SARS RFI 03/2026: commercial real estate market information for springs, heidelberg, emalahleni and thohoyandou

SARS is seeking market insight on available and potential commercial real estate solutions in the Springs, Heidelberg, Emalahleni and Thohoyandou precincts. The RFI is a market engagement exercise only and does not constitute a competitive bid, offer, award, or commitment by SARS to procure any property solution. Responses will inform SARS' procurement approach for any subsequent process.

Advertisement of RFI: 27 August 2026 (National Treasury e-Tender Portal and SARS website). RFI document available for download: 27 August 2026. Non-compulsory virtual briefing session: 04 September 2026 at 11:00 AM via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 310 784 522 399 678, Passcode: gX2mp6vz). Written questions accepted: from 27 August to 11 September 2026. SARS responses to questions: from 27 August to 16 September 2026. Closing date and time: 28 September 2026 at 11:00 AM (SAST).

A non-compulsory briefing session will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams on 04 September 2026 at 11:00 AM. Join link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/310784522399678?p=Naecuzd6bcJYAGRDfl, Meeting ID: 310 784 522 399 678, Passcode: gX2mp6vz.

All communications must be addressed to the SARS Tender Office via email: [email protected], and must reference RFI 03/2026. Official communication from SARS will only come from [email protected] or with a letter of authorisation signed by the SARS Procurement Executive. Respondents must not communicate with SARS employees or third parties regarding this RFI except through the official contact. Fraud / Anti-Corruption Hotline: 0800-002870 or [email protected].

Submit responses by email to [email protected] before the closing date and time (28 September 2026 at 11:00 AM SAST). Late responses will not be considered under any circumstances. All information and supporting documentation must be in English. Each response must clearly identify the location(s) and option(s) addressed, and include the required components: respondent profile, location and option selected, property or development details, commercial information, compliance and authority, risks/constraints/assumptions, supporting information, and confidential information (if any). Responses that are incomplete, not allocated to a specific location/option, or lack sufficient detail may be disregarded. SARS may request clarifications after closing; amendments to responses are only allowed in exceptional circumstances. The SARS procurement website (http://www.sars.gov.za/procurement) is the primary official communication channel; respondents must check it regularly for updates.

No standard returnable forms are specified. Each response must include: respondent profile (legal name, trading name, registration number, contact person, email, telephone, role, and confirmation of ownership/mandate); location and option selected; property or development details (address, erf/stand, GLA, layouts, grade, condition, accessibility, parking, expansion potential, infrastructure, backup power, water resilience, municipal compliance, zoning); commercial information; compliance and authority; risks, constraints and assumptions; supporting information (brochures, plans, title documents, etc.); and confidential information (if any). Responses must be clear, complete, and independently reviewable.

This is a Request for Information (RFI), not a competitive bid. Responses will be reviewed for market research, procurement planning, and requirement refinement only. There is no scoring, ranking, shortlisting, prequalification, or award. SARS may use internal and external subject matter experts to review responses. Participation in this RFI creates no entitlement, preference, or prequalification status for any future sourcing process. SARS retains full discretion on whether and how to proceed with any subsequent procurement.

SARS seeks market information on commercial real estate solutions in four precincts. Requirements by location:

• Springs: Current accommodation at No. 20, Sanlam Building, 7th Street, Springs, 1560 (approx. 1,922 m²). Seeking reduced and modernised commercial office options with indicative GLA of 1,062 m² and minimum 25 parking bays.
• Heidelberg: Part of a dual-location model with Springs. Indicative GLA of 229 m² and minimum 10 parking bays. Responses must be location-specific and not combined with Springs unless clearly indicated.
• Emalahleni: Seeking existing and future commercial real estate opportunities. Indicative GLA of 1,316.41 m² and minimum 62 parking bays (10 SARS vehicle bays, 52 staff parking bays).
• Thohoyandou: Seeking existing and future commercial real estate opportunities. Indicative GLA of 740 m² and minimum 40 parking bays.

Respondents may address one or more locations and one or more of the following options: rental of existing building, purchase of existing building, lease-to-own development, build-to-suit development for purchase, or build-to-suit development for long-term lease. For development options, provide feasibility, municipal compliance, green building capability, solar PV capability, parking provision, development timeline, indicative costs, and key risks/constraints.

Respondents may address one or more locations and one or more of the five commercial real estate options: rental of existing building, purchase of existing building, lease-to-own development, build-to-suit development for purchase, or build-to-suit development for long-term lease. For development options, provide feasibility, municipal compliance, green building capability, solar PV capability, parking provision, development timeline, indicative costs, and key risks/constraints. Each response must clearly identify the location and option and include sufficient information on market availability, pricing, feasibility, timelines, risks, and constraints.

Respondents must provide indicative commercial information: rental or purchase price, lease term assumptions, escalation assumptions, operating costs, municipal rates and taxes, tenant installation allowances, fit-out assumptions, development costs, occupation timelines, and any material pricing exclusions. No formal pricing schedule or financial guarantees are required for this RFI. Respondents bear all costs of preparing and submitting their response.

No standard tender forms (SBD/MBD) are required for this RFI. Respondents must confirm their role (owner, landlord, developer, agent, broker, or mandated representative) and provide proof of ownership or written mandate where applicable. Compliance certificates, municipal approvals, occupancy-related compliance, health and safety matters, universal access considerations, and any legal, title, servitude, or development restrictions must be disclosed. Confidential commercial information must be clearly marked as confidential with reasons. No CSD, tax clearance, B-BBEE, or CIDB requirements are stated.

Respondents must provide information on health and safety matters related to the property or development, including compliance certificates where available. No specific OHS plan or HSE compliance documentation is required for this RFI.

Participation in the RFI constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions. The RFI is administered in accordance with applicable legislation, National Treasury requirements, SARS supply chain management policies, and procurement principles. Information received may be used for market analysis, planning, requirement refinement, risk assessment, cost benchmarking, and preparation of future sourcing documentation. SARS may verify information and disregard incomplete, misleading, or unauthorised submissions. Confidential information must be clearly identified; SARS will manage it in accordance with applicable law. Respondents must not disclose RFI-related information without SARS' written approval; breach may lead to disqualification and legal action. Respondents bear all preparation costs. The RFI is not an offer; SARS is not liable for any costs or damages. SARS retains ownership of RFI documents; respondents grant SARS rights to use their responses for the RFI process. Respondents participate at their own risk and cost.

Complaints about the RFI process must be submitted to the Procurement Department within ten (10) days after publication of the RFI. Suspicious activity, including requests for upfront payment to secure an award or claims of influencing outcomes, must be reported to the SARS Fraud / Anti-Corruption Hotline at 0800-002870 or [email protected]. The SARS hotline also provides an anonymous channel for reporting unethical behaviour.

RFI responses will not be evaluated, scored, ranked, shortlisted, or prequalified. SARS will review responses for market research, procurement planning, and requirement refinement only. SARS may use internal and external subject matter experts in the review. Following review, SARS may refine requirements, assess market availability, benchmark costs, identify risks, determine procurement strategy, prepare future documentation, engage further with the market, or decide not to proceed.