Back office support services panel – RFP NEF 11/2026/2027

Closing date: 14 October 2026 at 14:00

No compulsory briefing or site visit stated.

Enquiries (all questions in writing):

• Contact: Avisha Sookul (Post Investment Unit)

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

• Contact: Xolile Tofile (Supply Chain Management)

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 011 305 8000

Technical enquiries:

• Contact: Avisha Sookul, Senior Post Investment Associate

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

Bidding procedure enquiries:

• Contact: Kedibone Mboweni, Head: Supply Chain Management

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +27 11 305 8000

• Contact: Supply Chain Management (Kedibone Mboweni/Xolile Tofile)

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 011 305 8000

Submission email: [email protected]

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

Closing: 14 October 2026 at 14:00

• Only properly filled and fully signed documents accepted.
• No submissions by telegram, telex, fax, hand-delivery, post, or any other medium.
• Late bids will not be considered.
• Submit at least 15 minutes before deadline to avoid IT congestion; email servers accept up to 18MB.
• NEF not responsible for wrong email address, inaccessible formats, security breaches, or late delivery due to network issues.
• Bidders must include: minimum 2 references with contact details; copies of qualifications, IDs, and CVs of personnel; names and details of senior management; employment equity details; ownership percentages (Black, Black women, Youth); valid Tax Status Pin; affiliations.
• Bids by juristic persons/partnerships must be signed by a person authorized by a certified board resolution.
• Bidders must prepare for a possible presentation, with at least 4 days' notice.

Returnable forms (all must be completed and signed):

• Administrative checklist
• POPIA consent form
• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid)
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services)
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest)
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim)
• Politically Exposed Person Declaration Form
• SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services)
• General Conditions of Contract (read)
• B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit
• One electronic copy of the tender submission

Administrative checklist, POPIA consent form, SBD 1, SBD 3.3, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, Politically Exposed Person Declaration Form, SBD 7.2, General Conditions of Contract (read), B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, one electronic copy of tender submission.

Two-phase evaluation:

Phase 1 – Functionality (technical): Minimum qualifying score of 70 points to proceed.

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

Technical criteria and weightings:

• Regional presence (10 points): 8–9 provinces = 5, 6–7 = 4, 4–5 = 3, 2–3 = 2, 1 = 1.
• Accredited web-based accounting solution (25 points): proof attached = 5, nothing = 0.
• Knowledge and experience on SMME IFRS (20 points): 8–9 years = 5, 6–7 = 4, 4–5 = 3, 2–3 = 2, 1 = 1, <1 = 0.
• Experience in preparation and analysis of management accounts and AFS (20 points): same scoring as above.
• Registered with an accredited accounting body (25 points): certificate attached = 5, nothing = 0.

Phase 2 – 80/20 preference point system:

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points
• Total: 100 points

Specific goals (20 points):

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

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) seeks to establish a panel of Business Specialists (Back Office Support) for its Investees Management Accounts, serving as the primary database for existing clients.

Services required:

• Preparation of management accounts
• Audit services
• Secretarial functions
• Full accounting function (tax and payroll compliance)
• Preparation of Annual Financial Statements (AFS)

Contract period: 4 years (48 months).

All documentation must be in English.

Technical evaluation rewards experience and qualifications:

• Regional presence: points based on number of provinces served (1 to 9).
• Accredited web-based accounting solution: proof required for full points.
• Knowledge and experience on SMME IFRS: points based on years of experience (1 to 9+).
• Experience in preparation and analysis of management accounts and AFS: points based on years of experience.
• Registration with an accredited accounting body: certificate required for full points.

Bidders must provide CVs, qualifications, and IDs of personnel involved.

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

Include a ceiling price covering all phases and expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes.

Provide hourly and daily rates for personnel, phases with cost and man-days, travel and other expenses.

State period for commencement and estimated man-days.

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

Offer valid for 150 days from closing date.

Pricing schedule (SBD 3.3 – Professional Services):

• Bidders must indicate a ceiling price covering all phases and expenses, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
• Provide hourly and daily rates for personnel involved.
• Provide phases, cost per phase, and man-days.
• Travel expenses: only actual costs recoverable, with proof and certified invoices.
• Other expenses (e.g., accommodation, telephone, reproduction) must be specified and supported by certified invoices.
• State period required for commencement after acceptance and estimated man-days for completion.
• Indicate whether rates are firm for the full contract period; if not, provide basis for adjustments (e.g., CPI).

Offer validity: 150 days from closing date.

Mandatory registrations and documents:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration required.
• Valid Tax Status Pin or CSD number must be submitted; failure renders bid invalid.
• B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit (whichever applicable) must be attached.
• Bidders must comply with all South African legislation, including Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing Act, Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Financial Sector Regulatory Act, and PRECCA.
• POPIA consent form must be signed.
• Politically Exposed Person Declaration Form must be completed.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers will be disqualified.

Specific goals under 80/20 preference system (20 points total):

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

B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit must be attached.

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

Bidders confirm that quoted prices cover all work and obligations; any pricing mistakes are at bidder's risk.

Bidders accept full responsibility for proper execution of the contract.

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

NEF may amend conditions, specifications, or extend closing date before closing, with written notice.

NEF reserves the right not to accept the lowest bid, to award in part or whole without reasons, and to withdraw the RFP at any stage.

Bidders must comply with all relevant South African legislation (AML/CFT, FIC, FSR, PRECCA).

NEF may amend conditions, specifications, or extend closing date before closing, with written notice.

NEF reserves the right not to accept the lowest bid, to award in part or whole without reasons, and to withdraw the RFP at any stage.

RFP document and bidder's response form part of any SLA; SLA takes precedence in conflict.

Bidders must comply with all relevant South African legislation (AML/CFT, FIC, FSR, PRECCA).

Submission must be by email to [email protected] in PDF format by 14 October 2026 at 14:00.

Include minimum 2 references with contact details.

Attach qualifications, IDs, and CVs of personnel.

Provide senior management details, employment equity details, and ownership percentages (Black, Black women, Youth).

Submit valid Tax Status Pin.

Bids by juristic persons must be signed by authorized person with certified board resolution.

Prepare for possible presentation with at least 4 days' notice.

Register on CSD.

Phase 1: Functionality – minimum 70 points to qualify. Criteria: regional presence (10), accredited web-based accounting solution (25), SMME IFRS knowledge (20), management accounts/AFS experience (20), accredited accounting body registration (25).

Phase 2: 80/20 preference – price 80, specific goals 20.