Appointment of a service provider for development of an implementation model for a geo stationary fixed satellite platform.

Closing date: 09 September 2026 at 12:00. Compulsory briefing session: 25 August 2026 at 10:00 on Microsoft Teams. Bidders must request participation via email to [email protected] before end of business on 23 August 2026. Non-attendance disqualifies the bidder.

Bidding procedure and technical enquiries: Norman / Amukelani, telephone +27 11 471 4579 / 4443, email [email protected]. Submission address: Sentech SOC Ltd, Sender Technology Park, Radiokop Ext 3, Honeydew. For attention: Head of Supply Chain Management.

Bids close at 12:00 on 09 September 2026. Submit via the Sentech eTender Portal (30MB file size limit) or deposit in the tender box at Sentech SOC Ltd, Sender Technology Park, Radiokop Ext 3, Honeydew, during working hours (08:30-15:30). Late, telegraphic, telephonic, telex, facsimile or e-mail bids will not be accepted. Two-envelope system: Envelope One (Technical Proposal) with soft copy on USB/PDF, no financial information; Envelope Two (Financial Proposal) with Contract Data and pricing schedule, plus one copy and soft copy. Place both sealed envelopes in one outer envelope marked with 'HEAD OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT', bid reference, closing date/time, and bidder's name and address. Combining technical and financial information leads to automatic disqualification. Complete and sign all returnable documents, initial all pages, use black ink, no corrective fluid. Bid validity is 90 days. Returnable documents include: SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), SBD 5 (NIPP), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), Tender Data, Contract Data, Board Resolutions (bid participation and JV), Certificate of Authority for JV, Record of Addenda, GCC, valid original tax clearance certificate, BEE certificate, company registration documents, and company profile. All documents must be scanned onto a memory stick/USB.

Two-stage evaluation: Stage 1 – Administrative Responsiveness (all returnable documents complete, English, black ink, signed and initialled, separate envelopes). Stage 2 – Technical Evaluation against Mandatory Eligibility Criteria: 1) ability to provide programme schedule, risk management plan, and governance model for a GEO satellite project; 2) ability to structure, secure and mobilise development finance for large-scale infrastructure projects, with proof of financial close or advanced-stage financing on projects above R1 billion; 3) proven expertise in designing, manufacturing and launching GEO satellite systems, with at least 2 contactable references; 4) technical capacity in ground segment, TT&C, and Network Operations of GEO systems, with at least 2 contactable references; 5) experience managing GEO satellite projects with multiple subcontractors and regulatory interfaces, with at least 2 contactable references. Bidders must comply with all mandatory criteria to qualify. Risk assessment may follow. Financial proposals of qualifying bidders are then opened and evaluated, ranked by price and preference points. Sentech may not award, award in part, or cancel the bid. Bidders with poor past performance or blacklisting may be excluded.

Scope: Development of an implementation model for a Geostationary Fixed Satellite platform. Services include: I. Development of funding and financing model; II. Development of orbital resource access strategy; III. Satellite system design and engineering strategy; IV. Satellite space segment and ground segment implementation; V. Skill transfer and capacity development strategy; VI. Implementation roadmap. A concept note (Annexure A) guides bidders, covering strategic context, problem statement, CONOPS, technical architecture (GEO HTS/VHTS, multi-band Ka/Ku, 15-20 year design life, ground segment with gateways, NOC, TT&C), regulatory framework (ITU, ICASA), institutional and governance model, implementation phasing, financial model, risk assessment, and partnership framework.

Pricing format: Financial proposal in Envelope Two with Contract Data and pricing schedule/schedule of rates. No specific bond or guarantee percentages stated. Payment terms per GCC: payment within 30 days of invoice. Performance security may be required per GCC clause 7, amount specified in SCC (not stated). Bidders must demonstrate ability to mobilise development finance for large-scale infrastructure projects, with proof of financial close or advanced-stage financing on projects above R1 billion.

Tax compliance: Submit SARS TCS PIN or CSD number; original tax clearance certificate required. Each party in a JV/consortium must submit separate TCS/CSD. Bidders must not be persons in the service of the state. B-BBEE: BEE certificate required; Sentech complies with DTI codes. Local content: If designated sector applies, complete SBD 6.2. Subcontracting: A minimum percentage may be required (percentage not specified). Transformation plan may be requested within 10 working days. NIPP: SBD 5 required. Joint ventures: Submit Board Resolution to enter into JV and Certificate of Authority for JV.

Evaluation follows a two-envelope system. Stage 1: Administrative responsiveness – all returnable documents complete, English, black ink, signed and initialled, separate envelopes. Stage 2: Technical evaluation against mandatory eligibility criteria: 1) programme schedule, risk management, governance model for GEO satellite project; 2) ability to structure and mobilise development finance, with proof of financial close or advanced-stage financing on projects above R1 billion; 3) expertise in designing, manufacturing, launching GEO satellite systems, with at least 2 contactable references; 4) technical capacity in ground segment, TT&C, NOC, with at least 2 contactable references; 5) experience managing GEO projects with multiple subcontractors and regulatory interfaces, with at least 2 contactable references. Bidders must comply with all mandatory criteria. Risk assessment may follow. Financial proposals of qualifying bidders are opened and ranked by price and preference points. Sentech may not award, award in part, or cancel the bid. Bidders with poor past performance or blacklisting may be excluded.