Cisco Duo Essential Licence Renewal

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), custodian of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) under the NQF Act 67 of 2008, is seeking a suitable and qualified service provider to renew 200 Cisco Duo Essential licence subscriptions for a period of 12 months. Cisco Duo is a multi-factor authentication and access security platform, and the subscription supports SAQA's secure access to its systems. The request for quotation (RFQ 2026/27-63(C)) was issued on 2 November 2026 and closes on 10 November 2026 at 11:00, with bids valid for 30 days after the closing date. The contract is governed by the National General Conditions of Contract (GCC), and the service provider must deliver 100% service availability for the duration of the contract, with penalties of 15% of the monthly invoice fee per incident.

Bidders must pass three evaluation stages. Stage 1 checks administrative compliance: all standard bidding documents must be signed and a Central Supplier Database (CSD) report or supplier number must be attached. Stage 2 is a mandatory requirement, under which bidders must submit a valid Cisco Partner or Reseller Authorization Certificate; non-compliant bids will be disqualified. Stage 3 scores bids on the 80/20 preference point system, with 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals: 15 points for companies with at least 51% black ownership and 5 points for companies with at least 30% black women ownership. Preference claims must be supported by a certified B-BBEE certificate (bearing the SANAS logo) or a sworn affidavit. Bidders must also complete and sign the SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) and SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form). Submissions must be made in PDF format only, by email to rfq@saqa.org.za. Where brand names are cited, SAQA will accept equivalent products with similar specifications, although the Cisco partner certification remains mandatory.

For the successful service provider, this contract offers a defined 12-month renewal engagement with a public-sector client and an opportunity to demonstrate reliable, SLA-backed service delivery. Bidders should also note the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) obligations: each bidder, as a responsible party, must ensure its own compliance before sharing any personal information with SAQA. Interested bidders should verify their Cisco partner status, CSD registration, and B-BBEE standing well before the closing deadline, and should direct any clarification questions to rfq@saqa.org.za.