Economic complexity studies & socio-economic analysis consultancy – gauteng government RFP

Compulsory briefing session: 31 August 2026 at 09:00 (Johannesburg time), online via Microsoft Teams. Link access opens 15 minutes before. Link request deadline: 04 September 2026 at 16:30. Clarification requests accepted until 04 September 2026 at 16:30. Closing date: 10 September 2026 at 23:55.

Compulsory briefing session on 31 August 2026 at 09:00 Johannesburg time, online via Microsoft Teams. Bidders must complete their details to access the session; the link is accessible 15 minutes before the meeting. Attendance is a pre-qualifying criterion.

All queries must be directed to the DBSA Supply Chain Management Unit via email at [email protected]. No telephonic queries will be answered. Complaints about the tendering process must be emailed to [email protected].

Bids must be submitted electronically via a OneDrive link provided by DBSA. No physical, faxed, or emailed bids will be accepted. Bidders must request the link by emailing [email protected], quoting the RFP number. The link request deadline is 04 September 2026 at 16:30. Submissions must be uploaded before the closing time of 23:55 on 10 September 2026. Bidders must use the correct bidder document and tender link; proof of upload attempts and errors must be provided if issues arise. Bids must be submitted in two separate folders: Folder 1 for Pre-Qualifying Criteria and Functional Evaluation, and Folder 2 for Price/Financial Proposal. All bids must be on the official forms and not re-typed. Returnable documents include: Part A (Invitation to Bid), Part B (Terms and Conditions), Part C (Checklist), Part D (Conditions of Tendering), Part E (Specifications/Terms of Reference), Annexure A (Price Proposal), Annexure B (SBD4 Declaration of Interest), Annexure C (SBD6.1 and B-BBEE certificate), Annexure F (CIPC registration documents), Annexure G (share certificates), Annexure H (consortium fee breakdown, if applicable), Annexure I (supporting documents for pre-qualifying and functional criteria), Annexure J (General Conditions of Contract), Annexure K (CSD Tax Compliance Status and Registration Report). Failure to include all documents may lead to disqualification.

Evaluation is in three stages. Stage 1: Administrative responsiveness – bidders must submit as a two-folder tender and attend the compulsory briefing. Clarifications must be responded to within 48 hours. Stage 2: Functional evaluation – bidders must score at least 70 out of 100 to proceed. Stage 3: Price – the lowest price is recommended, subject to PPPFA regulations. Functional criteria (total 100 points): Company/consortium experience (30 points) – split between Economic Complexity, Diversification and Industrial Development experience (15 points) and Socio-Economic Analysis and Just Transition experience (15 points), with points awarded based on number of comparable assignments (5+ = 15, 3-4 = 10, 1-2 = 5, none = 0). Key personnel qualifications and experience (30 points) – Team Leader (10 points, NQF Level 10 with 5+ years), Economic Complexity/Economist Specialist (5 points, NQF Level 10 with 5+ years), Socio-economic Specialist (5 points, NQF Level 9 with 5+ years), Just Transition Facilitation Specialist (5 points, NQF Level 8 with 5+ years), Other Team Members (5 points, at least 3 specialists with NQF Level 7 and 5+ years). Methodology, Technical Approach and Work Plan (40 points) – each of the four elements (economic complexity framework, labour market assessment, stakeholder consultation, and quality assurance/reporting/risk management) carries a maximum of 7.5 points, weighted by clarity (0.5 for generic, 1.0 for clear).

The assignment requires a qualified consultant or consortium to undertake economic complexity studies and comprehensive socio-economic analysis. The work must inform economic diversification, investment prioritisation, policy formulation, and just transition planning. The consultant must demonstrate experience in economic complexity studies, socio-economic analysis, economic diversification, industrial policy, regional development, labour market analysis, quantitative economic modelling, stakeholder engagement, and Just Transition-related assignments. The team must include a Project Director/Team Leader, Economic Complexity/Economist Specialist, Socio-economic Specialist, Just Transition Facilitation Specialist, and other specialists such as statisticians/data analysts, GIS specialists, and research specialists. The methodology must cover economic complexity framework, product space analysis, economic modelling (e.g., Harvard economic complexity), economic diversification assessment, labour market assessment, data collection and validation, stakeholder consultation, and integration of stakeholder inputs. A detailed work plan, quality assurance arrangements, reporting framework, and risk management approach are required.

The methodology must demonstrate understanding of: economic complexity framework, product space analysis, economic modelling (e.g., Harvard economic complexity), and economic diversification assessment; labour market assessment, data collection, validation, and quality control; consultation approach and integration of stakeholder inputs. Each element is scored out of 7.5 points, weighted by clarity (0.5 for generic, 1.0 for clear).

Company/consortium experience: For Economic Complexity, Diversification and Industrial Development, and for Socio-Economic Analysis and Just Transition, points are awarded based on number of comparable assignments completed with reference letters: 5+ = 15 points, 3-4 = 10 points, 1-2 = 5 points, none = 0. Key personnel: Team Leader must have NQF Level 10 in Economics or related field with 5+ years experience (10 points); Economic Complexity Specialist NQF Level 10 with 5+ years (5 points); Socio-economic Specialist NQF Level 9 with 5+ years (5 points); Just Transition Facilitation Specialist NQF Level 8 with 5+ years (5 points); Other team members at least 3 specialists with NQF Level 7 and 5+ years (5 points). CVs must follow Annexure B template.

The methodology must include a quality assurance plan, reporting framework, and risk management approach. Bidders must provide verifiable evidence for functional criteria, including project descriptions, reference letters, CVs, and methodology. The DBSA may disregard illegible content and is not obliged to seek clarification.

Pricing must be submitted in Folder 2 as a separate financial proposal. The price proposal must follow Annexure A. Bidders must notify DBSA of any pricing errors after submission. The DBSA may negotiate to ensure value for money.

Pricing must be submitted in Folder 2 (Price/Financial Proposal). The price proposal must follow Annexure A. Bidders must notify DBSA of any pricing errors after submission. The DBSA reserves the right to negotiate to ensure value for money. The tender offer validity period is 120 calendar days from the closing time.

South African bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide a CSD Summary Report. A valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN issued by SARS must be submitted. Bidders not registered on CSD must submit mandatory information (business registration, directorships, identity numbers, tax compliance status) with the bid. Each party in a consortium/joint venture must submit separate proof of tax compliance. B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit must be submitted (Annexure C). EMEs (annual revenue ZAR10 million or less) must submit a certificate from a registered auditor or accredited verification agency. Non-EMEs must submit original or certified copy of B-BBEE certificate. Certified copies of CIPC registration documents (Annexure F) and share certificates (Annexure G) are required. SBD4 Declaration of Interest must be completed. Bidders must not be involved in collusion, anti-competitive conduct, fraud, or corruption. Bidders must disclose any conflict of interest.

The RFP is an invitation to submit proposals and does not constitute an offer. No contract exists until a formal written contract is executed. Bids must remain open for acceptance for 120 calendar days from closing time; extensions may be agreed in writing. The DBSA may cancel the RFP or award in full or part, subject to budget availability. Bidders must not make their bid conditional on board approval, due diligence, regulatory approvals, or negotiation of commercial terms. The DBSA may disqualify bidders for improper assistance, fraud, corruption, collusion, or failure to disclose conflicts of interest. Bidders must keep RFP contents confidential. The DBSA may reject bids that are incomplete, illegible, or not in the required format.

The DBSA reserves the right to award the scope in full or part, subject to budget availability, and to negotiate to ensure value for money.

Evaluation is in three stages: Stage 1 – administrative responsiveness (including two-folder submission and compulsory briefing attendance); Stage 2 – functional evaluation (minimum 70% threshold); Stage 3 – price and preference points.