Technical transaction advisors for gas ipp bid windows 1 & 2: RFP design, evaluation, commercial & financial close

Reference letter requirements:

• Bidders must obtain reference letters from clients using the provided template (Annexure J).
• The template must be copied onto the client's official letterhead.
• Reference letters must be completed and signed by the client, not by the bidder.
• DBSA reserves the right to verify all information provided in reference letters.
• Required reference letter content includes: client's legal name, bidder's company name, bid/project description (including project capacity), description of services provided, contract start and end dates, duration in months, contract value in ZAR, country/location, and optional comments.
• Client signatory must provide: signature, company name, position, contact telephone number, and date.

Reference letter requirements:

• Bidders must obtain reference letters from clients using the provided template (Annexure J).
• The template must be copied onto the client's official letterhead.
• Reference letters must be completed and signed by the client, not by the bidder.
• DBSA reserves the right to verify all information provided in reference letters.
• Required reference letter content includes: client's legal name, bidder's company name, bid/project description (including project capacity), description of services provided, contract start and end dates, duration in months, contract value in ZAR, country/location, and optional comments.
• Client signatory must provide: signature, company name, position, contact telephone number, and date.

No specific requirements found

The IPP Office (under Department of Electricity and Energy) mandates procurement of 3,000 MW gas-to-power per 2020 Ministerial Determination and IRP 2019. Split: Gas Bid Window 1 – 2,000 MW site agnostic; Gas Bid Window 2 – 1,000 MW in Coega SEZ. This RFP appoints Technical Transaction Advisors for: Gas BW 1 Commercial and Financial Close phase; Gas BW 2 full scope (RFP design, drafting, evaluation, preferred bidder appointment, commercial/financial close). Duration: 36 months. Advisor must have international gas-to-power specialist experience. Scope includes studying existing BW1 documents, preparing Programme Review Report, managing change requests, supporting negotiations and financial close, finalising BW2 Concept Note with stakeholders, drafting RFP and agreements, handling clarifications, evaluating BW2 bids, and supporting close for both windows.

Issued date: 1 September 2026.

Compulsory briefing session: 11 September 2026, 12:00–13:00, online via Microsoft Teams (link provided in tender). Attendance is a pre-qualifier.

OneDrive link request deadline: 22 September 2026, 16:00.

Clarification request deadline: 3 working days before closing date (by 19 September 2026).

Closing date: 23 September 2026.

Closing time: 23:55 (Telkom time).

Bid validity period: 120 calendar days from closing time. Non-acceptance of validity extensions results in exclusion.

SCM / Tender Officer: DBSA Supply Chain Management Unit.

Email: [email protected] (for OneDrive link requests, clarifications, and all tender communications).

Complaints email: [email protected].

No telephonic queries will be answered. All communications must be in writing, preferably by email.

Submission method: electronic only via OneDrive link. Bidders must request the OneDrive link by emailing [email protected] with the RFP number in the subject line. Link requests close 22 September 2026 at 16:00. No physical, faxed, or emailed bids will be accepted. Bids must be submitted as a two-folder tender: Folder 1 – Functionality and returnable submission; Folder 2 – Pricing proposal. All bids must be on the official forms provided (not re-typed). Late bids will not be accepted. Compulsory briefing session attendance is a pre-qualifier. Returnable documents (completed and signed) must be included; failure to submit any compulsory document may result in disqualification. Clarification requests must be submitted at least three working days before the closing date. Standard conditions of tender and returnable documents clarifications require a 48-hour response; CSD registration proof and SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN require a 7-day response.

Three-stage evaluation:

Stage 1 – Administrative Responsiveness (Pre-Qualifiers):

• Two-folder submission (Folder 1: Functionality and returnables; Folder 2: Pricing) – mandatory.
• Attendance at compulsory briefing session – mandatory.
• Eligibility criteria: Team Leader must hold a Master's degree in engineering or higher (NQF level 9+) and professional registration with ECSA or equivalent international body. Three Team Members must each hold an engineering qualification at Degree level (BSc/BEng) or BTech (NQF 7+).
• CSD registration (SA entities) and valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN – mandatory.

Stage 2 – Functionality Evaluation (minimum threshold 70/100):

• Team Lead experience in gas infrastructure or gas-to-power projects (max 20 points): 0-2 years = 0; 3-6 years = 7; 7-10 years = 14; 11+ years = 20.
• Team Members' experience in power sector, gas-to-power, or gas infrastructure (max 15 points each, averaged across 3 members): 0-1 year = 0; 2-3 years = 6; 3-5 years = 11; 6+ years = 15.
• Company project experience: gas-to-power projects ≥50 MW reaching commercial operation (max 30 points): 0-1 projects = 0; 2 projects = 21; 3+ projects = 30. Proven via completed Annexure J reference letters.
• Company experience in RFP drafting for energy/gas infrastructure (max 20 points): 0 reference letters = 0; 1 letter = 14; 2+ letters = 20. Proven via Annexure J.
• Company experience in technical evaluation of bids for large infrastructure/PPP/energy projects (max 15 points): 0 letters = 0; 1 letter = 11; 2+ letters = 15. Proven via Annexure J.

Stage 3 – Price and Specific Goals (80/20 PPPFA):

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific Goals (B-BBEE Level): 20 points.

Only bidders passing Stages 1 and 2 proceed to Stage 3. Lowest price wins unless DBSA cancels per PPPFA Regulations. Pricing schedule in Annexure K. Additional objective criteria (risk analysis) applied to highest-ranked bidders: tax compliance re-check, CSD registration, no misrepresentation, professional registration verification, no tender defaulters, no fraud/corruption convictions, no contract terminations for non-performance in prior 18 months, no written non-performance notices in prior 12 months, PEP/Procure Checks, order book limits (5 active awards with outstanding value may exclude; exceptions for near-completion or stalled projects). Due diligence on preferred bidder includes judgements, litigation, performance history, reputational risk, blacklisting, vetting, PEP/Procure Checks, and financial ratio analysis.

Scope: Appointment of Technical Transaction Advisors for Gas Bid Window 1 (2,000 MW, site agnostic) Commercial and Financial Close, and Gas Bid Window 2 (1,000 MW, Coega SEZ) full RFP design, drafting, evaluation, preferred bidder appointment, and commercial/financial close. Appointment duration: 36 months.

Key deliverables:

Gas BW 1 – Pre-Commercial Close: Study programme documents (RFP Parts A, B, C; agreements PPA, IA, DA with schedules); study preferred bidders' bid documents and evaluation templates; study evaluation reports; submit Programme Review Report covering Gas BW1 concept, RFP parts, agreements, briefing notes, evaluation process/outcomes, recommendations for future windows.

Gas BW 1 – Commercial and Financial Close: Review/analyse/respond to change requests (technology changes, technical parameters, financial viability, environmental approvals/permits); support IPPO/Department in negotiations including value-for-money assessments; prepare for and conclude Financial Close activities – respond to Buyer queries, prepare project agreements/schedules with Legal/Finance advisors, advise on generation technology changes and financial model assumptions, assess technical consequences/efficiencies/yield/business case impacts.

Gas BW 2 – RFP Drafting (First Draft) and Briefing Notes: Review and finalise draft Concept Note with stakeholders (DEE, CEF, TNPA, NTCSA, SFF, Coega IDZ); coordinate stakeholder engagements; advise on contractual structure and stakeholder mapping; technical advice on gas volumes for capacity factor (with Eskom/NTCSA and gas aggregator); draft RFP including all agreements (PPA, IA, Direct Agreements, Independent Engineer Agreement); incorporate market comments into second draft (RFP Optimisation); draft/respond to bid clarification questions via briefing notes; conduct evaluation of BW2 bid responses; support commercial/financial close for both windows.

Team requirements: Team Lead (Master's engineering NQF9+, ECSA/international registration, gas/gas-to-power experience); three Team Members (engineering degree/BTech NQF7+, power/gas-to-power/gas infrastructure experience). Company must demonstrate track record via Annexure J reference letters: gas-to-power projects ≥50 MW at commercial operation; RFP drafting for energy/gas infrastructure; technical bid evaluation for large infrastructure/PPP/energy projects.

Pre-qualifying eligibility criteria (Stage 1):

• Team Leader: Master's degree in engineering or higher (NQF level 9+); professional registration with ECSA or equivalent international statutory body.
• Three Team Members: Engineering qualification at Degree level (BSc/BEng) or BTech (NQF 7+).

Functionality evaluation criteria (Stage 2) – experience scoring:

• Team Lead experience in gas infrastructure or gas-to-power projects: 0-2 years (0 pts), 3-6 years (7 pts), 7-10 years (14 pts), 11+ years (20 pts). Detailed CV required.
• Each of three Team Members' experience in power sector, gas-to-power, or gas infrastructure: 0-1 year (0 pts), 2-3 years (6 pts), 3-5 years (11 pts), 6+ years (15 pts). Detailed CVs required; average of three members used.
• Company project experience: gas-to-power projects ≥50 MW reaching commercial operation: 0-1 projects (0 pts), 2 projects (21 pts), 3+ projects (30 pts). Proven via completed/signed Annexure J reference letters from client.
• Company RFP drafting experience for energy/gas infrastructure: 0 reference letters (0 pts), 1 letter (14 pts), 2+ letters (20 pts). Proven via Annexure J.
• Company technical evaluation experience for large infrastructure/PPP/energy projects: 0 letters (0 pts), 1 letter (11 pts), 2+ letters (15 pts). Proven via Annexure J.

All reference letters must use Annexure J form; bidder may add information but not remove elements. No reference letters = zero score for that criterion.

DBSA makes no warranties on RFP accuracy, currency, or completeness. Bidders must promptly notify DBSA in writing of any discrepancy, ambiguity, error, or inconsistency (excluding minor clerical matters) to allow corrective action. DBSA will correct and circulate to all bidders without attribution where possible. Bidders responsible for examining RFP and referenced documents, fully informing themselves, ensuring bid accuracy/completeness, making own enquiries, assessing risks, complying with applicable laws (National Treasury Regulations, Guidelines, Instruction Notes, Practice Notes, Government Gazette), and submitting all compulsory documents. DBSA may reject bids not in required format or incomplete. Illegible content may be disregarded. Unintentional errors may be corrected post-closing if not material. Bidders must notify DBSA of any post-submission errors (including pricing) promptly. All bids become DBSA property upon submission.

Pricing proposal submitted separately in Folder 2. Refer to Annexure K for pricing schedule (format not detailed in extracted text). Evaluation: 80/20 PPPFA – Price 80 points, Specific Goals (B-BBEE) 20 points. Lowest price wins unless DBSA cancels per PPPFA Regulations. Bid validity 120 calendar days from closing. DBSA reserves right to negotiate for value for money and to award scope in full or part subject to budget. Financial capacity assessed during due diligence via ratio analysis (stability, efficiency, profitability, risk, liquidity, acid test, solvency). No bond, guarantee, or insurance requirements stated.

Pricing proposal submitted in Folder 2 (separate from functionality). Pricing schedule provided in Annexure K (format not detailed in extracted text). Evaluation uses 80/20 PPPFA: Price 80 points, Specific Goals (B-BBEE) 20 points. Lowest price wins unless DBSA cancels per PPPFA. Bid validity: 120 calendar days from closing; extensions may be requested, non-acceptance leads to exclusion. No explicit bond, guarantee, or insurance requirements stated in extracted text. Financial capacity assessed during due diligence on preferred bidder (ratio analysis: financial stability, efficiency, profitability, financial risk, liquidity, acid test, solvency). DBSA reserves right to negotiate for value for money and to award scope in full or part subject to budget availability.

Mandatory compliance:

• CSD registration (SA entities) – provide CSD summary report.
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN (or printed TCS).
• B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit (EMEs ≤R10m revenue: auditor/verification agency certificate; others: original/valid certificate or copy/sworn affidavit).
• CIPC company registration documents listing all members/shareholders with percentages.
• Latest share certificates (companies).
• Professional registration: Team Lead with ECSA or equivalent international body; Team Members with appropriate engineering qualifications.
• Completed and signed returnable schedules/documents per Part C checklist: Part A (Invitation to Bid), Part B (Terms and Conditions), Part C (Checklist), Part D (Conditions of Tendering), Part E (Specifications/ToR), Annexure B (SBD4 Declaration of Interest), Annexure C (SBD6.1 and B-BBEE certificate), Annexure D (CIPC documents), Annexure E (share certificates), Annexure F (consortium fee breakdown if applicable), Annexure G (supporting documents for pre-qualifying/functional criteria), Annexure H (General Conditions of Contract), Annexure I (CSD Tax Compliance Status and Registration Requirements Report), Annexure J (reference letter forms for experience claims), Annexure K (pricing schedule).
• Authority to sign (board resolution) for authorised representative.
• POPIA Informed Consent.
• No misrepresentation; online verification of professional registrations; 48-hour documented evidence request for authenticity (independent reference with contact details).
• Not listed on Register of Tender Defaulters (Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act).
• No fraud/corruption convictions; no contract terminations for non-performance (DBSA: 18 months; other organs of state: 12 months written notice may exclude).
• PEP Check and Procure Check (negative may exclude).
• Order book limits: 5 active awards with outstanding value may exclude; exceptions for ≤10% outstanding (near completion) or 3 active awards with one stalled ≥6 months/on hold.
• Due diligence on preferred bidder: judgements, litigation, performance history, reputational risk, blacklisting, vetting, PEP/Procure Checks, financial ratio analysis.

No specific health and safety requirements detailed in the extracted text. General compliance with applicable laws required. Due diligence on preferred bidder includes assessment of poor performance on safety, health, quality control, or environment policies/procedures, and serious/gross breach of contract.

Environmental approvals and permits referenced in context of change requests during Commercial and Financial Close for Gas BW 1: change requests may involve technology changes requiring advice on impact on technical parameters, financial viability, and related issues such as environmental approvals and permits. No standalone environmental requirements or sustainability criteria specified in extracted text.

Contract framework: General Conditions of Contract (GCC) apply, plus any Special Conditions in Part C. Proposed Contract includes agreement and terms in RFP. No binding contract exists until DBSA executes formal written contract with successful bidder. Bid constitutes irrevocable offer for 120 days (extendable by mutual written agreement). Bid must not be conditional on board approval, due diligence, regulatory approvals, third-party consents, or negotiation of commercial terms – such conditional bids may be disregarded. DBSA may accept bid in part or whole, or negotiate. Intellectual property in bids remains with bidder; DBSA gets licence to reproduce for evaluation. Confidentiality: all RFP information must be kept confidential, used only for proposal preparation. Anti-competitive conduct, collusion, improper assistance, fraud, corruption prohibited – immediate disqualification. Conflict of interest must be disclosed; failure to notify disqualifies. Late bids disqualified unless caused by DBSA, access denied to tender box, or major incident – DBSA determination of time is final. DBSA rights: may cease/suspend process, alter structure/timing, vary dates, terminate bidder participation, award in full/part subject to budget, negotiate for value for money. Bidder warranties: no reliance on representations outside RFP; no improper assistance; own costs; accept RFP terms; provide additional info timely. Due diligence on preferred bidder includes judgements, litigation, performance, reputational harm, blacklisting, vetting, PEP/Procure Checks, financial ratios. DBSA not obliged to appoint or contract if no compliant bid, need changes, or funds unavailable. Debriefing optional. Illegal activities not tolerated: misrepresentation, collusion, non-disclosure, corruption, harassment.

See main evaluationCriteria section for complete three-stage evaluation details. Additional note: Pre-qualifying criteria are pass/fail. Functionality threshold is 70/100. Price and Specific Goals use 80/20 PPPFA 2022. Objective criteria/risk analysis applied to highest-ranked bidders after Stage 3. Due diligence on preferred bidder includes financial ratio analysis, PEP/Procure Checks, litigation, judgements, performance, reputation, blacklisting, vetting.