NRF-SAEON’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) department held an Enterprise and Supplier Development Day in September during which SMMEs and other suppliers were equipped with the necessary tools and knowledge to engage successfully in the procurement processes while promoting compliance and fair participation in the SCM process. Between 80 and 90 service providers connected online and six attended in person. 

External stakeholders presented on the following topics:

• • National Treasury – How to register and update your business profile on the Central Supplier Database, the benefits of using the E-tender portal for checking available tenders and request for quotations (RFQs) and submitting RFQs and tenders via e-Submission on the E-tender portal.
  • Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) – Support programmes for empowering SMMEs as well as financial support programmes offered to SMMEs.
  • Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) – Company registrations and submission of annual returns by the companies.
  • B-BBEE Commission – How to obtain and determine the validity of B-BBEE certificates and sworn affidavits, and how to improve their B-BBEE level.
  • ABSA Bank – The ABSA Enterprise and Supplier Development programme and financial opportunities they have available for SMMEs.

Supply Chain Management staff informed the suppliers about the SCM processes of the National Research Foundation (NRF). The following topics were covered:

• • Where to find bid opportunities.
  • Fraud alert and how to check if a bid is legit.
  • How to compile the bid documents, returnable documents including the Standard Bidding Documents (SBD).
  • How to prepare for a tender briefing/site briefing.
  • Common mistakes that bidders can avoid.

The workshop was interactive – service providers were engaging and asking questions where they needed clarity. The session was informative and the SMMEs were empowered with all the necessary information to make their businesses grow and to gain access to more tender opportunities.