Appointment of a higher learning institution to develop an evidence-based etd career guide for high school learners

Tender documents available: from 12h00 on 30 October 2026 via www.etdpseta.org.za.

Briefing session: 10 November 2026, 10h00 to 12h00, virtual and non-compulsory. Access details available on www.etdpseta.org.za from 12h00 on 09 November 2026.

Questions deadline: 10 November 2026; no further questions accepted after this date.

Closing: 11h00 on 20 November 2026. Submissions must reach ETDP SETA on or before this time; no late submissions accepted.

SCM enquiries email: [email protected]

Submission email: [email protected]

General enquiries email: [email protected]

Website: www.etdpseta.org.za

Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800 204 937

Named contact person: not stated.

All enquiries must be in writing only. No telephonic or other communication with any other ETDP SETA staff member is permitted. Attempting to influence the adjudication process results in immediate disqualification of the entire bid.

Submission method: email all documents in electronic format to [email protected].

Folder structure: Folder A - Stage 1 Administrative Requirements; Folder B - Stage 2 Functionality Evaluation Requirements; Folder C - Stage 3 Price and Specific Goal.

Closing: 11h00 on 20 November 2026. Late, incomplete, or unsigned bids will not be accepted.

Tender documents available from www.etdpseta.org.za (Main Menu > Supply Chain Management > Open RFQs) from 12h00 on 30 October 2026.

Bids must remain valid for 90 days.

Returnable forms:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): completed and signed bid cover page with bidder and contact details.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at ETDP SETA.
• SBD 6.1 (Specific Goals): preferential points claim under the 80/20 system.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC): must be completed in full.
• SARS Unique Security PIN: submitted so ETDP SETA can verify tax matters before award.

All forms must be fully completed, signed, with witnesses' signatures where required, and all applicable boxes ticked.

Stage 1 - Administrative compliance: submission of all required administrative documents; fully completed and signed forms with witnesses' signatures; all applicable boxes ticked.

Stage 2 - Functionality: minimum qualifying score 70/100; bids below 70 are disqualified and do not proceed.

Functionality criteria (100 points):

1. Samples of work and reference letters - 25 points: five or more samples each with a reference letter scores 25; four samples scores 15; three or fewer scores 0. Each sample must be accompanied by a signed and dated reference letter showing project title, scope of work completed, and client contact details (phone and email). Reports without a reference letter and letters missing required details are not considered.
2. Capacity to deliver and methodology - 70 points:

• Project team structure - 15 points: Project Manager (3), Labour Market Research Specialist (2), Career Development or Education Specialist (2), Econometrist (2), Statistician (2), Quality Assurance Specialist (2), Graphic Designer or Layout Specialist (2). All positions with names and roles required; a structure with no names and roles scores 0. The initial team may not change without prior approval of the ETDP SETA Research Unit.
• Project Manager qualifications and experience - 15 points: Master's degree or above scores 10; below Master's scores 0. Four or more years of relevant experience scores 5; below four years scores 0. Certified copies and CV required; SAQA confirmation letter for foreign qualifications.
• Methodology - 30 points: Career Guide brochure data collection and analysis (15); replicable methodological framework for future editions (15).

3. Project plan - 15 points: skills transfer plan to the ETDP SETA Research Unit (5); timelines within the two-year period and frequency of data provision (5); all-inclusive VAT detailed budget showing items (5).

Stage 3 - Price and specific goals: 80/20 preference point system - price 80, specific goals 20. SBD 6.1 must be submitted to claim points.

B-BBEE proof: valid certified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency or CIPC, or a signed sworn affidavit. Failure to submit means no specific goals points are claimed.

Joint ventures: consolidated B-BBEE verification certificate prepared for this bid only, from a SANAS-accredited agency; JV partners must provide accreditation certificates with relevant authority.

General: ETDP SETA is not bound to appoint the highest-scoring bidder, may negotiate price, and may cancel the bid.

Appointment of a higher learning institution to deliver two outputs:

1. A scientific, evidence-based, learner-centred Career Guide Brochure for high school learners interested in ETD sector careers, for print and digital audiences.
2. A replicable methodological framework to inform future editions of the Career Guide.

Brochure content requirements:

• Sector overview: ETD sector structure, mandate, and economic contribution.
• Occupational profiles: job purpose, minimum entry requirements, required school subjects, qualification pathway, skills and competencies, career progression pathways, employment environments.
• Career pathways: TVET pathways, university pathways, occupational qualifications, articulation routes.
• Labour market intelligence: occupations in demand, scarce and critical skills, future labour trends, employment prospects.
• Funding and bursaries: public, private, and SETA bursaries/grants (NSFAS, ETDP SETA bursaries, institutional bursaries); eligibility criteria and application processes; funding obligations; alignment with career and qualification pathways.

Research requirements: review policy, sector, and labour market documents (SSP, NDP, White Paper, SAQA qualifications); research ETD occupations, qualifications, and career pathways; analyse labour market information including high-demand occupations; identify emerging skills linked to digital transformation, education innovation, and the Critical Skills List; align information with SAQA-registered qualifications.

Framework requirements: standardised template with all requisite variables; statistical data; labour market forecasting for future occupations; future insights for the ETD sector; career guidance capability for Grade 9 learners entering FET and Grade 12 learners preparing for post-school pathways.

Process: inception report for ETDP SETA approval; work closely with the Research and Skills Planning Unit on methodology, activities, timelines, and deliverables; regular milestone meetings for progress monitoring.

Bidders must submit a detailed, scientifically sound methodology for developing the Career Guide and the Methodological Framework.

Methodology requirements:

• Comprehensive, scientifically rigorous mixed-method research design with credible data sources.
• Robust labour market analysis: identification of occupations in high demand, occupational demand forecasting, and future trends analysis.
• Detailed stakeholder consultation and validation approach.
• Data quality assurance, triangulation, peer review, and validation mechanisms.
• Ethical considerations and research governance processes.
• Replicable, usable methodological framework with labour market forecasting (future occupational trends, high-demand occupations, sector demand analysis), sustainability mechanisms (updating procedures, data integration, framework maintenance plans), and a monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement model.

The appointed partner will work closely with the Research and Skills Planning Unit to collectively plan methodology, activities, timelines, and deliverables.

Bidder profile: a higher learning institution with a multidisciplinary research team and demonstrated evidence of:

• Corporate publications development, career guidance, educational research, or curriculum development.
• Public and private sector communication projects.
• Production of learner-focused guides or educational materials.
• Knowledge of the South African ETD sector and ETD qualifications offered by post-school education institutions.
• Labour market intelligence capability.
• Prior large-scale education or sector research projects.
• Capacity to present complex information in learner-friendly formats.
• Content development, editing, and proofreading expertise.

Project Manager: Master's degree or higher minimum requirement; four or more years of experience managing similar projects; certified copies and CV required; SAQA confirmation letter for foreign qualifications.

Experience evidence: at least three samples of work (reports, brochures, learner guides, labour market studies, databases, dashboards, communication publications), each accompanied by a signed reference letter showing project title, scope of work completed, client contact details (phone and email), signature, and date. Five or more samples score the maximum functionality points for this criterion.

Costing model (pricing schedule): must not be modified; all line items must be included in the order stated.

Priced items:

• A replicable methodological framework for future editions of the Career Guide (covering all Table 1 scope).
• A scientifically and evidence-based Career Guide Brochure for high school learners (covering all Table 1 scope).

Schedule format: sub-total; VAT at 15%; total costs VAT incl.

All pricing in South African Rand (ZAR), all-inclusive.

All project milestones with costing must be listed on the pricing schedule.

The costing model must detail all possible applicable activities, including the total cost per year.

The costing model must be final, include VAT, and be signed (Stage 3 requirement).

Pricing currency: South African Rand (ZAR), all-inclusive, VAT included.

Costing model: must not be modified; all line items must be included in the order stated.

Priced items: (1) replicable methodological framework; (2) scientifically and evidence-based Career Guide Brochure - each covering all scope in Table 1.

Schedule format: sub-total; VAT at 15%; total costs VAT incl.

All project milestones with costing must be listed on the pricing schedule.

The costing model must detail all possible applicable activities, including the total cost per year.

Payment: follows the agreed payment schedule in the Memorandum of Agreement, denominated in ZAR; no additional fees will be entertained thereafter.

Bid validity: 90 days.

ETDP SETA reserves the right to negotiate the bidder's price.

Central Supplier Database: all suppliers must be registered; no award to any supplier not registered on the CSD.

Tax: submit a SARS Unique Security PIN so ETDP SETA can verify tax matters before award.

B-BBEE: valid certified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency or issued by CIPC, or a signed sworn affidavit, for allocation of specific goals points. Failure to submit means no specific goals points are claimed.

Joint ventures: consolidated B-BBEE verification certificate prepared for this bid only from a SANAS-accredited agency; JV partners must provide accreditation certificates with relevant authority.

CIPC: companies in the process of de-registration will not be considered.

Deregistered and blacklisted companies, including directors, owners, and individuals linked to the company, will not be considered; due diligence will be conducted on successful bidders.

Administrative forms: SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, and full completion of the General Conditions of Contract.

Late, incomplete, or unsigned bids will not be accepted.

Intellectual property: ETDP SETA remains sole owner and custodian of all content and materials; nothing may be shared during or after the project without permission; all material must be handed over to ETDP SETA.

Stage 1 - Administrative compliance: fully completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, and SBD 6.1 forms with witnesses' signatures, all applicable boxes ticked; General Conditions of Contract completed in full; SARS Unique Security PIN submitted for tax verification.

Stage 2 - Functionality: minimum qualifying score 70/100; only bids meeting or exceeding 70 proceed to price and specific goals.

Stage 3 - Price and specific goals: 80/20 preference point system (price 80, specific goals 20); SBD 6.1 required to claim specific goals points.

B-BBEE evidence: valid certified B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency or CIPC, or a signed sworn affidavit; non-submission means no specific goals points are claimed.