SBD 1: The Invitation to Bid form, explained

What is SBD 1?

SBD 1 (Standard Bidding Document 1) is the Invitation to Bid form published by National Treasury at the front of every government tender pack in South Africa. It has two jobs. The organ of state uses it to formally invite bids and to state the bid number, description, closing date and time, and where the bid must be submitted. The bidder uses it to record their registered details, CSD number, tax compliance status, and B-BBEE level, and to sign acceptance of the conditions of bid.

SBD 1 is almost always the first page of the submission. Because it carries your registered particulars and your signature accepting the conditions, an incomplete or mismatched SBD 1 is one of the easiest ways to be disqualified on a technicality, before the evaluation committee even looks at your offer.

Part A: completed by the organ of state

You do not fill in Part A, but you must read every line of it, because it sets the rules your bid is measured against:

• Bid number and description. Quote the exact bid number on every document you submit and on the outside of your envelope or submission.
• Closing date and time. A bid received one minute late is not considered. There is no discretion.
• Where bids are deposited. The exact physical bid box, address, or electronic portal. A bid put in the wrong box is treated as not submitted.
• Validity period. How long your offer must remain open, usually 90 days.
• Briefing session. Whether there is a session and whether it is compulsory. Missing a compulsory briefing disqualifies you no matter how good your bid is.
• Enquiry contacts. Separate contacts for technical questions and for supply chain or administrative questions.

Part B: the bidder’s particulars (you complete this)

This is the part you fill in. Every field must match your Central Supplier Database (CSD) profile exactly:

• Name of bidder. Your registered company, close corporation, trust, or trading name exactly as it appears on CSD and CIPC.
• VAT registration number (if registered for VAT).
• CSD supplier number (MAAA number) and confirmation that you are registered on the Central Supplier Database.
• Tax Compliance Status. Your SARS TCS PIN, or confirmation that tax compliance is verifiable through the CSD.
• B-BBEE status level. Whether a B-BBEE status level verification certificate or sworn affidavit is attached, and your level.
• Postal and street address, contact person, telephone, cellphone, and email.
• Signature block. Signed by a person authorised to bind the bidder, dated, with the name in print and the capacity under which they sign.

Top mistakes that get SBD 1 rejected

1. Details that do not match your CSD profile. A different spelling of your company name, an old address, or a lapsed registration number between SBD 1 and CSD is treated as a material discrepancy.
2. Missing or expired Tax Compliance Status. No TCS PIN, or a PIN that no longer verifies as compliant, is an immediate disqualification.
3. Not signing, or signing without authority. An unsigned SBD 1, or one signed by someone not authorised to bind the bidder, is treated as not submitted.
4. Wrong bid number or wrong deposit location. Quoting the wrong bid number, or putting the bid in the wrong box, means it is never matched to the tender.
5. Missing B-BBEE certificate. Ticking that a certificate is attached and then not attaching it costs you the preference points and can invalidate the claim.

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Frequently asked questions