SASSETA seeks two panel service providers for a cloud-based learner attendance and stipend disbursement solution with biometric devices and bank payment processing. The contract runs to 31 March 2030 with a five-year extension option, and the estimated value is up to R50 million.
The Safety and Security Sector Education and Training Authority (SASSETA), a Schedule 3A public entity that reports to the Department of Higher Education and Training, is inviting proposals to appoint a panel of two service providers. The panel will deliver an end-to-end learner time and attendance management and stipend disbursement solution for SASSETA-funded training projects. The contract runs until 31 March 2030, with an option to extend for a further five years. The estimated value does not exceed R50 million, including taxes, and the tender is evaluated on an 80/20 price and specific goals basis.
The required system must support learner registration by project code, assignment of learners to Project Administrators and Project Managers, recording of absenteeism with uploaded proof, and recording of learner terminations. For stipends, the solution must calculate amounts, generate bank-compatible payment files (such as CSV), execute payments, reconcile payments, and produce disbursement reports. SASSETA will reimburse the supplier for stipends paid. Attendance capture must use a cloud-based system and/or biometric devices with facial recognition, abnormality detection, Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity, GPS location capture with geofencing, offline recording, battery or solar operation, and resilience under extreme temperatures and weather. The system must be compatible with Android, iOS and Windows and must expose API capabilities. Services include user training and training videos, national roll-out on SASSETA-funded projects, monthly payment reporting, helpdesk support, and a disaster recovery and data protection plan. Onboarding of learners must be completed within one month per project. Bidders must also comply with POPIA, PCI-DSS and Third-Party Payment Provider (TPPP) requirements.
Mandatory requirements are strict. Bidders must submit a completed CV template for the team leader, proof of liquidity of at least R20 million (through bank statements, a bank guarantee or a sponsorship letter from an NCR-registered institution), PCI-DSS and TPPP compliance confirmations, a valid Information Regulator registration, PASA bank sponsorship proof, and a fully unaltered Annexure C pricing schedule. Bidders must also be registered on the National Treasury Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide professional indemnity cover of at least R20 million before award. Functionality is scored at 100%, requiring at least three reference letters for similar solutions, a team leader who has managed at least three successful time and attendance or stipend projects, and a detailed implementation, risk and solution proposal. Shortlisted bidders must demonstrate a live implemented system during due diligence. Specific goals points cover B-BBEE status, black ownership, black women and black youth ownership, and South African owned enterprises. Travel and accommodation are reimbursed at approved rates, subject to prior SASSETA approval. Submissions must be emailed to attendance@sasseta.org.za by 11:00 on 1 December 2026, quoting RFP/SASSETA/24251124/1. Note that the query deadline is stated as both 20 November 2026 at 12:00 and 1 December 2026 at 11:00 in the document, so bidders should confirm the correct date with the SCM contact before submitting queries.
This tender suits established technology and fintech providers with cloud-based workforce, attendance or learner management platforms and proven experience in stipend or payroll disbursement. Biometric hardware suppliers with offline, GPS-enabled, and facial recognition capabilities, and payment solution providers with PCI-DSS and TPPP compliance, may be suitable as either prime bidders or consortium partners. Bidders must hold at least R20 million in liquidity or financing, R20 million in professional indemnity cover, POPIA registration, CSD registration, and three or more relevant references. Small businesses may benefit from the specific goals scoring, but they will likely need to partner with larger providers to meet the financial and compliance thresholds.
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