricing and specific goals documentation must be submitted separately from the technical proposal.

Mandatory: Not listed on National Treasury’s Register of Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers List. Tax compliant (valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD registration). Submit all mandatory returnable documents (Annexure E). No fronting, corruption, or fraudulent practices (per DTI guidelines). Compliance with POPI Act for handling personal information. For joint ventures: Submit a signed joint venture agreement (including lead partner and work split). Valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated scorecard. TCS or CSD Report for each partner. Proof of ownership/shareholder certificates. Company registration certificates. Disqualifiers: Directors/shareholders formally charged with fraud/illegal conduct. Non-compliance with SARS tax obligations or fraudulent certificates. Failure to meet minimum technical thresholds (70% overall, 50% per criterion). Omission of material information or misrepresentation. CSD registration is mandatory for RSA suppliers (foreign suppliers with no local entity exempt). Provide CSD registration number for verification.

Governing Law: South African law applies; disputes fall under South African courts. Tax Compliance: Bidders must be tax compliant (valid TCS PIN or CSD registration). Non-compliant bidders are notified and given 7 working days to submit SARS proof of compliance or payment arrangements. Failure results in rejection. CSIR may withdraw awards or cancel contracts if non-compliance is later discovered. Tender Defaulters/Restricted Suppliers: No awards to bidders listed on National Treasury’s Register of Tender Defaulters or Restricted Suppliers List. CSIR may withdraw awards if blacklisting is discovered post-award. Confidentiality: Bid information is proprietary to CSIR. No disclosure without written approval. Bidders must return all documents upon request. POPI Act compliance is mandatory for handling personal information. Availability of Funds: CSIR may terminate or suspend services if funds become unavailable. Successful bidders are paid for services rendered up to the termination date. Indemnity: Bidders indemnify CSIR for costs/damages arising from bidder breaches. Disclaimer: RFP is not an offer; CSIR is not liable for bidder costs or losses. Precedence: This document prevails over any briefing session information unless formally amended in writing.

CSIR reserves the right to: Extend the closing date. Correct bid document errors before closing. Verify bidder information and request documentary proof. Conduct site inspections or evaluations pre-/post-adjudication. Award to a non-highest scorer per PPPFA Section 2(1)(f). Request audited financials for due diligence. Award the RFP in whole, in part, or to multiple bidders. Cancel/terminate the process at any stage. Negotiate post-tender on technical, transformation, price, or contractual terms. Disqualify bidders associated with security breaches or fraud/illegal conduct charges. Bidders bear all preparation and submission costs; CSIR is not liable for any bidder expenses or damages.

Three-phase evaluation: Phase 1 (Elimination): Late submissions, incorrect submission addresses, restricted suppliers, tender defaulters, or missing mandatory documents (Annexure E) result in disqualification. Phase 2 (Technical - 100 points): Minimum 70% overall and 50% per criterion to advance. Criteria: Company experience in socio-economic research, skills/enterprise development, or local economic development (30%). Client references for similar work (2020–2026, scope-aligned) (40%). Proposed Project Plan (30%). Scoring rubrics in Annexure C. Phase 3 (Price and Preference - 100 points): 80 points for price, 20 for B-BBEE preference. Only Phase 2 qualifiers proceed. CSIR may award to a non-highest scorer per PPPFA Section 2(1)(f) if no fraud/illegal conduct charges exist.