16
Q: Do departments still need to use Standard Bid Document (SBD) forms?
Yes, until the Treasury regulations have been amended and the instructions have been repealed, the SBD Forms remain in place.
Q:What was the reason for taking away the advertising of tenders in the newspapers, tender bulletins and other mediums? We service multiple suppliers from a variety of communities. Why not just keep all mediums available to ensure transparency and access?
It is estimated that R700 million is spent annually on publishing tenders in the various media. Furthermore, it is very difficult for suppliers to be informed of opportunities as they need to monitor various publications. Thirdly, if tender documents are not available electronically, it makes it difficult for suppliers to access tender documentation if they do not have an office close to the relevant government department.
The eTender Publication Portal centralises bid opportunities across government and make bid documents available free of charge. This makes procurement much more transparent. Other publications could also be considered should the need arise, but it should not be the norm, as publication costs needs to come down.
Q:The department has a national tender to publish. If we cannot advertise in any other media – how will we reach all potential suppliers?
All competitive bids and their results, irrespective of the audience, must be published on the eTender Publication Portal. In addition, other publications could also be considered, should the need arise, but it should only be in cases where a specific audience is targeted.
Q: How do we cancel tenders on the eTender Publication Portal?
The Tender Administrator needs to be informed of the tender that needs to be cancelled as well as the reason for the cancellation. Only Tender Administrators can change tender statuses on the eTender Publication Portal.
Q:How exposed is the eTender Publication Portal to the general public? How will they get access? Some find the cost of data too high.
The e-Tender Publication Portal is a website that can be accessed free of charge through any device that has internet connectivity.
Based on the information gathered for the period from October 2015 to April 2016, it is worth noting the following statistics:
Site Activity
∙126 101 people have accessed the portal at least once and more than 61% have returned on a regular basis.
∙The daily access increased from 1 450 visits per day during October 2015 to an average of 3 106 per day during March and April 2016.
∙Mondays and Tuesdays are the most active days, because most publications are published on Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays have very low activity.
∙The site is accessed most: daily between 09:00 and 14:00.
Geospatial Statistics:
∙90.61% of views are by South African suppliers.
∙Kenyan suppliers are the second highest audience with 3.39% views, followed by the United States with 1.22%.
Did You Know : Top 15 Free Online Learning Platforms
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Coursera:
Coursera partners with universities and organizations worldwide to offer a wide range of courses. While many courses are free, a fee is often required for certification.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: edX:
Founded by MIT and Harvard, edX offers high-quality courses from top universities and institutions around the world. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Khan Academy:
Khan Academy provides free educational content in various subjects, especially mathematics and science, using instructional videos and practice exercises.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Udacity:
Udacity focuses on tech-related courses and nanodegree programs, offering free content as well as more in-depth paid programs.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW):
MIT OCW provides a vast array of MIT's course content for free, covering a wide range of disciplines.
-
Free Online Education Degrees : Harvard Extension School:
Harvard Extension School offers a selection of free online courses. While some courses are free, others may require payment for a certificate.
-
Free Online Education Degrees: Stanford Online:
Stanford Online offers a variety of free courses in different disciplines, including computer science, engineering, and business.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative (OLI):
OLI offers free online courses and resources designed to improve learning outcomes through research-based methodologies.
-
Best Free Online Courses : FutureLearn:
FutureLearn partners with universities and institutions to offer a diverse range of free online courses. Certificates are available for a fee.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Alison:
Alison offers a wide range of free online courses, including diploma and certificate programs, covering various subjects.
-
Best Free Online Courses: Open Yale Courses:
Yale University provides free access to a selection of introductory courses through Open Yale Courses.
-
Best Free Online Courses : UC Berkeley Online:
UC Berkeley offers free online courses on a variety of subjects, ranging from computer science to humanities.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Google Digital Garage:
Google Digital Garage provides free courses on digital skills, including online marketing, data analysis, and more.
-
Best Free Online Courses : Codecademy:
Codecademy offers free coding courses, interactive exercises, and coding projects to help individuals learn programming languages.
-
Best Free Online Courses : LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com):
LinkedIn Learning provides a variety of video courses on professional development, technology, and creative skills. It offers a free trial period.
Did you know : International Scholarships 2024
There are several international scholarships available for South Africans to study abroad. Here are a few examples:
- Mastercard Foundation Scholarship Program: This program provides fully funded scholarships to study at selected universities in Africa, Europe, and North America. It is open to African students, including South Africans, who are committed to giving back to their communities.
- Commonwealth Scholarships: The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission offers scholarships for postgraduate study in the UK for citizens of Commonwealth countries, including South Africa. The scholarships cover tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
- Fulbright Foreign Student Program: The Fulbright program offers scholarships for South Africans to study at U.S. universities for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition, travel, living expenses, and health insurance.
- Erasmus+ Programme: The Erasmus+ programme offers scholarships for South Africans to study in Europe for a Master’s or PhD degree. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel, and living expenses.
- Australia Awards Scholarships: The Australian government offers scholarships for South Africans to study at Australian universities. The scholarship covers tuition fees, travel costs, and a living allowance.
These are just a few examples of the many international scholarships available to South Africans. It is important to research the eligibility requirements and application deadlines for each scholarship program.