Development of a competency framework and assessment tools for the national research foundation (nrf)

Compulsory briefing session: 18 September 2026, 10h00–12h00, hybrid at Tiyo Soga venue, NRF, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria. Teams link and meeting ID provided. Enquiries deadline: 04 September 2026. Closing date and time: 02 October 2026, 11:00 am. No late bids accepted.

Technical and procedural enquiries: Supply Chain Management, email [email protected]. Do not submit bids to this mailbox. Enquiries must be submitted before 04 September 2026.

Submit via the National Treasury e-Tender portal (www.etenders.gov.za) using CSD credentials. Upload documents in two folders: Folder 1 – Compliance and technical response; Folder 2 – Financial response. Name each folder with the bid number, bidder name, and bidder email. Late bids are not accepted. Bids must be on official forms (not re-typed). Required returnable forms include SBD 1, SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule), SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure), and SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim). The successful bidder must sign SBD 7.2 (Contract form for rendering of services). Bid validity is 120 days from closing date.

Mandatory returnable documents include: SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule), SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form). Additional documents: B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (optional, if not submitted 0 points for preference), tax compliance documentation (CSD report/SARS PIN/Tax certificate), Central Supplier Database Detail Report, proof of NQF Level 9 qualification for Industrial Psychologist, proof of professional body registration, portfolio of evidence, at least three reference letters for similar work in past five years.

Evaluation is staged. Stage 1: Mandatory returnable documents and forms – all must be complete and signed to proceed. Stage 2: Functionality – minimum threshold of 75 points out of 100 to advance. Stage 2.1 (written proposal): Approach and Methodology (40 points), Capability and experience of proposed Project Lead (25 points), Written Reference Letters (15 points), Service Provider Experience (20 points). Stage 2.2 (presentation): Project Management (20 points), Approach and methodology of actual programme delivery (30 points), Alignment of project deliverables and objectives (25 points), Team Lead and Team Introduction (25 points). Stage 3: Price and Specific Goals. B-BBEE preference points claimed via SBD 6.1; if no B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit submitted, 0 points allocated for preference.

Develop a competency (knowledge, skills and attributes) framework and assessment tools for the NRF, covering approximately 1365 employees across multiple provincial business units. Deliverables include: a competency dictionary (MS Word and PDF) with clear, observable, measurable behavioural and technical indicators; role-specific competency matrices/profiles (MS Excel and PDF) mapping roles to competencies and proficiency levels; a suite of validated assessment tools (MS Word/Excel/PDF or web-based) with scoring guides and administration instructions, unbiased and defensible; training materials (MS PowerPoint, MS Word, user guides); final reports (MS Word, PDF) with actionable recommendations linked to the NRF P&C value chain; and an integration and maintenance guide. The framework must align with NRF values, vision, and strategic objectives, accommodate provincial variations, and comply with SA labour and skills development legislation. The service provider must demonstrate capacity for virtual and face-to-face engagement across NRF business units, including conducting workshops in different provincial locations. Delivery phases: induction and contracting (4 weeks), project plan (2 weeks), understanding business and strategy (13 weeks), pilot study (8 weeks), roll-out (15 weeks), knowledge transfer (6 weeks), integration and handover (4 weeks).

The bidder must submit a comprehensive, context-responsive proposal outlining approach and methodology, including a project plan with milestones and a Gantt chart. The approach must cover all deliverables, risks, and mitigation. The presentation must visually demonstrate the proposed methodology, innovation in virtual tools, and practical application of the competency framework and assessment tools. The methodology should include virtual engagement methods to supplement face-to-face engagement, accommodate provincial variations, and include workshops and validation sessions in different provincial locations.

Bidder must have proven track record in designing competency-based assessment tools, conducting assessments, and developing competency frameworks for organisations of comparable size (1000+ employees) and geographic complexity, within related industries (public sector, universities, NSI). Proof required: portfolio of evidence and at least three reference letters for similar work in the past five years. Bidder must have at least 6 years' experience in developing competency frameworks. Experience in the South African regulatory environment (SAQA, SETA) is required. Team composition: at least one qualified Industrial Psychologist (NQF Level 9) with professional registration (HPCSA, SABPP, SIOPSA); a SETA registered and accredited assessor; project lead with at least 10 years' progressive experience in talent management and organisational development. The project lead must not change during project execution unless replaced by a resource with similar or better capabilities with NRF approval.

Quality requirements include: competency framework with clear, observable, measurable behavioural and technical indicators; assessment tools must be unbiased, defensible, and include scoring guides and administration instructions; training materials must include scoring guides and administration instructions; final reports must include actionable recommendations linked to the NRF P&C value chain. Performance is assessed against agreed quality standards, with corrective action plans for poor performance. Verification methods include progress review meetings, milestone sign-offs, quality assurance reviews, stakeholder feedback surveys, and annual performance assessments.

Pricing must be submitted using the SBD 3.1 Pricing Schedule in a separate electronic folder (Folder 2 – Financial response). The pricing schedule must include the bidder's price offer for the services offered. No further pricing format details are specified in the document.

Pricing must be submitted in a separate electronic folder (Folder 2 – Financial response) using the SBD 3.1 Pricing Schedule. No other financial details are specified in the document.

Mandatory returnable forms: SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure – declare any state employment connections), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim). Tax compliance: provide CSD number, SARS tax compliance status PIN, or printed TCS certificate. Consortia/joint ventures/sub-contractors must each submit separate tax compliance documents. No bids from persons in the service of the state. B-BBEE: submit a B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit to claim preference points; if not submitted, 0 points allocated. Proof of qualifications: NQF Level 9 Industrial Psychologist or equivalent with professional registration (HPCSA, SABPP, SIOPSA); SETA registered assessor; project lead with at least 10 years' experience. Portfolio of evidence and at least three reference letters for similar work in the past five years.

Performance is monitored against KPIs with minimum thresholds and trigger points for penalties and/or bonuses. Both parties agree on performance levels in writing and append them to the contract. Poor performance is managed through joint investigation, a correction plan, and monitoring of corrective actions. Penalties may be applied for non-delivery or quality failures, in line with GCC clauses 22 and 23. Delivery KPIs: time between purchase order and delivery; if not delivered by specified date, GCC clause 22 applies. Quality of services: if requirements not achieved, GCC clauses 22 and 23 apply. Performance rating scale: 4-Excellent (100%+ deliverables met), 3-Satisfactory (90-100%), 2-Minor concerns (75-89%), 1-Major concerns (<75%), 0-Unacceptable (non-delivery or fundamental breach).

Evaluation is staged. Stage 1: Mandatory returnable documents and forms – all must be complete and signed to proceed. Stage 2: Functionality – minimum threshold of 75 points out of 100 to advance. Stage 2.1 (written proposal): Approach and Methodology (40 points) – comprehensive proposal, project plan with Gantt chart, risk mitigation; Capability and experience of proposed Project Lead (25 points) – at least 10 years' experience in talent management and OD; Written Reference Letters (15 points) – three contactable signed reference letters on client letterhead confirming successful delivery of similar work; Service Provider Experience (20 points) – cumulative years on completed projects for organisations of similar size (1000+ employees). Stage 2.2 (presentation): Project Management (20 points), Approach and methodology of actual programme delivery (30 points), Alignment of project deliverables and objectives (25 points), Team Lead and Team Introduction (25 points). Total 100 points. Bidders must meet minimum threshold of 75 points to proceed to Stage 3: Price and Specific Goals.