# A Request for Information (RFI) is required to evaluate the maturity and suitability of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for deployment within NTCSA’s Operational Technology (OT) environment.

> This tender closed on 2026-07-23.

- **Reference:** E3143NTCSAMWP
- **Issuer:** [Eskom National Transmission Company of South Africa](https://za.bidwunder.com/tenders/issuer/eskom-national-transmission-company-of-south-africa.md)
- **Region:** National
- **Type:** Expression of interest
- **Published:** 2026-07-01
- **Closing date:** 2026-07-23 12:00 SAST
- **Sectors:** [Information and communication](https://za.bidwunder.com/tenders/sector/J.md)

## Summary

#### Overview
**This is a Request for Information (RFI) to evaluate the maturity and suitability of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for deployment within NTCSA’s Operational Technology (OT) environment.** NTCSA seeks input to understand how SDN/NFV can be integrated across OT domains (WAN, data centers, substation LANs) and to guide future network modernization. Suitable bidders are vendors with verifiable OT/utility SDN/NFV experience, multi-vendor interoperability capabilities, and the ability to provide case studies, standards guidance, and security/compliance insight. Submissions are electronic only. (RFI: Request for Information (RFI) - SDN- SDN.pdf)

#### Requirements
- Demonstrated experience with SDN/NFV in OT/utility networks, including case studies.
- Recommendations on frameworks and standards for secure, resilient, scalable SDN/NFV architectures in OT.
- Ability to address deterministic traffic, SCADA-like latency/jitter, TSN or equivalent, and QoS/traffic engineering.
- Clear approach to multi-vendor interoperability, vendor lock-in avoidance, and multi-OEM support models.
- Open standard protocols supported (e.g., OpenFlow, NETCONF, YANG) and interoperation with legacy equipment.
- Strategies for high availability (99.999%), deterministic networking, and forensic visibility for critical services.
- Redundancy models for SDN controllers, NFVI, and VNFs across deployment scenarios (SD-WAN, data centers, substation LAN).
- Scalability plans to accommodate growth in traffic and services.
- Visibility and monitoring capabilities (real-time and historical) and incident/Root Cause Analysis tools.
- Hosting options for SDN controllers/NFV platforms (cloud/on‑prem/hybrid) and associated trade-offs.
- Licensing models, VNF licensing, and lifecycle/patch management.
- Required compute/storage/VNF resource specs, and policy management for software lifecycle and vulnerability mitigation.
- Management policies for lifecycle updates, security, and policy enforcement.
- Evidence of OT-specific governance (RBAC, MFA) and data integrity (RTO 8–24 hours; zero data loss; active-active DR).
- Training/knowledge transfer plans for internal teams. (Information - SDN_signed.pdf)

#### How to Apply
- Submission deadline: **23 July 2026 10:00 (South African Standard Time)**. (RFI: SDN_SD N.pdf)
- Submission method: electronic upload via NTCSA Tender bulletin site on the Eskom e-tendering page; no physical submissions. (RFI)
- Documents to submit: PDFs and Excel files only; max 50 MB per file, total submission up to 900 MB; no zip files; no hard copy. Ensure status is marked complete. (RFI)
- Required responses: complete the Part B Response Sheet addressing the NTCSA questions; include any assumptions, deviations, or value-adds. (Part B, RFI SDN.pdf)
- Pre-qualification/registrations: submit through NTCSA e-tendering; refer to supplier manuals for access guidance. (NTCSA_E-tendering Help Manual)
- Briefing session: not indicated (Briefing address listed as N/A). (RFI)
- Where to obtain documents: the attached RFI documents and the NTCSA e‑Tendering Help Manual. (RFI)
- Contacts: Claire Gontse Sennelo (Sennelcg@ntcsa.co.za; 011 800 8111). (RFI)

## Description

A Request for Information (RFI) is required to evaluate the maturity and suitability of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for deployment within NTCSA’s Operational Technology (OT) environment.

A Request for Information (RFI) is required to evaluate the maturity and suitability of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) for deployment within NTCSA’s Operational Technology (OT) environment.

Conditions: Suppliers are not allowed to submit physical files to NTCSA/Eskom Tender Offices. The tenderer must upload the tender via NTCSA Tender bulletin site on the Eskom E- tendering page

Please note it is the responsibility of the supplier to ensure that RFI submission is submitted before the closing date and time

## Documents

- NTCSA\_E-tendering Help Manual for supplier.pdf..pdf
- E-Tender Enquiry Request and Closing Date Form - SDN..pdf..pdf
- Information - Software-Defined Networking (SDN)\_signed.pdf..pdf
- Eskom\_-\_Standard\_Conditions\_of\_Tender\_-\_30\_January\_2025.pdf..pdf
- NTCSA\_E-Tenderers E-Tendering Training Acknowledgement Form.pdf..pdf
- Request for Information (RFI) - SDN..pdf..pdf
- Request for Information (RFI) - SDN..pdf

Documents download with a free BidWunder account.

## Published on

- [eTenders OCDS API](https://www.etenders.gov.za/Home/opportunities?id=1)
- [eTenders.gov.za](https://www.etenders.gov.za)

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