High-level network and server support (physical and cloud) for tikzn — 24-Month contract

RFQ issue date: 27 August 2026.

Closing date and time: 04 September 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Compulsory briefing session: N/A (not required).

Quotation validity period: 90 days from closing date.

All enquiries (SCM and technical): email [email protected].

Submission address: [email protected] (email only).

No named contact persons or telephone numbers are provided in the document.

Submission method: email to [email protected] before the closing date and time. Late or incomplete submissions will be rejected. Quotations must be on company letterhead and include all requested information.

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted with the quotation):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid, Parts A & B): signed by authorised representative.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at TIKZN; false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): required to claim specific goals points; failure to submit scores zero for specific goals.
• POPIA Consent Form: signed by authorised representative.
• Proof of CSD registration (MAAA number) or valid SARS tax compliance PIN.
• Three reference letters proving enterprise network and server support experience.
• Two OEM/technology partner certifications from: Fortinet, Cisco, HPE/HP, Microsoft, VMware, Veeam, Azure, or equivalent.
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Proof of location in eThekwini Municipality (utility bill, lease agreement, or proof of residence signed by a Ward Councillor) to claim locality points.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory returnable form left unsigned or omitted.
• Failure to meet all Phase 1 mandatory requirements (experience and OEM certifications).
• Quoting on fewer items or quantities than specified.
• Submission received after 04 September 2026 at 12:00 PM.

Three-phase evaluation:

Phase 1 – Mandatory Requirements (pass/fail):

1. Proven experience in enterprise network and server support — must provide 3 reference letters.
2. OEM/technology partner status — must submit two certifications from: Fortinet, Cisco, HPE/HP, Microsoft, VMware, Veeam, Azure, or equivalent.

Failure to meet both requirements disqualifies the bidder; no further evaluation.

Phase 2 – SCM Administrative Compliance (pass/fail):

• Proof of CSD registration / SARS PIN.
• Completed and signed SBD 1, SBD 4, POPIA Consent Form, SBD 6.1.

Failure to provide any of the above may lead to the proposal not being considered further.

Phase 3 – Specification Compliance and Price & Specific Goals Scoring (80/20):

• Only bids complying with the RFQ specification are evaluated on price and specific goals.
• Price: 80 points (quotations must be inclusive of all applicable taxes including VAT).
• Specific Goals: 20 points, allocated as:

• Black ownership ≥ 51%: 10 points (proof: CSD report, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit).

• Enterprise located in eThekwini Municipality: 10 points (proof: utility bill, valid lease agreement, or proof of residence signed by a Ward Councillor).

• SBD 6.1 must be submitted to claim specific goals points; omission scores zero for specific goals.
• Evaluation follows PPPFA 2022 regulations (80/20 system for contracts up to R50 million).

Contract duration: 24 months.

Scope of work — key deliverables:

1. Network Management Service:

• Routers and switches management (management, configuration, support).
• Wi-Fi/Access Points support.
• LAN points: new installations, troubleshooting, monitoring, fixing broken points.
• VPN: full FortiClient support.

2. Firewall Management:

• Full support including hardware and software upgrades/configurations when required.
• Active monitoring and reporting.

3. Server Support:

• Annual VEEAM software licensing monitoring.
• Active Directory (on-premises and Azure), DHCP, DNS and Domain Services.
• Optimisation of virtual machines and hypervisor infrastructure.

4. Cybersecurity Assessment:

• Assess vulnerability to cybersecurity attacks and present status report with recommendations to Executive Manager and OPCO.

5. Desktop Support:

• Assist in executing prioritised IT strategy initiatives.

Service level outputs:

• 20 hours per month of desktop support and high-level network/server support (unused hours accumulate to next month).
• Weekly preventative maintenance/health checks of all systems and network services.
• 60 days per year with a mid-tier IT support resource on site (08:00–17:00) when needed (unused days accumulate to next month).
• Fault logging facility with expected time of attendance.
• Service provider must have a presence or partnership in the Gauteng region to service TIKZN’s Gauteng office on an ad hoc basis.

Bidder must demonstrate proven experience in providing enterprise network and server support services. Proof required: three reference letters. Bidder must hold two OEM/technology partner certifications from the following list: Fortinet, Cisco, HPE/HP, Microsoft, VMware, Veeam, Azure, or equivalent. These are mandatory Phase 1 requirements; failure to meet both disqualifies the bidder.

Pricing must be submitted as a firm, all-inclusive quotation on company letterhead, inclusive of all applicable taxes (including VAT). Price carries 80 points under the 80/20 preference point system. No bill of quantities or schedule of rates is prescribed; bidders must quote for the full scope as specified. Specific goals carry 20 points (Black ownership ≥51% = 10 points; eThekwini Municipality location = 10 points). SBD 6.1 must be completed and submitted to claim specific goals points; failure to submit results in zero points for specific goals.

Pricing format: firm, all-inclusive quotation (including VAT and all applicable taxes) on company letterhead.

Price weight: 80 points under the 80/20 preference point system (contract value up to R50 million).

No performance bond, guarantee, or insurance requirements are stated.

Payment terms: not specified in the document.

Tax compliance: recommended bidder’s tax matters will be verified on CSD or SARS eFiling prior to award; non-compliance triggers National Treasury Instruction on Tax Compliance Status Verification.

Mandatory eligibility and pre-qualification:

• CSD registration (MAAA number) or valid SARS tax compliance PIN.
• Tax compliance verified before award.
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (required to claim preference points).
• No CIDB grading required (not construction).
• No professional body registration specified.
• Local content: not specified.

Returnable forms (each one line):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid, Parts A & B): signed offer and bidder details.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses state employment and conflicts of interest.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): claims specific goals points under PPPFA 2022.
• POPIA Consent Form: authorises processing of personal information.

Specific goals documentation:

• Black ownership ≥ 51%: CSD report, B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.
• eThekwini Municipality location: utility bill, lease agreement, or Ward Councillor-signed proof of residence.

Other compliance:

• Quotation must cover all items/quantities requested; partial quoting invalidates the bid.
• Bidders must not be in the service of the state, nor have directors/members in the service of the state (per SBD 1 Part B).

Contract duration: 24 months from award.

Quotation validity: 90 days from closing date.

No formal contract signed until a formal contract/letter of award/order form is prepared and executed.

Successful bidder will be required to fill in and sign a written contract form (SBD 7).

General Conditions of Contract (GCC) apply, plus any special conditions of contract.

Bidder bears all costs of preparing and submitting the RFQ response; TIKZN accepts no liability for such costs.

Fraudulent claims for specific goals may lead to disqualification, cost recovery, contract cancellation, restriction from public sector business for up to 10 years, and criminal prosecution.

Tax non-compliance of recommended bidder triggers National Treasury Instruction on Tax Compliance Status Verification.

Evaluation follows three phases:

Phase 1 (mandatory): 3 reference letters for enterprise network/server support experience; two OEM certifications from Fortinet, Cisco, HPE/HP, Microsoft, VMware, Veeam, Azure or equivalent. Failure disqualifies.

Phase 2 (administrative): CSD registration/SARS PIN; signed SBD 1, SBD 4, POPIA Consent, SBD 6.1. Omission may lead to non-consideration.

Phase 3 (price & specific goals, 80/20): Price 80 points (all-inclusive of VAT). Specific goals 20 points: Black ownership ≥51% (10 points, proof via CSD/B-BBEE/affidavit); eThekwini Municipality location (10 points, proof via utility bill/lease/Ward Councillor letter). SBD 6.1 must be submitted to claim points; omission scores zero for specific goals. PPPFA 2022 80/20 system applies (value up to R50 million).