Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to develop and implement an in-house Student Allowance Disbursement System for the University of Johannesburg (UJ). The system aims to enhance the efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness of distributing student allowances, particularly for NSFAS-funded students and other sponsors. By creating an integrated, secure, and automated disbursement platform, UJ seeks to improve financial control, reduce administrative costs, and ensure compliance with cybersecurity, financial, and regulatory standards.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Designing and developing an in-house disbursement system, preferably as a virtual environment or on-premise solution.
• Integrating the system with UJ’s existing IT infrastructure, including ITS and banking platforms.
• Implementing API integration with banking partners for seamless data transmission.
• Ensuring data security through permissions, access controls, and security measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA).
• Aligning the system with current technical landscape, including server environments, identity management, document storage, and backup measures.
• Providing comprehensive proposals covering technical, functional, and support aspects.

Technical Requirements

The technical specifications for the proposed system include:

• Compatibility with existing server environments (Linux, Oracle Virtualization cloud).
• Integration capabilities via APIs with banking systems and other relevant platforms.
• Secure handling of student and administrative data, with strict access controls and audit trails.
• Implementation of cybersecurity measures, including MFA, security patches, and threat detection.
• Alignment with UJ’s current IT infrastructure, such as Microsoft AD, Perceptive Content, NetBackup, and Microsoft 365 Enterprise.
• Ability to operate as either an on-premise or virtual solution, based on best fit.

Skills Requirements

The tender requires service providers to demonstrate:

• Proven experience in developing and deploying financial disbursement or similar enterprise systems.
• Technical expertise in system integration, API development, and cybersecurity.
• Capability to align solutions with existing IT infrastructure and security standards.
• Experience in project management, including timely delivery, testing, and post-implementation support.
• Ability to provide comprehensive documentation, training, and risk mitigation strategies.
• References from similar projects to validate expertise and performance.