Closed tender · South Africa · Public tender
Ilabs/rfq 2026/27/207
National Research Foundation in South Africa invited bids for “Ilabs/rfq 2026/27/207”. Bids closed on 9 October 2026, 11:00 SAST. To qualify, bidders need at least one similar completed work, UASOC and UASLA.
The work
Provision of land access, operational support, consultation, and optional pilot/drone services for drone-based research activities
- At least 100m × 100m survey area plus safe operating space
- Location within 150km of iThemba LABS, Faure Cape Town
- Proof of landowner permission
- Landowner consent for temporary placement and use of sealed radioactive point sources
- Access to fire extinguishers
- First-aid equipment
- Safety procedures or designated safety contact
Key facts
- Estimated value
- Not disclosed by the buyer
- Bid validity
- 60 days
- Contract period
- Two years
- Evaluation
- Quality and cost based (QCBS)
- Price basis
- Unit rates for various services
- Procedure
- Open
- Published
- 04 Oct 2026
What it takes to qualify
Worth a closer look
- The bidder must be on the National Treasury's Central Supplier Database in order to do business with the NRF and for the NRF to award a bid and sign the subsequent contract
- If all bids received are more than R 1 000 000.00, this request is automatically cancelled
- iThemba LABS reserves the right to approve proposed pilots
- All UASs remain subject to approval by iThemba LABS
Experience
- At least 1 similar work — Provision of land access, operational support, consultation, and optional pilot/drone services for drone-based research activities
- UAS operations
- Remote Pilot Licence/Certificate (RPL/RPC)
- Unmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate (UASOC)
- Unmanned Aircraft System Letter of Authority (UASLA)
Certifications and registrations
UASOCUnmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate
UASLAUnmanned Aircraft System Letter of Authority
RPL/RPCRemote Pilot Licence/Certificate
CSD registrationRegistration on the Central Supplier Database (www.csd.gov.za) is compulsory
Tax complianceNo price quotations or competitive bids shall be awarded to business or persons who are not tax compliant
Policy conditions
No reservation, preference or local-content restriction.
Documents to submit
- Bidders Disclosure (SBD 4)Signed and completed bidder disclosure form
- Preference Points Claim (SBD 6.1)Signed and completed with B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for local bidders)
- B-BBEE CertificateAccredited with SANAS or sworn affidavit if claiming specific goals
- CSD Summary ReportFrom www.csd.gov.za
- Proof of landowner permissionFor survey area and flight operations
- Landowner consent for radioactive sourcesFor temporary placement of sealed radioactive point sources
- UASOCUnmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificate
- UASLAUnmanned Aircraft System Letter of Authority
- RPL/RPCRemote Pilot Licence/Certificate