How to apply for tenders in South Africa
The first time, applying for a tender feels like a lot. It isn't, once you've done one.
Find one you can actually deliver
Don't bid on everything. Bid on work you can do and a contract you can resource. Search by what your business does, say construction tenders or security tenders, or by your province.
Read the document, all of it
Every tender comes with a document that sets out the scope, the requirements, how bids are scored, and when it closes. Download it and read the whole thing before you write down a single price. The evaluation criteria tell you exactly what wins, and they're often not what you'd guess.
Get your compliance pack together
Most tenders ask for the same things:
- a Central Supplier Database registration
- a valid tax compliance status
- a B-BBEE certificate or affidavit
- your CIPC company registration documents
- a CIDB grading, if it's construction
Price it properly
Use the tender's pricing schedule exactly as given, and fill in every line. Price too high and you lose on points. Price too low and you win a contract you can't deliver, which is worse.
Submit early
Late bids are disqualified, no exceptions, and "the portal was slow" is not a defence. Submit the day before if you can.
When you're ready, see what's closing soon so you don't miss a deadline.