Hard Debt Collection Services Panel

Broadband Infraco SOC Ltd, a state-owned entity established under the Broadband Infraco Act No. 33 of 2007 to expand electronic communications access in under-developed and under-serviced areas, is seeking to appoint a panel of debt collection service providers for a period of thirty-six (36) months. The panel will be used on an as-and-when-needed basis, subject to funds availability, to recover overdue debts. The core requirement is that appointed providers undertake hard debt collection as a priority on a risk basis, with soft collection methods permitted where the provider deems them necessary. The scope covers pre-legal collection on accounts overdue by 60 days or more, including debtor identification through arrears extracts, soft and hard tracing, letters of demand, telephonic and SMS engagement, negotiation of payment arrangements in line with the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy, and monitoring of defaults. For revenue cases handed off for legal collection, the scope extends to preparing summonses and obtaining judgments. Providers must also deliver monthly, quarterly and annual reports, perform an annual provision for doubtful debts, and support a quarterly assessment of the outstanding debt book.

The commission payable to appointed debtor collectors is set at up to 30% of collected amounts, with bidders proposing a percentage within a 15% to 30% range on the pricing schedule. Evaluation is conducted in four phases: administrative compliance (including CSD registration, a valid SARS tax compliance PIN, SBD forms, and a teaming agreement where bidding as a joint venture or consortium); mandatory requirements (a valid Council for Debt Collectors certificate and, for attorney firms, a Letter of Good Standing from the Legal Practice Council for all attorneys who will render services); functionality scoring with a 70 out of 100 minimum threshold, assessing recovery track record and referenced testimonials, company profile, the qualifications and experience of assigned team members (including Lead, Second Lead and Junior Attorneys), and a methodology demonstrating successful hard collection on at least ten accounts; and finally price and specific goals under the PPR 2022, applying the 80/20 or 90/10 preference point system. Bidders should note that debt collectors without valid certificates will not be considered, and that the contract is governed by NEC3 Professional Services Contract conditions.

For debt collection agencies, law firms and credit management specialists with a proven hard-collection track record, this opportunity offers a multi-year panel position with a steady flow of referrals from a state-owned enterprise. Benefits include a 36-month panel term, performance-linked commission income, and the opportunity to build a public-sector reference base. Bidders should prepare carefully: the submission is a two-envelope process with a hard copy original, a copy and a USB, must be lodged in person or by registered courier before the closing deadline, and requires a signed confidentiality agreement. Clarification questions must be submitted in writing by the stated deadline, and attendance at the compulsory briefing session on 6 November 2026 is recommended.