Gender equality assessment study of the south african film industry (rft08 2026-2027)

• Closing: 19 November 2026 at 11:00. Late bids are not considered.
• Enquiry deadline: 16 November 2026. All enquiries must be in writing to [email protected].
• Bid validity: 120 days from the closing date.
• No compulsory briefing session or site visit is specified.

Enquiries

• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 483 0880
• Enquiries close: 16 November 2026
• Bidders may not contact any other NFVF official about the bid between advertisement and award; attempts to influence evaluation or award may lead to rejection.

Submission address (bid box)

National Film and Video Foundation

87 Central Street

Houghton

Johannesburg

2116

Submission method

• Two-envelope system: Envelope 1 for the technical proposal, Envelope 2 for the financial proposal.
• Submit one original plus one copy of both envelopes on a USB stick.
• Place both in a single sealed envelope endorsed with the bid reference RFT08 2026-2027, the closing date, the bidder's name and the return address.
• Deposit in the bid box at 87 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg, 2116. The box is accessible 24 hours a day.
• Courier deliveries: the bid description must be marked on the delivery note or courier packaging so the parcel reaches the bid box.
• Bids sent by email, fax, telegram, telex or similar means will not be accepted. Bids not in the box at the closing time are late and will not be considered.
• Amended bids must arrive with the original bid in an envelope marked "Amendment to bid"; an amendment without the original is rejected.

Returnable documents (all mandatory; omission may lead to disqualification)

• SBD 1 Invitation to Bid: bidder identification and contact particulars, signed as the offer.
• SBD 2 Tax Clearance Certificate: original and valid certificate; certified copies are not accepted.
• SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule (Professional Services): completed and signed, or a separate financial proposal.
• SBD 4 Declaration of Interest: discloses state employment or relationships involving directors, shareholders or the procuring institution.
• SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim: claims the 20 specific-goals points and records any sub-contracting.
• SBD 8 Declaration of Bidder's Past Supply Chain Management Practices.
• SBD 9 Certificate of Independent Bid Determination: certifies the price was set without collusion.
• Company profile showing the company structure.
• Total bid price for the full project duration, showing VAT, deductibles and miscellaneous costs.
• Company registration documents: CM1 and CK1, CM9 change of name (if applicable), CM22 latest registered address, CM29 and CK2 current register of directors.
• CSD registration report.
• VAT registration certificate, if applicable.
• Certified identity documents for all current shareholders or members.
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.

Formatting rules

• Complete documents in blue or black ink; typed or re-typed documents are not permitted.
• No correction fluid; strike out changes and sign next to each one.
• Certified copies must be recent — company registration documents no older than 3 months at closing, other certified documents within 6 months. Previously certified copies may cause automatic disqualification.
• Bind the bid or place it in a lever arch file; loose documents are submitted at the bidder's risk.
• All documentation must be in English.

Three-stage evaluation.

Stage 1 — Administrative compliance

• Screening of all bids received by the closing time against the mandatory document list.
• Failure to meet the pre-qualification criteria may result in total disqualification.

Stage 2 — Functionality (100 points, minimum qualifying score 70/100)

• Bidders scoring below 70 are disqualified and are not evaluated on price.
• Company experience in similar research: 20 points. Company profile must show years of experience, comparable research projects, clients and completion years. 7+ years = 20; 4–6 years = 15; 1–3 years = 10.
• Project Leader CV: 10 points. Under 3 years = 0; 3–5 years = 3; 6–7 years = 5; over 7 years = 10. No CV evidence of years means no points.
• Approach and methodology: 60 points, split as qualitative and quantitative research design 20, realistic implementation schedule 15, nationally representative sampling methodology 15, demonstrated understanding of scope 10.
• Reference letters: 15 points. None = 0; 1–2 = 1; 3 = 3; 4 = 5; 5 = 7; more than 5 = 10. Letters must be on the client's letterhead, signed by an authorised person, no older than 5 years, and state client name, project description, year, contactable referee and whether performance was satisfactory. NFVF may verify referees; unconfirmed references are disregarded.

Stage 3 — Price and specific goals (80/20 system)

• Price: 80 points, calculated on the 80/20 formula using the comparative price against the lowest acceptable bid.
• Specific goals: 20 points, allocated as SMME (EME or QSE) 5; black-owned 50% or more 3; black youth-owned 4; black women-owned 30% or more 5; black people with disabilities 3.
• The 80/20 system applies because the bid value is estimated not to exceed R50 000 000.
• Points are rounded to two decimals. Ties are broken first on specific-goals points, then on functionality score, then by drawing lots.
• A bidder who intends sub-contracting more than 25% of the contract value to an enterprise with a lower B-BBEE level forfeits B-BBEE points, unless that sub-contractor is an EME able to execute the work.

Purpose

• Assess the state of gender equality in the South African film industry and identify the structural and institutional barriers driving persistent gender disparities.

Research objectives

• Measure gender representation across producers, directors, writers, cinematographers/DOPs, technical crew, distribution and marketing.
• Identify specific barriers preventing women from entering and progressing in the industry.
• Assess access to skills development, mentorship and career advancement by gender.
• Evaluate working conditions and workplace experience, including long hours, family and parenting support, pregnancy discrimination, and the prevalence of and reporting channels for sexual harassment.
• Analyse the role and impact of advocacy groups and available support structures, and recommend interventions to accelerate the development of female filmmakers.
• Benchmark against selected international film industries to identify policy gaps, working interventions and global best practice.

Method and deliverables

• Inception and research design: a report setting out the research approach, a mixed-methods design, and survey, focus group or interview instruments.
• Desktop review of South African and international studies, policies, legislation and strategies on gender inequality in film, including how earlier studies' findings and recommendations were applied.
• Evidence-based recommendations and an intervention framework with measurable indicators.

Timeline — 12 weeks from appointment

• Week 2: inception report covering methodology, work plan and benchmarking framework.
• Week 4: benchmarking, data collection and analysis.
• Week 6: interim report with preliminary findings, validated with stakeholders.
• Week 10: final report with infographics and case studies, South Africa versus international comparison, and policy recommendations.
• Week 12: final version incorporating NFVF inputs.
• Within 2 weeks after report finalisation: stakeholder workshop presenting findings to NFVF and industry bodies.

• Inception and research design: a report setting out the research approach, a mixed-methods design, and survey, focus group or interview instruments for data collection.
• Desktop review of South African and international studies, policies, legislation and strategies on gender inequality in film.
• Review of previous interventions, assessing how earlier findings and recommendations were applied, and selection of comparator countries with working policies.
• Evidence-based recommendations and an intervention framework with measurable indicators to strengthen women's participation and advancement.

Delivery schedule — 12 weeks from appointment

• Week 2: inception report with methodology, work plan and benchmarking framework.
• Week 4: benchmarking, data collection and analysis.
• Week 6: interim report with preliminary findings, validated with stakeholders.
• Week 10: final report with infographics, case studies, South Africa versus international comparison and policy recommendations.
• Week 12: final version incorporating NFVF inputs.
• Within 2 weeks after finalisation: stakeholder workshop presenting findings to NFVF and industry bodies.

Company experience — 20 points

• Company profile showing track record in research within film and television, social sciences, journalism and gender studies.
• Profile must state years of experience, comparable research projects completed, client names and the year each project concluded.
• Scoring: 7+ years 20 points; 4–6 years 15 points; 1–3 years 10 points.

Project Leader — 10 points

• CV must evidence years of research experience on similar assignments.
• Scoring: under 3 years 0; 3–5 years 3; 6–7 years 5; over 7 years 10.
• No CV evidence of years means no points.

Reference letters — 15 points

• Letters from public or private clients for whom similar research was done, on the client's letterhead.
• Each letter must show client name, description of the research, year, a contactable referee with details, and whether performance was satisfactory; it must be signed by an authorised person and be no older than 5 years.
• Scoring: none 0; 1–2 = 1; 3 = 3; 4 = 5; 5 = 7; more than 5 = 10.
• NFVF may verify referees; unconfirmed references are disregarded.

• Complete SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule (Professional Services) with bidder name, bid number, closing time and date, and the offer validity period.
• State a ceiling price for the full estimated time across all phases, covering all expenses and all applicable taxes.
• List every person and position involved with hourly and daily rates; certified invoices are rendered on these rates.
• Break the price down by project phase, giving cost per phase and man-days per phase.
• Travel expenses: specify rate per kilometre and total kilometres, or class of air travel; only actual costs are recoverable and proof must accompany invoices.
• Other expenses such as accommodation, telephone and reproduction: itemise rate, quantity and amount, with proof attached to invoices.
• State the period required to commence after bid acceptance and the estimated total man-days.
• Indicate whether rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, set out the adjustment basis such as CPI.
• "All applicable taxes" includes VAT, PAYE, income tax, UIF contributions and skills development levies.

Pricing format

• Complete SBD 3.3 Pricing Schedule (Professional Services) or submit a separate financial proposal.
• State a ceiling price covering the full estimated time for all phases and all expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Provide hourly and daily rates for each person and position involved; certified invoices will be rendered on this basis.
• Break the price down by project phase, with cost per phase and man-days per phase.
• Travel expenses are recoverable at actual cost only, with rate, quantity and amount specified and proof attached to invoices.
• Other expenses such as accommodation, telephone and reproduction must be itemised by rate, quantity and amount, with proof attached to invoices.
• Indicate the period needed to commence after bid acceptance and the estimated total man-days.
• State whether rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, set out the adjustment basis, for example CPI.
• "All applicable taxes" includes VAT, PAYE, income tax, UIF and skills development levies.
• No bid security, performance guarantee or retention is specified.

Registration and statutory status

• CSD registration report required; tax status must be in order and visible on the CSD. Joint venture parties must each register and each submit a separate Tax Clearance Certificate.
• Original and valid Tax Clearance Certificate; certified copies are not accepted and their submission invalidates the bid.
• Company registration documents: CM1 and CK1, CM9 change of name if applicable, CM22 latest registered address, CM29 and CK2 current register of directors. Certification stamp must be original and no more than 3 months old at closing.
• Certified identity documents for all current shareholders or members.
• VAT registration certificate, if applicable.
• All certified copies within 6 months; older certifications may cause automatic disqualification.

B-bbee

• Certified copy of a B-BBEE certificate or a sworn affidavit must be submitted to claim the 20 specific-goals points.
• EMEs may submit a certificate from an accounting officer, a SANAS-accredited verification agency or an IRBA-registered auditor.
• Other bidders must submit an original valid B-BBEE status level certificate, or a certified copy, from an IRBA-approved auditor or SANAS-accredited agency.
• A trust, consortium or joint venture qualifies as a legal entity on submission of its own B-BBEE certificate, or as an unincorporated entity on submission of a consolidated scorecard prepared for this bid.
• No B-BBEE evidence means zero specific-goals points.

Joint ventures

• Written agreement setting out each member's roles and responsibilities.
• Resolution of each company and of its members authorising the signatory to bind the joint venture.
• Certified incorporation documents for every party.

Disqualification risks

• Any mandatory form or document missing, unsigned or incomplete.
• Late submission, or submission by email, fax or similar channel.
• Typed or re-typed bid documents, correction fluid, or unsigned alterations.
• Certified copies older than the permitted period.
• Contacting NFVF officials other than the designated enquiry address.
• A false declaration of interest or a bidder listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers.

• Bid validity: 120 days from the closing date.
• The General Conditions of Contract apply, together with any special conditions.
• All information supplied to bidders is treated as proprietary to NFVF and may not be disclosed or published without written consent.
• Bidders may communicate only through [email protected]; contact with other NFVF employees about the bid is prohibited from advertisement to award.
• NFVF may amend bid conditions, the validity period, specifications or the closing date before closing, and will notify all bidders in writing.
• NFVF may accept or reject any bid in whole or in part, is not obliged to accept the lowest bid, and may decline to award the contract.
• NFVF may award to an empowerment company, or on condition that a joint venture with an empowerment company is formed.
• NFVF may conduct scheduled or unscheduled site visits to verify information submitted.
• Bidders bear all costs of preparing and submitting the bid.

Stage 1 — Administrative compliance: mandatory documents screened at closing; non-compliance may disqualify.

Stage 2 — Functionality, 100 points with a minimum qualifying score of 70:

• Company experience in similar research: 20 points (7+ years 20; 4–6 years 15; 1–3 years 10).
• Project Leader CV: 10 points (under 3 years 0; 3–5 years 3; 6–7 years 5; over 7 years 10).
• Approach and methodology: 60 points (research design 20; implementation schedule 15; nationally representative sampling 15; understanding of scope 10).
• Reference letters: 15 points (none 0; 1–2 = 1; 3 = 3; 4 = 5; 5 = 7; more than 5 = 10).

Stage 3 — Price and specific goals on the 80/20 system: price 80 points using the comparative price formula; specific goals 20 points (SMME 5; black-owned 50%+ 3; black youth 4; black women 30%+ 5; black people with disabilities 3).

Tie-breaking: highest specific-goals points, then highest functionality score, then drawing of lots.