Development of assessment tools for production operator qualification (120037) – merseta RFQ

The procurement is for the development of assessment tools for the Occupational Qualification: Production Operator (120037). The bidder must be a capable Skills Development Provider (SDP) or Assessment Centre.

Closing date: 02 October 2026 at 12:00

Invitation date: 22 September 2026

No briefing session or site visit is stated in the document.

SCM Enquiries:

• Contact: Kgomotso Mabe
• Email: [email protected]

Submission email:

• [email protected]

Fraud Hotline:

• 0800 333 057

Technical enquiries: not stated in the document.

Returnable documents — all must be completed, signed and submitted with the quotation:

• Bidders Information form: company details, contact person, CSD supplier number, and certification that the information is true.
• Undertaking by Bidder: commits the bidder to the offer, validity period, and acceptance of contract terms.
• Authority to Sign: authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder; attach registration certificates, agreements, or ID documents as applicable.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any state employment or relationships with the procuring institution; false disclosure disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims preference points for specific goals; failure to submit proof means no points claimed.
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form): to be completed in duplicate by the successful bidder.
• Pricing Schedule: firm prices, inclusive of VAT, using the official merSETA form.
• Proof of CSD registration and a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.
• References for similar work (if required).

Submission method:

• Email to [email protected], using the RFQ number as the email subject.
• Quotations must be clearly marked with the RFQ number and description.
• Late submissions (after closing date and time) will not be considered.

Disqualification risks:

• Any returnable form left unsigned or omitted.
• Quotations received after the closing time.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers.

Evaluation is in three stages:

• Stage 1: Compliance with administrative and mandatory requirements (all forms completed, CSD registration, pricing schedule, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, SBD 7.1).
• Stage 2: Compliance to specifications or functionality scoring — assesses technical responsiveness; bidders must achieve the required minimum threshold to progress.
• Stage 3: Price and preference goals — 80/20 preference point system applies.

Points allocation:

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points

Specific goals and points (evidence required):

• Black People Ownership (51% or more): 6 points — valid B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, CIPC B-BBEE certificate, CIPC certificate/ID, or CSD.
• Black Women Ownership (30% or more): 4 points — same evidence types.
• Black Youth Ownership (30% or more): 4 points — same evidence types.
• White Women Ownership (30% or more): 2 points — same evidence types.
• People with Disability Ownership: 4 points — same evidence types.

Failure to submit proof for specific goals means no points claimed. merSETA may require substantiation of claims and may negotiate with qualifying bidders. merSETA is not obliged to accept the lowest or any offer.

The department requires a capable Skills Development Provider (SDP) or Assessment Centre to develop assessment tools for the Occupational Qualification: Production Operator (120037).

Scope includes:

• Development of assessment tools for the qualification.
• The bidder must fully address the technical/functional requirements of the specification.
• Any certification required by the specifications must be provided.

No further technical details, quantities, or delivery locations are stated in the document.

The bidder must submit a proposal that fully addresses the technical/functional requirements of the specification. The evaluation will assess technical responsiveness in Stage 2. No specific methodology or execution plan is required beyond compliance with the specification.

No specific quality management requirements are stated in the document. The bidder must comply with the specifications and any certification required by the specifications.

Pricing must be firm and inclusive of VAT. Three pricing schedule options are provided:

• Option 1: Basic goods/general services price table — item, quantity, description, unit price, total; delivery costs; sub-total; VAT @ 15%; grand total.
• Option 2: Bill of Quantities — item, quantity, unit of measure, unit price excl. VAT, price excl. VAT; delivery costs; sub-total; VAT (15%); grand total.
• Option 3: Price table for goods/services — description, qty, unit price, total price; sub-total; VAT 15%; grand total.

A separate pricing schedule must be submitted for each delivery point if applicable. The offer must comply with the specification; deviations must be noted.

Pricing format:

• Firm prices only; non-firm prices (including exchange rate variations) will not be considered.
• Prices must be inclusive of VAT where applicable.
• Prices must include all related expenses (e.g., transport, accommodation).
• Prices valid for a minimum of 60 days from the closing date.
• Use the official merSETA quotation form; additional pricing breakdown on company letterhead allowed if space is insufficient.
• Price Declaration must be completed; if totals differ, the price declaration prevails.

Payment terms:

• merSETA pays valid invoices within 30 days from statement date, for work done to its satisfaction.
• No payment for unproductive or duplicated time due to staff changes, inefficiencies, or rework.

No bid security, guarantees, or retention are stated.

Mandatory registrations and compliance:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration — provide a valid CSD number.
• Tax matters must be in order at the time of award, reflecting on CSD.
• B-BBEE certificate or affidavit required to claim preference points.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure) must be completed.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim) must be completed.
• SBD 7.1 (Contract Form) must be completed.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers are disqualified.

No CIDB grading, CIPC registration, or local content requirements are stated.

No specific health and safety requirements are stated in the document.

Contract terms:

• The offer remains binding for the validity period (minimum 60 days) from the closing time.
• The contract is subject to the Public Finance Management Act, 1999, merSETA SCM Policy, and General and Special Conditions of Contract.
• If the bidder withdraws within the validity period or fails to fulfil the contract, merSETA may recover additional expenses incurred, including by set-off against monies due.
• Acceptance may be communicated by email to the address supplied in the quotation.
• South African law governs the contract.
• No services may be rendered before receipt of the official appointment letter or Purchase Order.
• merSETA may appoint more than one supplier and may award in whole or in part.
• merSETA may amend bid conditions, specifications, or extend the closing date before closing; bidders must monitor the website.
• merSETA may conduct site inspections and require verification information, including FICA and background checks.
• merSETA may consider its own past experience with the bidder over the preceding five years.
• Payment: valid invoices paid within 30 days from statement date; no payment for unproductive or duplicated time.

Special conditions:

• Any alteration to the bid must be initialled.
• Late submissions will not be considered.
• Prices valid for 60 days from closing.
• CSD registration mandatory.
• Firm prices inclusive of VAT.
• Prices include all related expenses.
• Subject to PPPFA and Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, GCC, and any Special Conditions.
• 80/20 preference point system applies.
• SBD 4 must be completed; failure may disqualify.
• Official merSETA quotation form must be used.
• Price Declaration must be completed.
• Successful supplier may be required to sign an SLA or SBD 7.1/7.2.
• Confidentiality and IP vest with merSETA.
• No services before appointment letter or Purchase Order.
• merSETA may appoint more than one supplier and award in whole or part.

Evaluation is in three stages: administrative compliance, specification compliance/functionality, and price/preference goals. The 80/20 preference point system applies: 80 points for price, 20 for specific goals. Specific goals and points are as listed in SBD 6.1. Bidders must achieve the minimum threshold in Stage 2 to progress. merSETA may negotiate with qualifying bidders and is not obliged to accept the lowest offer.