Independent institutional assessment of the wrc organisational operating model – request for information

Contact: Supply Chain Management

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 012 761 9300

Submission address: [email protected]

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing time: 30 October 2026 at 11:00

Returnable documents:

• Company profile and registration documents.
• CSD report (optional).
• Technical information, commercial information, and recommendations as requested.
• Supporting documents (brochures, case studies, reference projects).
• Declaration certifying the information submitted is true and correct.

Disqualification risks:

• Responses received after the closing time.
• Incomplete or unsigned declaration.

This is a Request for Information, not a tender. Responses will not be evaluated for award purposes. No scoring, preference points, or minimum qualifying scores apply. The WRC will use the information for market research and future procurement planning. Indicative cost ranges are requested for budgeting only, not for evaluation.

The WRC is considering procuring an independent institutional assessment of its organisational operating model. The assessment must cover:

• Organisational structure, skills, and people competencies for effective mandate implementation.
• WRC service delivery model.
• Sustainability of the financial operating model.
• Adequacy and sustainability of ICT systems.
• Integrated governance, risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and compliance.
• Change management plan aligned with the operating model.

Key deliverables:

• Project Implementation Plan (approach, deliverables, estimated hours, rates, resource allocation).
• Comprehensive Institutional Assessment Report including maturity assessment level (basic, intermediate, cutting-edge), gaps, strengths, recommendations, and implementation roadmap.
• Draft and Final Implementation Plan (methodology, tools, frameworks, prioritised actions, timelines, responsibilities).
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan with indicators, reporting mechanisms, and feedback loops.

Reporting frequency:

• Monthly reports by the 7th working day of each month.
• Executive presentations at least once per quarter.
• Ad hoc reports within 5 working days of request.

Project phases:

• Phase 1: Institutional assessment and reporting (12 months, deliverable-based).
• Phase 2: Implementation and consultation (3 months) – implementation support, stakeholder engagement, reporting.
• Phase 3: Monitoring and evaluation – duration to be recommended by respondents.

Supporting information to be provided to the successful bidder: Water Research Act 1971, current organisational structure, WRC five-year strategy and APP, salary/job structure, job evaluation data, last three financial statements, delegation of authority, ICT governance and strategic risk frameworks, and other compliance documents.

The project is divided into three phases:

• Phase 1: Institutional assessment and reporting (12 months, deliverable-based). Key outputs include completion of the assessment, submission of the final report and recommendations to Executive Management, the Board, and relevant committees, and submission of the final implementation plan.
• Phase 2: Implementation and consultation (3 months). Includes implementation support (detailed implementation plan, technical assistance, change management, monitoring mechanisms), stakeholder engagement (consultation sessions, engagement materials, documentation of inputs), and reporting and oversight (monthly progress reports, review meetings, final report).
• Phase 3: Monitoring and evaluation (duration to be recommended by respondents). Includes monitoring support, evaluation activities, reporting and feedback, and capacity building.

Respondents must provide an overview of their company, areas of specialisation, years operating in the industry, relevant experience, major clients, and relevant projects completed in the past five years.

The appointed service provider must deliver a comprehensive institutional assessment report including a maturity assessment (basic, intermediate, cutting-edge) and a progressive implementation roadmap. The M&E plan must include indicators, reporting mechanisms, and feedback loops. Monitoring support includes developing a monitoring framework, establishing tracking tools, providing technical support, and facilitating progress reviews. Evaluation activities include designing and executing an evaluation plan, conducting periodic evaluations using surveys, interviews, and document analysis, and identifying lessons learned. Capacity building includes training internal staff on M&E practices and developing templates and guidelines.

No formal pricing is requested. Respondents should provide indicative pricing models, licensing options, subscription options, service models, maintenance arrangements, and typical contract durations. Indicative cost ranges are for planning and budgeting only.

No formal pricing is requested. Indicative cost ranges are requested solely for planning and budgeting. Respondents should provide indicative pricing models, licensing options, subscription options, service models, maintenance arrangements, and typical contract durations.

No formal eligibility or pre-qualification criteria are stated. Participation is voluntary and open to any interested party. Respondents must provide company registration number and CSD number. No tax clearance, B-BBEE level, or CIDB grading is required for this RFI.

No specific environmental requirements are stated. Respondents are asked to identify common implementation risks, operational risks, supply risks, success factors, and recommended mitigation measures.

This RFI does not constitute a commitment to procure, a tender process, or create contractual rights or obligations. It will not result in supplier pre-qualification or appointment, and does not guarantee a future RFQ, RFP, tender, or bid. The WRC may use the information received in developing future procurement documents. Participation is voluntary and uncompensated. Responses will not be evaluated for award. Submission does not guarantee participation in future procurement opportunities. Respondents must clearly identify any proprietary or confidential information.

The successful bidder will be provided with supporting information including the Water Research Act 1971, current organisational structure, WRC five-year strategy and APP, salary/job structure and pay-scale, job evaluation information, last three financial statements, delegation of authority, ICT governance policy/framework, strategic risk policy/framework, and other legislative and compliance documents necessary for effective execution.