Appointment of a service provider to conduct a study on south africa’s ip loss challenge

• Study focuses on IP loss within South Africa's National System of Innovation, specifically publicly funded IP.
• IP loss defined broadly as intellectual property from publicly funded R&D resulting in economic loss, including unidentified IP, lack of protection, failure to commercialise, and intentional theft.

• Closing date and time: 17 August 2026 at 11:00.
• Briefing session: 3 August 2026 at 11:00 via Microsoft Teams (link provided).
• Tender validity period: 120 days after closing date.
• Contract duration: 12 months.

• Briefing session: 3 August 2026 at 11:00 via Microsoft Teams (link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/347887679935717?p=25S6JkPjNZc6FiVL1u).

• Submission email: [email protected] (for tender submissions only).
• Enquiries contact: Mapule Msiza, email [email protected] (not for submissions).
• Enquiries must state TIA004/2026 on the subject line.

• Submit electronically to [email protected].
• Closing date and time: 17 August 2026 at 11:00.
• File size limit: submissions must be split into parts if exceeding 200MB, with subject line indicating part numbers (e.g., TIA004/2026 – PART 1).
• Proposal must be a single document limited to 30 pages excluding appendices and attachments.
• Late submissions will be eliminated.
• Returnable documents include: five reference letters, five sample evaluation reports, resumes of key personnel, and proof of contracts for non-staff members.
• Failure to submit required returnables (reference letters, sample reports) will result in disqualification.

• Appendices required: list of IP-related policy work/studies lasting 6+ months in last 5 years; summary of relevant evaluations; resumes of key individuals; five reference letters; five sample evaluation reports.

The service provider must be registered on the CSD, tax compliant, and not have any conflicts of interest or relationships with persons employed by the procuring institution. The service provider must also comply with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, 2000, and the Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2017.

• Scope: Conduct a study on South Africa’s IP loss challenge within the National System of Innovation (NSI), focusing on publicly funded IP.
• Objectives: Identify root causes, assess scale and impact, evaluate legislative frameworks, benchmark international best practices, develop strategic recommendations.
• Deliverables: Seven work packages including inception report, assessments of IP loss causes (unidentified IP, lack of protection, failure to commercialise, intentional theft), case studies (minimum 3, preferably 5 per relevant work package), and final report with implementation strategy.
• Service provider responsibilities: Data collection via surveys/interviews, project management, compilation of reports for approval by TIA Steering Committee.
• Proposal structure must include: introduction/overview, understanding of study, experience/competence, methodology, project plan, quality assurance plan, budget, and required appendices.

• Methodology must include: literature/documentation review, data sampling approach, analytical frameworks, data collection tools, and suggestions for changes to evaluation questions.
• Work packages require case studies (min 3, pref 5) and stakeholder interviews.
• Inception report must detail project plan, evaluation approach, design, and methodology, requiring TIA/Steering Committee approval.

• Bidder must demonstrate knowledge and practical experience in IP within R&D, management, and commercialisation in public and private sectors.
• Project team must have accredited IP qualifications and proven track record in NSI and IPR Act.
• Key personnel: Team should be led by person with IP and NSI expertise, suitable qualifications, demonstrable experience, and significant time commitment.
• Provide resumes detailing years of experience in NSI and with IPR Act.
• Provide five reference letters for relevant work in past 5 years.
• Provide five examples of relevant evaluation reports from past 5 years.

• Proposal must include a quality assurance plan to ensure process and products are of good quality.

• Budget must be in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT, linked to activities per work package, with time commitments and hourly rates.

• Budget/costing must be in South African Rand, inclusive of VAT.
• Pricing must be linked to proposed activities per work package, with proportional time commitments and hourly rates of team members (time sheets will be required).
• No specific bonds or guarantees mentioned.
• Payment terms not specified.

• Mandatory: Proof of registration with Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Mandatory: Tax compliance by time of appointment (submit SARS PIN or TCS certificate).
• B-BBEE: A B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs & QSEs) must be submitted to qualify for preference points.
• Disqualification: Any bidder affiliated with a participant in the study (NSI role player, regulatory body, funding agency) is disqualified.
• Foreign suppliers must complete a questionnaire; if not resident/having income in RSA, tax registration may not be required.

• Specific goals for preference points: at least 51% black ownership, at least 51% black women ownership, black youth ownership, ownership by persons with disabilities.
• Proof required: CSD report, certified ID, doctor's letter.

• Contract period: 12 months.
• Tender validity: 120 days after closing date.
• TIA reserves rights to amend RFP conditions, extend closing date, verify information, not appoint any bidder, vary terms, and cancel RFP without liability.
• Omission or misrepresentation may lead to disqualification or contract cancellation.
• TIA may require a presentation with 4 days' notice.
• TIA's decision is final.
• Bidder must not have abused SCM systems, committed fraud, or failed previous contracts.

• Submission email: [email protected].
• Enquiries: Mapule Msiza at [email protected] (state TIA004/2026 on subject line).