External quality assurance review of internal audit services for eastern cape development corporation (ecdc)

• Advert published: 15 June 2026.
• Briefing session: Not applicable (no compulsory briefing).
• Closing date & time for bid submission: 26 June 2026 12:00 hrs.
• Bid‑box opening hours (physical submissions): Weekdays 08:00‑16:30.
• Offer validity period: 3 months – until 26 September 2026.
• Evaluation stages will be conducted after the closing date; bidders will be notified of award in writing.

No compulsory briefing session will be held. Bidders with queries must contact procurement in writing at [email protected] and copy [email protected] and [email protected].

Procurement contact – Mr Busisiwe Fukweni (Head of Procurement, ECDC)

Phone: 043 704 5601

Email: [email protected] (copy [email protected] and [email protected])

Address: ECDC House, Ocean Terrace Park, Moore Street, Quigney, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

All enquiries must be made in writing; telephone enquiries should be followed up by email.

• Submit all mandatory returnable documents and annexures fully completed and signed (Table 1).
• Provide a valid Central Supplier Database (CSD) number and proof of active CSD status.
• Include a Letter of Authority (or Board Resolution) signed by all directors authorising the signatory.
• Attach Tax Compliance Status (TCS) certificate, SARS PIN or CSD number; each consortium/joint‑venture member must submit its own tax proof.
• Provide the Preference Points Claim (Annexure G) with supporting proof of address (utility bill, lease or councilor letter) and ownership documents (CIPC certificate, share register).
• All bid documents must be completed in non‑erasable permanent ink; no correction fluid – corrections must be initialled.
• Electronic submissions must be PDF (non‑editable). No editable Excel or Word files will be accepted.
• Physical submissions must be placed in a sealed envelope labelled with the bid reference (RFQ00062/2026) and delivered to the ECDC bid box (open weekdays 08:00‑16:30).
• Email submissions: send the PDF to [email protected], copy [email protected] and [email protected], subject “Submission of Quote RFQ00062/2026”.
• Late submissions, faxed bids or altered documents will be disqualified.
• The offer remains binding for the validity period of three (3) months (until 26 September 2026).
• Errors in price calculations are the bidder’s responsibility and the price is final once submitted.

Key dates: Advert 15 June 2026; Closing 26 June 2026 12:00; Offer validity until 26 September 2026. All mandatory annexures (A‑G) must be returned with the bid.

The bid will be assessed in three stages:

• Stage 1 – Pre‑qualification (mandatory requirements)*

1. Active CSD registration and correct CSD number.

2. Valid tax compliance (TCS/PIN or CSD).

3. Letter of Authority signed by authorised signatory.

4. Completion of all required annexures (B‑F).

5. No persons in the service of the State (or directors who are).

Failure to meet any of these items results in disqualification.

• Stage 2 – Functionality (technical score)*
• Minimum score 70 % required to proceed to Stage 3.
• Scoring is based on:
• Experience and track record (client references, at least one government reference).
• Key personnel qualifications (Team Leader – CIA, ≥8 years audit experience; Senior Auditor – NQF 7, ≥5 years; Internal Auditor – NQF 7, ≥3 years).
• Points allocated as per the detailed matrix (total 100 points).

Bids scoring below 70 % are disqualified.

• Stage 3 – Preferential Procurement points*
• 80/20 Preference Point System applies to bids with a value between R2 000 and R50 000 000 (inclusive of tax).
• Price component: lowest acceptable bid scores 80 points; other bids are scored using the formula Ps = 80 × (1 – (Pt‑Pmin)/Pt).
• Specific goals (12 points for Eastern Cape location, 4 points each for women‑owned, youth‑owned, and Black‑owned status) – supporting documents must be submitted; otherwise 0 points are awarded.
• For joint ventures/consortia, preference points are allocated proportionally to each member’s qualification and supporting evidence.

The final score is the sum of price points (max 80) and specific‑goal points (max 20) = 100 points.

Scope: Conduct an External Quality Assurance Review of ECDC’s Internal Audit Function in accordance with IIA Global Standard 8.4.

Deliverables:

1. Assessment of conformity with the Global Internal Audit Standards.

2. Review of the audit charter, mandate, strategy, methodology, risk‑assessment process and audit plan.

3. Evaluation of compliance with applicable laws, regulations and ECDC policies.

4. Measurement of performance criteria, results and improvement recommendations.

5. Assessment of competencies, professional care and use of audit tools.

6. Evaluation of the Chief Audit Executive’s qualifications and independence.

7. Integration of the internal audit function into ECDC’s governance, risk‑management and control processes.

8. Final report with findings, conclusions and actionable recommendations (project delivery expected July 2026).

Key personnel requirements:

• Team Leader – Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) in good standing with IIASA, ≥8 years audit experience (≥5 years as internal‑audit team leader).
• Senior Internal Auditor – NQF 7 qualification (Internal Auditing/Accounting/Finance/Risk Management), ≥5 years internal‑audit experience.
• Internal Auditor – NQF 7 qualification, ≥3 years internal‑audit experience.

All personnel must provide proof of qualification, CV and proof of employment with the bidding entity.

The bidder should outline a methodology that includes:

1. Planning – review of ECDC’s audit charter, risk‑assessment process and audit plan.

2. Fieldwork – conduct interviews, document reviews and testing against IIA standards.

3. Evaluation – assess compliance, performance criteria and governance integration.

4. Reporting – prepare a draft report, discuss findings with ECDC stakeholders, finalize the report.

5. Follow‑up – provide recommendations for improvement and a timeline for implementation.

The overall project delivery is expected by July 2026.

Scoring for functionality:

• 5 client references (incl. at least one government) – 36 points; 4 references – 30 points; 3 references – 20 points; fewer – 0 points.
• Team Leader (CIA, ≥8 years audit experience, ≥5 years as team leader) – up to 15 points for qualification and 15 points for experience.
• Senior Auditor (NQF 7, ≥5 years internal audit) – up to 10 points for qualification and 10 points for experience.
• Internal Auditor (NQF 7, ≥3 years internal audit) – up to 8 points for qualification and 6 points for experience.

Total functional score = 100 points; a minimum of 70 % is required to proceed to Stage 3.

Quality standards to be applied:

• Conformance with the Global Internal Audit Standards (IIA).
• All deliverables must be documented, reviewed and approved by the Team Leader.
• Evidence of qualifications, certifications and employment of key personnel must be provided.
• ECDC reserves the right to request certified copies of qualifications and proof of employment.
• The service provider must adhere to ECDC’s health, safety and security policies while on‑site.
• All reports must be clear, objective and include measurable improvement recommendations.

Bidders must submit a single, firm price in the Pricing Schedule (Annexure D). The price is final; any calculation errors are the bidder’s responsibility. Taxes, skills‑development levies and other applicable duties are included in the quoted amount.

• No performance guarantee or bank guarantee is required (Performance Guarantee – NOT APPLICABLE).
• Bids must be submitted in a single, firm price; the price is final and any calculation errors are the bidder’s responsibility.
• The lowest acceptable bid will receive the full 80 price points; all other bids are scored using the comparative formula provided in the evaluation criteria.
• Offer validity: 3 months (until 26 September 2026).
• Tax compliance is mandatory – bidders must submit a TCS certificate, SARS PIN or CSD number; each consortium/joint‑venture member must provide its own tax proof.
• Payment terms will be defined in the contract award letter; no advance payment or deposit is required at bid submission.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): active registration and valid CSD number are mandatory.
• Business registration (CIPC) and up‑to‑date directorship details will be verified; deregistered entities will be given 7 working days to remedy, otherwise disqualified.
• Tax compliance: valid TCS/SARS PIN or CSD number required; non‑compliant bidders have 7 working days to remedy.
• No persons in the service of the State (or directors who are) may participate, in line with Public Service Regulations 13(c) and the Public Finance Management Act.
• B‑B‑BEE: minimum B‑B‑BEE level 7; specific‑goal points require proof of Eastern Cape location, women‑ownership (≥51 %), youth‑ownership (≥51 %) and Black‑ownership (≥51 %) via CIPC documents and share certificates.
• CIDB, PSIRA, IRBA, and other professional registrations are not expressly required for this service but must be provided if claimed.
• All required annexures (A‑G) must be signed and submitted; false declarations will result in immediate disqualification.

B‑B‑BEE minimum level 7 is required. Specific‑goal points are awarded for:

• Eastern Cape location (12 points).
• Women‑owned (≥51 %) – 4 points.
• Youth‑owned (≥51 %) – 4 points.
• Black‑owned (≥51 %) – 4 points.

Supporting CIPC and share‑certificate documents must be submitted.

All bid documents must be completed in permanent, non‑erasable ink.

Electronic submissions must be PDF (non‑editable).

No alterations or correction fluid are permitted; any changes must be initialled.

The service provider must comply with ECDC’s health, safety and security measures at all times.

Failure to meet these requirements will result in disqualification.

The tender document contains the standard sections (Invitation, Eligibility, Timeline, Briefing, Submission, Preferential Procurement, Evaluation, Alteration/Withdrawal, Costs, Ownership, Tax Clearance, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Ethics, Competition, Cancellation, Interviews, Signing, Contract Award, Supplier Due Diligence, Disclaimer, Contact, Fraud Stance). Specific contractual conditions include:

• No performance guarantee required.
• The successful bidder must deliver the review by July 2026.
• ECDC may request additional services in writing.
• Sub‑contracting must be disclosed; assignment requires ECDC consent.
• Force majeure allows continuation of obligations where practicable.
• Confidentiality and POPIA compliance are mandatory.
• Intellectual property created under the contract vests in ECDC.
• Penalties may be imposed for delays unless an extension is agreed.
• The contract is governed by the Government Procurement General Conditions of Contract (July 2010).

The bid is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA) 2000 and related regulations. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Three‑stage evaluation:

1. Pre‑qualification – mandatory compliance (CSD, tax, authority, no State employees).

2. Functionality – minimum 70 % score based on experience, references and key‑personnel qualifications.

3. Preferential procurement – 80 price points + 20 specific‑goal points (location, B‑B‑BEE ownership). Joint‑venture points are allocated proportionally.