The Umzinyathi District Municipality has issued an open tender (T2027-03) for the appointment of a service provider to deliver website redesign, hosting, maintenance, and disaster recovery services for a period of 36 months. This strategic procurement targets qualified IT and digital agencies to modernize the municipality’s online presence and enhance digital service delivery.
Website Redesign Requirements
The primary website, https://www.umzinyathi.gov.za, serves diverse users including the public, registered auditors, researchers, companies, government institutions and municipal staff.
Design Specifications:
- Adherence to municipality’s brand guidelines (logo, fonts, colours, graphic elements)
- Prominent display of brand slogan “Thuthuka Mzinyathi”
- Clean, uncluttered design with ample white space
- Modern, professional layout suitable for local government portal
- Full responsiveness across all devices (smartphones, tablets, desktops)
- Development in WordPress v6.8 or higher
- CAPTCHA integration on interactive forms
- Secure portal for Council members to access documents
- Integration with ERP System for customer statements lookup
Security Requirements:
- TLS/SSL encryption for secure data transmission
- HTTPS security headers
- Strong password enforcement and multi-factor authentication
- Secure input validation and file upload protocols
- End-to-end data encryption
- Regular automated backups and secure coding practices
- Active security monitoring and incident management
- POPIA compliance
User Engagement Features:
- Prominently placed search bar with auto-complete
- Chatbots for automated assistance
- Contact forms for user queries
- Interactive map showing municipal offices
- Social media integration (Facebook, WhatsApp, X)
Website Hosting Requirements
Hosting Period: 36 months
Performance Guarantees:
- Minimum 99% monthly uptime (24/7)
- Website load time: ≤ 5 seconds
- Bandwidth: 200 GB/month (upgradable)
Server Specifications:
- Dedicated, high-spec fully redundant server
- CPU: 4 cores
- RAM: 16 GB
- HDD: 1 TB
Security Measures:
- Daily full backups (data, software, web pages)
- Malware detection and removal
- DDoS attack protection
- Fault-tolerant data centre with:
- Controlled physical access
- Power outage and disaster protection
- Fire suppression systems
- Secured server cabinets
Maintenance Services:
- Disaster recovery and failover capabilities
- Management of MX records
- Regular backup and restoration
- Content maintenance and updates
- Project management from initiation to go-live
- Analytical reports (usage stats, cybersecurity issues, backup status, support logs, uptime)
- Automated hyperlink testing and broken link detection
- Immediate notification if website becomes unavailable
Training Requirements
The service provider must offer comprehensive training tailored to different user roles:
Website Administrators:
- CMS backend access and full navigation
- User role and permission management
- Website backup and restoration procedures
- Performance monitoring and troubleshooting
- Security best practices
- Managing plugins/modules/extensions
- Analytics and reporting overview
Website Contributors/Editors:
- Uploading and managing images, documents and media
- Internal linking and SEO basics
- Version control and content archiving
Training must include hands-on sessions, user manuals, and post-training support for smooth knowledge transfer.
Mandatory Compliance Documents
Critical Documents (Non-submission leads to disqualification):
- MBD 1: Invitation to Tender (completed and signed)
- MBD 3.3: Professional Services (completed)
- MBD 4: Declaration of Interest
- MBD 6.1: Preferential Points System
- MBD 8: Declaration of Past SCM Practices
- MBD 9: Certificate of Independent Bid
- Proof of company registration with CIPC (or ID if Sole Proprietor)
- Original certified copies of owners’ ID documents (not older than 6 months)
- Recent municipal account (rates and taxes/municipal services) in bidder’s name not owing for more than 90 days OR proof of residence with affidavit OR lease agreement
- Recent municipal account for director(s) not owing for more than 90 days OR proof of residence with affidavit OR lease agreement
Additional Documents:
- Full CSD Report
Mandatory Compliance and Evaluation
Bidders must demonstrate proven expertise in web development, secure hosting environments, and data protection. Proposals will be evaluated on functionality, technical capacity, and compliance with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA). All bids must remain valid and irrevocable for 120 days from the closing date.
Strict Physical Submission Protocols
Sealed bid documents must be clearly marked with the tender number and deposited in the official tender box. Courier deliveries must be placed directly into the box and not handed to municipal staff. Emailed, faxed, or late submissions will be summarily disqualified.
Related opportunity: Mnquma Municipality Seeks Website Hosting and Maintenance Provider
Key Dates and Enquiries
No briefing session is scheduled for this tender.
- Closing Date: Thursday, 10 September 2026
- Closing Time: 12:00
- Venue: Princess Magogo Building, 39 Victoria Street, Dundee, 3000
- Contact: Mrs SS Sikhakhane (sikhakhaness@umzinyathi.gov.za | 034-219-1519)
Document Access and Downloads
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