NSFAS statement on the laptop tender
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has concluded the evaluation and awarding process of the tender for the supply and delivery of laptops to NSFAS students (SCMN008/2020).
The updated, revised bid specification for the tender was advertised on September 04, 2020, and closed on September 21, 2020, subsequent to the cancellation by NSFAS of the previous tender (SCMN004/2020) due to no acceptable bids being received, in accordance with Regulation 13 (1) (c) of the PPPFA regulations. The notice of the cancellation of the previous tender and the advertisement of the new tender were published in the Government Tender Bulletin, the National Treasury E-tender portal and the NSFAS website on September 04, 2020.
By the closing date of September 21, 2020, NSFAS had received a total of 140 bids in response to the tender requirements. The 140 bids were evaluated between September 22, 2020 and October 13, 2020 by the NSFAS Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC).
Ensuing the evaluation process:
- A total of 11 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving the pre-qualification criteria which required the bidders to be either a level one (1) or two (2) BBB-EE contributor.
- A total of 27 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving mandatory requirement 4.2.2 which required the bidders to be a certified partner with the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
- A total of 56 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving mandatory requirement 4.2.3 which required the bidders to submit a reference letter (s) which indicated previous experience of the supply and delivery of laptops in the past five (5) years at a minimum quantum of 5,000.
- A total of 8 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving mandatory requirement 4.2.4 which required the bidders to sub-contract a minimum of 30% of the contract value to either an Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) or a Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) which is at least 51% black-owned.
- A total of 23 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving mandatory requirement 4.2.5 which required the bidders to complete the local content declaration forms for the laptop bag, and to obtain an authorisation letter from the Department of Trade and Industry to import specified raw materials for the production of the laptop bag in South Africa.
- A total of 7 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving mandatory requirement 4.2.6 which required the bidders to submit either financial statements (audited or unaudited) or management accounts which illustrated their solvency (total assets to exceed total liabilities) status and liquidity (current assets to exceed current liabilities) status.
- A total of 3 bid proposals were disqualified for not achieving the minimum score of 80% for the functional evaluation criteria assessment.
A total of 5 bid proposals achieved the pre-qualification criteria, the mandatory requirements and the functional evaluation criteria as outlined in the tender document. The recommendation for the award together with the end to end procurement process was adjudicated by the NSFAS Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC). All BAC members were in support of the recommendation, and the decision was unanimous to recommend the tender award for approval by the NSFAS Administrator.
The review of the end to end procurement process was performed by NSFAS external legal attorneys. The outcome of the review indicated that the procurement process followed was in line with the NSFAS SCM policy.
The NSFAS Administrator subsequently approved the tender award on November 02, 2020 to 5 bidders:
|
No. |
Service provider name |
BBB-EE level |
Cost price for 1 laptop (all inclusive) |
|
1. |
Pinnacle |
1 |
R3,863.56 |
|
2. |
CEOS Technologies |
2 |
R5,290.00 |
|
3. |
MLO Distinctive Solutions |
1 |
R5,300.00 |
|
4. |
East Side Group |
1 |
R5,750.00 |
|
5. |
AND Group |
1 |
R6,200.00 |
NSFAS has communicated the award to the successful service providers on 02 November 2020, and it was accepted by all 5 service providers by November 05, 2020.
NSFAS is in the process of completing the contractual arrangements with all 5 service providers, following which the details thereon, together with the final mutually agreed guidelines will be communicated with all institutions, whereby institutions can commence the procurement process for the laptops required by the NSFAS funded students.
NSFAS has published the award details, together with the list of unsuccessful bidders on the National Treasury E-tender portal on November 09, 2020, the same details will be published on the NSFAS website on November 10, 2020. The publication of the tender award will appear in the Government Tender Bulletin, dated November 13, 2020.
The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for the higher education sector in relation to the mode of learning and teaching. The sole purpose of this project was to provide access to digital remote learning for NSFAS funded students, to ensure that no student is left behind, however, providing NSFAS funded students with laptops will not only benefit students during the pandemic, but will usher a new dawn in advancement of technology and embracing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
NSFAS through various engagements with stakeholders such as Universities South Africa (USAF) and South African Public Colleges Organisation (SACPO) realised a need for alignment and a deep dive delve into challenges faced by NSFAS funded students and institution during the lockdown and beyond.
NSFAS Administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen is extremely grateful for the continued support from stakeholders in the successful implementation of this project. Through engagements with stakeholders in the university and TVET sectors, NSFAS has made significant strides in unpacking and looking into modernized ways of learning and teaching.
Enquiries:
Ms Phatisa NtlonzeMedia (NSFAS Administrator)
Dr Randall Carolissen (Media Liason officer)
E-mail: media@nsfas.org.za
