RFP: media agency panel for idc’s 360° strategy, planning, buying & implementation services

• Closing date and time: 30 July 2026 at 11:00 AM.
• Enquiries deadline: 27 July 2026.
• Bid validity period: 120 days from closing date.
• No briefing sessions or site visits are scheduled in the document.

• Enquiries contact: Mr Fhulufhedzani Kone.
• Email: [email protected].
• Telephone: +27 11 269 3565.
• All communication must be in writing. Enquiries response will be posted on IDC website (www.idc.co.za) under tenders.

• Submit bid electronically only via the dedicated SharePoint link: https://idcza-my.sharepoint.com/:f:/g/personal/moitlisim_idc_co_za/IgCEr-OShIRCSZsYepv4aqsVAbcMX3BF0MbNszfBkbP3mhs.
• Closing date: 30 July 2026 at 11:00 AM. No late bids accepted.
• Submit at least 30 minutes before deadline to avoid IT issues.
• File size limit: 50MB. Use standard formats (Microsoft suite or PDF). Non-standard formats will be disqualified.
• Amended bids must be sent to the same platform marked “Amendment to bid” before the closing date.
• Returnable schedules must be clearly marked and submitted as per the document:

• Schedule 1: Cover Page, Executive Summary, Annexure 1.
• Schedule 2: Board Resolution, ID copy of Company Representative, Annexures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 (if applicable), B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, Financial Statements, Joint Venture agreement (if applicable).
• Schedule 3: Response to Section 2 and Annexure 1.
• Schedule 4: Price Proposal (separate file).

• Disqualification risks include: non-compliant tax status, incomplete documentation, fraudulent information, non-compliance with mandatory requirements, POPIA non-compliance, prime contractor holding lower contract value percentage than subcontractor.

Evaluation is a four-phase process:

• Phase 1: Initial Screening (Compliance). Checks include CSD registration and tax status, prime contractor/subcontractor value percentage, submission of ID copy and B-BBEE certificate, and completion of all standard bidding documents. Failure leads to disqualification.
• Phase 2: Technical/Functionality Evaluation. Scored out of 100 points:

• Bidder’s Relevant Experience and Portfolio (15 points).
• Qualifications, Experience and Skills of Key Personnel (10 points).
• Media Strategy and Formulation Methodology (15 points).
• Media Buying Capacity (10 points).
• Media Tools (Analytics/Reporting/Buying) (10 points).
• Case-study presentation and technical demonstration (40 points).
• Minimum qualifying score: 70 points overall (including presentation). Bidders scoring 42/60 (70%) on the first five criteria are shortlisted for presentation.

• Phase 3: Preference Point System (80/20). Price: 80 points. Specific Goals: 20 points allocated as:

• Black ownership: 10 points for 100% black-owned; 4 points for 51%-99.99%.
• 30% Black women ownership: 5 points.
• Ownership by Black Designated Groups: 2 points.
• Promotion of SMMEs (EME/QSE): 3 points.

• Phase 4: Objective Criteria. Award may go to a bidder other than highest scorer based on risk assessment: reputational risk, concentration risk, financial capability, past performance with IDC.

Scope of work: Appointment of a panel of media agencies for 360 strategy, planning, buying, and implementation. Services include:

• Develop Through-The-Line (TTL) annual media strategies for corporate brand and Strategic Business Units.
• Develop tactical campaign media plans with a digital bias.
• Provide presentations on new media trends and innovations.
• Evaluate ad-hoc market opportunities.
• Build social media engagement strategies.
• Incorporate AI and robotics in execution.
• Manage media selection and buying.
• Provide chase-lists to creative agencies.
• Continuous reporting on insights and competitive landscape.
• Provide account and project management.
• Offer strategic counsel for cost efficiencies.
• Partner with brand communication agencies.
• Provide voucher copies/tear sheets and post-campaign evaluations.
• Share media benchmarks.

Project timelines: Contract duration is 3 years, subject to annual performance review. Start immediately after award.

Key personnel requirements:

• Lead (Senior) Media Strategist: Minimum 10 years’ experience in TTL strategy, including financial services.
• Middleweight Strategist: Minimum 5 years’ experience in media strategy and planning.
• Digital Media Specialist: Minimum 3 years’ experience in digital-first strategies and engagement tools.
• Recommended: Senior/Middleweight Planners and buyers (5 years’ experience), Account Manager (5 years’ cross-sector experience).

Team must provide CVs with qualifications, experience, and certification/accreditation for media tools.

• The media strategy must utilise strategic opportunities to highlight IDC’s role and tell inclusive economic development stories.
• Strengthen digital-first approach to maximise budget and achieve quantifiable media ROI.
• Use performance marketing tools to augment traditional dealmaking with digital lead generation.
• Invest in customer insights and data to develop segment-specific media strategies for priority segments (Black Industrialists, Women, Youth, peri-urban & rural communities).
• Explore non-traditional media platforms to reach priority segments resonating with their business needs.
• Introduce brand partnerships for amplification leveraging audience synergies.
• For evaluation, bidders must provide two samples of 360 Media Strategy and implementation plans for previous clients, including one for a financial services client.
• Presentation requirement: Shortlisted bidders must present a case study demonstrating TTL media solutions for an events-based media activation, and a walk-through of a campaign (2024-2026) leveraging new technology (AI, chatbots).

• Bidder must demonstrate experience in media strategy, planning, and buying.
• Provide minimum four contactable references from past five years:

• One compulsory financial services client reference (tangible financial product/service provider).
• One compulsory public sector client reference (state-owned entity or agency operating nationally).
• One compulsory IDC-serviced economic sector client reference.
• One client project (any industry) with single billable project value ≥ R2 million.

• Key personnel qualifications:

• Lead (Senior) Media Strategist: 10 years’ TTL strategy experience, including financial services.
• Middleweight Strategist: 5 years’ media strategy and planning experience.
• Digital Media Specialist: 3 years’ digital-first strategies and engagement tools experience.
• Recommended: Senior/Middleweight Planners and buyers (5 years’ experience), Account Manager (5 years’ cross-sector experience).

• Team must provide CVs with qualifications, experience, and certification/accreditation for media tools.
• Media buying capacity: Provide two letters of good standing from mainstream media houses (e.g., SABC, Primedia, DSTV Media Sales), at least one broadcaster, not older than April 2024.
• Media tools: Provide proof of active licenses for at least three media software tools: one broadcast media tool, one analytics/buying tool specialising in SEO/Video/AI, one social media tool (excluding Google Analytics). Licenses must pre-date 1 October 2025 or show renewal process.

• Pricing must be submitted as Schedule 4: Price Proposal, separate file.
• Include detailed costing for illustrative media placement across Print, Radio, Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH), and Television.
• Print publications: Sunday Times, IOL (The Star), Business Day, Mining Weekly & Engineering News packages.
• Radio stations: 702, SAFM, Power FM partnerships.
• DOOH: O.R Tambo, King Shaka, Cape Town airports.
• Television: CNBC Africa package.
• Disbursements must be clearly defined or marked “No Charge/Free of Charge”.
• Include standard agency commission percentage chargeable on bookings.
• Complete Price Declaration Form confirming total price covers all services, valid for 120 days.

• All prices must be VAT inclusive (where applicable) and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR).
• Bidders must indicate if rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, detail basis for adjustments (e.g., CPI).
• All additional costs must be clearly specified and included in the Total Bid Price.
• Indicate if bid price is linked to exchange rate; if yes, specify portion.
• Payments linked to approved deliverables, within 30 days of invoice.
• IDC may consider National Treasury Instruction 02 of 2016/2017: Cost Containment Measures.
• Pricing model: Based on illustrative multi-media approach (Print, Radio, Digital Out-of-Home, Television) with estimated quantities. Actual context may vary.
• Disbursements (incidental expenses) must be clearly defined or marked “No Charge/Free of Charge”. Failure may result in penalty pricing.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): IDC will use CSD to verify company registration, tax compliance, and other checks.
• Tax compliance: Bidders must have tax affairs in order with SARS and provide written confirmation.
• B-BBEE: Submit a B-BBEE verification certificate. For EMEs (annual revenue < R10 million) and QSEs (revenue R10-50 million), a sworn affidavit confirming annual revenue and black ownership is acceptable.
• Prime Contractor/Subcontractor: Prime contractor must not hold a lower percentage of contract value than any subcontractor.
• Mandatory documentation includes: ID copy of Company Representative, Board Resolution, completed Annexures (1-8), Financial Statements, and Joint Venture/Consortium agreement if applicable.
• Promotion of emerging black-owned service providers: Encouraged to partner with black-owned entities (50%+1 black-owned and controlled). Partnership proposal required.

• Bid validity period: 120 days from closing date.
• IDC rights: May amend bid conditions, validity period, specifications, or closing date before closing; changes posted on website.
• IDC reserves right not to accept lowest priced bid or any bid; award based on capability and financial advantage.
• IDC may conduct site visits at bidder’s offices or client sites.
• IDC may request additional information and conduct background checks (including FICA).
• IDC may appoint multiple vendors to a panel.
• IDC has final decision on interpretation of requirements.
• Past performance with IDC (last 5 years) may be considered.
• Undertakings by bidder: Offer binding during validity period; responsible for costs; must prepare for possible presentation within 5 days’ notice; accept risk for pricing errors; successful bidder responsible for contract fulfilment.
• Supplier Performance Management: Successful bidder must conclude a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to measure and monitor performance.
• Enterprise and Supplier Development: Successful bidders may be required to mentor SMMEs or youth-owned businesses.