VMware vSphere Licences and Support (24 Months)

The Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPME) is inviting proposals for the procurement of VMware licences, including maintenance and support, for a period of 24 months. The requirement covers 352 VMware vSphere Foundation licences (SKU: VCF-VSP-FND-8) and the renewal of support and maintenance for the same 352 licences over the two-year period. The tender is issued as a Request for Proposals under reference DPME 13/2026-27 and closes on 12 November 2026 at 11:00. The Department notes that its previous licensing agreement expired on 31 March 2024 and could not be renewed on time, leaving it in a vulnerable position. Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, licensing has moved to a subscription-based model, and the Department has not yet received a new account from Broadcom. Successful delivery is required within four weeks of acceptance of award.

The Department requires the supplier to be an accredited VMware (Broadcom) Partner or Reseller. This is a mandatory requirement, and bidders must provide a valid accreditation certificate or letter from VMware (Broadcom) that names the bidder and confirms the partnership is valid at the time of bidding. Bidders failing this requirement will be disqualified. Prices must be inclusive of VAT, fully cover all deliverables stated in the Terms of Reference, and be submitted using the Microsoft Excel Compliance and Costing template (Annexure B). No variation in contract price will be permitted. Bids must remain valid for at least 120 days after the closing date. Proposals must be submitted as one original and five copies in a sealed envelope, delivered to the tender box at 330 Grosvenor Street, Hatfield, Pretoria. Late bids will not be accepted, and there is no compulsory briefing session.

The evaluation follows the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act using the 80/20 preference point system, with 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals. Specific goals include Black ownership, Black ownership with disabilities, Black women ownership, Black youth ownership, Black military veteran ownership, local supplier status, and EME/QSE status, verified through CSD reports, B-BBEE certificates or affidavits, and CIPC documents. Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database and have valid tax compliance status. The successful bidder will enter into a service level agreement with DPME, with the National Treasury General Conditions of Contract forming part of that agreement. The benefits to the Department include optimised server, storage, network, security and facilities assets, high availability, flexibility to support changing business needs, and automation tools that improve service levels and availability.