ICT Strategy Development and ICT Project Costing Services

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA), custodian of the National Qualifications Framework under the NQF Act 67 of 2008, is seeking a suitably qualified service provider to develop its ICT Strategy and cost its ICT projects over a six-month period. The appointment is intended to support business continuity, improve business productivity and guide ongoing and future ICT investment. SAQA already has a draft strategy, so the successful provider will build on and improve that draft rather than start from scratch.

The scope of work covers five main areas. First, the provider must assess the current ICT environment, reviewing SAQA's systems and capabilities and identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Second, it must run interviews and workshops with key stakeholders to document business needs and align requirements with strategic goals. Third, it must develop a detailed ICT Strategy for 2025 to 2030, covering a five-year budgeting period, with focus areas including digital transformation, cybersecurity, data management and customer service enhancement. This includes a Project Impact Assessment Framework to measure the impact of ICT projects against the ICT Strategic Plan. Fourth, it must produce a Technology and Digital Roadmap with timelines, milestones, resource requirements and risks. Fifth, it must cost all ICT projects, provide actionable technology recommendations and develop a high-level implementation plan. The draft strategy is due within four weeks of commencement. Service levels require 100% delivery for the duration of the contract, with penalties of 15% of the monthly invoice fee per incident.

Bidders must pass administrative checks, including a signed bid pack and a valid Central Supplier Database (CSD) report or supplier number. Mandatory requirements are: three signed reference letters on client letterhead from clients where an ICT strategy was successfully implemented, and a CV for the project lead using SAQA's compulsory template, showing at least five years' experience in developing ICT strategies. Non-compliant bids are disqualified. Evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system under PPR 2022: 80 points for price, 15 points for at least 51% black ownership and 5 points for at least 30% black women ownership, supported by a certified B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. Bidders must also complete SBD 4 and SBD 6.1 and comply with POPIA. Quotes are valid for 90 days from the closing date. Responses are due by 11:00 on 9 November 2026 in PDF format by email.

Note for bidders: the RFQ lists two different email domains (rfq@saqa.org.za and rfq@saqa.co.za) and the strategy period (2025 to 2030) begins before the publication date. Confirm both with SAQA through the enquiry address before submitting.