Panel of 15 business mentors for c‑brta cross‑border incubation programme

Closing date and time: 15 October 2026 at 11:00

Briefing session: non-compulsory; date and time not specified beyond "15 October 2026" (same as closing date)

Contract period: 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2028

Bid validity: 60 working days from closing date

Enquiries

• Email: [email protected]

Submission

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]

Note: No named individual contact person, telephone number, or physical submission address is stated in the document.

Submission method: email only

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing: 15 October 2026 at 11:00

Bid validity: 60 working days from closing date

Returnable forms and documents:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): completed and signed pro forma cover page
• Proof of CSD registration and tax status (SARS TCS PIN or CSD number)
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment and related-party connections
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Point Claim Form): non-submission scores zero on specific goals
• Pricing Schedule: full pricing proposal with costs broken down per annum
• Signed reference letters for experience claims
• CVs of proposed mentors
• Proof of cross-border operations experience (cross-border permit)

Disqualification risks:

• Late submission
• Non-submission of SBD 1, tax status proof, SBD 4, or pricing schedule
• Failure to correct tax non-compliance within 7 days after notification
• Bidders scoring below 70/100 on functionality
• Persons in the service of the state, or companies with such directors/members

Format requirements:

• Use official forms provided; do not re-type
• Submit on official forms or in the manner prescribed

Evaluation system: 80/20 preference points (Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022)

Three-phase evaluation:

Phase 1 — Administrative Compliance

• Mandatory documents checked; missing items marked "YES" for disqualification result in immediate disqualification
• Tax non-compliance: 7 days to correct before award; failure disqualifies

Phase 2 — Functionality (100 points)

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100

Below 70: disqualified from further evaluation

Functionality scoring breakdown:

1. Bidder's Experience (30 points)

• More than 5 relevant projects: 30 points
• 4-5 projects: 25 points
• 1-3 projects: 20 points
• 0 projects: 0 points
• Evidence: signed reference letters on client letterhead (past 10 years), showing client name, project scope, duration, contact details

2. Proposed Mentorship Approach, Methodology and Implementation Plan (40 points)

• Understanding of programme objectives and cross-border environment: 10 points
• Mentorship methodology (diagnostics, plans, coaching, follow-up): 10 points
• Time frames, milestones, deliverables, reporting schedule aligned to 24-month cycle: 10 points
• Mentor allocation, roles, responsibilities, availability, cohort management: 10 points

3. Experience and Qualifications of Key Personnel/Mentors (20 points)

• Mentor experience and track record (15 points):
• More than 7 years: 15 points
• 5-7 years: 10 points
• 2-5 years: 5 points
• Less than 2 years: 1 point
• 0 projects: 0 points
• Academic/professional qualifications (5 points):
• Relevant degree, diploma, postgraduate qualification or recognised certification: 5 points
• No qualifications: 0 points

4. Cross-border Operations Experience (10 points)

• 10 years cross-border permits: 10 points
• No cross-border permit: 0 points

Phase 3 — Price and Specific Goals (100 points)

• Price: 80 points (lowest acceptable price scores maximum; others proportional)
• Specific goals: 20 points (based on preference points claimed with documentary evidence; zero if no supporting documents submitted)
• Award: first 15 highest-scoring bidders, subject to compliance, due diligence, budget and delegated authority approval

C-BRTA reserves right to conduct price reasonableness assessments and seek clarification

Procurement: Panel of 15 mentors for business mentorship and enterprise development support to MSMEs in the C-BRTA Cross-Border Incubation Programme

Programme background:

• Incubation Strategy 2025–2030 and Implementation Plan approved
• Supports transformation, growth and sustainability of emerging operators in cross-border road transport
• 24-month incubation programme cycle

Participant categories (all three require mentorship):

• Category 1 — New Entrants ("Thuli"): no prior cross-border or freight experience; registered businesses outside transport; highest intensity support
• Category 2 — Domestic Operators Expanding ("Thabo"): active in domestic freight, transitioning to cross-border; majority of cohort (>50%)
• Category 3 — Passenger-to-Freight Transition & Existing Cross-Border ("Frank"): understand transport operations, transitioning or already in cross-border freight

Scope of work:

• Conduct diagnostics
• Develop mentorship plans
• Provide monthly mentoring sessions
• Support: compliance, operations, finance, market access, funding readiness, business planning, performance monitoring

Key deliverables:

• Inception report
• Participant diagnostic reports
• Individual mentorship plans
• Monthly reports
• Quarterly progress reports
• Attendance registers
• Action plans
• Final cohort report with lessons learnt

Reporting:

• Accountable to Manager: Industry Development
• Monthly and quarterly reports as directed by C-BRTA
• Implementing partner may be appointed later to coordinate and receive reports

Performance indicators:

• Achievement of mentoring schedules
• Participant attendance
• Report submission
• Participant satisfaction
• Compliance improvements
• Business growth milestones
• Programme completion rates

Minimum mentor requirements:

• Minimum 10 years relevant experience in transport and logistics
• Minimum 10 years relevant experience in cross-border operations
• MSME development expertise
• Transport/logistics knowledge
• Mentoring/coaching capability

Confidentiality and ethics:

• Maintain confidentiality
• Disclose conflicts of interest
• Act professionally
• Comply with C-BRTA policies and applicable legislation

Mentors must submit a detailed proposal covering: understanding of C-BRTA programme objectives and cross-border environment; mentorship methodology including diagnostics, individual plans, coaching sessions, action plans and follow-up; time frames, milestones, deliverables and reporting aligned to 24-month cycle; and allocation of experienced mentors with clear roles, responsibilities, availability and cohort management.

Bidder experience: signed reference letters on client letterhead (past 10 years) for mentorship, coaching, enterprise development, transport/logistics advisory or incubation support. Score by project count: 0=0, 1-3=20, 4-5=25, 5+=30 points. Key personnel: CVs showing mentoring, coaching, enterprise development, transport/logistics, compliance, market access or financial management experience. Experience scoring: 0 projects=0, <2 years=1, 2-5 years=5, 5-7 years=10, 7+ years=15 points. Qualifications: relevant degree, diploma, postgraduate or professional certification in business management, transport/logistics, finance, entrepreneurship, coaching, mentorship or enterprise development=5 points; none=0 points. Cross-border operations: copy of cross-border permit required; 10 years permit=10 points, none=0 points.

Complete pricing schedule required with rates, cost assumptions and breakdown per Department of Public Services and Administration consultation rates. Costs broken down per annum. C-BRTA reserves right to conduct price reasonableness assessments. Award to first 15 highest-scoring bidders on price and specific goals, subject to compliance, due diligence, budget and delegated authority approval.

Pricing format:

• Complete pricing schedule required
• Costs broken down per annum
• Must set out applicable rates, cost assumptions and any pricing breakdown
• Rates must follow consultation rates prescribed by Department of Public Services and Administration

No bid security, bond, guarantee, retention or insurance requirements are stated.

No turnover or financial capacity thresholds are stated.

CSD and tax:

• CSD registration mandatory before bid submission
• SARS TCS PIN or CSD number required
• Foreign suppliers: if non-resident with no branch, permanent establishment, income source or tax liability in South Africa, TCS PIN not required

B-bbee:

• B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit required for EMEs and QSEs to qualify for preference points
• SBD 6.1 must be submitted; non-submission scores zero on specific goals
• 80/20 preference points system applies

Disqualification grounds:

• Persons in the service of the state
• Companies with directors who are persons in the service of the state
• Close corporations with members who are persons in the service of the state
• Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers

Returnable compliance forms:

• SBD 1: Invitation to Bid (completed and signed)
• SBD 4: Declaration of Interest (state employment and related-party disclosure)
• SBD 6.1: Preference Point Claim Form
• SBD 9: Certificate of Independent Bid Determination (implied by standard pack reference)

No CIDB grading, CIPC registration, professional-body registration or local content percentage requirements are stated.

B-BBEE verification certificate or sworn affidavit required for EMEs and QSEs to claim preference points. SBD 6.1 mandatory for specific goals scoring; non-submission scores zero. 80/20 system applies.

Contract period: 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2028, linked to remaining incubation programme lifecycle, subject to satisfactory performance. Mentors must maintain confidentiality, disclose conflicts of interest, act professionally and comply with all C-BRTA policies and applicable legislation.

Minimum mentor requirements: 10 years transport and logistics experience; 10 years cross-border operations experience; MSME development expertise; transport/logistics knowledge; mentoring/coaching capability.

80/20 preference points system. Phase 1: administrative compliance (SBD 1, tax status, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, pricing schedule). Phase 2: functionality minimum 70/100. Phase 3: 80 points price, 20 points specific goals. Functionality: bidder experience 30 points (projects 0-5+), methodology 40 points (programme understanding, methodology, timeframes, mentor allocation), key personnel 20 points (experience 15 points, qualifications 5 points), cross-border permit 10 points. Award to top 15 scorers.