Strategic advisory partner: bankable business case and execution of the sabs reimagine programme (RFQ 202103)

Compulsory briefing session (attendance mandatory)

• Date and time: 20 October 2026 at 12:00.
• Format: Microsoft Teams meeting.
• Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3971761529517514?p=P5usiWZn9F7umEPX58
• Meeting ID: 397 176 152 951 751 4
• Passcode: Kh7D4DW9

Closing

• Date and time: 22 October 2026 at 11:00.
• Late submissions are not accepted.

Contract period

• Six months, November 2026 to May 2027.

Compulsory briefing session

• Date and time: 20 October 2026 at 12:00.
• Format: Microsoft Teams meeting.
• Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3971761529517514?p=P5usiWZn9F7umEPX58
• Meeting ID: 397 176 152 951 751 4
• Passcode: Kh7D4DW9
• Attendance is mandatory; bidders who do not attend are disqualified.

Enquiries

• Contact: Ntobeko Mweli
• Role: Procurement Specialist
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 012 428 6691

Submission

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]

Head office address

1 Dr Lategan Road

Groenkloof

Pretoria, 0001

Switchboard: +27 (0)12 428 7911

Restriction

• Bidders may not contact any other SABS personnel about this RFQ; doing so, or canvassing, results in disqualification.

Submission method

• Email only, to [email protected].
• Closing time: 22 October 2026 at 11:00. Late submissions are not accepted.
• Submissions sent via a file-sharing link or WeTransfer are not accepted.
• The bidder carries the risk of ensuring the quotation reaches SABS before the closing time.

Quotation format

• Quotation must be on the bidder's company letterhead.
• Pricing must be all-inclusive of VAT.

Returnable documents (submit with the quotation)

• National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration report.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, required to claim specific goals.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any state employment or relationship between the bidder's directors or shareholders and officials of the procuring institution; a false disclosure disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form, Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022): claims points for price and specific goals.

Disqualification risks

• Quotation received after the closing time.
• Failure to attend the compulsory briefing session.
• Contacting SABS personnel other than the named procurement specialist, or any canvassing.

Documents to submit with the quotation

• National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration report.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, required to claim specific goals.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment or relationships between the bidder's principals and the procuring institution; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form, Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022): claims points for price and specific goals.

Submission

• Method: email to [email protected].
• Closing: 22 October 2026 at 11:00. Late submissions are not accepted.
• Submissions via a file-sharing link or WeTransfer are not accepted.
• The bidder is responsible for ensuring the quotation is received on time.

Stage 1 — Mandatory requirements

• Attendance of the compulsory briefing session. Bidders who do not meet the mandatory requirements are disqualified.

Stage 2 — Technical functionality (100%)

• Scored on a 1–5 scale: Very Poor 1, Poor 2, Average 3, Good 4, Excellent 5.
• Minimum qualifying score: 80%.
• Reference letters (30%): minimum five project reference letters for similar completed work within the last 10 years; preference for projects in medium to large organisations in the public sector, state-owned entities, revenue-generating entities and highly regulated industries. Letters must be on company letterhead and state the services provided, client name, contact person and contact details. Scoring: 0 contactable letters = 0; 1 = 1; 2 = 2; 3 = 3; 4 = 4; 5 = 5.
• Lead Consultant experience (30%): relevant practical and leadership experience in strategy execution, organisational transformation, business-case development or validation, investment readiness, growth-strategy implementation, organisational growth, turnaround or performance improvement, and leading complex strategic advisory assignments. Scoring: no evidence = 0; under 3 years = 1; 3 to under 5 years = 2; 5 to under 8 years = 3; 8 to under 12 years = 4; 12 years or more = 5.
• First 100-day Activation Plan (40%): a concise methodology with a high-level 100-day plan covering key activities, milestones, stakeholder engagements, deliverables and decision points from strategy development to investment readiness and implementation. Scoring: no plan = 0; poorly structured = 1; limited or generic = 2; adequate and logical = 3; strong, practical and executable = 4; exceptional and execution-focused = 5.

Stage 3 — Preference points (80/20)

• Only bidders who pass the mandatory requirements and score 80% or more on functionality proceed.
• Price: 80 points. Specific goals: 20 points. Total: 100 points.
• Bidders who do not claim specific goals score 0 for that element.

Purpose

• Appoint a strategic advisory partner to develop a bankable business case for the SABS Reimagine Programme and to execute the programme's next phase.
• The partner must convert the approved Strategy to 2030 into commercially validated, bankable and executable programmes able to attract investment, secure Board approval and move into implementation.

Background

• SABS has completed the strategic design phase of the Reimagine Programme. The strategy has three pathways: (1) Turnaround and Growth of the Core; (2) New Growth Engines through Partnerships; (3) Integration of the National Assurance Ecosystem through a National Assurance Orchestrator Model.
• Pathway 1 is in implementation and recovery; Pathways 2 and 3 still require commercial validation, market sizing, business case development and investment readiness.
• The assignment includes repositioning the Business Solutions and Advisory Services (BSAS) unit as a core growth business.

Market analysis and prioritisation — growth programmes

• Industrial value chains: Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen; E-Mobility and Battery Assurance; Green Infrastructure; Critical Minerals; Sustainable Agriculture; Circular Economy; Water Security.
• Government assurance: Infrastructure Delivery Assurance; Municipal Excellence; Public Healthcare Quality; Education and Skills Quality; Smart and Digital Government Assurance; Public Procurement Assurance.
• Emerging assurance domains: Illicit Trade Solutions; Cyber Assurance; Carbon Verification; ESG Assurance; Artificial Intelligence Assurance.
• National Assurance Ecosystem: Recognition Networks; National Assurance Registers; Digital Product Passports; Verification Services; Regulator Integration; Continental Architecture Licensing.

Key objectives

• Validate the commercial attractiveness of all strategic opportunities.
• Build market-sized, evidence-based commercial cases for each growth programme.
• Produce investment-grade bankable business cases for prioritised programmes.
• Design governance, operating model and programme management requirements for implementation.
• Develop an execution framework and implementation roadmap that will secure external funding.
• Reposition BSAS as a sustainable growth platform, covering value proposition, target markets, service portfolio, commercial model, operating model and growth roadmap.

Bankable business case components

• Commercial case: customer demand, market attractiveness, route to market, revenue models.
• Financial case: revenue and cost forecasts, capital requirements, cash flow forecasts, financial modelling and break-even analysis.
• Economic case: economic benefits, industrial impact, export impact, employment impact, public value creation.
• Delivery case: governance, resources, risks, dependencies, implementation approach, change and leadership.
• Funding case: funding requirements, sources and structures, including public-private partnerships, grant funding and blended finance.

Capability mobilisation

• Establish the skills, expertise, governance structures and delivery capacity needed to execute the strategy in parallel with the business and investment cases.
• Capabilities identified as lacking include market and customer insight, research and development, product management, and change leadership and culture; these must be bought, built, borrowed or mobilised through strategic partnerships.

Change and culture

• Develop and implement a change management and stakeholder engagement strategy covering leadership alignment, organisational readiness, culture, and customer, industry and key stakeholder outreach.

Deliverables

• Project charter for project governance.
• Market analysis of the identified growth programmes with a prioritisation matrix.
• Capability mobilisation plan for the reimagined organisation.
• Reimagined BSAS growth strategy and operating model.
• Integrated five-year roadmap with a programme plan.
• Investor-ready business case pack with forecast revenue, costs and financial statements.
• Funding and investment mobilisation strategy.
• Culture, change and stakeholder engagement plan for the execution phase.

Duration

• Six months, November 2026 to May 2027.

Methodology submission

• Bidders must submit a concise methodology describing how the assignment will be executed.
• It must include a high-level 100-Day Activation Plan setting out key activities, milestones, stakeholder engagements, deliverables and decision points that move the Reimagine Programme from strategy development to investment readiness and implementation.
• This submission carries 40% of the functionality score and is scored 0–5 on structure, implementation approach and demonstrated understanding of the assignment.

Delivery case content expected in the business case

• Governance, resources, risks, dependencies, implementation approach, and change and leadership.

Payment linked to delivery milestones

• Approved execution plan including culture, change and stakeholder activities: 10%.
• Market analysis for identified growth programmes: 20%.
• Capability mobilisation plan for the reimagined organisation: 5%.
• Reimagined BSAS growth strategy: 10%.
• Investor-ready business case with integrated five-year roadmap, revenue, costs and financial statements: 50%.
• Funding and investment mobilisation strategy: 5%.
• Close-out reports covering culture, change and stakeholder activities: 10%.

Reference letters (30% of functionality)

• Minimum five project reference letters for completed work similar to this assignment within the last 10 years.
• Preference for projects delivered in medium to large organisations in the public sector, state-owned entities, revenue-generating entities and highly regulated industries.
• Each letter must be on company letterhead and include the services provided, client name, contact person and contact details.
• Score equals the number of relevant and contactable letters, from 0 to 5.

Lead Consultant experience (30% of functionality)

• The proposed Lead Consultant must show practical and leadership experience in strategy execution, organisational transformation, business-case development or validation, investment readiness, growth-strategy implementation, organisational growth, turnaround or performance improvement, and leading or managing complex strategic advisory assignments.
• Scoring: no evidence 0; under 3 years 1; 3 to under 5 years 2; 5 to under 8 years 3; 8 to under 12 years 4; 12 years or more 5.

Quotation content

• All-inclusive of VAT.
• Transportation costs where applicable.
• Disbursements.
• Fixed price; where foreign currencies are involved, bidders must provide for forward cover.
• Quotation must be on company letterhead.

Payment schedule (against completed deliverables)

• Approved execution plan including culture, change and stakeholder activities: 10%.
• Market analysis for identified growth programmes: 20%.
• Capability mobilisation plan for the reimagined organisation: 5%.
• Reimagined BSAS growth strategy: 10%.
• Investor-ready business case with integrated five-year roadmap, revenue, costs and financial statements: 50%.
• Funding and investment mobilisation strategy: 5%.
• Close-out reports covering culture, change and stakeholder activities: 10%.

Payment terms

• No advance or upfront payment; payment follows delivery of the agreed service.
• Quotation remains valid for 120 days from the closing date, extendable by 60 days on written notice.

Pricing

• Quotation must be all-inclusive of VAT.
• Include transportation costs where applicable, and disbursements.
• Fixed price; where foreign currencies are involved, bidders must provide for forward cover.
• Quotation must be on company letterhead.

Payment

• Payment is against completed deliverables, not upfront.
• No advance or upfront payment will be made.
• Payment schedule: approved execution plan including culture, change and stakeholder activities 10%; market analysis for identified growth programmes 20%; capability mobilisation plan 5%; reimagined BSAS growth strategy 10%; investor-ready business case with five-year roadmap, revenue, costs and financial statements 50%; funding and investment mobilisation strategy 5%; close-out reports on culture, change and stakeholder activities 10%.

Bid validity

• Quotation must remain valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• SABS may extend validity by 60 days by written notice before expiry, without the bidder's consent and without allowing amendments to the quotation.
• SABS may request a further extension in writing; the bidder is not obliged to accept.

Costs

• SABS will not cover any bidder costs incurred in preparing or submitting the quotation, including costs incurred before both parties sign an agreement.

Mandatory eligibility

• Attendance of the compulsory briefing session on 20 October 2026 at 12:00 (Microsoft Teams). Non-attendance disqualifies the bid.

Registration and status

• National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration report must be submitted with the quotation.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit must be submitted to claim specific goals.

Returnable forms

• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment or relationships between the bidder's principals and the procuring institution; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form, Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022): claims points for price and specific goals.

B-BBEE and specific goals

• Preference points system: 80/20 (contract value up to R50 000 000 including all applicable taxes).
• Price: 80 points; specific goals: 20 points.
• Race-based ownership: 100% black ownership 10 points; 75%–99% 8; 60%–74.99% 6; 51%–59.99% 4; 1%–50.99% 2; 0% 0.
• Gender-based: 100% black women ownership 6 points; 51%–99% 4; 1%–50.99% 2; 0% 0.
• Disability-based: 100% owned by persons living with disabilities 4 points; 51%–99% 2; 0%–50.99% 0.
• Bidders who do not claim specific goals are allocated 0 points for them.
• SABS may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim.

Conduct

• Bidders must not contact any SABS personnel other than the named procurement specialist; canvassing results in disqualification.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

Preference points system

• 80/20 applies (contract value up to R50 000 000 including all applicable taxes).
• Price: 80 points. Specific goals: 20 points. Total: 100 points.
• Bidders who do not submit the proof required to claim specific goals are treated as not claiming them and score 0 for that element.
• SABS may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim before or after adjudication.

Specific goals — race-based ownership

• 100% black ownership: 10 points.
• 75%–99% black ownership: 8 points.
• 60%–74.99% black ownership: 6 points.
• 51%–59.99% black ownership: 4 points.
• 1%–50.99% black ownership: 2 points.
• 0% black ownership: 0 points.

Specific goals — gender-based ownership

• 100% black women ownership: 6 points.
• 51%–99% black women ownership: 4 points.
• 1%–50.99% black women ownership: 2 points.
• 0% black women ownership: 0 points.

Specific goals — disability-based ownership

• 100% owned by persons living with disabilities: 4 points.
• 51%–99% owned by persons living with disabilities: 2 points.
• 0%–50.99% owned by persons living with disabilities: 0 points.

Evidence

• A valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit must be submitted with the quotation to claim specific goals.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form, Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022) must be completed and signed.

Confidentiality

• The RFQ document may be used only to prepare a response, and the bidder must protect the confidentiality of information received.
• A non-disclosure agreement will be signed between SABS and the bidder.

No contract or obligation

• The RFQ does not commit SABS to any course of action; SABS may reject non-conforming submissions, apply its own selection criteria, or select no bidder.
• Nothing in the RFQ creates a contract, and no communication by SABS personnel or agents during the process does so.
• SABS may discontinue the evaluation process at any time and is not liable for losses the bidder incurs as a result.

Bid validity

• Quotation valid for 120 days from the closing date.
• SABS may extend validity by 60 days by written notice before expiry, without the bidder's consent and without permitting amendments to the quotation.
• A further extension may be requested in writing; the bidder is not obliged to accept.

Payment and costs

• No advance or upfront payment; payment follows delivery of the agreed service or goods.
• SABS is not responsible for any bidder costs in preparing or submitting the quotation, including costs incurred before both parties sign an agreement.

Bidder's terms

• SABS will not be bound by any legal or contractual terms contained in the bidder's quotation.

Mandatory requirement

• Attendance of the compulsory briefing session.

Consequence

• Bidders who meet the mandatory requirements proceed to the technical functionality evaluation.
• Bidders who do not meet the mandatory requirements are disqualified.

Mandatory gate

• Attendance of the compulsory briefing session. Bidders who fail the mandatory requirements are disqualified and are not scored on functionality.

Technical functionality (100%)

• Scale: 1–5 (Very Poor 1, Poor 2, Average 3, Good 4, Excellent 5).
• Minimum qualifying score: 80%.
• Reference letters — 30%: at least five project reference letters for similar completed work in the last 10 years, on company letterhead, stating services provided, client name, contact person and contact details. Preference for medium to large organisations in the public sector, state-owned entities, revenue-generating entities and highly regulated industries. Score equals the number of relevant and contactable letters, from 0 to 5.
• Lead Consultant experience — 30%: practical and leadership experience in strategy execution, organisational transformation, business-case development or validation, investment readiness, growth-strategy implementation, organisational growth, turnaround or performance improvement, and leading complex strategic advisory assignments. Scoring: no evidence 0; under 3 years 1; 3 to under 5 years 2; 5 to under 8 years 3; 8 to under 12 years 4; 12 years or more 5.
• First 100-day Activation Plan — 40%: a concise methodology with a high-level 100-day plan covering key activities, milestones, stakeholder engagements, deliverables and decision points that move the programme from strategy to investment readiness and implementation. Scoring: none 0; poorly structured 1; limited or generic 2; adequate and logical 3; strong, practical and executable 4; exceptional and execution-focused 5.

Preference points

• Only bidders meeting the mandatory requirements and the 80% functionality threshold proceed to the 80/20 preference points system of 2022, scored on price and specific goals.