B-bbee verification agency (level one eme) for trade & investment KZN – 12-month contract

RFQ issue date: 31 August 2026.

Closing date and time: 10 September 2026 at 12H00.

Compulsory briefing/site visit: Not applicable (N/A).

Contract period: 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026 (12 months).

Quotation validity: 90 days from closing date.

Compulsory site briefing session: N/A (not applicable).

All enquiries (procurement and technical): [email protected].

Procurement office telephone: 031 368 9600.

Submission email: [email protected] (RFQ number must appear in subject line).

Submission method: email to [email protected] with the RFQ number in the subject line. Closing date and time: 10 September 2026 at 12H00. Late or incomplete submissions will be disqualified. Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted with the quotation):

• Quotation on company letterhead.
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid – Part A & B): signed by authorised representative.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to TIKZN officials; false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• POPIA consent form: signed by authorised representative.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): must be completed to claim specific-goal points; failure to submit scores zero for specific goals.
• Copy of CSD report or MAAA number.
• SANAS accreditation certificate as a B-BBEE Verification Agency (Level One EME).
• Professional registration with the relevant professional body/institution.
• Detailed CVs and qualifications of proposed key personnel (Team Leader, B-BBEE Verification Analyst, Administrator).
• Signed reference letters on client letterhead with contact details (not older than 5 years) for completed similar projects in government and private sector.
• Detailed TIKZN-specific proposal showing activities and timeframes.
• Detailed budget breakdown with full costings of each activity.
• Methodology/work plan outlining how all deliverables will be carried out.

Documents to submit with quotation:

1. Quotation on company letterhead.
2. Completed and signed Declaration of Interest (SBD 4).
3. Completed and signed Invitation to Bid (SBD 1 - Part A & B).
4. Completed and signed POPIA consent form.
5. Completed and signed Preference Points Claim Form (SBD 6.1).
6. Copy of CSD Report or MAAA Number.
7. Information requested per mandatory requirements (SANAS accreditation certificate, professional registration).
8. Key personnel CVs and qualifications.
9. Reference letters (signed, on client letterhead, with contact details, not older than 5 years).
10. Detailed TIKZN-specific proposal with activities and timeframes.
11. Detailed budget breakdown with full costings.
12. Methodology/work plan.

Four-phase evaluation process:

Phase 1 – SCM Mandatory Requirements (pass/fail): SANAS accreditation certificate as a B-BBEE Verification Agency (Level One EME) and professional registration with the relevant professional body/institution. Failure to meet all mandatory requirements leads to disqualification.

Phase 2 – SCM Administrative Requirements (pass/fail): Proof of CSD registration/SARS PIN; completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, POPIA consent form, and SBD 6.1. Failure to provide may lead to proposal not being considered further.

Phase 3 – Functionality Criteria (minimum 70% required to qualify for Phase 4). Total 100 points, weighted as follows:

• Key Personnel (30 points): Team comprising Team Leader, B-BBEE Verification Analyst, Administrator. CVs and qualifications required. Scoring based on team experience: 1–2 years = 10, 3–5 years = 15, 6–10 years = 20, >10 years = 30.
• Completed Similar Projects in Government and Private Sector (30 points): Supported by signed reference letters on client letterhead with contact details, not older than 5 years. Scoring: no/irrelevant letter = 0, 1 letter = 5, 2 letters = 10, 3 letters = 20, 4+ letters = 30.
• Workplan (40 points): Detailed work programme with deliverables, milestones, timeframes and resource allocation. Scoring: no programme = 0, poor = 5, adequate = 10, good = 20, very good = 30, excellent = 40.

Phase 4 – Price and Specific Goals Scoring (80/20 system):

• Price: 80 points (quotations must be inclusive of all applicable taxes including VAT).
• Specific Goals: 20 points:

• RDP Goals – promotion of enterprises located in KZN province: 10 points (proof: utility bill/lease agreement/ward councillor proof of residence).
• Gender ownership – 51% or more women owned: 5 points (proof: RSA ID/CSD report/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit).
• Race ownership – 100% Black owned: 5 points (proof: RSA ID/CSD report/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit).

SBD 6.1 must be completed; failure to submit scores zero for specific goals. Tax compliance of recommended bidder verified on CSD/SARS prior to award.

Scope of work – B-BBEE verification for Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal (TIKZN) for the 2025/26 financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026) as a SANAS Accredited B-BBEE Verification Agency (Level One EME).

Key objectives:

• Undertake B-BBEE verification as prescribed by the B-BBEE Verification Methodology.
• Collate and capture B-BBEE verification information.
• Produce B-BBEE verification certificates for TIKZN.
• Assist TIKZN to comply with B-BBEE Commission reporting.
• Make recommendations for strengthening B-BBEE implementation within TIKZN.

Phased deliverables:

Phase 1 – Inception report: Overall verification approach, methodology, timeframes and costs for each phase. Due one week from appointment.

Phase 2 – Collection, capturing and verification of B-BBEE information (period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026): Assess completeness, validity and accuracy of information; follow up on outstanding/contradictory/insufficient evidence; analyse legislation, regulations and research; analyse verification claims; produce verification report and scorecards; finalise reporting with B-BBEE Commission; produce final B-BBEE verification certificates.

Phase 3 – Project close-out: Recommendations and compliance-related issues; synthesis of findings; articulation of verification findings; close-out report.

Reporting formats: Hard copy and electronic versions of all reports; management reports for TIKZN; hard copy and electronic copy of B-BBEE certificate.

Continuous updates to TIKZN B-BBEE Committee: Progress reports for quarterly meetings (at least quarterly and as required).

Quotation must cover all applicable costs.

Bidders must submit a comprehensive proposal including:

• Company profile (history, group structure, operations, logistics, related companies and services).
• Company structure for providing necessary skills and benefits to TIKZN.
• Key experts' CVs demonstrating proven track record in similar projects.
• Team structure with brief profiles, experience and qualifications (Team Leader, B-BBEE Verification Analyst, Administrator).
• Five written client reference letters on client letterhead for project management services with contact details.
• Detailed TIKZN-specific proposal showing activities and timeframes.
• Detailed budget breakdown with full costings of each activity.
• Methodology/work plan outlining how all deliverables will be carried out.

Required team composition: Team Leader, B-BBEE Verification Analyst, Administrator.

All team members must have a proven track record in similar projects; detailed CVs and qualifications must be submitted.

Team experience scoring (functionality): 1–2 years = 10 points, 3–5 years = 15 points, 6–10 years = 20 points, >10 years = 30 points.

Completed similar projects in government and private sector: reference letters on client letterhead, signed, with contact details, not older than 5 years. Scoring: 1 letter = 5, 2 letters = 10, 3 letters = 20, 4+ letters = 30 points.

Bidder must provide five written client reference letters on client letterhead related to project management with contact details.

Pricing: Firm, all-inclusive quotation inclusive of all applicable taxes (including VAT).

Price weight: 80 points under 80/20 preference point system.

Specific goals weight: 20 points (KZN location 10, women ownership 5, Black ownership 5).

SBD 6.1 preference points claim form must be completed and submitted; failure to submit scores zero for specific goals.

No bill of quantities or schedule of rates specified; quotation on company letterhead with detailed budget breakdown and full costings of each activity required.

Pricing format: Firm, all-inclusive quotation (inclusive of all applicable taxes including VAT).

Price weight: 80 points under the 80/20 preference point system (PPPFA 2022 regulations).

Specific goals weight: 20 points (RDP/KZN location 10, gender ownership 5, race ownership 5).

No bid bond, performance guarantee or insurance requirement stated.

Payment terms not specified in the document.

No financial capacity or turnover threshold stated.

Mandatory eligibility (Phase 1):

• SANAS accreditation certificate as a B-BBEE Verification Agency (Level One EME).
• Professional registration with the relevant professional body/institution.

Administrative compliance (Phase 2):

• Proof of registration on Central Supplier Database (CSD) / valid SARS tax compliance status PIN.
• Completed and signed SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid).
• Completed and signed SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest).
• Completed and signed POPIA consent form.
• Completed and signed SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form).

Specific-goal evidence (for Phase 4 points):

• KZN location: utility bill/lease agreement/ward councillor proof of residence.
• 51%+ women ownership: RSA ID/CSD report/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit.
• 100% Black ownership: RSA ID/CSD report/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit.

Other:

• Not listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers.
• No directors/shareholders employed by the state or connected to TIKZN officials (per SBD 4 declaration).
• Tax compliance of recommended bidder verified on CSD/SARS prior to award.
• Quotation valid for 90 days from closing date.
• Successful bidder must sign written contract form (SBD 7).
• Bid subject to PPPFA 2000, Preferential Procurement Regulations, General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions.

B-BBEE verification agency must be SANAS accredited Level One EME (Exempted Micro-Enterprise). Evaluation includes specific goals scoring: RDP Goals (promotion of enterprises located in KZN province) = 10 points; Ownership Gender (51%+ women ownership) = 5 points; Ownership Race (100% Black owned) = 5 points. Total specific goals = 20 points under 80/20 preference point system. SBD 6.1 preference points claim form must be completed and submitted. Proof required for each claim: utility bill/lease agreement/ward councillor proof for KZN location; RSA ID/CSD report/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit for gender and race ownership.

Contract terms:

• Quotation remains open for acceptance for 90 days from closing date.
• No RFQ deemed accepted until a formal contract/letter of award/order form is prepared and executed.
• Successful bidder must fill in and sign written contract form (SBD 7).
• Bid subject to Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 2000, Preferential Procurement Regulations, General Conditions of Contract (GCC), and any special conditions of contract.
• Service provider bears all costs of preparation and submission; TIKZN not liable for any costs regardless of outcome.
• Tax compliance: bidders must ensure tax compliance, submit SARS PIN or CSD number; each party in consortia/JV/sub-contractors must submit separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number.
• No bids considered from persons in service of the state, companies with directors in service of the state, or close corporations with members in service of the state.

Mandatory requirements (Phase 1): Professional registration with the relevant Professional Body/Institution; SANAS accreditation certificate. Failure to meet all mandatory requirements leads to disqualification.

Administrative requirements (Phase 2): Proof of registration on CSD/SARS PIN; completed and signed SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest); completed and signed SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid); completed and signed POPIA consent form; completed and signed SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form). Failure to provide may lead to proposal not being considered further.

Four-phase evaluation process. Phase 1: SCM Mandatory Requirements (pass/fail). Phase 2: SCM Administrative Requirements (pass/fail). Phase 3: Functionality Criteria (minimum 70% required to qualify for Phase 4). Functionality criteria and weights: Key Personnel (30 points) - team comprising Team Leader, B-BBEE Verification Analyst, Administrator; CVs and qualifications required; scoring based on years' experience (1-2 years: 10, 3-5 years: 15, 6-10 years: 20, >10 years: 30). Number of Completed Similar Projects in Government and Private Sector (30 points) - supported by signed reference letters on client letterhead with contact details, not older than 5 years; scoring: no/irrelevant letter: 0, 1 letter: 5, 2 letters: 10, 3 letters: 20, 4+ letters: 30. Workplan (40 points) - detailed work program with deliverables/milestones/timeframes/resource allocation; scoring: no program: 0, poor: 5, adequate: 10, good: 20, very good: 30, excellent: 40. Total functionality: 100 points. Phase 4: Price and Specific Goals Scoring (80/20 system). Price: 80 points (inclusive of all taxes). Specific Goals: 20 points - RDP Goals (KZN-based enterprise): 10 points (proof: utility bill/lease agreement/ward councillor proof); Gender ownership (51%+ women): 5 points (proof: ID/CSD/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit); Race ownership (100% Black owned): 5 points (proof: ID/CSD/B-BBEE certificate/affidavit). SBD 6.1 must be completed; failure to submit scores zero for specific goals. Tax compliance verified on CSD/SARS prior to award.