Mentorship and consulting services panel – national government tender (RFP)

Closing date: 14 October 2026 at 14:00

No compulsory briefing or site visit is stated.

No clarification deadline is stated.

Bidders may be required to make a presentation; notice of at least 4 days will be given.

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Sanky Mbiza
• Role: Senior Post Investment Associate
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Kedibone Mboweni
• Role: Head: Supply Chain Management
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

General enquiries (all questions in writing):

• Contact: Xolile Tofile
• Role: Supply Chain Management
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 011 305 8000

Submission email: [email protected]

Submission method: email only, in PDF format, to [email protected]

Closing: 14 October 2026 at 14:00. Late bids are not considered.

No other submission channels (telegram, telex, fax, hand-delivery, post) are accepted.

All documentation must be in English.

Bids must be properly filled and fully signed.

Submit at least 15 minutes before the deadline to avoid IT congestion; NEF email servers accept up to 18MB.

Bidder bears all costs of preparation and submission.

Returnable documents (all must be completed and signed):

• Administrative checklist
• POPIA consent form
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid) – bidder and contact details, signed as cover page
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services) – pricing details
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) – discloses any state employment or connection to NEF personnel
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim) – claims specific goals points
• Politically Exposed Person Declaration Form
• SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services) – to be signed if successful
• General Conditions of Contract – read and acknowledged
• B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit
• One electronic copy of the tender submission

Additional required attachments:

• List of at least 2 references with contact details
• Copies of qualifications, IDs, and CVs of personnel who will execute the work
• Names and details of senior management
• Employment equity details of employees at operational level
• Percentage of ownership by Black, Black women, and youth
• Valid Tax Status PIN document (failure renders bid invalid)
• Copies of any affiliations
• Certified copy of board resolution authorising the signatory (for juristic persons/partnerships)

Disqualification risks:

• Omission or non-signature of any returnable form
• Submission after the closing time
• Submission via any channel other than the specified email
• Failure to submit a valid Tax Status PIN
• Being listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers
• False declarations on SBD 4 or SBD 9

Evaluation is in three phases:

Phase 1 – Technical (70 points): Minimum qualifying score is 49 out of 70.

Scoring scale per criterion: 0 = did not submit, 1 = poor, 2 = below satisfactory, 3 = satisfactory, 4 = good, 5 = excellent.

Technical criteria:

• Sector-specific knowledge and relevant certification in the field of specialisation (10 points)
• Years of mentoring other companies (20 points):
• Above 10 years: 5 points
• 8 to 10 years: 4 points
• 6 to 7 years: 3 points
• 4 to 5 years: 2 points
• 2 to 3 years: 1 point
• 0 to 1 year: 0 points
• Successful completed mentorship projects within the specialist areas (40 points):
• Above 8 assignments: 5 points
• Above 6 to 7: 4 points
• 4 to 5: 3 points
• 2 to 3: 2 points
• 1 to 2: 1 point

Supporting documents and references must be included.

Phase 2 – Presentation (30 points): Minimum qualifying score is 21 out of 30.

• Case study in area of specialisation (15 points)
• Problem-solving solutions (10 points)
• Time management, empathy, and coaching abilities (5 points)

Phase 3 – 80/20 Preference Point System (100 points):

• Price: 80 points
• Specific Goals: 20 points

Specific goals (points claimed on SBD 6.1):

• 51% and above Black ownership: 10 points
• 30% and above Black Women ownership: 5 points
• Any % of ownership by Black Designated Groups (>0): 1 point
• Promotion of SMMEs (EME or QSE): 2 points
• Any % Youth ownership: 2 points

Bidders must achieve the technical minimum to be evaluated on price and specific goals.

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) requires a panel of mentors and consultants to support its investees across South Africa.

The panel must be diversified by sector and region to improve efficiency and reduce costs (using Gauteng-based mentors for other regions is more expensive).

Mentorship is required in the following categories:

• Engineering Consulting Services
• Market Access for manufacturing clients
• Fuel Station Specialists
• Food and Franchise Specialists
• Project management
• Agriculture (all sub-sectors)
• Freight and Logistics (Transport)
• Manufacturing
• Information technology
• Textile (clothing / leather / footwear)
• Media and motion pictures
• Hotel management services / Hospitality
• Valuation of Assets
• Professional Consulting Services

Appointments to the panel are for a contract period of 4 years (48 months), with an option to extend for a further 12 months.

A separate RFP for SMME financial reporting will be issued in due course.

Technical evaluation awards points for:

• Sector-specific knowledge and relevant certification in the field of specialisation (10 points).
• Years of mentoring other companies (20 points): more than 10 years earns 5 points; 8-10 years earns 4; 6-7 years earns 3; 4-5 years earns 2; 2-3 years earns 1; 0-1 year earns 0.
• Successful completed mentorship projects within the specialist areas (40 points): more than 8 assignments earns 5 points; above 6 to 7 earns 4; 4 to 5 earns 3; 2 to 3 earns 2; 1 to 2 earns 1.

Supporting documents and references must be included.

Bidders must attach copies of qualifications, IDs, and CVs of personnel who will execute the work.

A list of at least 2 references with contact details must be included.

Pricing must be submitted on SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services).

Bidders must indicate a ceiling price based on the total estimated time for completion of all phases, including all expenses and all applicable taxes.

Provide hourly and daily rates for each person involved in the project.

Provide phases, cost per phase, and man-days to be spent.

Travel expenses: only actual costs are recoverable; specify rate/km, total km, class of air travel, etc. Proof must accompany certified invoices.

Other expenses (e.g., accommodation, telephone, reproduction): specify rate and quantity; only actual costs recoverable with proof.

State period required for commencement after acceptance of bid.

State estimated man-days for completion of the project.

Indicate whether rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, provide the basis for adjustment (e.g., CPI).

Offer must be valid for 150 days from the closing date.

No bid security, bonds, or guarantees are stated.

No payment terms or retention are stated.

CSD registration: Bidders must be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).

Tax compliance: A valid Tax Status PIN (SARS) or CSD number must be submitted. Failure to submit a valid Tax Status PIN renders the bid invalid.

For consortia/JVs/sub-contractors, each party must submit separate proof of TCS/PIN/CSD number.

B-BBEE: Proof of B-BBEE status level (certificate or sworn affidavit) must be attached. Specific goals points are claimed on SBD 6.1.

Declaration of Interest (SBD 4): Must disclose any employment by an organ of state or relationship with NEF personnel. Failure to disclose all CSD-registered active companies linked to directors leads to disqualification.

Independent Bid Determination (SBD 9): Certifies no collusion or price disclosure; false declarations lead to disqualification and referral to the Competition Commission.

Politically Exposed Person Declaration: Must be completed in terms of FICA.

Bidders must not be listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers.

Bidders must comply with all South African legislation, including anti-money laundering and corruption prevention acts (FICA, PRECCA, etc.).

POPIA consent form must be signed.

The bidder's offer remains binding and open for acceptance during the 150-day validity period.

The bidder confirms that prices quoted cover all work/items and all obligations under the resulting contract; any pricing mistakes are at the bidder's risk.

The bidder accepts full responsibility for proper execution and fulfilment of all obligations.

The RFP document and the bidder's response form part of any service level agreement (SLA); in case of conflict, the SLA takes precedence.

The successful bidder must sign the contract form (SBD 7.2).

The NEF may amend RFP conditions, validity period, specifications, or extend the closing date before closing; bidders will be advised in writing.

The NEF reserves the right not to accept the lowest bid or any bid, to award to any party without furnishing reasons, and to withdraw the RFP at any stage.

Bids by juristic persons or partnerships must be signed by a person authorised by a certified board resolution, which must be submitted.

Bidders must prepare for a possible presentation; notice of at least 4 days will be given.

The NEF considers this tender and all related information proprietary and confidential. Bidders must not disclose, publish, or advertise without prior written consent.

All communication must be channeled to the named contact persons.

The NEF will treat personal information as confidential and process it in line with POPIA, including consent, legal obligation, legitimate interests, contract performance, or public interest.

Bidders consent to the use of their personal information as part of the bid process.

Bidders undertake compliance with the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Financial Sector Regulatory Act, and Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities (PRECCA).

Bidders must register on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).

All documentation must be in English.

Bidders should check the number of pages to ensure none are missing or duplicated.

Responses valid for 150 days from closing date.

Bidder bears all costs of preparation and submission.

Include a list of at least 2 references with contact details.

Attach copies of qualifications, IDs, and CVs of personnel who will execute the work.

Provide names and details of senior management.

Provide employment equity details of employees at operational level.

Provide percentage of ownership by Black, Black women, and youth.

Include a valid Tax Status PIN document; failure renders the bid invalid.

Submit at least 15 minutes before the deadline to avoid IT congestion; NEF email servers accept up to 18MB.

NEF is not responsible for bids sent to the wrong email, inaccessible file formats, security breaches, late responses due to IT issues, or file sizes over 18MB.

Attach copies of any affiliations.

Bids by juristic persons must be signed by an authorised person with a certified resolution.

Bidders must prepare for a possible presentation with at least 4 days notice.

Bidders must register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).