Panel of devops suppliers for SABC – 3-Year contract

Bid advertisement date: 29 September 2026

Bid documents available: from 29 September 2026 on National Treasury's tender portal (http://www.etenders.gov.za) and SABC website (http://www.sabc.co.za/sabc/tenders/)

Non-compulsory briefing session: 07 October 2026, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, virtual via Microsoft Teams. Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/314857503331913?p=OFvUFrN8lNu. Meeting ID: 314 857 503 331 913.

Bid closing date and time: 23 October 2026 at 12:00 (mid-day)

Clarification queries deadline: 3 days before bid closing (i.e., 20 October 2026)

Enquiries:

• Contact: Tender Office, SCM Division
• Address: Radio Park Office Block, Henley Road, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
• Email: [email protected]

Submission:

• Email: [email protected]
• Note: Unauthorised communication with other SABC personnel may lead to disqualification.

Submission method: electronic only, via email to [email protected].

• Email subject line must include Bidder's Name, Tender No and Tender Title.
• Submit in PDF format protected from modifications, deletions or additions.
• Email at least 60 minutes before closing time to avoid transmission delays; late emails are rejected.
• Complete and sign the RFP document and initial all pages.
• No alterations to the bid after closing date.

Returnable documents (all must be completed and signed):

• Document A: Conditions to be Observed When Bidding (acknowledged).
• Document B: General Conditions of the Bid/Proposal (acknowledged).
• Document C: Questionnaire (completed).
• Document D: SBD 4 Declaration of Interest – discloses any relationship with state employees or evaluators.
• Document E: Functionality Requirements (completed).
• Document F: Confidentiality undertaking.
• Document G: SBD 6.1 Preference Points Claim Form – claims preference points under PPPFA 2022.
• Document H: SBD 8 Declaration of Bidder's Past SCM Practices.
• Document I: SBD 9 Certificate of Independent Bid Determination – certifies no collusion.
• Document J: Acceptance of Conditions of Bid.
• Document K: Vendor Form (SABC supplier registration) – also register on CSD at https://secure.csd.gov.za.

Disqualification risks:

• Late submission, incomplete bid, unsigned forms, or failure to comply with technical specifications.
• Unauthorised communication with SABC personnel regarding the bid.

Evaluation is based solely on functionality; price and specific goals are not evaluated for this tender.

• Maximum functionality score: 85 points.
• Minimum qualifying threshold: 60 out of 85 points.
• Bidders scoring below 60 are declared non-responsive and eliminated.

Phase 1 – Functional Evaluation:

• Implementation Track Record (Application Development/DevOps engineering): 40–60 points.
• Provide contactable reference letters (on client letterhead, signed, with contact details, not older than five years) demonstrating:

i. Application integration experience including APIs and legacy/mainframe integration.

ii. Experience with legacy .NET Framework and modern .NET/ASP.NET Core and SQL.

iii. Delivery experience using Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, SharePoint, Azure Storage Accounts, Microsoft Graph and Azure-hosted solutions.

• 2 related references for each (i, ii, iii) = 60 points; 1 related reference for each = 40 points.
• Service Provider relevant experience: 5–10 points.
• Company background: 5 points for five or more years in relevant business (CIPC documentation required).
• Specialisation: 5 points for a company profile detailing DevOps services.
• Evidence of three implemented websites, applications, APIs, enterprise solutions or portals: 15 points (valid URLs or confirmation letters).

Objective criteria (may eliminate bidders):

• Currently in litigation with the SABC.
• Proven poor performance in previous SABC projects.
• Blacklisted or committed fraud/misrepresentation (e.g., tax, B-BBEE, financials).
• Failing the financial stability assessment.
• Former SABC employees, board members, or independent contractors within cooling-off periods (24 months for resignation/retirement, 5 years for dismissal, or until criminal record expunged).

The SABC, through the Media Technology Infrastructure Division, requires a panel of qualified suppliers to provide DevOps services for three years on an as-and-when-required basis.

Scope of work:

• Supply a team of skilled developers including: .NET Developers (expert level, on demand), Intermediate Developers (on demand), Solution Architect, Scrum Master, AI expertise, Data and analytics, UX/UI Designer.
• Maintain and support existing applications, including TV Licence payment systems and APIs, Media Management platforms, Records Management, News Research Hub, Digital Signature and SharePoint development.
• Undertake new projects to improve TV Licence revenue collection.
• Upgrade and maintain legacy systems using modern .NET technologies.
• Provide development support during busy periods (e.g., Black Friday).
• Follow the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and best practices.
• Ensure resource backup for operational continuity.
• Facilitate skills development and knowledge transfer to SABC staff and contractors.

Value-added service expectations:

• Knowledge transfer and skills development programs.
• Innovation and technology advisory.
• Comprehensive documentation and knowledge management.
• Flexible resource scaling.
• Proactive system monitoring.
• Best practice implementation.
• Project management support.
• Tool and technology recommendations.

Note: Appointment to the panel does not guarantee any work; SABC will issue RFQs to panel members at its discretion.

Scope of work: Supply a team of skilled developers including .NET Developers, Intermediate Developers, Solution Architect, Scrum Master, AI expertise, Data and analytics, UX/UI Designer. Maintain and support existing applications (TV Licence payment systems, APIs, Media Management platforms, Records Management, News Research Hub, Digital Signature, SharePoint). Undertake new projects to improve TV Licence revenue collection. Upgrade and maintain legacy systems using modern .NET technologies. Provide development support during busy periods. Follow SDLC and best practices. Ensure resource backup. Facilitate skills development and knowledge transfer. Value-added services include knowledge transfer, innovation advisory, documentation, flexible resource scaling, proactive monitoring, best practices, project management support, and tool recommendations.

Experience and qualifications: Bidders must provide contactable reference letters (not older than five years) for similar work, demonstrating application integration experience including APIs and legacy/mainframe integration, experience with legacy .NET Framework and modern .NET/ASP.NET Core and SQL, and delivery experience using Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, SharePoint, Azure Storage Accounts, Microsoft Graph and Azure-hosted solutions. Provide portfolio of evidence including company background (years in business, specialisation) and evidence of three implemented websites, applications, APIs, enterprise solutions or portals.

Quality management:

• The bidder must permit and assist SABC representatives in inspections.
• Goods must be tested in compliance with technical specifications.
• The bidder must replace defective items at their expense.
• Value-added services include documentation and knowledge management, proactive system monitoring, and best practice implementation.

Pricing: Bidders must submit a detailed Schedule of Quantities indicating how the bid amount is composed, with itemised descriptions, quantities, and unit prices. Prices must be quoted in South African Rand with VAT as a separate item. Prices must be fixed for the first year and subject to increase of not more than CPI. Prices should be inclusive of all costs. No changes to bid prices after receipt.

Pricing:

• Submit a detailed Schedule of Quantities with itemised descriptions, quantities, and unit prices.
• Prices quoted in South African Rand with VAT as a separate item.
• Prices must be fixed for the first year, then subject to increase of not more than CPI.
• Prices must be inclusive of all costs (bonds, taxes, duties, customs, transportation, installation, integration, testing) for the duration of the project.
• No changes to bid prices after receipt.

Payment terms:

• Standard payment terms are 60 days from date of invoice.
• For payments in foreign currency, provide bank name, account number, and SWIFT code.

Other:

• Bidder must provide liability insurance (condition of contract).
• Bid validity: 180 days from bid closing date.

Mandatory requirements: N/A (none stated).

Required documents:

• SARS Compliance Status PIN (to validate tax matters).
• Valid B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency, OR for EMEs (turnover ≤ R10 million) and 51% black-owned QSEs (turnover R10–R50 million), a sworn affidavit confirming turnover and black ownership.
• Proof of valid TV licence for the company, shareholders, and all directors, or an affidavit stating they do not possess a TV licence.
• Certified copy of Company Registration Document (name, registration number, date of registration, active directors/members).
• Certified copy of Shareholders' certificates.
• Certified copy of ID documents of directors/members.
• Last three years' audited/reviewed financial statements OR management accounts.
• Proof of CSD registration.
• No contract will be awarded if tax and TV licence matters are not in order.
• Winning bidder must maintain or improve the B-BBEE level at which the tender was awarded.
• Misrepresentation or fronting is prohibited and may lead to criminal/civil action and restriction from doing business with the SABC.

B-BBEE requirements: Bidders must submit valid B-BBEE certificates from SANAS accredited verification agencies. EMEs and QSEs must submit sworn affidavits confirming turnover and black ownership. Trusts, consortia, or joint ventures must submit consolidated B-BBEE scorecards. Misrepresentation or fronting is prohibited and may result in criminal/civil action and restriction from doing business with the SABC. The winning bidder is required to maintain or improve the BEE level at which the tender was awarded.

Contract duration: three years, on an as-and-when-required basis.

• The bidder shall not cede rights or delegate obligations without prior written SABC approval.
• Representations in the bid are binding upon acceptance.
• The SABC may monitor the contract, audit the bidder, and require notification of changes in control or subcontracting.
• The SABC may cancel the contract for late delivery without further notice.
• The bidder is responsible for losses due to negligence and must provide liability insurance.
• The SABC's standard payment terms are 60 days from invoice.
• The SABC may cancel the bid at any time for business requirement changes, budget unavailability, tender irregularity, or non-responsive bids.

Special conditions: The SABC retains the right to change the timeframe of this bid. Electronic submissions must be sent to [email protected] in PDF format protected from modifications, marked with bidder's name, tender number and title. Bidders should email at least 60 minutes before closing. The SABC will not be responsible for transmission failures. Bids not received in the specified manner will be rejected. No alterations to bids after closing. The SABC does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any bid. Bids remain valid for 180 days. Bidders must comply with SABC policies including no procurement from employees, former employees within 24 months, or board members. Zero tolerance for fraud and corruption.

Mandatory requirements: N/A. Required documents: SARS PIN to validate tax matters; Original or certified copy of valid BBBEE Certificate (from SANAS accredited Verification Agency); EMEs and 51% black owned QSEs may submit a sworn affidavit confirming annual total revenue and level of black ownership; Proof of valid TV License Statement or affidavit; Certified copy of Company Registration Document; Certified copy of Shareholders' certificates; Certified copy of ID documents of Directors or Members; Last three years audited/reviewed financial statements or management accounts; Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD). No contract will be awarded to bidders whose tax and TV licence matters are not in order.

Evaluation will be based on functionality, evaluated out of 85 points with a threshold of 60 points. Bidders scoring below the threshold will be declared non-responsive. For this tender, bidders will not be evaluated for Price and specific goals. Phase 1 – Functional Evaluation: Implementation Track Record (Application Development/DevOps engineering) – 40 to 60 points based on reference letters demonstrating application integration experience, legacy .NET and modern .NET/ASP.NET Core experience, and delivery using Microsoft Azure, SharePoint, etc. Service Provider relevant experience – 5 to 10 points for company background and specialisation, and 15 points for evidence of three implemented solutions. SABC reserves the right not to award to bidders with poor past performance or who are in litigation with SABC.