Guide · 2026
Invitation to tender: what it means and how the process works
An invitation to tender is a formal request from a buyer asking businesses to submit a competitive, priced bid for goods, services, or works. Here's what the term means in business, how the South African tender process actually runs, and how to respond — with live tenders you can bid on below.
Definition
What is an invitation to tender?
An invitation to tender (ITT) — also called an invitation to bid — is a published request from a buyer, usually an organ of state, asking suppliers to submit a priced, competitive offer. In South Africa, a government tender is a formal invitation from a national department, province, municipality, or state-owned entity, and every contract above R30,000 must be advertised. Larger contracts go out as a full tender under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) or Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
In plain business terms, the “tender” is both the opportunity and your response to it. Submitting your priced offer is called tendering or bidding; if the buyer accepts it, you win the contract.
Step by step
How the tender process works
Advertisement
The buyer publishes the invitation to tender (also called an invitation to bid) on eTenders.gov.za, the Government Tender Bulletin, or its own portal. It states what's needed, the closing date, the briefing session, and the documents required.
Bid documents
You download the tender pack — the scope of work, pricing schedule, and Standard Bidding Documents (SBD forms). A compulsory briefing or site meeting is sometimes required to qualify.
Preparation & submission
You complete the SBD forms, attach your compliance documents (tax PIN, B-BBEE, CSD report), price the work, and submit before the deadline — by upload or sealed physical bid as specified.
Evaluation & award
Bids are checked for compliance, then scored on the 80/20 (≤R50m) or 90/10 (>R50m) PPPFA system — combining price with B-BBEE. The winning bidder is notified and the award is published.
Live feed · updated daily
Live invitations to tender
FAQ
Invitation to tender — common questions
What is an invitation to tender?
An invitation to tender (ITT), also called an invitation to bid, is a formal request from a buyer — usually an organ of state — asking suppliers to submit a priced, competitive offer for goods, services, or works. In South Africa, every government contract above R30,000 must be advertised, and contracts above set thresholds go out as a full tender under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) or Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
What does "tender" mean in business?
In business, a tender is both the opportunity (a published invitation to supply something) and your response to it (your priced bid). "Putting in a tender" or "tendering" means preparing and submitting that competitive offer. Winning a tender means the buyer has accepted your bid and awarded you the contract.
What is the tender process in South Africa?
The process runs: advertisement → download bid documents → optional compulsory briefing → prepare and submit your bid before the closing date → compliance check → scoring on the PPPFA points system (price plus B-BBEE) → award and contract. Bids that miss a mandatory document or the deadline are disqualified, so compliance matters as much as price.
How do I respond to an invitation to tender?
Read the scope carefully, attend any compulsory briefing, and make sure you meet the minimum requirements (CSD registration, tax PIN, B-BBEE, and any CIDB grade). Complete every SBD form, price realistically, attach all required documents, and submit before the deadline. A clean, complete, well-priced bid beats a cheaper one that's missing paperwork.
What's the difference between a tender and an RFQ?
A tender (or RFP) is for higher-value or complex contracts and has a formal, scored process. A request for quotation (RFQ) is for lower-value purchases and is usually quicker and simpler — often just a price comparison. See our guide to requests for quotation for more.