How can I verify if a tender or RFQ is genuine?

Unfortunately, fraudulent tenders, Requests for Quotations (RFQs), purchase orders and appointment letters are regularly circulated to South African businesses. These scams can look very convincing. Fraudsters may use government logos, official-looking letterheads, genuine tender numbers and even the names of real employees to make an email or document appear legitimate. Can Tender Bulletins verify a […]

What do I need before I can start tendering in South Africa?

You do not need a large or established business to start tendering for government work in South Africa, but you should have the correct business registrations, tax compliance, supplier registrations and financial capacity in place before submitting quotations or tenders. The exact requirements differ from one tender to another, so always read the official tender […]

What is CIDB registration, and when do I need it?

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) maintains a Register of Contractors for businesses that perform construction-related work in South Africa. If you want to tender for construction projects funded by government or public-sector organisations, you will generally need to be registered with the CIDB in the correct grade and class of works. Your CIDB designation […]

What are EME and QSE, and does my business qualify?

EME and QSE are categories used under South Africa’s B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) framework. Your classification is generally based on your business’s annual turnover, and it determines how your B-BBEE status must be proven. For businesses tendering for government or supplying larger companies, it is useful to understand which category your business falls into […]

What is B-BBEE, and how does it affect my chances of winning a tender?

B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment) is South Africa’s framework for encouraging economic participation and transformation. It can play an important role in government tendering, but it is important to understand that B-BBEE is only one part of the tender evaluation process. Having a good B-BBEE level does not automatically win you a tender, and having […]

What is a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, and why do tenders ask for it?

A TCS PIN is issued by SARS and confirms that your business’s tax affairs are in order. Organs of state are required to verify a bidder’s tax compliance before awarding a contract, so you’ll usually need to supply a valid TCS PIN (or it will be verified directly via the CSD) as part of your […]

What is the Central Supplier Database (CSD), and do I need to register?

The Central Supplier Database (CSD) is the South African Government’s central database of businesses and individuals that want to supply goods or services to government departments, municipalities and other organs of state. If your business intends to apply for government tenders, quotations or other public-sector procurement opportunities, you should register on the CSD. Many government […]

What’s the difference between a Tender, an RFQ and an RFP?

A Request for Quotation (RFQ) is typically used for lower-value, more straightforward purchases and asks only for a price quote. A Request for Proposal (RFP) asks bidders to propose a technical approach and price for more complex work. A formal Tender (Invitation to Bid) is the most regulated process, generally used for higher-value contracts, and […]

What is a “tender”?

A tender is a formal, sealed offer submitted in response to an invitation to bid issued by an organ of state, municipality or private company, setting out the price, capability and compliance information needed to be considered for a contract.

I wasn’t successful – can I query or appeal the outcome?

Yes. Unsuccessful bidders can usually request written reasons or a debriefing from the organ of state, and most institutions have an internal objections or appeals process – with ultimate recourse under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act – if you believe the process was not followed correctly. Check the specific tender documents or the issuing […]