Appointment of a capital raising panel for the national empowerment fund (NEF) – 3-Year term

Closing date: 19 August 2026 at 14:00. Bid validity period: 150 days from closing date.

Technical/SCM enquiries: Nyameka Mandonda (Investment Principal) or Xolile Tofile (Third Party Funds SCM), Tel: +27 11 305 8000, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]. Bidding procedure enquiries: Kedibone Mboweni (Head: Supply Chain Management), Tel: +27 11 305 8000, Email: [email protected]. Submission email: [email protected].

Submission must be in PDF format via email to [email protected] by 14:00 on 19 August 2026. No other submission methods (telegram, telex, facsimile, hand-delivery, post) will be accepted. Late submissions are disqualified. Bidders must ensure all documents are properly filled, signed, and in English. Required returnables include: signed administrative checklist, POPIA consent form, SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule for Professional Fees), SBD 4 (Bidders Interest), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form), SBD 7.2 (Contract Form), Politically Exposed Person Declaration Form, B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, valid Tax Status PIN, copies of qualifications/IDs/CVs of key personnel, list of references (minimum 2 with contact details), senior management names/details, employment equity details, ownership percentages (Black, Black Women, Youth), shareholder certificate, and affiliations. Bidders are advised to submit at least 15 minutes before the deadline to avoid IT issues. NEF’s email server limit is 18MB per submission. Bidders cover all preparation/submission costs. Juristic persons/partnerships must submit a certified board resolution authorizing the signatory. Bidders may be required to present their proposal with 4 days’ notice.

Evaluation occurs in three phases. Phase 1 (Technical): Minimum 49/70 points required to advance. Criteria: Relevant experience in Third-Party Fundraising (15 points: 15 years=5, 10=4, 7=3, 5=2, 4=1, ≤3=0), Methodology and Approach (15 points: tailored/innovative=5, clear/generic=3, vague=1), Qualifications & Expertise of lead consultant (10 points: CA/CFA/MBA +15 years=5, +10=4, +5=3, Bachelor’s +5=2, <5=1), Capital Raising Track Record (20 points: ≥R15B=5, R5B–R14.99B=4, R1B–R4.99B=3, R500M–R999.99M=2, R300M–R499.99M=1, <R300M=0), Capital Diversification (10 points: ≥80% non-repayable=5, ≥60%=4, ≥50%=3, ≥30%=2, ≥10%=1, <10%=0). Phase 2 (Presentation): Minimum 21/30 points required. Criteria: Methodology and Approach (15 points), Proven record of diverse funding portfolio (15 points). Phase 3 (80/20 Preference Points): Price (80 points), Specific Goals (20 points). Specific Goals: 51%+ Black ownership=10, 30%+ Black Women ownership=5, any Black Designated Groups ownership>0=1, SMME promotion (EME/QSE)=2, any Youth ownership=2. Only bids meeting Phase 1 and 2 thresholds proceed to Phase 3.

Scope: Establish a 3-year (renewable) Capital Raising Panel to support NEF’s resource mobilisation and capitalisation strategy. Panel members may be engaged on a call-down basis for assignments, with payments on a success fee basis only. Services include: supporting resource mobilisation strategy, identifying funding opportunities, advising on innovative financing instruments, donor prospecting/intelligence gathering, proposal development, capital raising (investor engagement, campaigns, roadshows, negotiations), stakeholder engagement (philanthropic foundations, DFIs, corporates, impact investors), and fund mobilisation (blended finance, catalytic capital). Deliverables: Donor/Funder Mapping Reports, Investment Proposals/Pitch Decks, MoUs/Agreements/LoIs, Stakeholder Engagement Plans/Reports, Capital Mobilisation Tracking Tools/Dashboards, and innovative financing models (co-financing, guarantees). Panel selection criteria: proven track record in development/impact fundraising, knowledge of donor landscape, blended finance/ESG/impact capital experience, strong funding networks, ability to develop bankable proposals, understanding of PFMA/governance/compliance, and emerging markets experience. Sector-specific knowledge (SMMEs, gender/youth investment, climate finance, enterprise development) is advantageous.

Bidders must provide a clear strategic roadmap for securing target local and international funders. Required methodology components: donor/funder mapping (alignment with NEF’s mandate, funding windows, key contacts, cycles, engagement strategies), proposal development (investor-ready documents tailored to funder profiles, including value proposition, impact theses, risk-return narratives, ESG/SDG alignment), stakeholder engagement plans (mapping, communications calendars, relationship management protocols), and capital mobilisation tracking (tools/dashboards for pipelines, commitments, disbursements, partner progress). Innovative financing models (co-financing, guarantees, catalytic capital) must be addressed. Methodology is evaluated on clarity, tailoring to NEF’s needs, and innovation (Phase 1: 15 points; Phase 2: 15 points).

Required experience/qualifications: Proven track record in fundraising for development/impact investment funds (written references mandatory). Knowledge of donor/investor landscape, blended finance, ESG, and impact capital models. Strong networks with philanthropic, public, and private funding sources (DFIs, corporates, HNWIs). Ability to develop bankable proposals and negotiate funding agreements. Understanding of PFMA, governance, compliance, and donor due diligence. Experience in emerging markets/development finance ecosystems. Sector-specific knowledge (SMMEs, gender/youth investment, climate finance, enterprise development) is highly advantageous. Lead consultant qualifications: CA/CFA/MBA or equivalent + relevant experience (scored in evaluation). Key personnel CVs, qualifications, and IDs must be submitted.

Bidders must complete SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule for Professional Services). Required details: ceiling price (all phases + expenses, all taxes included), hourly/daily rates for personnel, phase-by-phase costs and man-days, travel expenses (rate/km, airfare class, etc.; actual costs only with proof), and other expenses (e.g., accommodation; proof required). Specify if rates are firm for the contract period or subject to adjustment (e.g., CPI). Total bid price must be all-inclusive. Payment terms: success fee (2.5% of capital raised, capped at 3%) or deliverable-based fees (per pre-approved budgets/milestones). Offer validity: 150 days from closing date.

Pricing must be in ZAR, inclusive of all applicable taxes (VAT, PAYE, income tax, UIF, skills development levies). Bidders must provide: ceiling price for total estimated time (all phases + expenses), hourly/daily rates for personnel, phase-by-phase costs/man-days, travel expenses (actual costs only, with proof), and other expenses (e.g., accommodation, with proof). Rates must be firm for the contract period or specify adjustment basis (e.g., CPI). Remuneration: Success Fee = 2.5% of total capital raised (capped at 3%, including up to 0.5% discretionary bonus for exceptional performance). Deliverable-Based Fees: per-deliverable, aligned with pre-approved budgets/milestones. Payment triggers: signed agreements or actual disbursements. Offer validity: 150 days from closing date.

Mandatory: Registration on National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) with mandatory information (business registration, directorship, tax compliance, banking details). Valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS PIN or CSD number) required; foreign bidders exempt if no RSA presence/income. B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit must be submitted. Compliance with South African legislation: Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), Financial Sector Regulatory Act (FSRA), Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA), Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). Required declarations: SBD 4 (Bidders Interest), POPIA consent form, Politically Exposed Person Declaration. Joint ventures/consortia: each party must submit separate TCS/PIN/CSD proof. Disqualification risks: late submission, missing/incorrect forms, failure to disclose conflicts of interest or CSD-linked companies, or listing in Register for Tender Defaulters/Restricted Suppliers.

Contract duration: 3 years, renewable based on performance. Panel members engaged on a call-down basis; payments are success-fee based only (2.5% of capital raised, capped at 3%). NEF reserves the right to: amend RFP conditions/validity period/specifications, extend closing date, reject any/all bids, award to any party without reasons, or withdraw the RFP. Service Level Agreement (SLA) terms take precedence over RFP documents in case of conflict. Bidders must confirm acceptance of all terms, including validity period (150 days from closing date). Bids from juristic persons/partnerships require certified board resolutions. Bidders may be required to present their proposal with 4 days’ notice. NEF is not liable for IT issues, incorrect email submissions, or file size limits (>18MB).