Transaction advisory services for richards bay dry bulk terminal PPP project

• For tender queries and clarification requests: Email [email protected].
• For submission link requests: Email [email protected] (quote RFP number).
• No telephonic queries accepted.
• All communications must be in writing.

• Submit electronically only via the OneDrive link provided after requesting it. No physical submissions accepted.
• Request the submission link via email to [email protected], quoting RFP number, at least three working days before submission.
• Closing time: 23h55 (midnight) on 07 August 2026.
• Bids must remain valid for 120 calendar days from closing time.
• Submit two separate electronic folders: Folder 1 for Pre-Qualifying Criteria and Functional Evaluation, Folder 2 for Price/Financial Proposal.
• Use official forms provided; do not retype.
• Failure to provide required particulars or compulsory documents may result in disqualification.
• Late bids will not be considered unless exceptional circumstances caused by DBSA.

Pre-qualification criteria (must all be met): 1) Submission as two-folder tender. 2) Key personnel qualifications: Project Director (postgraduate degree NQF8+ in engineering, project management, law, finance); Technical Lead (postgraduate degree NQF8+ in relevant engineering discipline AND registered Professional Engineer/Technologist); Financial Expert (postgraduate degree NQF8+ in commerce, actuarial science, etc.); Legal Expert (law degree AND registered attorney/advocate); Economic Expert (degree in econometrics, finance, etc.); Environmental Expert (postgraduate degree NQF8+ in environmental studies/social sciences AND registered Professional Natural Scientist). 3) Provide team organogram and CVs (Annexure B template). 4) Adhere to clarification response times (48 hours for tender conditions, 7 working days for CSD/TAX PIN). Failure on any pre-qualifier leads to disqualification.

Scope of work: Provide transaction advisory services for the Richards Bay Dry Bulk Terminal Project, including:

• Conduct a legal and regulatory feasibility study.
• Review and update existing feasibility studies.
• Prepare procurement documents for a private sector partner.
• Support commercial and financial close activities.

Key team requirements:

• Project Director: Postgraduate degree (NQF 8+) in engineering, project management, law, or finance; min 15 years experience leading feasibility studies/PPP transport projects (>R500m).
• Technical Lead: Postgraduate degree (NQF 8+) in civil, rail, ports, maritime, mechanical, or electrical engineering; registered professional engineer/technologist; supported by full technical team (rail, ports, maritime, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental specialists).
• Financial Lead Advisor: Postgraduate degree (NQF 8+) in commerce, actuarial science, econometrics, or mathematics/statistics; experience in financial modelling, PPP structures, public sector comparator.
• Legal Expert: Law degree; registered with law society/bar council; experience in legal/regulatory feasibility, PPP structuring, drafting agreements.
• Economic Expert (CBA): Degree in econometrics, finance, actuarial science, or mathematics; experience in cost-benefit analysis for large infrastructure.
• Environmental, Social & Governance Expert: Postgraduate degree (NQF 8+) in environmental studies/social sciences; registered professional natural scientist; min 10 years experience in transport sector environmental impacts, EIAs.

Methodology: Must demonstrate understanding of terms of reference, provide detailed work plan (Gantt chart), organogram, and team support structure.

• Methodology scored (25-28 points): Demonstrate thorough understanding of terms of reference, experience in feasibility studies/PPP projects, innovative approach, international PPP experience.
• Submit detailed work plan (Gantt chart), organogram showing lead experts and supporting team, and team experience in transport infrastructure planning, design, structuring, procurement, negotiation, CBA, stakeholder management.
• Company profile: Provide at least 5 similar projects (>R500m), preferably PPPs.

Key expert experience and project requirements:

• Project Director: Min 15 years experience leading feasibility studies/PPP transport projects (>R500m); provide detailed work history and list of projects (min 5 projects >R500m).
• Technical Expert: Min 15 years experience in large PPP transport projects, demand analysis, planning, design, procurement; provide work history and project list (min 5 projects >R500m).
• Financial Expert: Experience in financial modelling, PPP structures, public sector comparator; provide project list (min 5 projects >R500m).
• Economic Expert (CBA): Experience in cost-benefit analysis for large infrastructure; provide project list (min 3-5 projects >R500m).
• Legal & Regulatory Expert: Experience in legal/regulatory feasibility, PPP structuring, drafting agreements; provide project list (min 5 projects >R500m).
• Company profile: At least 5 similar projects (>R500m), preferably PPPs.

• Bidders must promptly notify DBSA of any discrepancies, ambiguities, errors, or inconsistencies in the RFP.
• DBSA may correct and disseminate corrections to all bidders.

• Notify DBSA promptly of any pricing errors in bid response, excluding clerical errors.

• Pricing errors must be promptly notified to DBSA after submission, excluding clerical errors.
• No specific pricing format, bonds, guarantees, or payment terms detailed in extracted text.

• South African bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and submit CSD summary report.
• Submit tax compliance status: SARS PIN or Tax Compliance Status (TCS). Foreign bidders may be exempt if no RSA presence/income.
• B-BBEE: Submit B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. EMEs (annual revenue ≤ZAR10m) submit auditor/verification agency certificate. Others submit B-BBEE status level verification certificate.
• Provide CIPC company registration documents, share certificates (if applicable), consortium breakdown (if applicable).
• Compliance with all applicable laws, National Treasury regulations, and anti-corruption legislation required.

• No specific health and safety requirements stated in extracted text.
• DBSA may consider poor performance regarding safety, health, quality control, or environment during due diligence.

• Environmental, Social & Governance Expert required: postgraduate degree (NQF 8+) in environmental studies/social sciences; registered professional natural scientist; min 10 years experience in transport sector environmental impacts, EIAs, adaptation & mitigation.
• Must provide evidence of projects (>R500m) in environmental aspects for transport sector.

• Contract governed by General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions.
• Bids remain property of DBSA; intellectual property retained by bidder but licensed for evaluation.
• DBSA reserves right to award in full or part, negotiate, and cancel RFP.
• Due diligence may be performed on preferred bidder, considering judgements, litigation, performance, reputational harm, and vetting.
• Anti-competitive conduct, corruption, conflicts of interest prohibited.
• Bidders responsible for costs and compliance with laws.

• Evaluation follows PPPFA Regulations 2022 (80/20 or 90/10 principle).
• Stage 1: Administrative responsiveness check includes pre-qualifying criteria (e.g., two-folder submission).
• Stage 2: Functional criteria scored out of 100 points; minimum 70 points to proceed.
• Stage 3: Price evaluation for qualifying bidders.