Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified external service provider to conduct an independent, structured evaluation of the KwaZulu-Natal Growth Fund Agency (KZNGFA) Board and its sub-committees. The evaluation aims to measure performance effectiveness, ensure strict alignment with the King V Report corporate governance principles, and deliver evidence-based recommendations that drive continuous improvement in board decision-making, oversight, and operational efficiency.

Scope of Services

The appointed provider will execute a comprehensive governance assessment covering the following areas:

• Evaluate board and committee performance against recognized corporate governance standards.
• Assess key operational dimensions including ethics governance, stakeholder relations, information flow, and matters deliberated upon.
• Analyze board dynamics, member engagement, satisfaction levels, and structural adequacy.
• Develop and present actionable recommendations to enhance board efficacy, composition, and procedural workflows.
• Provide all necessary supporting documentation and facilitate knowledge transfer during the evaluation process.
• Submit a finalized evaluation report to the Company Secretary by 28 February 2027.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must adhere to strict procedural, analytical, and submission criteria:

• Mandatory Compliance Documents: Completed SBD 1, SBD 4, and SBD 6.1 forms, a detailed company profile demonstrating capacity and history, and verified registration on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Project Methodology & Planning: A robust implementation plan detailing phased execution, data collection techniques, timeline milestones, and reporting structures from initiation to final delivery.
• Evaluation Scoring Model: Proposals undergo a three-stage process. Stage 2 (Functionality) is scored out of 100%, requiring a minimum threshold of 70% to qualify for pricing. Stage 3 utilizes an 80/20 preference point system, awarding 80 points for price competitiveness and 20 points for socio-economic transformation goals.
• Pricing & Contractual Terms: A fixed, all-inclusive quotation (inclusive of VAT, travel, accommodation, and disbursements) is mandatory. The contract terminates upon successful report submission and acceptance.

Skills & Experience Requirements

The service provider must demonstrate specialized expertise in corporate governance, organizational development, and board assessment:

• Team Structure: A dedicated project team comprising one Team Leader and two supporting members, all with proven backgrounds in board evaluation or governance advisory.
• Professional Accreditation: Valid proof of membership or certification from recognized industry bodies, specifically the Institute of Directors South Africa (IODSA) and the Corporate Governance Institute of South Africa (CGISA).
• Experience Thresholds: The firm must possess between five and fifteen years of experience delivering comparable governance evaluations. The proposed team’s average professional experience should ideally exceed ten years to secure maximum functionality points.
• Client References: Minimum of five verifiable reference letters from public sector entities within the past five years. Additional private sector references may yield supplementary scoring advantages.
• Analytical Proficiency: Demonstrated capability to transform raw qualitative and quantitative feedback into structured, strategic governance insights and measurable improvement frameworks.

Key Terminology & Frameworks

King V Report: South Africa’s premier corporate governance code emphasizing ethical leadership, stakeholder inclusivity, transparency, and mandatory systematic board self-evaluation.

80/20 Preference Point System: A standardized South African procurement scoring mechanism where 80 points are allocated based on bid price competitiveness, and 20 points are distributed according to Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership metrics (Black, Black Women, Black Youth, and Disability ownership percentages).

SBD Forms: Mandatory South African government bidding templates used to verify legal compliance, disclose director/shareholder conflicts of interest, and formally claim preferential procurement points.

CSD Registration: The Central Supplier Database maintained by the National Treasury, serving as the official registry for all entities seeking to supply goods or services to South African public sector organs.