Appointment of area of study specialists / subject matter experts to refine the nasca curriculum and develop examinations and assessment guidelines

Closing

• 23 October 2026 at 11:00.

Briefing session

• None. No compulsory briefing or site visit is scheduled.

Other timing

• Quotation validity: minimum 90 days from the quotation date.
• Contract duration: up to 4 months from appointment of the specialists.
• Monthly progress reports are due for each deliverable, in line with the approved project plan.

Enquiries and submission

• Contact: Mr David Ntuli
• Email: [email protected]

Delivery address

117-123 Francis Baard Street

DHET

Pretoria

Submission method

• Email only, to [email protected].
• Hand-delivered proposals will not be accepted.
• Quote RFQ279/2026 in the email subject line.
• Closing: 23 October 2026 at 11:00. Late submissions are rejected.

Quotation format

• Submit on the company letterhead, dated and signed, showing the validity period.
• Validity: at least 90 days from the quotation date.
• All prices must be VAT inclusive; vendors not registered for VAT must state this on the quotation.
• Provide a fully detailed pricing proposal with a clear breakdown.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted)

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder identification and offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): firm pricing for the quoted services.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment or relationships involving directors, shareholders or controlling persons, and interests in related enterprises.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims the specific-goal preference points, with supporting proof.
• POPIA consent form: authorises the Department to use the information in the bid documents for procurement purposes.
• SBD 6.2 and Annexure C: local production and content declaration, where applicable.
• CSD registration report and proof of registration.
• Tax status confirmation (see compliance requirements).
• Comprehensive CV with evidence of qualifications.

Disqualification risks

• Any required document omitted or left unsigned.
• Non-compliance with the Terms of Reference requirements.
• Proposals delivered by hand, or received after the closing date and time.
• Information in the SBD 4 disclosure that conflicts with CSD, CIPC or other records.

Compulsory documents to be submitted with the bid

• POPIA consent form: authorises the Department to use the bid information for procurement purposes.
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder identification and offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule): firm pricing for the quoted services.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment, relationships with departmental staff, and interests in related enterprises.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal preference points with proof.
• SBD 6.2 and Annexure C: local production and content declaration, where applicable.
• Tax status confirmation and tax PIN.
• CSD registration report and proof of registration.
• Detailed pricing proposal with a clear breakdown.
• Comprehensive CV with evidence of qualifications.
• Non-submission or non-compliance with any of these documents results in disqualification.

Evaluation runs in three sequential phases.

Phase 0 — Administrative compliance

• CSD registration plus submission of all completed and signed bid documents.
• Only bids meeting every pre-qualification requirement proceed to Phase 1.

Phase 1 — Functionality (100 points)

• Minimum qualifying score: 70/100 to proceed to Phase 2.
• Element 1 — Qualification (25 points): NQF level 9 or 10 in an Education-related field with the relevant subject specialisation. 15 points for a level 8 qualification with appropriate specialisation; 25 points for level 9. Evidence: copies of qualifications.
• Element 2 — Curriculum development experience (25 points): minimum 10 years expert-level experience in curriculum development at NQF levels 1 and 4. Bands: 0–4 points for no knowledge and 0–1 years; 5–9 for low knowledge and 0–1 years; 10–14 for average knowledge and 2–3 years; 15–19 for high knowledge and 5 years; 20–25 for expert level and more than 10 years. Evidence: panel member profile and list of curriculum development work.
• Element 3 — Subject matter expertise (25 points): minimum 10 years expert-level knowledge, skills and experience in the specific NASCA subject matter. Same 0–25 bands as Element 2; the top band requires recognition as an expert by the field and peers. Evidence: profile and list of similar work.
• Element 4 — Comprehensive CV (25 points): CV with appropriate evidence of qualifications.

Phase 2 — Price and specific goals (80/20)

• 80 points for price, 20 points for specific goals.
• Price points use the prescribed 80/20 formula; scores are rounded to two decimals.
• The bidder with the highest total points is awarded the contract.

Specific goals (20 points)

• Black ownership: 100% — 7.20 points; 75–99% — 5.54; 60–74% — 4.43; 51–59% — 3.32; 0–50% — 1.11; none — 0.
• Women ownership: 100% — 4.43 points; 75–99% — 3.32; 60–74% — 2.22; 51–59% — 1.11; 0–50% — 0.55; none — 0.
• Ownership by persons with disabilities: 100% — 0.50 points; 75–99% — 0.30; 60–74% — 0.20; 0–59% — 0.10; none — 0.
• Youth ownership (35 years and younger): 100% — 2.77 points; 75–99% — 1.66; 60–74% — 1.11; 51–59% — 0.55; 0–50% — 0.28; none — 0.
• SMME development: EME — 5.54 points; QSE — 2.22; generic enterprise — 0.
• Evidence: CIPC shareholder registration, copies of IDs and CSD registration for race, gender and youth claims; certified medical certificate or substantive proof for disability; B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit for EME/QSE.
• Claims must be valid at the closing date; tax information must be valid at date of award.
• Failing to claim specific goals does not disqualify a bid, but forfeits those points.

Purpose

• Appoint Area of Study Specialists / Subject Matter Experts as panellists to refine the NASCA curriculum and develop examinations and assessment guidelines.
• NASCA is an NQF Level 4 qualification for young people and adults seeking a matric-equivalent qualification.
• The work follows the NASCA task team review (task team established April 2024; final report approved by the Minister in September 2025).

Curriculum specialist scope

• Design and refine area-of-study curriculum statements and learning outcomes aligned to educational policy and the draft NASCA qualification.
• Align content and cognitive demand with comparable CAPS and NCV subjects.
• Revise the curriculum to incorporate emerging trends and technologies.
• Finalise learning outcomes and assessment standards, taking account of the task team reports and Umalusi curriculum and quality assurance requirements.
• Recommend textbooks, resources and technologies.
• Develop formative and summative assessment strategies.
• Collaborate with other specialists.

Assessment specialist scope

• Develop assessments matched to area-of-study curriculum content that scaffold reasoning and other thinking skills.
• Develop area-of-study assessment and examination guidelines.
• Develop assessment exemplars, question papers and diagnostic tests.
• Develop assessment manuals for learners and lecturers.
• Align assessments with national NSC / NC(V)4 curriculum and assessment standards.

Deliverables

• Detailed project work plan covering activities, outputs, resources and timelines.
• Curriculum statements for each area of study.
• Examination and assessment guidelines for each area of study.
• Lecturer assessment manuals.
• Assessment exemplars and question papers.
• Assessment manuals for lecturers.

Duration and reporting

• Duration: up to 4 months from appointment.
• Specialists report to the appointed Project Manager, who reports to the Directorate: Programmes, Curriculum, Development and Support (CET Branch).
• Monthly progress reports in MS Word, submitted electronically, for each deliverable.
• Other reports as set out in the agreed project work plan.
• All correspondence and reports must be in English.
• Monitoring by the Directorate: Programmes, Curriculum Development and Support and the Directorate: Development Support; a Project Steering Committee of departmental officials and panellists oversees the project.

Skills required

• In-depth knowledge of the area of study and the applicable curriculum and assessment standards.
• Expertise in adult learning theory, teaching and learning in a second language, and assessment methodologies for adult learners.
• Relevant teaching experience and interest in adult learner self-actualisation.
• Experience with national or provincial standardised assessments is an advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Communication and leadership skills for training lecturers and working with stakeholders.
• Awareness of educational trends in the area of study and understanding of curriculum and assessment research processes.

Deliverables and timeline

• Detailed project work plan covering all activities, outputs, resources and timelines.
• Curriculum statements for the specific areas of study.
• Examination and assessment guidelines for the specific areas of study.
• Lecturer assessment manuals.
• Assessment exemplars and question papers.
• Assessment manuals for lecturers.
• Work starts on appointment and is expected to take up to 4 months.

Knowledge and skills required

• In-depth knowledge of the area of study and the specified curriculum and assessment standards.
• Expertise in educational theory, particularly adult learning, teaching and learning in a second language, and assessment methodologies suited to adult learners.
• Relevant teaching experience and an interest in adult learners' self-actualisation.
• Expertise in national or provincial standardised assessments is an added advantage.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Communication and leadership skills for training lecturers and collaborating with stakeholders.
• Awareness of educational trends in the area of study.
• Understanding of research processes for curriculum and assessment development.

Quality assurance

• Learning outcomes and assessment standards must be finalised against the task team reports and Umalusi curriculum and quality assurance requirements.
• Curriculum and assessment content must align with comparable CAPS and NCV subjects and with national NSC / NC(V)4 assessment standards.
• The Department may inspect and audit the supplier's records relating to performance of the contract.

Pricing rules

• All quoted prices must be VAT inclusive.
• Vendors not registered for VAT must state this clearly on the quotation.
• Quotations must be valid for at least 90 days from the quotation date.

Pricing

• All prices must be VAT inclusive; vendors not registered for VAT must state this on the quotation.
• A fully detailed pricing proposal with a clear breakdown must be submitted.
• Quotation validity: minimum 90 days from the quotation date.
• Price carries 80 of the 100 evaluation points under the 80/20 system.

Contract framework

• The General Conditions of Contract, 2010 apply, together with the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022 and the Department's Supply Chain Management Policy.
• Any performance security is set at the amount stated in the Special Conditions of Contract and must be furnished within 30 days of notification of award.

Registration and tax

• CSD registration is mandatory; bidders not yet registered must complete registration at https://secure.csd.gov.za/ before submitting and provide proof of registration.
• Tax status: written confirmation that SARS may disclose the bidder's tax compliance status throughout the contract; a tax PIN may be supplied. Where a hard-copy tax clearance certificate is submitted, the CSD verification outcome prevails.

Standard forms (complete, sign and return)

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid).
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule).
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) — all related enterprises must be listed; incomplete disclosure may disqualify the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim) with supporting proof.
• SBD 6.2 and Annexure C (local production and content), where applicable.
• POPIA consent form authorising use of bid information for procurement.

B-BBEE and specific goals

• B-BBEE minimum level: 4, allocated 3 points.
• Specific-goal points are claimed on SBD 6.1 with proof: CIPC shareholder registration, copies of IDs and CSD registration for race, gender and youth claims; certified medical certificate or substantive proof for disability; B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit for EME/QSE claims.
• Claims must be valid at the closing date; tax information must be valid at date of award.

Other

• CIDB registration proof applies only to construction, maintenance or alteration-related services; this RFQ covers professional curriculum and assessment services.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.
• The Department may verify submitted information and confirm the financial capacity and capability of shortlisted bidders.

Duration

• Work starts on appointment of the subject matter experts and is expected to take up to 4 months to complete the deliverables.

Governing framework

• The General Conditions of Contract, 2010 apply, alongside the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022 and the Department's Supply Chain Management Policy.
• Any performance security is set at the amount stated in the Special Conditions of Contract and must be furnished within 30 days of notification of award.
• Where Special Conditions of Contract conflict with the General Conditions, the Special Conditions prevail.
• The Department may verify bidder information and confirm the financial capacity and capability of shortlisted bidders.

Governing rules

• Quotations and evaluations are subject to the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022, the Supply Chain Management Policy, the General Conditions of Contract, 2010 and other applicable legislation.
• The successful service provider's services are secured under the Department's procurement policies.

Appointment requirements

• Qualification at NQF level 9 or 10 in an Education-related field with appropriate subject specialisation.
• Minimum 10 years expert-level experience in curriculum development at NQF levels 1 and 4.
• Minimum 10 years expert-level knowledge, skills and experience in the specific NASCA subject matter.
• Comprehensive CV with appropriate evidence of qualifications.

Specific goals

• Claimed by completing the SBD forms and submitting the supporting proof documents; bidders who submit no proof forfeit points in the relevant categories.
• Evaluation uses the PPPFA 80/20 principle: 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals.
• Goals cover black ownership, women ownership, ownership by persons with disabilities, youth ownership and SMME development (EME/QSE).