RFQ363/2026: Appointment of an independent quality assurance assessor to perform the external quality assurance (EQAR) review for the Directorate Internal Audit.

Overview

RFQ363/2026 seeks an independent quality assurance assessor to perform the external quality assurance (EQAR) review for the Directorate Internal Audit of the DHET. Bidders should be professional services providers with internal-audit QA/external QA experience and strong familiarity with IIA/IPPF standards and relevant public-sector governance requirements. The contract requires a team with a Certified Quality Assessor or equivalent, at least three external QA references, CVs of assigned staff, and adherence to PFMA/Treasury Regulations and strict confidentiality; staff must be available for the engagement and may undergo security vetting. Documents must include the required SBD forms, pricing schedule, and POPIA consent. The Terms of Reference (RFQ363-2026.pdf) sets the scope, deliverables, and evaluation rules.**

Requirements

• Minimum External Quality Assessor team: Certified Quality Assessor or equivalent; minimum three external QA references; CVs of assigned staff.
• Team composition: members must be Certified Internal Auditor and have completed the IIA quality assessment course.
• Experience: at least three years of recent internal auditing management-level experience.
• Compliance: adherence to IIA Standards and applicable laws (PFMA, Treasury Regulations); confidentiality and security vetting as needed.
• Deliverables and timeline: draft QA report with preliminary conclusions, an exit meeting within two weeks of the draft, a final report within one week after the exit, and a follow-up audit; follow-up must be included in costing.
• Contracting and ownership: sign a Service Level Agreement; materials remain DHET’s property; all working papers to be delivered to DHET; information treated as confidential.
• Evaluation and pre-qual: responses must meet admin/compliance checks (CSD, SARS tax status) and provide a fully detailed pricing schedule; bidders will be scored on functionality (minimum 70/100) and price (80/20 or 90/10 as applicable).
• Documentation: accompany bid with SBD forms (SBD 1, 3.1, 4, 6.1) and POPIA consent; 90-day validity; VAT considerations; CIDB proof if relevant. (See RFQ363/2026 Terms of Reference)

How to Apply

• Submission deadline: 06 November 2026 at 11:00; submissions are via electronic mail to quotation@dhet.gov.za with the subject RFQ363/2026. (RFQ363-2026.pdf)
• Documents to submit: fully completed SBD 1, SBD 3.1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, POPIA consent form; pricing schedule; evidence of CSD registration; tax clearance status (SARS); evidence of CIDB if applicable.
• Briefing: none required (BRIEFING SESSION N/A in the TOR). The Terms of Reference are attached as RFQ363-2026.pdf.
• Where to obtain bid documents: Terms of Reference included with the RFQ (RFQ363-2026.pdf).
• Deliverables and contract: SLA-based engagement; final QAR report within four months of contract signing; DHET may request follow-up on action plans.