Legislative drafting services: finalising the cet amendment bill

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) requires a service provider to support the finalisation of the CET Amendment Bill. This involves a comprehensive legislative review and drafting process to refine the existing Higher Education Laws Amendment Bill based on stakeholder inputs and ensure legal coherence.

• Closing date for quotations: 26 June 2026.
• Closing time: 11:00.
• Deadline for enquiries: 23 June 2026 at 12:00.
• Compulsory briefing session: None specified.
• Project duration: Two months (eight weeks) from appointment of the service provider.

• For submission and general enquiries: Email [email protected].
• Contact person for bidding and technical enquiries: David Ntuli.
• Department: Department of Higher Education and Training.
• Physical delivery address for goods/services: DHET Head Office, 117-123 Francis Baard Street, Pretoria.

• Submit your quotation electronically to [email protected]. No hand-delivered submissions are accepted.
• The closing date is 26 June 2026 at 11:00. Late submissions will not be considered.
• Your quotation must be dated, signed on company letterhead, and valid for a minimum of 90 days.
• All prices must be VAT inclusive. If not VAT registered, clearly state this.
• You must include a detailed cost breakdown.
• The subject line of your email must state the RFQ number: RFQ136/2026.
• The following completed and signed SBD forms must be attached: SBD 1, SBD 3.1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, and the POPIA consent form.
• For local production and content, submit completed SBD 6.2 and Annexure C.
• You must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and submit proof.
• Failure to submit any required document will result in disqualification at the pre-qualification stage.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and comply with tax requirements (provide SARS PIN or TCS certificate). Must submit all mandatory SBD forms fully completed and signed. Bidders scoring below 70 points in functionality evaluation are disqualified. No late submissions accepted. Persons in service of the state or companies with directors in state service are disqualified. Must declare any conflicts of interest in SBD 4.

Scope: Provide technical legislative drafting support to finalise the CET Amendment Bill.

Key deliverables:

• Review, refine, and consolidate the existing draft Higher Education Laws Amendment Bill.
• Analyse and consolidate stakeholder comments into a structured Comments Response Matrix.
• Produce a Memorandum on the Objects of the Bill.
• Provide support for Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIAS) processes.
• Support stakeholder consultations and incorporate additional inputs.
• Produce a final, legally sound, consolidated Amendment Bill in correct legislative format.

Technical requirements:

• Proven legislative drafting expertise.
• Qualified legal professionals (LPC registration where applicable).
• Experience in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector or similar.
• Strong legal research and drafting capacity.
• Quality assurance mechanisms must be in place.

Your methodology submission must be tailored to the project and must address, at a minimum, the following five practices:

• Risk management.
• Regulatory compliance management.
• Staff and resource management.
• Quality control/management.
• Communication and stakeholder engagement.

You must demonstrate:

• Experience in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector environment, policy, and/or legislation.
• Proven experience in policy or legislative drafting, supported by verifiable client testimonials or references.
• Key staff (Project Leader, Legal Researchers/Drafters) must have completed a legislative drafting program and have documented relevant experience. Their CVs, proof of program completion, and qualifications must be submitted.

Your proposed methodology must explicitly address quality control or management as one of the five required practices.

• Submit a fully detailed pricing proposal.
• Your quotation must include a cost breakdown.
• Pricing is a key component of the 80/20 evaluation principle.

• Submit a detailed pricing proposal.
• Provide hourly rates for: Project Leader, Senior Legal Drafter, Legal Researcher, Support Staff.
• Provide estimated hours and cost per deliverable.
• Provide a capped total estimated project cost.
• All prices must be VAT inclusive.
• Payment terms: Payments will be made per approved deliverable OR based on verified monthly timesheets.
• All payment claims must be supported by detailed timesheets, progress reports, and submitted deliverables.

Mandatory registrations and documents:

• Register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and submit proof.
• Submit a valid Tax Compliance Status PIN from SARS or a CSD number.
• Complete and sign SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim).
• Submit a POPIA consent form.
• For B-BBEE specific goals points, submit supporting proof (CIPC registration, IDs, CSD records, BBBEE certificate/affidavit).
• Submit company profile, referral/testimonial letters, CVs and qualifications (LLB/BPROC) of key personnel, Legal Practice Council registration certificates for Project Leader, Researchers and Drafters.
• The bidder must not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers.

The scope includes providing support for Socio-Economic Impact Assessment (SEIAS) processes where required, assisting with inputs and aligning the Bill to SEIA requirements.

• The successful bidder may be required to sign a written contract (SBD7.2).
• The service provider must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all project information.
• The project is iterative; the service provider must accommodate ongoing updates and revisions.
• The Department reserves the right to verify all information provided and to amend the scope of work subject to mutual agreement.
• The contract will be governed by the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, General Conditions of Contract 2010, and DHET SCM policies.

The evaluation follows a detailed three-phase process:

• Phase 0: Administrative compliance check of all submitted documents.
• Phase 1: Technical/functionality evaluation with a 70-point minimum threshold. Scoring covers PSET sector experience, legislative drafting experience and references, key staff qualifications, methodology, and project schedule.
• Phase 2: 80/20 scoring system (80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals related to B-BBEE, ownership, and SMME development).