Evaluation of mqa intervention effectiveness (2020-2025)

Scope

• A comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of MQA interventions implemented over the past five financial years (2020-2025).

Closing and submission deadline

• Date and time: 19 November 2026 at 11:00.

Briefing session

• Date and time: 5 November 2026 at 10:00.
• Status: Non-compulsory.
• Platform: Microsoft Teams.
• Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3520621142911780?p=Wc3SEcxcxEB9PEbcif
• Meeting ID: 352 062 114 291 178 0
• Passcode: W3Pa6xZ7

Bidding procedure enquiries

• Contact: Ms Sonwabile Xaba
• Role: Bidding procedure
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 547 2650

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Ms Tsholo Dilape
• Role: Technical
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 547 2628

Submission

• Submission email: [email protected]
• Bid box address:

MQA Head Office (Block B Reception)

No. 7 Anerley Road

Parktown

Johannesburg

2193

Submission

• Bid number: MQA/05/26-27.
• Electronic submission: send proposals to [email protected].
• Additional deposit option: bid box at MQA Head Office (Block B Reception), No. 7 Anerley Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2193.
• Closing and submission deadline: 19 November 2026 at 11:00.

Bid format

• Use the official forms supplied without retyping them, and follow the prescribed submission method.

Returnable documents

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): complete the bidder, contact and supplier details, answer the foreign-supplier questions where applicable, and sign the offer.
• Tax reference: provide the SARS-issued PIN. If no PIN is available, a CSD number is required for a bidder registered on the CSD.
• Proof of authority to sign, such as a company resolution, must accompany the signed submission.

Post-award form

• SBD 7 (Contract Form for rendering services): the successful bidder must complete and sign the written contract.

Disqualification and validity

• Bids received after the deadline will not be considered.
• Failure to provide or comply with the stated tax particulars may invalidate the bid.
• No bid will be considered from a person in the service of the state, a company with a director in the service of the state, or a close corporation with a member in the service of the state.

Scope

• Service provider: undertake a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of MQA interventions.
• Intervention period: the past five financial years (2020-2025).

Tax compliance

• Bidders must ensure that their tax obligations are met.
• A SARS-issued PIN is required for tax-profile and status verification. Where no PIN is available, a bidder registered on the CSD must provide its CSD number.
• A printed Tax Compliance Status certificate may be submitted with the bid.
• Each party to a consortium, joint venture or subcontracting arrangement must provide a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.
• Failure to provide or comply with the tax particulars may render the bid invalid.

State-service exclusion

• No bid will be considered from a person in the service of the state, a company with a director in the service of the state, or a close corporation with a member in the service of the state.

Applicable framework

• The procurement is subject to the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 2000, the Preferential Procurement Regulations, the General Conditions of Contract and any applicable Special Conditions of Contract.

Authority

• The bidder must provide proof of authority to sign, for example a company resolution.

A CV template is required to address the bid requirements. The template gathers personal details, summary of work experience, summary of academic qualifications, and references.

A CV template is required to address the bid requirements.

The template requires personal details.

The template requires a summary of work experience (including organisation, position, duties relevant to the bid, and duration).

The template requires a summary of academic qualifications (institution, qualification, NQF level, and year obtained).

The template requires references (name, surname, company, job title, and contact details).

Evaluation method

• Preference point system: 80/20 (price 80 points, specific goals 20 points, total 100 points).
• The 80/20 system applies to this tender.

Specific goals and points (80/20 system)

• B-BBEE Status Level of Contributor: maximum 15 points.
• Level 1: 15 points; Level 2: 14 points; Level 3: 10 points; Level 4: 8 points; Level 5: 6 points; Level 6: 5 points; Level 7: 4 points; Level 8: 2 points; non-compliant: 0 points.
• Business owned by 50% or more black people who are women: 2 points.
• Business owned by 50% or more black people who are youth: 1 point.
• Business owned by 50% or more black people with disability: 1 point.
• Business owned by 50% or more black people living in rural areas: 1 point.

Verification and consequences

• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit must be submitted to claim points for each specific goal.
• Failure to submit proof means preference points for that goal are not claimed.
• Fraudulent claims may lead to disqualification, contract cancellation, recovery of costs, restriction from state business for up to 10 years, and criminal prosecution.
• The organ of state may require a tenderer to substantiate any preference claim before or after adjudication.

Required forms

• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): must be completed and submitted with the tender to claim preference points for specific goals.

B-BBEE evidence

• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit required to claim preference points for specific goals.
• Evidence must be submitted with the tender; failure to submit means points for that goal are not claimed.

A visual draft-report presentation is required to communicate the study's main findings to MQA staff, the Governance Strategic Committee and the Board.

Closing: 19 November 2026 at 11:00.

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Sonwabile Xaba
• Role: Technical enquiry contact
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 547 2650

Supply chain enquiries

• Contact: Tsholo Dilape
• Role: Supply chain enquiry contact
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 547 2628

Submission pack

• Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Valid tax clearance certificate or tax PIN.
• B-BBEE certificate of the measured entity.
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): records bidder and contact details and serves as the signed offer cover page.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule): records the professional-services pricing offered and must be signed.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses relevant state or institutional connections and must be signed.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): claims B-BBEE preference points and must be signed.

Supporting proposal content

• Short profile of the service provider.
• Itemised cost or fee breakdown for the full scope.
• Project execution plan with proposed deliverables, timelines, resources, risks, communication arrangements, payment plan and stakeholders.
• At least five client reference letters meeting the stated format and recency requirements.
• Annexure B-format CVs for the proposed policy expert, project leader, senior evaluator and junior evaluators.
• Certified copies of the relevant qualifications and, for qualifications obtained outside South Africa, the applicable SAQA evaluation certificate.
• Exploratory evaluation study proposal containing all ten required sections as clearly marked subheadings.

Disqualification controls

• Omission of a listed phase-one returnable can stop further evaluation. MQA may request permissible outstanding information, but only where it does not alter the substance of a bid or create an unfair advantage.
• A functionality score below 65/100 makes the proposal non-responsive.
• A reference client that does not confirm the work renders the relevant reference letter non-compliant.
• CVs outside the Annexure B template are not considered.
• Failure to identify the senior and junior evaluators by name results in zero points for the affected requirement.
• Without acceptable B-BBEE proof, the bidder receives no B-BBEE preference points and is treated as a non-compliant contributor.

Submit all supporting documents specified by the functionality evaluation criteria, including the required references, Annexure B CVs, certified qualifications, exploratory study and project plan.

Evaluation sequence

• Phase 1: mandatory compliance and returnable-document checks.
• Phase 2: functionality assessment.
• Phase 3: price and specific goals under the 80/20 preference-points system.
• A bid proceeds to the next phase only after achieving the required standard in the preceding phase.

Functionality: 100 points

• Rating scale: 0 means missing or irrelevant; 1 poor; 2 fair but inadequate; 3 satisfactory; 4 very good; 5 excellent.

Company reference evidence — 10 points

• Submission requirement: at least five references from different clients for intervention-implementation evaluations.
• Each reference must be on the client's letterhead, signed by an authorised official, dated, include contactable email or telephone details, and relate to work completed within five years before the closing date.
• Experience with SETAs, public institutions and government entities provides an added advantage.
• Rating 1: no more than two compliant references; rating 2: three or four compliant references; rating 3: five compliant references.
• Rating 4: five compliant references, including one demonstrating prior evaluation-study experience involving SETAs, public institutions or government entities.
• Rating 5: five compliant references, including at least two from different organisations demonstrating prior evaluation-study experience in public institutions and government entities.
• MQA may verify the references with the clients; an unconfirmed letter is non-compliant.

Policy expert or analyst experience — 10 points

• Annexure B CV required for a professional with at least five years' experience evaluating interventions implemented by SETAs, public institutions or government entities.
• Experience rating: 1 for 24 to under 48 months of policy-evaluation work; 2 for 48 to under 60 months; 3 for 60 to under 72 months; 4 for 72 to under 84 months; 5 for 84 months or more.

Policy expert or analyst qualifications — 10 points

• Required: NQF level 9 in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Research, Statistics or Business Management.
• Qualification rating: 1 at NQF level 7; 2 at NQF level 8; 3 at NQF level 9; 4 at NQF level 10; 5 at NQF level 10 with professorship status.
• Certified copies are required.

Project leader or manager experience — 10 points

• One senior-level Researcher or Evaluation Project Manager with at least ten years leading evaluation or research projects.
• Experience rating: 1 below 60 months; 2 from 60 to under 120 months; 3 from 120 to under 132 months; 4 from 132 to under 144 months; 5 for 144 months or more.

Project leader or manager qualifications — 10 points

• Required: NQF level 9 in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Research, Statistics, Business Management, Public Management and Governance Studies, or Project Management.
• Qualification rating: 1 at NQF level 7 or below; 2 at NQF level 8; 3 at NQF level 9; 4 at NQF level 10 with Project Management qualification or certification; 5 at NQF level 10 with professorship status plus Project Management qualification or certification.
• Certified copies are required.

Senior evaluator experience — 10 points

• One named team member must have at least five years conducting evaluation studies.
• Experience rating: 1 for 24 to under 48 months; 2 for 48 to under 60 months; 3 for 60 to under 72 months; 4 for 72 to under 84 months; 5 for 84 months or more.

Senior evaluator qualifications — 10 points

• Required: NQF level 8 in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Research, Statistics, Business Management, or Public Management and Governance Studies.
• Qualification rating: 1 at NQF level 6; 2 at NQF level 7; 3 at NQF level 8; 4 at NQF level 9; 5 at NQF level 10.
• Certified copies are required.

Junior evaluator experience — 10 points

• At least two named team members must each have at least three years conducting evaluation studies.
• Each evaluator is rated separately for 5 points: 1 for 12 to under 24 months; 2 for 24 to under 36 months; 3 for 36 to under 48 months; 4 for 48 to under 60 months; 5 for 60 months or more.

Junior evaluator qualifications — 10 points

• Two named team members must each hold at least NQF level 8 in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Research, Statistics, Business Management, or Public Management and Governance Studies.
• Each evaluator is rated separately for 5 points: 1 at NQF level 6; 2 at NQF level 7; 3 at NQF level 8; 4 at NQF level 9; 5 at NQF level 10.
• Where one evaluator exceeds the other, the lower result is used.
• Certified copies are required.

Exploratory evaluation study — 10 points

• Prepare an evaluation proposal for a randomly selected service delivered by a SETA, public institution, government entity, or mining and mineral sector organisation in relation to implemented interventions.
• Required sections: introduction and background; problem statement; evaluation purpose; importance of the study; theoretical framework; evaluation methodology; target population and sampling framework; data management; reliability and validity; limitations and delimitations.
• Rating 1: five or fewer sections; rating 2: more than five but fewer than ten; rating 3: all ten sections; rating 4: all ten plus a risk register and mitigation plan; rating 5: all ten plus a risk register, mitigation plan and budget.

Minimum qualifying functionality score: 65/100. Bids below this threshold are excluded and treated as non-responsive.

Phase 3: 80/20 preference points

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals: 20 points.
• B-BBEE status: Level 1 earns 15 points; Level 2, 14; Level 3, 10; Level 4, 8; Level 5, 6; Level 6, 5; Level 7, 4; Level 8, 2; non-compliant, 0.
• Black ownership goals: at least 50% black ownership by women earns 2 points; ownership by youth earns 1 point; ownership by persons with disabilities earns 1 point; ownership by persons living in rural areas earns 1 point.

Commission

• A comprehensive implementation evaluation is required for MQA interventions undertaken during the five financial years from 2020 to 2025.
• Effectiveness is to be judged against planned objectives and intended outcomes using observable, quantifiable indicators of results.

Evaluation focus

• Achievement of intended outputs and outcomes.
• Efficiency and value for money.
• Alignment with strategic priorities.
• Quality of service delivery.
• Whether the Theory of Change operates as intended in practice.
• The wider impact of the interventions.

Scope of work

• Document how the interventions were actually designed, structured and implemented.
• Compare actual implementation with the planned approach.
• Assess the quality of service providers that delivered MQA-funded programmes.
• Examine the design and complexity of the relevant policies and programmes and produce evidence-based findings on their implementation.
• Test the Theory of Change against implementation experience.
• Identify successful and unsuccessful elements and recommend implementation improvements.
• Determine the intervention's actual contribution and impact.
• Identify suitable elements for upscaling.

Required deliverables

1. Project execution plan or inception report covering the study rationale, significance, questions, objectives, value, scope, timetable, outputs, resources, risks, communication protocols, deliverable-linked payment plan and stakeholders.
2. MQA policy and literature review, supported by a theoretical or conceptual framework and an appropriate analytical tool.
3. Evaluation design and methodology covering the research paradigm, methods, target population, sampling, data collection and analysis, reliability, validity, generalisability, ethics, limitations and delimitations.
4. Collected datasets and raw data in a usable format that permits further analysis and replication.
5. Draft analysis report for review by MQA staff, the evaluation or research review team and the Board, allowing for corrections, gaps and inconsistencies identified during review.
6. Draft-report presentation for MQA staff, the Governance Strategic Committee and the Board.
7. Final evaluation report and executive summary covering the study rationale, questions, objectives, paradigm, hybrid methodology, findings, conclusions, recommendations, a future MQA implementation model and implications for skills development.
8. Final presentation suitable for decision-makers, policy and practitioner audiences and other stakeholders.
9. Advisory report highlighting the principal findings, implications and recommendations for decision-makers, policy practitioners and a broader audience.

Project control

• The service provider must submit a project execution plan with outputs and a workable timetable; MQA approves it before commencement.
• The service provider reports to the Chief Risk Monitoring and Evaluation Officer or an authorised delegate.
• The maximum engagement period is 24 months, commencing after the service-provider contract is signed.
• Work must be performed with professional competence, honesty and integrity, supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence.

Required methodology package

• Project inception report: define the study problem, rationale, significance, evaluation questions, objectives, value, scope, timetable, outputs, resources, risks, communication arrangements, payment plan and stakeholders.
• Policy and literature review: establish the conceptual approach, theories, models and analytical tool underpinning the evaluation.
• Evaluation design: state the research paradigm and methodological approach; identify the target population, sampling procedure, data-collection methods, data-analysis methods, trustworthiness measures, ethical safeguards, limitations and delimitations.
• Data output: provide raw and processed datasets in a format that other evaluators can analyse or reuse.
• Draft analysis: present the approach, analysis, initial findings and recommendations for stakeholder review.
• Exploratory proposal: identify whether the proposed approach is qualitative, quantitative or hybrid, and address sampling, data management, reliability, validity, limitations and delimitations.

Bidder capability

• Previous evaluation of interventions for SETAs, public institutions or government organisations is required, supported by sound knowledge of skills development, monitoring and evaluation systems and the National Evaluation Policy Framework.
• At least five intervention-evaluation references from different clients are required, with work completed within five years before closing.
• All personnel CVs must use the Annexure B template.

Team requirements

• Policy expert or analyst: minimum five years' relevant evaluation experience and NQF level 9 in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Policy, Development Studies, Economics, Research, Statistics or Business Management.
• Project leader or manager: minimum ten years leading evaluation or research projects and NQF level 9 in an approved field, including Public Management and Governance Studies or Project Management.
• Senior evaluator: one named person with at least five years conducting evaluation studies and NQF level 8 in an approved field.
• Junior evaluators: at least two named people, each with at least three years conducting evaluation studies and NQF level 8 in an approved field.
• Junior evaluators are assessed individually for 5 points each, and the lower result applies where their experience or qualifications differ.
• Certified copies of qualifications are required, with certification date stamps no more than six months old at closing.
• Foreign qualifications must be accompanied by the applicable SAQA evaluation certificate.

Exploratory study

• The bidder must also submit an evaluation proposal for a randomly selected service delivered by a SETA, public institution, government entity, or mining and mineral sector organisation in relation to implemented interventions.
• It must use clearly marked subheadings for introduction and background, problem statement, evaluation purpose, importance, theoretical framework, methodology, target population and sampling, data management, reliability and validity, and limitations and delimitations.

Quality requirements

• The evaluation must test achievement of intended outputs and outcomes, efficiency and value for money, strategic alignment, service-delivery quality, the practical validity of the Theory of Change, and intervention impact.
• The methodology must address reliability, validity, generalisability, ethical considerations, limitations and delimitations.
• The provider must gather sufficient, appropriate evidence and maintain professional competence, honesty and integrity throughout the assignment.

Review and acceptance

• The draft analysis report is circulated to MQA staff, the evaluation or research review team and the Board for review.
• Review feedback is used to address omissions, inconsistencies and weaknesses before finalisation.
• MQA must approve the project execution plan before the work starts.
• Payment is conditional on acceptable and timely delivery, and the provider may be subject to functional due diligence.

Provide an itemised cost or fee breakdown for the complete set of services proposed.

Pricing schedule

• SBD 3.3 must be completed and signed.
• The proposal must contain an itemised cost or fee breakdown for the full scope.

Quotation basis

• Currency: South African Rand.
• VAT: included in the quoted amount.
• Pricing: all-inclusive and aligned with the complete scope of work.

Price negotiation

• MQA may negotiate with the preferred provider, but the process must not confer an unfair second opportunity, prejudice other providers, or result in a price above the submitted quotation.

Payment

• Payment is made only for work that is acceptable and delivered on time.
• The project inception report must include a payment plan linked to each deliverable.

Registration and tax

• Proof of active CSD registration is compulsory.
• A valid tax clearance certificate or tax PIN is compulsory.

Mandatory returnable forms

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed bidder and contact information.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule): signed professional-services pricing.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): signed disclosure of relevant institutional or state connections.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): signed B-BBEE preference claim.

Provider experience

• The bidder must have evaluated interventions for SETAs, public institutions or government organisations and possess sound knowledge of skills development, monitoring and evaluation systems and the National Evaluation Policy Framework.
• At least five references from different clients are required for intervention-implementation evaluations completed within five years before closing.
• References must be signed, dated, on the client's letterhead and contain contactable details.

Personnel requirements

• Policy expert or analyst: at least five years' relevant experience and NQF level 9 in an approved discipline.
• Project leader or manager: at least ten years leading evaluation or research projects and NQF level 9 in an approved discipline.
• Senior evaluator: at least five years conducting evaluation studies and NQF level 8 in an approved discipline.
• Junior evaluators: at least two people, each with at least three years conducting evaluation studies and NQF level 8 in an approved discipline.
• CVs must follow the Annexure B template.
• Certified qualification copies are required.
• Qualification certification date stamps must be no more than six months old at the closing date.
• Foreign qualifications require a SAQA evaluation certificate for each qualification.

B-BBEE evidence and points

• Phase one requires a B-BBEE certificate of the measured entity; an absent certificate attracts zero points.
• Preference evidence must be an original valid B-BBEE status-level certificate or a certified copy issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency or an IRBA-registered auditor, or a sworn affidavit.
• An Exempted Micro Enterprise must provide a letter from an Accounting Officer appointed under the Close Corporation Act.
• Without acceptable evidence, the bidder is a non-compliant contributor and receives no B-BBEE preference points.
• Status points: Level 1, 15; Level 2, 14; Level 3, 10; Level 4, 8; Level 5, 6; Level 6, 5; Level 7, 4; Level 8, 2; non-compliant, 0.
• Ownership points: at least 50% black ownership by women, 2; by youth, 1; by persons with disabilities, 1; by persons living in rural areas, 1.

Compliance risks

• Missing phase-one returnables can result in disqualification, subject to MQA's power to request permissible non-substantive outstanding information.
• Functionality below 65/100 is non-responsive.
• Unverified reference letters are non-compliant, non-template CVs are ignored, and unnamed evaluators receive zero points.
• The provider must accept the applicable Supply Chain Management general conditions of contract.

MQA applies equal-opportunity and affirmative-action procurement. Preference is also given to evidence of skills transfer and representativeness, and proposals may use consortium arrangements or include measures that advance transformation.

The engagement commences after the service-provider contract has been signed.

Suggestions raised during progress meetings become contractual obligations once both parties accept them.

The bidder must submit CVs demonstrating qualified and experienced professionals who have evaluated the effectiveness of implemented interventions.

Final-stage allocation: 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals under the 80/20 preferential procurement system.

Required returnable form

• Bidder's Disclosure (Annexure A to SDB 4): complete and sign; disclose state employment, connections with procuring-institution employees and related-enterprise interests involving relevant directors, trustees, shareholders, members, partners or controlling-interest holders; certify independent bid preparation, no collusion, no premature disclosure of bid terms and no involvement in drafting the specifications.

Scope: Appoint a service provider to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of Mining Qualifications Authority interventions implemented over the five financial years from 2020 to 2025.

Restricted-register status: A bid involving any person on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers is automatically barred from the bid process.

Disclosure consequence: The bid is disqualified if the Bidder's Disclosure is untrue or incomplete; false disclosure may also attract action under PFMA SCM Instruction 03 of 2021/22.

Closing date: 19 November 2026 at 11:00

Offer validity: 120 days from the closing date of bid

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Ms Tsholo Dilape
• Email: [email protected]

Technical information:

• Contact: Ms. Sonwabile Xaba
• Email: [email protected]

Bid number: MQA/05/26-27

Returnable forms — complete, sign and submit with the bid:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule for professional services): ceiling price, person and position rates, phase costs and man-days, travel and other expenses.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to the institution.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under PPPFA 80/20 or 90/10.
• SBD 6.2 (Declaration for Local Production and Content).
• SBD 7.1/7.2 (Contract Form for services).
• SBD 8 (Declaration of Past Supply Chain Management Practices).
• SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies the price was set independently with no collusion.
• Authority to Sign / Board Resolution: authorises the named signatory to bind the bidder.

Evaluation:

• Preference points claimed under the PPPFA 80/20 or 90/10 system (SBD 6.1).

Pricing:

• Ceiling price based on the total estimated time for completion of all phases, including all expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• All applicable taxes includes value-added tax, pay-as-you-earn, income tax, unemployment insurance contributions and skills development levies.
• Hourly rate and daily rate required for each person and position.
• Cost per phase and man-days to be spent required.
• Travel expenses: only actual costs recoverable; proof of expenses must accompany certified invoices.
• Other expenses, for example accommodation, telephone and reproduction: proof must accompany invoices.

Validity and rate terms:

• Offer valid for 120 days from the closing date of bid.
• Bidders must indicate whether rates are firm for the full contract period.
• If rates are not firm, provide the basis for adjustments, for example consumer price index.
• Period required for commencement after acceptance of bid: to be stated by the bidder.
• Estimated man-days for completion of project: to be stated by the bidder.

Compliance:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration required.
• Valid tax clearance from SARS required.
• B-BBEE compliance required under the PPPFA 80/20 or 90/10 system.