Consultant: review and finalisation of the south african national key populations health sector plan 2026–2030

Closing date: 18 August 2026 at 11h00. No briefing session or site visit is stated.

Enquiries: [email protected]. No telephonic submissions accepted.

Submission channel: email only to [email protected]. Submissions to any other address are disqualified. Late submissions are not considered.

Returnable documents:

• Signed CVs of key personnel (unsigned CV scores zero in that assessment area).
• Certified educational qualifications and ID copies for the consultant and team.
• Writing sample.
• Financial proposal (detailed budget) and timeline.
• Company profile (if applicable).
• Evidence of previous similar work.
• At least three contactable references.
• Completed and signed SBD 4, SBD 3.3 and SBD 6.1 forms.
• Tax Compliance Status PIN, CSD number, and company registration documents (if applicable).

Disqualification risks: missing or unsigned returnable forms, late submission, or submission to any email other than [email protected].

Bidders must submit: signed CVs of key personnel (unsigned CV scores zero), certified educational qualifications and ID copies for consultant and team, writing sample, financial proposal (detailed budget) and timeline, company profile (if applicable), evidence of previous similar work, and at least three contactable references.

Evaluation is in three stages:

Stage 1 – Administrative compliance: submission of tax PIN, company registration (if applicable), signed SBD 4, SBD 3.3, SBD 6.1, and CSD number.

Stage 2 – Functionality: minimum threshold of 70% to proceed to price evaluation. Scoring weights: Relevant Company Experience 10%, Contactable References 15%, Key Personnel 30%, Methodology and Approach 25%, Evidence of Technical Writing and Authorship 20%.

Stage 3 – Price and preference (80/20 system): price 80 points, B-BBEE status level 20 points. Failure to submit a completed SBD 3.3 and Annexure A may render the bid non-responsive. Failure to submit a completed SBD 6.1 and supporting B-BBEE proof means no preference points are allocated and the bid is evaluated on price only.

For ownership held through trust, consortium, holding company or similar, submit a shareholding certificate showing ownership structure and percentage shareholding, plus ID copies of all shareholders/members/beneficiaries relevant to claimed goals.

Scope: review and finalise the draft Key Populations Health Sector Plan (KPHSP) 2026–2030, aligned with the National KP Health Implementation Plan (2023–2025).

Key tasks:

• Review and strengthen the draft plan, ensuring alignment with national and international frameworks (NSP 2023–2028, UNAIDS 95-95-95, MMC Guidelines).
• Facilitate Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings, document proceedings, and integrate inputs.
• Plan and facilitate stakeholder consultations with government, civil society, and KP-led organisations.
• Produce iterative draft versions (V1.1, V2, V3) and submit the final guideline for approval.
• Develop a national implementation plan for rollout across all nine provinces.
• Prepare dissemination materials (policy briefs, job aids, advocacy tools) and training materials.
• Design a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework.

Deliverables: finalised KPHSP, national implementation plan, M&E framework, concise presentation for stakeholder briefings, and evidence of consultation and validation.

Project duration: 4 months after signing the service level agreement.

Reporting: report to the HIV Prevention Director, NDoH; work closely with the TWG; participate in regular progress meetings.

The technical proposal must address: approach to reviewing and refining the draft KPHSP, including alignment with national and international policies; approach to reviewing and interpreting epidemiological and programme data; approach to facilitating TWG meetings and stakeholder consultations; approach to developing the national implementation plan, M&E framework, and dissemination materials; and project management approach including workplan, timelines, responsibilities, quality assurance and risk mitigation.

Bidders must demonstrate experience in developing or reviewing national, provincial or sector strategies, policies, frameworks, guidelines or programmes in public health, HIV, TB, STI, SRHR or related fields. Submit contactable references for similar assignments in the last ten years; reference letters must be on client letterhead, signed and dated, include contact details, indicate scope of work, and confirm satisfactory performance. Provide a Lead Consultant with ten years' relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field. Provide at least two supporting team members with five years' experience and relevant qualifications. Submit one sample of work authored or co-authored by the Lead Consultant, clearly indicating their role.

Quality assurance is part of the methodology evaluation: the technical proposal must include a project management approach covering quality assurance measures and risk mitigation. The proposal is scored on how comprehensively it addresses all five required elements, including a realistic workplan and quality assurance.

Pricing must be in South African Rand (ZAR). Only VAT-registered suppliers will be considered (Global Fund funding). Payments are milestone-based: Inception Report 20%, First Draft 40%, Final Deliverables 40%.

Pricing must be in South African Rand (ZAR).

Only suppliers registered for VAT with SARS will be considered (Global Fund funding requirement).

Payments are milestone-based: Inception Report 20%, First Draft 40%, Final Deliverables 40%.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.3 – Professional Services):

• Offer valid for 60 days from closing date.
• Indicate a ceiling price covering all phases and expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Provide hourly and daily rates for personnel involved.
• Provide cost per phase and man-days per phase.
• Travel and other expenses: only actual costs recoverable; proof must accompany certified invoices.
• State period required for commencement after acceptance of bid.
• State estimated man-days for completion.
• Indicate whether rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, provide adjustment basis (e.g., CPI).

Mandatory registrations and documents:

• Tax Compliance Status PIN issued by SARS.
• Central Supplier Database (CSD) number.
• Company registration documents (if applicable).
• VAT registration with SARS (mandatory for this Global Fund-funded procurement).
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers are disqualified.

Returnable forms:

• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any state employment or relationship with the procuring institution; false declaration disqualifies.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under the 80/20 system; requires valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services): required for price evaluation.
• For ownership through trust/consortium/holding company: shareholding certificate and ID copies of all shareholders/members/beneficiaries.

The appointment will be subject to the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) for government procurement, as issued by National Treasury. By submitting a quotation, bidders acknowledge the GCC will form part of the contract. The GCC is available on the National Treasury website or on request.

All submitted documents become the intellectual property of the NDoH. The NDoH reserves the right not to award the bid. Confidentiality must be maintained at all times. Bidders must comply with all applicable SCM policies and procurement regulations.

Minimum qualifications:

• Lead consultant: Bachelor's degree or higher in Statistics, Biostatistics, Public Health, Economics, Social Sciences or related field.
• Team members: National Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Sciences or related field.

Experience:

• Lead consultant: minimum 10 years in HIV, SRHR, TB or STI programming, data analytics, and/or strategy or policy development.
• Team members: minimum 5 years in HIV and AIDS, STIs, TB & MCWH programming, and/or strategy and policy development.

Competencies: strong epidemiological analysis and data interpretation; experience working with NDoH and partners; stakeholder engagement and facilitation; technical writing and communication; experience integrating biomedical, behavioural and structural prevention interventions; evidence of authorship of national strategies, policy documents, technical guidelines or high-level reports; ability to meet deadlines.

Evaluation is in three stages:

Stage 1 – Administrative compliance: tax PIN, company registration (if applicable), signed SBD 4, SBD 3.3, SBD 6.1, CSD number.

Stage 2 – Functionality: minimum threshold of 70% to proceed to price. Weights: Relevant Company Experience 10%, Contactable References 15%, Key Personnel 30%, Methodology and Approach 25%, Evidence of Technical Writing and Authorship 20%.

Stage 3 – Price and preference (80/20): price 80 points, B-BBEE status level 20 points. Failure to submit completed SBD 3.3 and Annexure A may render the bid non-responsive. Failure to submit completed SBD 6.1 and supporting B-BBEE proof means no preference points and price-only evaluation.

For ownership through trust/consortium/holding company: submit shareholding certificate and ID copies of all shareholders/members/beneficiaries relevant to claimed goals.