City of Johannesburg Tenders 2025: Complete Guide to CoJ Procurement

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) is South Africa's largest metropolitan municipality and one of the biggest spenders on government procurement. With an annual budget exceeding R60 billion, CoJ publishes thousands of tender opportunities across infrastructure, services, and supplies. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about bidding for City of Johannesburg tenders in 2025.

Understanding City of Johannesburg Procurement

About the City of Johannesburg

Population: 5.6 million (South Africa's most populous city) Annual Budget: R60+ billion Procurement Spend: R25+ billion annually Suppliers: 15,000+ registered suppliers Tenders Published: 2,000+ annually

Geographic Coverage:

• Region A: Diepsloot, Kya Sand, Midrand
• Region B: Randburg, Rosebank, Emmarentia
• Region C: Roodepoort, Constantia Kloof
• Region D: Doornkop, Soweto, Dobsonville
• Region E: Alexandra, Sandton, Wynberg
• Region F: Inner City, Hillbrow, Parktown
• Region G: Orange Farm, Lenasia, Ennerdale

CoJ Procurement Structure

The City operates procurement through:

1. Group Supply Chain Management

• Central procurement authority
• Manages high-value tenders (>R200,000)
• Policy development and compliance
• Supplier database management

2. Municipal Entities:

• City Power Johannesburg - Electricity distribution
• Johannesburg Water - Water and sanitation
• Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) - Roads and stormwater
• Pikitup - Waste management
• Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) - Property management
• Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) - Urban development
• Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) - Social housing

3. Departmental Procurement:

• Health and Social Development
• Community Development
• Economic Development
• Finance
• Corporate and Shared Services

Types of Tenders in City of Johannesburg

Infrastructure and Construction

Major Categories:

• Road construction and maintenance
• Stormwater infrastructure
• Building and facilities
• Bridges and overpasses
• Street lighting
• Parks and recreation facilities

Key Entity: Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA)

Typical Requirements:

• CIDB registration (Grade 6-9 for large projects)
• Track record in municipal infrastructure
• Construction plant and equipment
• Professional engineers and project managers
• Health and safety compliance

High-Value Project Examples:

• Rea Vaya BRT expansion: R8 billion
• Roads rehabilitation programmes: R2 billion annually
• Bridge maintenance and upgrades: R500 million

Utilities and Services

City Power Johannesburg Tenders:

• Electricity infrastructure maintenance
• Substations and transformers
• Cable and overhead line installation
• Metering equipment
• Energy efficiency projects

Johannesburg Water Tenders:

• Water pipeline installation and repairs
• Sewer infrastructure
• Water treatment chemicals
• Pumps and equipment maintenance
• Leak detection services

Pikitup Tenders:

• Waste collection services
• Recycling programmes
• Landfill management
• Refuse trucks and equipment
• Waste transfer stations

Professional Services

Common Categories:

• Engineering consulting
• Architectural services
• Legal services
• Auditing and accounting
• Project management
• Environmental impact assessments
• Quantity surveying
• Town planning
• IT consulting

Requirements:

• Professional registration (ECSA, SACAP, SACQSP, etc.)
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Relevant experience in municipal projects
• BEE compliance

IT and Technology

Major Categories:

• Software development and licensing
• Hardware procurement
• Network infrastructure
• Cybersecurity solutions
• Data center services
• GIS and mapping systems
• Smart city initiatives
• E-government platforms

Typical Requirements:

• Manufacturer certifications
• Technical support capabilities
• Data security compliance
• BEE credentials
• Local content requirements

Supplies and Equipment

Common Categories:

• Office supplies and stationery
• Cleaning materials
• Safety equipment and PPE
• Fuel and lubricants
• Medical supplies (clinics)
• Uniforms and workwear
• Furniture and fittings
• Fleet vehicles

Characteristics:

• Often framework contracts (1-3 years)
• Call-off arrangements
• Minimum BEE levels
• Local supplier preference

How to Register as a CoJ Supplier

Step 1: Central Supplier Database (CSD)

Mandatory First Step: All CoJ suppliers MUST be registered on the National Treasury CSD.

How to Register:

1. Visit csd.gov.za
2. Complete online registration
3. Upload required documents:
   • CIPC registration
   • Tax clearance certificate
   • B-BBEE certificate
   • Directors' IDs
   • Banking details
4. Wait for CSD approval (5-10 days)
5. Receive CSD supplier number

Cost: FREE (beware of scammers)

Step 2: City of Johannesburg Supplier Database

After CSD registration, register with CoJ:

Online Registration:

• Visit: www.joburg.org.za
• Navigate to: Tenders > Supplier Registration
• Complete supplier profile
• Link your CSD number
• Upload CoJ-specific documents

Required Documents:

• Valid CSD confirmation
• Tax clearance certificate (current)
• B-BBEE certificate
• Municipal rates clearance (if property owner)
• Banking details confirmation
• Company profile
• Sector-specific certificates (CIDB, professional registration, etc.)

Processing Time: 2-3 weeks

Supplier Categories:

• Professional Services
• Construction
• Goods and Supplies
• Maintenance Services
• Consulting Services
• IT Services

Step 3: Stay Updated

Subscribe to CoJ Tender Notifications:

• Email alerts
• SMS notifications
• eTender portal updates

OR use ProTenders:

• Search all CoJ tenders in one platform
• Set up automatic alerts for Johannesburg opportunities
• Never miss submission deadlines
• Access all tender documents instantly

Where to Find City of Johannesburg Tenders

Official Sources

1. National Treasury eTender Portal

• URL: etenders.gov.za
• Search: "City of Johannesburg" or "CoJ"
• All tenders >R200,000 published here
• Free access

2. City of Johannesburg Website

• URL: www.joburg.org.za/tenders
• Municipal-specific tenders
• Departmental opportunities
• Quotations (<R200,000)

3. Municipal Entity Websites:

• City Power: www.citypower.co.za
• Johannesburg Water: www.johannesburgwater.co.za
• JRA: www.jra.org.za
• Pikitup: www.pikitup.co.za
• JPC: www.jhbpropco.co.za

4. Provincial Treasury (Gauteng)

• URL: www.gautengtenders.gov.za
• Provincial tender aggregation
• CoJ tenders included

Fastest Way: ProTenders

Why Use ProTenders for CoJ Tenders:

✅ All Sources in One Place

• Aggregates from eTender portal, CoJ website, and all entities
• No need to check multiple websites daily
• Comprehensive coverage

✅ Instant Alerts

• Set up alerts for "City of Johannesburg"
• Get notified immediately when new tenders publish
• Never miss opportunities

✅ Easy Filtering

• Filter by department or entity
• Search by keywords
• Filter by value range
• Sort by closing date

✅ Document Access

• Download all tender documents
• Access briefing details
• Track submission deadlines

Start finding CoJ tenders now →

BEE Requirements for City of Johannesburg Tenders

CoJ's B-BBEE Policy

The City of Johannesburg has strict B-BBEE requirements aligned with the PPPFA (Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act).

Preference Points Allocation:

For Tenders <R50 million (80/20 system):

• 80 points for price
• 20 points for B-BBEE

For Tenders >R50 million (90/10 system):

• 90 points for price
• 10 points for B-BBEE

BEE Points Breakdown (80/20 system):

• Level 1: 20 points
• Level 2: 18 points
• Level 3: 14 points
• Level 4: 12 points
• Level 5: 8 points
• Level 6: 6 points
• Level 7: 4 points
• Level 8: 2 points
• Non-compliant: 0 points

SMME and Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME) Benefits

EME Definition:

• Annual turnover <R10 million
• 100% black ownership = deemed Level 1
• 51% black ownership = deemed Level 2

Benefits:

• Sworn affidavit acceptable (no verification needed)
• Automatic preference points
• Cost: R200-500 from attorney
• Valid: 12 months

QSE (Qualifying Small Enterprise):

• Annual turnover R10-R50 million
• BEE verification required
• Simplified scorecard

Targeted Development Areas

CoJ prioritizes suppliers contributing to:

1. Local Content

• Suppliers based in Johannesburg
• Local manufacturing
• Local sub-contractors

2. Job Creation

• Absorption of unemployed
• Youth employment (18-35 years)
• Skills development programmes

3. Empowerment Groups:

• Black-owned businesses (>51%)
• Women-owned businesses (>30%)
• Youth-owned businesses (>51%)
• Businesses owned by people with disabilities

4. Township and Rural Development:

• Businesses operating in townships
• Alexandra, Soweto, Orange Farm focus
• Community upliftment initiatives

Subcontracting Requirements

Mandatory Subcontracting: For large contracts, CoJ may require:

• 30% subcontracting to SMMEs
• 10% subcontracting to EMEs
• Quarterly reporting on subcontracting compliance

City of Johannesburg Tender Process

Finding and Downloading Tenders

Step 1: Monitor Tender Publications

• Check eTender portal daily
• Visit CoJ website
• Use ProTenders alerts (recommended)

Step 2: Download Documents

• Tender specification
• SBD forms
• Bill of quantities (construction)
• Terms and conditions
• Site plans (if applicable)

Step 3: Attend Compulsory Briefings

• Many CoJ tenders have mandatory briefings
• Non-attendance = automatic disqualification
• Bring attendance register
• Ask questions for clarifications

Preparing Your Bid

Administrative Compliance:

• All SBD forms completed and signed
• Valid tax clearance certificate
• CSD registration confirmation
• B-BBEE certificate
• Municipal rates clearance (if applicable)
• CIDB certificate (construction)
• Professional registration (services)

Technical Proposal:

• Understanding of CoJ requirements
• Methodology and approach
• Project team CVs
• Relevant experience (municipal projects preferred)
• Case studies
• Equipment and resources
• Health and safety plan

Pricing:

• Competitive pricing
• Complete bill of quantities
• VAT correctly stated
• No arithmetic errors

CoJ-Specific Requirements:

• Local content declaration
• Subcontracting commitments
• Employment equity plan
• Skills development plan

Submission

Electronic Submission (Preferred):

• Via eTender portal
• Upload all documents as PDFs
• Submit 24-48 hours before deadline
• Obtain confirmation reference

Physical Submission:

• Tender box at CoJ offices
• Sealed envelope
• Tender number clearly marked
• Submit before closing time
• Obtain time-stamped receipt

CoJ Tender Box Locations:

• Metro Centre, Braamfontein
• Regional offices (7 regions)
• Entity head offices

Evaluation and Award

Stage 1: Administrative Compliance

• All documents present
• Certificates valid
• Forms signed
• Non-compliant bids rejected

Stage 2: Technical Evaluation (if applicable)

• Scored against criteria
• Minimum threshold: 60-70%
• Below threshold = eliminated

Stage 3: Price and BEE Evaluation

• Price points calculated
• BEE points added
• Total score ranking

Stage 4: Due Diligence

• Verification of documents
• Site visits
• Reference checks
• CIDB grading verification (construction)

Stage 5: Award

• Council approval (if required)
• Award letter issued
• Contract signing
• Commencement

Timeline:

• Evaluation: 30-90 days
• Complex/high-value: 3-6 months
• Council approval delays possible

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Late Payments

Issue: CoJ has historically struggled with payment delays

Solutions:

• Budget for 60-90 day payment cycles
• Factor into pricing
• Invoice promptly and correctly
• Follow up regularly
• Maintain cash flow buffers

Challenge 2: Competitive Environment

Issue: Thousands of suppliers competing

Solutions:

• Specialize in niche services
• Build track record with smaller tenders
• Partner with experienced companies
• Improve BEE level
• Offer unique value propositions

Challenge 3: Complex Requirements

Issue: Extensive documentation and compliance

Solutions:

• Create master compliance folder
• Use our tender documents checklist
• Attend all briefings
• Ask questions early
• Allow sufficient preparation time

Challenge 4: CIDB Requirements

Issue: Many construction tenders need specific CIDB grades

Solutions:

• Register for appropriate CIDB grade
• Upgrade grade through completed projects
• Partner with higher-graded contractors
• Start with smaller projects to build grade

Challenge 5: Finding Relevant Tenders

Issue: Monitoring multiple sources is time-consuming

Solutions:

• Use ProTenders automated alerts
• Search all CoJ tenders in one platform
• Filter by category and value
• Never miss opportunities

Tips for Winning CoJ Tenders

1. Understand CoJ Priorities

Focus Areas:

• Infrastructure backlogs
• Service delivery improvement
• Township development
• Job creation
• Local economic development
• Smart city initiatives

Align your proposals with these priorities.

2. Build Relationships

Engage with CoJ:

• Attend supplier development workshops
• Join industry forums
• Network at briefings
• Understand departmental needs

NOT through:

• Bribes or corruption (illegal and unethical)
• Undue influence

3. Start Small, Build Up

Strategy:

• Begin with quotations (<R200,000)
• Deliver excellently
• Build track record
• Get references
• Bid for larger tenders

4. Competitive Pricing

Balance:

• Competitive enough to win
• Realistic enough to deliver profitably
• Factor in CoJ payment terms
• Don't underprice and compromise quality

5. Professional Presentation

Ensure:

• Well-organized bids
• Error-free documents
• Professional binding
• Clear tables and diagrams
• Logical structure

6. Leverage Technology

Use ProTenders:

• Find tenders faster
• Track multiple opportunities
• Organize documents
• Never miss deadlines
• Improve success rate

Sector-Specific Guidance

Construction and Infrastructure

Key Opportunities:

• Road rehabilitation: R2 billion annually
• Building maintenance
• Sewer infrastructure
• Stormwater projects
• Bridges and structures

Success Factors:

• CIDB Grade 7-9 for large projects
• Plant and equipment ownership
• Municipal project experience
• Strong safety record
• Local presence in Johannesburg

Professional Services

High Demand:

• Engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical)
• Architecture
• Quantity surveying
• Project management
• Environmental consulting

Success Factors:

• Professional registration (ECSA, SACAP, SACQSP)
• Municipal sector experience
• Professional indemnity insurance
• Strong technical team
• Proven methodology

IT and Technology

Growing Opportunities:

• Smart city initiatives
• E-government platforms
• GIS and mapping
• Cybersecurity
• Data center services

Success Factors:

• Manufacturer certifications
• Local support capabilities
• Data security compliance
• Innovation and R&D
• Implementation track record

Waste Management

Pikitup Opportunities:

• Waste collection
• Recycling services
• Landfill operations
• Equipment maintenance
• Environmental compliance

Success Factors:

• Fleet capacity
• Environmental licenses
• Safety compliance
• Community engagement
• Depot infrastructure

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to be based in Johannesburg to bid for CoJ tenders? A: No, but local suppliers often receive preference points. You must be registered on CSD and comply with all tender requirements regardless of location.

Q: How long does CoJ take to pay suppliers? A: Official terms are 30 days, but realistically expect 60-90 days. Budget your cash flow accordingly.

Q: Can I bid for multiple CoJ entities simultaneously? A: Yes! Each entity runs independent procurement. You can bid for City Power, Johannesburg Water, JRA, etc., simultaneously.

Q: What if I don't have municipal project experience? A: Start with smaller projects to build track record. Partner with experienced companies. Highlight transferable experience from private sector.

Q: Is CIDB registration mandatory for all construction tenders? A: Yes, for all construction works >R200,000. The required grade depends on contract value. Read our CIDB guide.

Q: How can I improve my chances of winning? A:

• Ensure full compliance (all documents)
• Competitive pricing
• Improve BEE level
• Professional presentation
• Attend briefings
• Submit early
• Use ProTenders to find more opportunities

Q: Can I view awarded tenders? A: Yes, CoJ publishes awarded contracts on their website and eTender portal. This helps you benchmark pricing and see who's winning.

Q: What if I suspect tender irregularities? A: Report to CoJ Group Forensic and Investigation Services or the Public Protector. Tender fraud is taken seriously.

Contact Information

City of Johannesburg Supply Chain Management

Head Office:

• Address: Metro Centre, 158 Loveday Street, Braamfontein
• Tel: 011 407 6111
• Email: tenderenquiries@joburg.org.za
• Website: www.joburg.org.za

Regional Offices: Each of the 7 regions has procurement offices for quotations <R200,000

Municipal Entities

City Power:

• Tel: 011 490 7000
• Website: www.citypower.co.za

Johannesburg Water:

• Tel: 011 688 1400
• Website: www.johannesburgwater.co.za

JRA (Roads Agency):

• Tel: 011 298 5000
• Website: www.jra.org.za

Pikitup:

• Tel: 011 712 6666
• Website: www.pikitup.co.za

Your CoJ Tender Action Plan

Month 1: Registration and Setup

Week 1:

• [x] Register on CSD
• [x] Gather compliance documents
• [x] Get BEE certificate
• [x] Obtain tax clearance

Week 2:

• [x] Register on CoJ supplier database
• [x] Complete profile
• [x] Upload documents
• [x] Register sector certifications

Week 3:

• [x] Create ProTenders account
• [x] Set up CoJ tender alerts
• [x] Research your market
• [x] Study awarded tenders

Week 4:

• [x] Prepare company profile
• [x] Compile case studies
• [x] Create standard templates
• [x] Identify target opportunities

Month 2-3: First Bids

• Find suitable tenders via ProTenders
• Start with quotations or smaller tenders
• Attend all briefings
• Submit compliant, competitive bids
• Learn from feedback

Month 4+: Scale Up

• Track record building
• Larger tender bids
• Strategic partnerships
• Continuous improvement
• Market expansion

Conclusion

City of Johannesburg offers significant procurement opportunities across all sectors. With R25+ billion in annual spending and 2,000+ tenders yearly, there's substantial potential for businesses of all sizes.

Success requires: ✅ Proper registration (CSD + CoJ database) ✅ Full compliance (all documents) ✅ Competitive BEE credentials ✅ Professional proposals ✅ Persistent monitoring of opportunities ✅ Strategic bidding

Stop wasting time checking multiple websites. ProTenders finds all City of Johannesburg tenders in one searchable platform.

Search CoJ tenders now → | Set up alerts → | How it works →

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