Close Menu
SUBSCRIBE
Tenders

NHLS Seeks Caterer for Head Office Canteen & Events

MoBy No Comments4 Mins Read

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has issued an open Request for Bid (RFB) under reference number RFB115/25/26 for the provision of comprehensive catering and canteen services at its Head Office in Sandringham, Johannesburg, for a period of five (5) years. This strategic procurement aims to ensure high-quality, hygienic, and culturally appropriate food services for over 1,500 staff members, as well as support for internal meetings, conferences, and ad-hoc functions across the campus.

Overview of the NHLS Catering and Canteen Services Tender

Published on 25 February 2026, this tender invites qualified and compliant service providers to operate a full-service canteen and catering unit within the NHLS Head Office premises. The successful bidder will be responsible for all aspects of food preparation, service delivery, equipment maintenance, and compliance with health, safety, and dietary standards—including Halaal, Kosher, vegetarian, and other religious or cultural requirements.

The contract is structured as an all-inclusive service, with no subsidies from NHLS. The provider will bear full operational risk, including stock management, cash control, and profit/loss accountability.

Scope of Work: Daily Meals, Beverages, and Event Catering

The appointed service provider must deliver:

  • Daily canteen services (Monday–Friday, 07:00–16:00), including:
    • Breakfast (07:30–10:00)
    • Lunch (12:00–15:00)
    • Snack/trolley service (10:00–14:00)
    • Call-order meals throughout operating hours
  • A rotating menu of stews, curries, grilled meats, starches, vegetables, salads, and baked goods
  • Non-alcoholic beverages, including coffee, tea, juices, and bottled water
  • Catering for internal meetings, conferences, and special events, with timely delivery and professional presentation
  • Use of fresh, non-expired ingredients and adherence to food safety regulations

All meals must be competitively priced, served warm, and presented in a clean, professional environment. The provider must also supply all necessary crockery, cutlery, and disposable containers.

Key Dates, Briefing Session, and Submission Guidelines

A compulsory briefing session will be held on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 at 11:00 AM at the NHLS Head Office, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg. Late arrivals will not be admitted, and attendance is mandatory for bid eligibility.

Completed bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope clearly marked with the tender number and deposited into the NHLS Bid Box by 11:00 AM on Monday, 23 March 2026. Late, emailed, or faxed submissions will be disqualified.

For inquiries:

  • Lesedi Manganye – 011 386 6165 | lesedi.manganye@nhls.ac.za

All clarification requests must be submitted in writing no later than 10 March 2026.

Mandatory Documentation and Compliance Requirements

Bidders must submit a complete package, including:

  • Valid SARS Tax Compliance PIN
  • Proof of Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration
  • B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit
  • Fully completed Standard Bidding Documents (SBDs), including SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) and SBD 6.1 (Preference Points)
  • Company profile demonstrating relevant experience in institutional catering
  • Two reference letters from similar projects completed within the last five years
  • Proof of attendance at the compulsory briefing session

Failure to provide any required document will result in automatic disqualification.

Evaluation Methodology and Preference Point Allocation

The evaluation occurs in four stages:

  1. Administrative Compliance Check
  2. Functionality Assessment (minimum threshold required)
  3. Technical Evaluation by a Cross-Functional Evaluation Team (CFET)
  4. 80/20 Preference Point Scoring:
    • 80 points for competitively priced, compliant offers
    • 20 points for specific empowerment goals:
      • Black ownership (up to 5 points)
      • Women ownership (up to 4 points)
      • Youth ownership (up to 3 points)
      • Disability ownership (up to 2 points)
      • Locality (Johannesburg-based = 5 points; rest of Gauteng = 2 points)

Only bidders who pass all prior stages will proceed to price and preference scoring.

Related opportunity: Nelson Mandela Museum Seeks Caterer for Human Rights Event

How to Access and Submit the Tender Documents

The complete tender documentation is available for download from the National Treasury’s eTenders portal:
Tender Document Download Link

Bidders are strongly encouraged to attend the compulsory briefing, review all specifications thoroughly, and ensure 100% compliance with submission requirements.

Stay Updated

Want to stay informed about more tenders, funding opportunities, and business tips? Follow our updates on the StepApp Network:

Related Posts