SBD Forms Explained: National Treasury Standard Bid Documents
SBD forms (Standard Bid Documents) are the suite of standardised forms prescribed by National Treasury for use in all national and provincial government procurement. Every government tender you bid on will contain most or all of these forms. Understanding exactly what each form requires is essential to submitting a compliant bid.
What Are SBD Forms?
SBD forms were developed by National Treasury to standardise the procurement process across government departments and ensure consistency, transparency, and accountability in supply chain management. They are prescribed in the Preferential Procurement Regulations, the PFMA, and Treasury's SCM practice notes.
There are nine core SBD forms (SBD1 through SBD9, with some having sub-variants). Municipal procurement uses equivalent MBD forms. Failure to complete and submit any mandatory SBD form is grounds for disqualification.
SBD1: Invitation to Bid
SBD1 is the formal invitation to bid — it is essentially your bid acceptance form. It contains the tender number, description, closing date and time, submission address, and the terms under which you are submitting.
You must complete the bidder details section (company name, CSD number, registration number, contact details) and sign the declaration confirming that you have read and understand the bid conditions. SBD1 must be signed by an authorised representative.
SBD2: Tax Matters
SBD2 requires you to provide your tax compliance information. You must confirm that your company is tax compliant with SARS and provide your tax reference number and Income Tax number.
Since 2016, many government departments have moved to verifying tax compliance directly via the SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) system rather than requiring a physical tax clearance certificate. You will typically provide your TCS PIN and authorise the procuring institution to verify it online.
SBD3.1 and SBD3.2: Pricing Schedules
SBD3.1 is the standard pricing schedule for goods (products). SBD3.2 is the pricing schedule for services. These forms provide a structured format for quoting your prices, including item descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and VAT.
Complete every line item. Do not leave items blank or cross them out unless the tender conditions explicitly permit it. Your prices on SBD3 are binding and form part of the contract if you are awarded the bid.
SBD4: Declaration of Interest
SBD4 requires full disclosure of any financial interest or relationship between your company's principals and officials of the procuring department. This is a PFMA Section 4 requirement. See our separate guide on Declaration Forms for full details.
SBD6.1 and SBD6.2: Preference Points Claim — PPPFA
SBD6.1 is used to claim preference points under the 90/10 procurement system (used for contracts above R50 million). SBD6.2 is used under the 80/20 system (contracts below R50 million).
You must attach your valid BBBEE certificate to your SBD6 form. The evaluating committee uses your BBBEE level to calculate your preference points score (up to 10 or 20 points depending on the system). Without a valid BBBEE certificate attached, you will receive zero preference points.
Note: The Preferential Procurement Regulations were amended in 2022. Ensure you are using the current version of SBD6 as issued by the procuring institution — outdated forms may not be accepted.
SBD7: Contract Form
SBD7 is the contract that will be executed between your company and the government department upon award of the bid. You sign SBD7 as part of your bid submission, confirming your willingness to enter into the contract on the terms stated.
Read SBD7 carefully before signing. It incorporates by reference all the terms and conditions of the tender document. You are contractually bound by everything in it once the bid is awarded.
SBD8: Past SCM Practices
SBD8 requires you to disclose any prior irregular conduct in procurement processes, including blacklisting, debarment, or convictions. See our Declaration Forms guide for full details.
SBD9: Independent Bid Determination (Anti-Collusion)
SBD9 is the anti-collusion certificate. By signing it, every director of the company certifies that no collusion occurred in determining the bid price. This form must be signed by all directors listed in the company's CIPC records.
In joint ventures, each JV party must complete a separate SBD9. The Competition Commission treats bid rigging as a priority enforcement area — penalties include imprisonment and fines of up to 10% of annual turnover.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I download official SBD forms?
Official SBD forms are available on the National Treasury website at treasury.gov.za under the Supply Chain Management section. However, always use the forms as issued in the specific tender document — procuring institutions sometimes customise the standard forms.
Do all forms need to be signed by directors?
SBD1, SBD4, SBD8, and SBD9 must be signed by authorised representatives, typically directors. For SBD9 specifically, all directors may be required to sign. Check the specific tender conditions for signatory requirements.
What is the difference between SBD6.1 and SBD6.2?
SBD6.1 applies to tenders valued above R50 million (the 90/10 point system where 90 points are for price and 10 for BBBEE). SBD6.2 applies to tenders below R50 million (80/20 system where 80 points are for price and 20 for BBBEE). The procuring institution will specify which applies.
Can I use SBD forms from a previous tender for a new bid?
No. Always complete fresh SBD forms for each tender. Re-submitting forms from a previous bid is a common mistake — dates, tender numbers, and signatures will be wrong. Many procuring institutions include unique tender reference numbers on their forms.
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