Appointment of a panel of subject matter experts for water qualifications (all provinces) for a period of twelve (12) months

Closing date: Friday 21 August 2026 at 13h00.

Issue date: Friday 14 August 2026.

Non-compulsory briefing session: N/A.

Tender validity: 90 working days from closing date.

SCM inquiries: [email protected] (all inquiries in writing).

Bidding procedure and technical enquiries: [email protected], telephone 011 274 4700.

Submission email: [email protected].

Fraud hotline: EWSETA Vuvuzela Fraud and Ethics Hotline – Free Call 0800 611 205, SMS 30916, email [email protected].

Returnable documents (Stage 1 pre-qualification):

• Company Registration Documents (CIPC)
• CSD (Central Supplier Database) Report / Number
• Joint Venture Agreement, if applicable
• Valid B-BBEE Certificate (SANAS accredited) or B-BBEE Affidavit for EMEs/QSEs; for JV, combined certificate
• SBD 1 (Annexure 1) – Invitation to Bid, signed as offer cover page
• SBD 3.3 (Annexure 2) – Pricing Schedule (Professional Services)
• SBD 4 (Annexure 3) – Declaration of Interest
• SBD 6.1 (Annexure 4) – Preference Points Claim
• Annexure 5 – General Conditions of Purchase, signed on last page and initialled on each page
• Annexure 6 – POPI Consent form (both JV parties must sign)
• Tax PIN issued by SARS (Tax Clearance Certificate); for JV, each member

Submission: Bids must reach EWSETA by Friday 21 August 2026 at 13h00. Late bids will not be considered under any circumstances. Bids must be submitted on official forms provided (not re-typed). Bids must be sent to the SCM email address [email protected].

Disqualification risks:

• Bids arriving after 13h00 on the closing date
• VAT-registered bidders submitting bids without VAT
• Plagiarism in any bid document
• Failure to provide requested clarification within 48 hours
• Tax matters not in order at time of award

Tender validity: 90 working days from the bid closing date.

Returnable administrative documents: Company Registration Documents (CIPC), Bidders CSD Report/Number, Joint Venture Agreement if applicable, Valid B-BBEE Certificate (SANAS accredited) or B-BBEE Affidavit for EMEs and QSEs, Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) forms fully completed and signed: SBD 1 (Annexure 1), SBD 3.3 (Annexure 2), SBD 4 (Annexure 3), SBD 6.1 (Annexure 4), Annexure 5 - General Conditions of Purchase (signed on last page and initialled on each page), Annexure 6 - POPI Consent forms, Tax Pin issued by SARS (Tax Clearance Certificate). For joint ventures, tax pin for each member. Bidders will not be disqualified at this stage if documents are not attached, but all documents will be required prior to award if recommended.

Evaluation in two stages:

Stage 1 – Pre-Qualification (Returnable Administrative Documents): Bidders will not be disqualified at this stage if documents are missing, but all documents will be required prior to award if recommended.

Stage 2 – Functionality (minimum qualifying threshold 70 points out of 100):

• Reference letters from previous clients confirming relevant experience in Water sector as facilitator, assessor, moderator: 3 or more = 30 points; 2 = 20 points; 1 = 10 points; none = 0 points. Letters must not be older than 5 years, on client letterhead, include client name, work title, years, contactable reference, and be signed. EWSETA may contact references; non-response within 3 business days results in zero.
• Qualifications/professional certification of the Subject Matter Expert: relevant Water qualification or proof of registration as an SME = 20 points; no or irrelevant qualification = 0 points. Certification may not be older than 6 months; foreign qualifications require SAQA evaluation.
• Experience of the Subject Matter Expert: 5+ years relevant experience or registered assessor/moderator = 50 points; 3-4 years = 40 points; less than 3 years = 0 points.

Preference points: 80/20 system – 80 points for price, 20 points for B-BBEE status level. B-BBEE points: 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. Bidders failing to submit B-BBEE proof score 0 for B-BBEE but are not disqualified. No financial proposals expected at this stage; price not assessed for panel appointment.

Services required (nationally, for 12 months):

• Accreditation site visits and recommendations
• Learning material evaluation
• Workplace site visits and recommendations
• Assessment centre site visits and recommendations
• Skills development provider and project monitoring and evaluation
• Capacity building sessions
• Verification of learning and recommendation for endorsement
• Transfer of skills
• Project monitoring and reporting to EWSETA
• Due diligence for discretionary grant committee
• Attending meetings or workshops as delegated and reporting outcomes
• Development and input into EWSETA policies and processes

Expert must be registered with QCTO or NAMB. Work allocated on ad hoc, rotational basis; no guaranteed work. Panel duration 12 months from appointment; EWSETA may terminate at any time. Payment based on satisfactory completion of deliverables verified by Project Manager/Steering Committee. Confidentiality and indemnity agreements required before assignments.

Subject Matter Expert must be registered with QCTO or NAMB. Functionality scoring: reference letters (max 30 points) – 3+ letters = 30, 2 = 20, 1 = 10, none = 0; letters not older than 5 years, on letterhead, signed, with contactable reference. Qualifications (max 20 points) – relevant Water qualification or proof of registration as SME = 20; certification not older than 6 months; foreign qualifications need SAQA evaluation. Experience (max 50 points) – 5+ years relevant experience or registered assessor/moderator = 50; 3-4 years = 40; less than 3 years = 0. CV must indicate experience in Water sector with emphasis on exit moderation, assessment, and workplace approval processes.

EWSETA as Quality Assurance Partner (QAP) responsible to QCTO for quality assurance of water qualifications. Experts must ensure training providers adhere to OHSA and Department of Labour requirements. Services include monitoring and recommendations for Accreditation, Re-Accreditation and De-Accreditation of Skills Development Providers. Providers must adhere to ethical research and evaluation standards.

No financial proposals expected at bid stage – panel appointment only; price not assessed. Pricing for allocated work determined at contracting stage. SBD 3.3 (Professional Services) requires: ceiling price based on total estimated time and all expenses inclusive of taxes; hourly and daily rates for personnel; cost per phase and man-days; travel expenses (actual costs recoverable with certified invoices); other expenses (accommodation, telephone, reproduction). Offer valid 90 working days from closing date. VAT-registered bidders must include VAT; failure to declare VAT status may lead to disqualification.

No costing required at bid stage – panel appointment only; price not assessed. Pricing for allocated work determined at contracting stage. EWSETA reserves right to negotiate price with successful bidders. No upfront payments. Valid invoices paid within 30 days if supporting documents submitted. VAT-registered bidders must include VAT; failure to declare VAT status or provide valid VAT number may lead to disqualification. SBD 3.3 pricing schedule requires ceiling price, hourly/daily rates for personnel, cost per phase and man-days, travel and other expenses (actual costs recoverable with certified invoices).

Mandatory registrations:

• CIPC company registration
• CSD registration (report/number)
• SARS Tax PIN / Tax Clearance Certificate (each JV member)
• B-BBEE certificate (SANAS accredited) or affidavit for EMEs/QSEs; combined certificate for JV

Professional registration: Subject Matter Expert must be registered with QCTO or NAMB.

Returnable forms (all must be completed and signed):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid)
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services)
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest)
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim)
• Annexure 5 (General Conditions of Purchase) – signed and initialled
• Annexure 6 (POPI Consent form)

Tax matters must be in order and reflected on CSD at time of award. Bidders must not be persons in service of the state. Sub-contracting more than 25% of contract value to an enterprise not qualifying for at least the same B-BBEE points forfeits B-BBEE points, unless sub-contractor is an EME with capability.

Training providers must adhere to Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and Department of Labour requirements; experts monitor compliance as part of accreditation and monitoring functions.

Panel appointment does not guarantee work; assignments allocated on rotational basis within category of expertise, considering capacity, experience, and past performance. Panel runs 12 months from appointment; EWSETA may terminate at any time. Payment on satisfactory completion of deliverables. All engagements governed by Service Level Agreements per assignment. Providers report to designated Project Manager and Steering Committee. Confidentiality agreements signed before assignments; all data remains EWSETA property. Contract signed with each provider; confidentiality and indemnity agreement required. EWSETA may award assignment to more than one panel member, interview panel members, and review suitability. Panel members must keep same team profile; changes require written authorisation. EWSETA not liable for bid preparation costs; no upfront payments; invoices paid within 30 days. Contract concluded only when signed by authorised representatives (EWSETA CEO or delegate).

Panel appointment does not guarantee work; ad hoc assignments. Panel duration 12 months; EWSETA may terminate at any time. Work allocated rotationally within category of expertise. Payment on satisfactory completion of deliverables. No costing required at bid stage. All engagements governed by SLAs. Confidentiality and indemnity agreements required. EWSETA may award assignment to more than one panel member, interview panel members, and review suitability. Team profile changes require written authorisation. Bids must reach EWSETA by Friday 21 August 2026 at 13h00; late bids not considered. RFQ valid 90 working days from closing date.

Tax matters must be in order and reflected on CSD at time of award. Late bids not considered (after 13h00 on closing date). EWSETA not liable for bid preparation costs; does not bind itself to appoint; may cancel RFQ. No upfront payments. Successful provider must abide by confidentiality undertakings. Contract concluded only when written and signed by authorised representatives. Invoices paid within 30 days with supporting documents. Plagiarism disqualifies. Clarification requests must be answered within 48 hours. Team replacements require prior approval. Scheduled outages, after hours or weekends part of total costs. Contravening Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act has implications. EWSETA may appoint more than one service provider.

Two-stage evaluation: Stage 1 – Returnable Administrative Documents (CIPC, CSD, JV agreement if applicable, B-BBEE certificate, SBD 1, SBD 3.3, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, Annexure 5 signed, Annexure 6 POPI consent, SARS Tax PIN). Missing documents at Stage 1 do not disqualify but must be provided before award. Stage 2 – Functionality (minimum 70/100): reference letters (30), qualifications (20), experience (50). Bidders scoring 70+ and meeting all requirements appointed to panel. Preference points: 80/20 system, 80 for price, 20 for B-BBEE.