If your business provides security services, guarding, armed response, access control, surveillance, investigations or security equipment, TenderBulletins.co.za can help you find government and public-sector opportunities relevant to your business.
Security tenders can cover a wide range of services and products, including:
- Guarding services
- Armed response
- Access control
- CCTV installation and monitoring
- Alarm systems
- Security equipment and technology
- Event security
- Tactical response services
- Security assessments
- Investigation services
- Personnel vetting and background checks
- Asset protection
- Control-room and monitoring services
- Security maintenance and repairs
- Burglar Proofing and Security Gates
Search for Security Tenders
Tender Bulletins has dedicated categories for Security Services and Equipment as well as Security and Investigation Activities, making it easier to browse relevant opportunities.
You can also search using specific keywords related to your services, such as:
security, guarding, armed response, CCTV, surveillance, access control, alarms, investigations, tactical response, vetting or security equipment.
Try several search terms rather than relying on only one. A CCTV opportunity, for example, may be advertised under electronic security, surveillance, access control or facilities management.
Receive Security Tender Notifications
If security work is a core part of your business, a Paid Tender Notification subscription can help you identify relevant opportunities without manually checking the website every day.
By selecting the correct tender categories and locations, you can receive notifications when new matching opportunities are published.
This can be especially useful for security tenders because compulsory briefing sessions, site visits and document requirements may need to be dealt with well before the closing date.
Check your PSiRA registration
Security businesses should pay particular attention to PSiRA registration.
Under South African law, businesses and individuals providing regulated private security services generally need to be registered with the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) before rendering those services. PSiRA also confirms that security businesses must meet specific registration requirements, including business and management-related requirements.
Tender documents may therefore require proof that:
- The security business is registered with PSiRA
- Directors, members or managers hold the required PSiRA registrations
- Security officers deployed on the contract are appropriately registered and trained
- The business’s PSiRA registration is current and compliant
Do not assume that simply having a CSD number is sufficient for a security tender.
Other documents commonly requested
Depending on the tender, you may also be asked for:
- CSD registration
- SARS tax compliance
- B-BBEE documentation
- COIDA registration and Letter of Good Standing
- UIF registration
- Company registration documents
- Proof of previous security contracts
- Client reference letters
- Staff training records
- Insurance cover
- Health and safety documentation
- Equipment schedules
- Operational plans
- Site-specific security plans
Some tenders may also specify minimum staffing levels, experience requirements, response times, equipment standards or particular qualifications.
Check the staffing requirements carefully
Large security contracts can require a substantial number of guards, supervisors and relief staff.
Before submitting a tender, make sure you understand:
- How many security officers are required
- The shifts and working hours
- The grades or training levels required
- Whether supervisors or control-room staff are needed
- Whether armed personnel are required
- Whether vehicles or response units are required
- Whether you can provide replacement staff for leave and absenteeism
Do not price only for the number of guards physically on site at one time. Your costing should also take into account relief staff, supervision, uniforms, administration and other employment-related costs.
Make sure your pricing is sustainable
Security contracts are often labour intensive, so pricing too low can create serious problems later.
Your quotation should take into account all applicable costs, including:
- Employee wages
- Statutory employment costs
- Overtime and allowances
- Uniforms
- Training
- Equipment
- Transport
- Supervision
- Insurance
- Administration
- Finance costs
- VAT, where applicable
- Your required profit margin
A low price may help you compete, but winning a contract that you cannot afford to service properly can be damaging to your business.
Look carefully at compulsory briefing sessions
Security tenders frequently include a compulsory briefing meeting or site inspection.
If attendance is mandatory and your business does not attend, your bid may be disqualified regardless of your price or experience.
Always check the briefing date as soon as you find the tender.
Start with opportunities that match your capacity
If your security company is relatively new, consider starting with smaller RFQs, short-term guarding contracts or smaller sites before competing for large national or multi-site contracts.
Smaller contracts can help you build:
- References
- Security-sector experience
- Turnover
- A government supply track record
- Operational capacity
As your business grows, you can pursue larger opportunities that require more staff, equipment and working capital.
Always download the official tender documents
TenderBulletins.co.za helps you find security tender opportunities, but the tender is issued and administered by the relevant government department, municipality or public entity.
Always download and read the complete official tender documentation before applying.
The tender documents are the final authority on:
- PSiRA requirements
- Staffing and grading requirements
- Technical specifications
- Mandatory documents
- Briefing sessions
- Evaluation criteria
- Pricing
- Submission instructions
- Closing dates and times
Never submit your quotation or tender to Tender Bulletins unless Tender Bulletins itself is specifically the organisation requesting the quotation.