What the tender required and what the award supports
Source material and existing AI analysis appear first. Supplier conclusions remain qualified by the evidence Tenders-SA holds.
Summary
Renewal of fortinet fortigate fortiwifi support and maintenance licences for approximately 36 devices (fortiwifi 40f appliances) on behalf of the electoral commission. The licence renewal must cover 24x7 forticare support, unified threat protection (utp), ips, advanced malware protection, url and forticare services for all listed devices, with all support end-aligned on 30 march 2026. Bidders must submit mandatory documentation including the technical bid response sheet, an oem or distributor authorization letter, and three references.
Document read. The full tender notice and its supporting documents are read end-to-end. Key sections, requirements, dates, and contact details are identified and pulled into a working summary you can act on.
Compliance review. The working summary is checked against South African procurement standards — PFMA, PPPFA, B-BBEE, CIDB, local content, and preferential procurement — so nothing critical is missed before you start your bid response.
0 of 1 source documents fully reviewed. Unstated details are identified only after complete source review.
technical scope
4 sourced criteria
financial capacity
1 sourced criteria
pricing
4 sourced criteria
compliance returnables
2 sourced criteria
evaluation
2 sourced criteria
experience
Source analysis requires completion or review
personnel
Source analysis requires completion or review
equipment capacity
Source analysis requires completion or review
delivery contract
1 sourced criteria
equity registrations
1 sourced criteria
What the buyer was looking for
1Inferred operational need
The Electoral Commission (IEC) seeks to renew support, maintenance, and license subscription for its fleet of 36 Fortinet FortiWiFi 40F appliances for a period of 36 months. The IEC's ICT Department aims to maintain a highly efficient and stable ICT environment using industry standards and best practices.
Threshold: 36 months
Why it matters: This is a qualified operational interpretation of the stored scope, not a stated mandatory or scored criterion.
Inferred from stored analysis; verify against the source document.
An award confirms appointment. It does not prove why a supplier was selected, that every qualification remains current, or that delivery was completed successfully.
Bid-ready summary. The submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, technical, financial, and compliance sections are refined into professional, easy-to-scan prose. This is the final version you can rely on when preparing your bid or briefing your team.
We refine every tender document through these stages so you can brief your team and prepare your bid with confidence. Anything marked as "in progress" will be upgraded automatically — no action required from you.
The Electoral Commission (IEC) seeks to renew support, maintenance, and license subscription for its fleet of 36 Fortinet FortiWiFi 40F appliances for a period of 36 months. The IEC's ICT Department aims to maintain a highly efficient and stable ICT environment using industry standards and best practices.
Closing date and time are specified on the Votaquotes platform; the server clock is authoritative. No briefing session will be held. Enquiry cut-off date and time are published on the Votaquotes platform under the bid listing.
All enquiries must be submitted exclusively through the Votaquotes platform. No telephonic, email, or other communication will be accepted. Questions and responses are published on the public Votaquotes website (www.votaquotes.elections.org.za). Bidders must monitor the platform for updates. Physical submission address: Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157.
Bids must be submitted online on the Votaquotes e-procurement portal (https://votaquotes.elections.org.za) and all required documentation uploaded before the closing date and time. Alternatively, written submissions may be placed in the Electoral Commission tender box at Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157, clearly marked 'For the attention of Procurement and Asset Management – AUCTION 0010572182'. Late submissions are disqualified. Required returnable documents: Appendix A (Technical Bid Response Sheet), Appendix B (Pricing Schedule), a letter of proof of reseller agreement from the OEM or authorized distributor (with proof of OEM authorization if from a distributor), and at least three contactable references of similar work (per Appendix C). Bidders must confirm receipt of documentation with the Procurement and Asset Management Department.
Bidders must complete and submit Appendix A - Technical Bid Response Sheet to demonstrate compliance with the required technical specification. The bidder must be authorized to sell the product supplied. An OEM letter of proof of the reseller agreement/authorization must accompany the written documentation for this bid. Should the reseller authorization be from a distributor, then a proof of authorization authorizing the distributor to resell and/or to authorize others by the OEM, must be submitted. The bidder must provide at least three (3) contactable references of past services of a similar nature (Fortinet Fortigate related) that the bidder provided or was involved in. Reference details must include the following: customer name, contact person, contact details (telephone, email, physical address) and service description and value of services offered, per annum. Bidder can use Appendix C as guideline. Bidders must ensure that the reference details are current as the Electoral Commission may want to verify the references. Summary of submission requirements: Submit bid and bid price online on the Votaquotes portal as per section 7.1; Pricing information by completing and submitting Appendix B as per 7.2; Detailed technical specifications in accordance with the technical requirements to demonstrate compliance – Appendix A as per section 4.2; A letter of proof of the reseller agreement either from the OEM or an authorized distributor; (i.e. if the reseller is authorized by a distributor). If the reseller agreement is from a distributor, then proof from the OEM authorizing the distributor needs to be included as per sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5; The bidder shall provide at least 3 references of similar work including Customer Name, Customer Contact Name, and Contact details (email address and telephone contact) as per Appendix C guideline as per section 4.7.
The IEC requires renewal of support, maintenance, and license subscription for 36 Fortinet FortiWiFi 40F appliances for 36 months. The bidder must supply 3-Year, 24x7 FortiCare and FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP), IPS, Advanced Malware Protection, App Control, URL/DNS Filtering & FortiCare Premium Support (SKU FC-10-F40FI-950-02-36) for all 36 devices with specified serial numbers. Support must be co-termed to end on 30 March 2029. FortiCare Premium must include ticket handling, advanced hardware replacement (next business day), firmware and general upgrades, UTP services bundle (IPS, AV, botnet IP/domain, mobile malware, FortiGate Cloud Sandbox, application control, URL/DNS/video filtering, antispam), and 24x7x365 support with one-hour response for Priority 1 and 2 calls. FortiGuard AI-powered security bundles must be included. Specifications are minimum requirements; offers below minimum are disqualified. The bidder must be authorized to sell the product and provide OEM reseller authorization.
Support and maintenance will be activated on the OEM side, and devices will be attached to the IEC's OEM portal profile. The bidder's change control process must allow speedy deployment and problem resolution without compromising management controls and security. The service provider must provide all relevant details to ensure successful operations capability.
The successful bidder is responsible for ensuring the product complies with specifications in functionality, technical specification, quantity, and quality. The product must be complete, fully functional, and ready for deployment without additional dependencies. Delivery will only be accepted with the bidder's own delivery note. No payment will be made until full and final delivery is confirmed. The IEC may require further submissions or presentations to verify compliance.
Bid price must be submitted online on the Votaquotes portal and include 3 years' support and maintenance costs, co-terming costs, and delivery costs to the IEC national office in Centurion, Gauteng. Prices must be VAT inclusive and firm for 180 days. The IEC will pay annually in advance, not 3 years in advance; bidders must account for exchange rate fluctuations and price increases over 3 years. No additional charges will be entertained. Appendix B (Pricing Schedule) must be completed and submitted.
Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) – no bid accepted without it. Bidders must be tax compliant before contract award; non-compliance leads to disqualification. Bidders must not be employees of the state, must not have transgressed the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act or the Competition Act, and must not be tender defaulters or restricted suppliers. SBD4 (Bidder's Disclosure) must be completed and submitted. Bidders must provide proof of reseller authorization from the OEM or authorized distributor.
The successful bidder may be required to enter into a service level agreement (SLA) with the IEC, fixing performance criteria for quantity, quality, and delivery. The SLA may include progress milestones, delivery schedules, quality checkpoints, and invoicing procedures. The IEC reserves the right to reject services not conforming to the bid specification. If delivery schedules are not met, the IEC may appoint an alternative supplier and charge the defaulting supplier for any additional costs. Delivery of licenses must be completed within 15 calendar days of receipt of a purchase order.
The technical specification for the required products is as per the bid specifications provided below. It must be noted that the technical specifications below are the minimum requirements. The only exception that may be accepted will be in case where the service provider’s specification exceeds the minimum requirements. Any offers below the minimum specification requirement will be disqualified at the evaluation stage. The bidder is to supply the Electoral Commission with 3-Years, 24x7 FortiCare and FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP), IPS, Advanced Malware Protection, App. Control, URL/DNS Filtering & FortiCare Premium Support (FC-10-F40FI-950-02-36) for its 36 x Fortimet Fortigate FortiWiFi 40F appliances with the following serial numbers: [list of 36 serial numbers with expiry dates]. Support and maintenance on all the devices must be co-termed to end on the estimated date of 30th March 2029. FortiCare Premium support must provide for the following at a minimum: Ticket Handling, Advanced Hardware Replacement (Next Business Day), Firmware and General Upgrades, UTP Services Bundle (Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Anti-virus (AV), Botnet IP/Domain, Mobile Malware, FortiGate Cloud Sandbox including Virus Outbreak and Content Disarm & Reconstruct, Application Control, URL, Domain Name Server (DNS) & Video Filtering and Antispam Service). Forticare Premium also provides for 24x7x365 support (phone, chat and web) with one-hour response time for Priority 1 and 2 calls. The support and maintenance services must include FortiGuard AI-powered security bundles that provide a comprehensive selection of security services to combat known, unknown, zero-day, and emerging AI-based threats to prevent malicious content from breaching defenses, protect against web-based threats, secure devices throughout IT/OT/IoT environments, and ensure the safety of applications, users, and data.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Supported inference
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Related historical records suggest exposure; they do not prove bid contents, current capacity, or delivery.
2Mandatory requirement
Support and maintenance will be activated on the OEM side, and devices will be attached to the IEC's OEM portal profile. The bidder's change control process must allow speedy deployment and problem resolution without compromising management controls and security. The service provider must provide all relevant details to ensure successful operations capability.
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
The linked award records PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS as appointed for this tender. Recorded contract value: 1250280 ZAR.
Qualified inference
Inference only
The successful bid likely addressed this expectation, but the submitted evidence and evaluation reason are unavailable.
The linked award confirms appointment only, not the submitted qualification or reason for selection.
4Mandatory requirement
The IEC requires renewal of support, maintenance, and license subscription for 36 Fortinet FortiWiFi 40F appliances for 36 months. The bidder must supply 3-Year, 24x7 FortiCare and FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP), IPS, Advanced Malware Protection, App Control, URL/DNS Filtering & FortiCare Premium Support (SKU FC-10-F40FI-950-02-36) for all 36 devices with specified serial numbers. Support must be co-termed to end on 30 March 2029. FortiCare Premium must include ticket handling, advanced hardware replacement (next business day), firmware and general upgrades, UTP services bundle (IPS, AV, botnet IP/domain, mobile malware, FortiGate Cloud Sandbox, application control, URL/DNS/video filtering, antispam), and 24x7x365 support with one-hour response for Priority 1 and 2 calls. FortiGuard AI-powered security bundles must be included. Specifications are minimum requirements; offers below minimum are disqualified. The bidder must be authorized to sell the product and provide OEM reseller authorization.
Threshold: minimum requirements
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
No source document identifier is stored for this item.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Supported inference
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Related historical records suggest exposure; they do not prove bid contents, current capacity, or delivery.
5Mandatory requirement
Bid price must be submitted online on the Votaquotes portal and include 3 years' support and maintenance costs, co-terming costs, and delivery costs to the IEC national office in Centurion, Gauteng. Prices must be VAT inclusive and firm for 180 days. The IEC will pay annually in advance, not 3 years in advance; bidders must account for exchange rate fluctuations and price increases over 3 years. No additional charges will be entertained. Appendix B (Pricing Schedule) must be completed and submitted.
Threshold: 3 years
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
No source document identifier is stored for this item.
The linked award records PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS as appointed for this tender. Recorded contract value: 1250280 ZAR.
Qualified inference
Conflicting evidence
The successful bid likely addressed this expectation, but the submitted evidence and evaluation reason are unavailable.
Relevant records disagree; review the cited sources and dates.
7Delivery obligation
The successful bidder is responsible for ensuring the product complies with specifications in functionality, technical specification, quantity, and quality. The product must be complete, fully functional, and ready for deployment without additional dependencies. Delivery will only be accepted with the bidder's own delivery note. No payment will be made until full and final delivery is confirmed. The IEC may require further submissions or presentations to verify compliance.
Why it matters: The source says this applies after appointment and concerns contract delivery.
The linked award records PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS as appointed for this tender. Recorded contract value: 1250280 ZAR.
Qualified inference
Inference only
The successful bid likely addressed this expectation, but the submitted evidence and evaluation reason are unavailable.
The linked award confirms appointment only, not the submitted qualification or reason for selection.
8Mandatory requirement
Bidders must complete and submit Appendix A - Technical Bid Response Sheet to demonstrate compliance with the required technical specification. The bidder must be authorized to sell the product supplied. An OEM letter of proof of the reseller agreement/authorization must accompany the written documentation for this bid. Should the reseller authorization be from a distributor, then a proof of authorization authorizing the distributor to resell and/or to authorize others by the OEM, must be submitted. The bidder must provide at least three (3) contactable references of past services of a similar nature (Fortinet Fortigate related) that the bidder provided or was involved in. Reference details must include the following: customer name, contact person, contact details (telephone, email, physical address) and service description and value of services offered, per annum. Bidder can use Appendix C as guideline. Bidders must ensure that the reference details are current as the Electoral Commission may want to verify the references. Summary of submission requirements: Submit bid and bid price online on the Votaquotes portal as per section 7.1; Pricing information by completing and submitting Appendix B as per 7.2; Detailed technical specifications in accordance with the technical requirements to demonstrate compliance – Appendix A as per section 4.2; A letter of proof of the reseller agreement either from the OEM or an authorized distributor; (i.e. if the reseller is authorized by a distributor). If the reseller agreement is from a distributor, then proof from the OEM authorizing the distributor needs to be included as per sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5; The bidder shall provide at least 3 references of similar work including Customer Name, Customer Contact Name, and Contact details (email address and telephone contact) as per Appendix C guideline as per section 4.7.
Threshold: at least three (3) contactable references of past services of a simil
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Supported inference
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Related historical records suggest exposure; they do not prove bid contents, current capacity, or delivery.
9Mandatory requirement
Bids must be submitted online on the Votaquotes e-procurement portal (https://votaquotes.elections.org.za) and all required documentation uploaded before the closing date and time. Alternatively, written submissions may be placed in the Electoral Commission tender box at Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157, clearly marked 'For the attention of Procurement and Asset Management – AUCTION 0010572182'. Late submissions are disqualified. Required returnable documents: Appendix A (Technical Bid Response Sheet), Appendix B (Pricing Schedule), a letter of proof of reseller agreement from the OEM or authorized distributor (with proof of OEM authorization if from a distributor), and at least three contactable references of similar work (per Appendix C). Bidders must confirm receipt of documentation with the Procurement and Asset Management Department.
Threshold: at least three contactable references of similar work (per Appendix C
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
No source document identifier is stored for this item.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Supported inference
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Related historical records suggest exposure; they do not prove bid contents, current capacity, or delivery.
10Mandatory requirement
All enquiries must be submitted exclusively through the Votaquotes platform. No telephonic, email, or other communication will be accepted. Questions and responses are published on the public Votaquotes website (www.votaquotes.elections.org.za). Bidders must monitor the platform for updates. Physical submission address: Election House, Riverside Office Park, 1303 Heuwel Avenue, Centurion, 0157.
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
The linked award records PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS as appointed for this tender. Recorded contract value: 1250280 ZAR.
Qualified inference
Inference only
The successful bid likely addressed this expectation, but the submitted evidence and evaluation reason are unavailable.
The linked award confirms appointment only, not the submitted qualification or reason for selection.
11Mandatory requirement
Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) – no bid accepted without it. Bidders must be tax compliant before contract award; non-compliance leads to disqualification. Bidders must not be employees of the state, must not have transgressed the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act or the Competition Act, and must not be tender defaulters or restricted suppliers. SBD4 (Bidder's Disclosure) must be completed and submitted. Bidders must provide proof of reseller authorization from the OEM or authorized distributor.
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
No source document identifier is stored for this item.
The linked award records PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS as appointed for this tender. Recorded contract value: 1250280 ZAR.
Qualified inference
Inference only
The successful bid likely addressed this expectation, but the submitted evidence and evaluation reason are unavailable.
The linked award confirms appointment only, not the submitted qualification or reason for selection.
12Delivery obligation
The successful bidder may be required to enter into a service level agreement (SLA) with the IEC, fixing performance criteria for quantity, quality, and delivery. The SLA may include progress milestones, delivery schedules, quality checkpoints, and invoicing procedures. The IEC reserves the right to reject services not conforming to the bid specification. If delivery schedules are not met, the IEC may appoint an alternative supplier and charge the defaulting supplier for any additional costs. Delivery of licenses must be completed within 15 calendar days of receipt of a purchase order.
Why it matters: The source says this applies after appointment and concerns contract delivery.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Supported inference
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Related historical records suggest exposure; they do not prove bid contents, current capacity, or delivery.
13Mandatory requirement
The technical specification for the required products is as per the bid specifications provided below. It must be noted that the technical specifications below are the minimum requirements. The only exception that may be accepted will be in case where the service provider’s specification exceeds the minimum requirements. Any offers below the minimum specification requirement will be disqualified at the evaluation stage. The bidder is to supply the Electoral Commission with 3-Years, 24x7 FortiCare and FortiGuard Unified Threat Protection (UTP), IPS, Advanced Malware Protection, App. Control, URL/DNS Filtering & FortiCare Premium Support (FC-10-F40FI-950-02-36) for its 36 x Fortimet Fortigate FortiWiFi 40F appliances with the following serial numbers: [list of 36 serial numbers with expiry dates]. Support and maintenance on all the devices must be co-termed to end on the estimated date of 30th March 2029. FortiCare Premium support must provide for the following at a minimum: Ticket Handling, Advanced Hardware Replacement (Next Business Day), Firmware and General Upgrades, UTP Services Bundle (Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Anti-virus (AV), Botnet IP/Domain, Mobile Malware, FortiGate Cloud Sandbox including Virus Outbreak and Content Disarm & Reconstruct, Application Control, URL, Domain Name Server (DNS) & Video Filtering and Antispam Service). Forticare Premium also provides for 24x7x365 support (phone, chat and web) with one-hour response time for Priority 1 and 2 calls. The support and maintenance services must include FortiGuard AI-powered security bundles that provide a comprehensive selection of security services to combat known, unknown, zero-day, and emerging AI-based threats to prevent malicious content from breaching defenses, protect against web-based threats, secure devices throughout IT/OT/IoT environments, and ensure the safety of applications, users, and data.
Threshold: minimum requirements
Why it matters: The source identifies this as a mandatory or eligibility condition for a compliant bid.
Tenders-SA records other appointments with overlapping scope terms for PHANDU COMMUNICATIONS.
Qualified inference
Conflicting evidence
The recorded history supports exposure to related scope, but does not establish the bid evidence submitted or current delivery capacity.
Relevant records disagree; review the cited sources and dates.
APPOINTMENT OF THE SERVICE PROVIDER FOR PROVISION OF HYGIENE CARE SERVICES FOR 2 YEARS (24 MONTHS) AT THE NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION PREMISES IN PRETORIA, BRUMMERIANRF/ CORP EM 65 /2025-26