Agro-Processing Production Audit & Compliance Training NEW

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government is seeking a service provider to help emerging agro-processing micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) meet the food safety and quality standards needed to access formal markets. The project targets businesses in the prioritised districts of Harry Gwala, Ugu, uMzinyathi, Zululand and uMkhanyakude, where poor market access is linked to limited understanding of food safety standards, non-compliance with food manufacturing requirements, inadequate hygiene and food handling and storage facilities, and limited skills in statutory and regulatory requirements. The contract runs for three months from the signing of a Service Level Agreement.

The scope of work includes a production process-flow audit and assessment of the identified enterprises, an assessment of staff and management understanding of food handling and safety practices, and a gap analysis against relevant compliance standards. The appointed provider must design and deliver a training programme for 10 agro-processing MSMEs covering Basic Food Handling and Safety Standards and standards such as HACCP, GFSI, ISO 9001, ISO 22000, GlobalG.A.P and LocalG.A.P. Support to help beneficiaries improve compliance and access additional markets is also required. Key deliverables are an inception report setting out the methodology and timeframes, a gap assessment report, a detailed evaluation report with recommendations, the training of the 10 MSMEs, and a close-out report with recommendations for improved national and international market access. Payments are subject to departmental evaluation of each phase, and progress meetings and minutes must be managed by the project manager.

Bidders must be registered with the Central Supplier Database and be accredited or registered with the FoodBev Manufacturing SETA or QCTO (preferably in agro-processing). The team must include a Project Manager with a NQF Level 6 qualification in a relevant field, 5 to 10 years of business development experience, and registration with COMENSA, ICF or IBASA. A Facilitator with a NQF Level 6 qualification in food science or a related field, 3 to 5 years of food safety or quality control experience, and SETA/QCTO assessor or moderator registration (or a Skills Development Facilitation certificate) is also required. Bidders must submit three to five client reference letters or award letters, and attendance at a compulsory briefing session on 13 November 2026 is required. Evaluation is based on administrative compliance, a functionality score of at least 60% (methodology, company experience, and key expert qualifications), and price and preference points on an 80/20 basis. Quotations close on 20 November 2026 at 15:00.