Market research report on microbiological safety testing analysis for water, food & agriculture, beverage, and pharmaceuticals

The purpose of the market analysis is to conduct a comprehensive market research study and feasibility analysis of a microbiology safety testing laboratory and consulting sector services offering across the nine South African provinces to support Necsa's business growth proposal. The research will determine applicable market sizes and identify commercial opportunities.

Closing date: 28 August 2026, 16h30. No compulsory site briefing is scheduled. The assignment is expected to be completed within 35 to 40 days from the date of the service level agreement or purchase order, excluding Necsa review periods of up to 4 business days per deliverable.

Technical and clarification contact: Dr Aubrey Nelwamondo ([email protected]). Additional contact: Josiah Marule ([email protected]). Submission email: [email protected]. The consultant reports directly to Dr Aubrey for written acceptance of deliverables.

Submit the quotation by email to [email protected] before the closing date and time. The quotation must be completed in full; an incomplete quote may be disqualified. Include a breakdown of project timelines for each deliverable. Any deviation from the Terms of Reference must be clearly justified. Queries must be directed in writing to the named contacts; approaching any other Necsa employee may lead to disqualification.

Evaluation follows a two-phase process. Phase 1 is a functionality/technical evaluation against criteria in the Terms of Reference. Phase 2 applies the 80/20 preference point system: 80 points for price and 20 points for B-BBEE status level. B-BBEE points are awarded as: Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 = 8, Level 6 = 6, Level 7 = 4, Level 8 = 2, non-compliant = 0. A minimum technical threshold of 70% (56/80 points) must be met before financial evaluation. The technical proposal weighs 80% and financial proposal 20%. Scoring criteria include: alignment of past performance and methodology (40%), consultant experience and industry knowledge (20%), qualifications and team capability (20%), and financial proposal value for money (20%). Minimum qualifying score is 70/100.

The scope is to produce a market research report on microbiological safety testing analysis for water, food & agriculture, beverage, and pharmaceuticals sectors. The study must assess market growth from a 2025 baseline with ten-year projections (2026–2035). Deliverables include: an inception report (within 6–7 days), an interim market data pack (9–10 days), a draft comprehensive report (11–12 days), a final consolidated report (6–7 days), and an executive presentation slide deck (submitted 3–4 days before the online presentation). The research must cover all nine South African provinces, with primary focus on water and food/agriculture (80% of effort) and secondary focus on pharmaceutical and beverage (20%). The final report must include a bottom-up quantitative demand model validating Necsa's capture target of 3,235 to 6,471 samples per annum. The study must identify at least 30 key market players, conduct a minimum of 40 in-depth interviews, and include SWOT analysis and strategic recommendations.

Direct sales strategy: design and implement a direct sales playbook for the customer sales team, enabling them to sell testing services whilst adhering to quality and regulatory compliance requirements (e.g., ISO/IEC 17025, SANAS accreditation). Build a digital communication platform to keep stakeholders informed.

The ideal consultancy or lead researcher should possess: market research sector expertise with a traceable record of conducting industrial market research and strategic planning in laboratory testing analysis sector, minimum of 5 years of experience in business consulting or strategy; technical expertise with demonstrable working knowledge of ISO/IEC accreditation (ISO 17025 or 9001) compliance, HACCP requirements, and microbiological testing methodologies; geographic knowledge with proven record of executing market research projects across South Africa's provincial economic hubs; tertiary qualifications in Microbiology or Biotechnology and a relevant Business credential, or traceable access to qualified microbiologist and regulatory SME.

Necsa's quality policies commit to compliance with ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, RD 0034, ISO 9001, and ISO 17025. The research must evaluate the quality and regulatory landscape, including the impact of the National Water Act, Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act, SANAS ISO/IEC 17025, SANS 241, and international standards such as ISO 17025 and HACCP/GFSI. The consultant must demonstrate working knowledge of ISO/IEC accreditation compliance and microbiological testing methodologies.

The maximum available budget for this consultancy is less than ZA100k. Payment shall be made in installments based on milestones: 20% upon submission and approval of the Inception Report, 40% upon submission and written acceptance of the Draft Comprehensive Report, and 40% upon final approval of the Final Report and Executive Presentation. Option exists for upfront payment subject to delivery of a detailed proposal that adequately meets the outlined objectives.

The maximum available budget is less than ZA100k. Prices must be fixed and firm, inclusive of all applicable taxes and additional costs such as freight, insurance, duty, and disbursements. Payment is milestone-based: 20% upon approval of the Inception Report, 40% upon written acceptance of the Draft Comprehensive Report, and 40% upon final approval of the Final Report and Executive Presentation. An upfront payment option exists subject to a detailed proposal accepted by Necsa SCM and legal advisers. Payment will be according to Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase.

Bidders must provide a valid Tax Clearance Certificate (SARS tax PIN). Complete and sign SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) disclosing any relationship with state employees or the procuring institution. Submit a B-BBEE certificate or an affidavit if classified as an EME. Provide a Letter of Good Standing (COID) if applicable. Bidders must not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers. The quotation is subject to Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act 2000, the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022, and the General Conditions of Contract (GCC).

No specific health and safety requirements are stated beyond Necsa's general commitment to OHSAS 18001 and safety policies. The research involves desk and interview work; no site-specific safety plan is required.

No specific environmental requirements are stated. The research may consider environmental regulations indirectly through water and food safety standards.

The contract is subject to Necsa's General Conditions of Purchase and the General Conditions of Contract (GCC). The supplier must not offer any gift or inducement to Necsa employees; doing so constitutes a material breach and may lead to termination. Necsa reserves the right to cancel or reject any quote, not award to the lowest bidder, award parts to different bidders, or not award at all. No goods or services may be delivered without an official Necsa purchase order. The bidder acknowledges being conversant with all conditions and agrees to supply in accordance with them. The Terms and Conditions of Contract cover definitions, application, agency, assignment, subcontracting, indemnity and limitation of liability, insurance, fees and payment terms, reports/deliverables, contract amendments, penalties, impossibility of performance, project plan and variation, delays, force majeure, confidentiality, ownership and intellectual property, settlement of disputes, breach, termination for insolvency, notices, non-solicitation of personnel, relaxation, validity and severability, variation, warranties, applicable law, governing language, and taxes and duties. Subcontracting requires preference to Black Empowerment Companies and written notification to Necsa. Penalties may be deducted for late delivery as per a formula in the SLA. Force majeure requires written notice within 5 days and may lead to cancellation if not resolved within 14 days.

General requirements: Interested service providers are required to prepare a detailed response in accordance with the provided structure and include additional info requested in the Necsa condition of sales and appendixes. Necsa reserves the right not to award all requested services to one service provider; providers are encouraged to submit discrete information against each of the seven deliverables (Sections 2.2a through 2.2g). The response must indicate breakdown of project timelines from start to finish for each service deliverable. Service provider shall satisfy all Necsa conditions of service. Any deviation in the quotation from the ToR shall be clearly justified.

Award process will consider technical quality and financial value. Proposals shall be scored based on an 80/20-point scale out of a total of 100 points, with the technical proposal weighing 80% and the financial proposal 20%. A minimum technical threshold of 70% (= 56/80 points) must be met before offer can be made on lowest financial terms evaluated. The evaluation and scoring criteria include: Alignment of Past Performance Methodology (40% weight) - three similar market studies, approach for data collection, explicit experience with public sector municipal water tenders under SANS 241:2025, agricultural abattoir and food safety regulations; Consultant Experience, Industry Knowledge and record (20% weight) - relevant past projects, demonstrated considerations of ISO/IEC and local regulatory compliance, three contactable references; Qualifications & Team Capability (20% weight) - tertiary qualifications, submitted CVs with commitments, adequate capacity, clear task allocation, ability to meet 40-day timeline; Financial Proposal Showing Value for Money (20% weight) - budget realistic, thoroughly detailed, inclusive of all costs. Total 100, minimum qualifying score 70/100.