How to Tender for Eskom: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Steps 1–4: Getting Your Business Ready for Eskom

Step 1 — Register with CIPC: Your company must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) at cipc.co.za. Ensure your company has a valid registration number, up-to-date annual returns, and that all directors are correctly listed. Obtain a certified copy of your CoR14.3 (company registration certificate) as this is required for CSD and Eskom registration. Step 2 — Register on CSD: Visit csd.gov.za and create a CSD account. Complete your company profile including entity type, CIPC number, banking details (confirmed with a bank-stamped letter or bank statement), SARS tax reference number, and company contact details. Your CSD status must be Active and Verified before you can access Eskom procurement.

Step 3 — Sort Out Your Tax Compliance: Register your company with SARS at efiling.sars.co.za for income tax (IT), VAT (if turnover exceeds R1 million), and PAYE (if you have employees). Ensure all returns are submitted and all tax debt is settled. Generate a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) pin from eFiling — this is a digital confirmation number that Eskom verifies in real time. Step 4 — Obtain a B-BBEE Certificate: If your company's annual turnover is below R10 million (EME threshold), you can submit a sworn affidavit signed by a commissioner of oaths. If turnover is between R10 million and R50 million (QSE), you can self-assess or use an accredited SANAS-approved verification agency. For turnover above R50 million, a full B-BBEE verification by an accredited agency is required.

• Step 1: CIPC company registration — obtain CoR14.3
• Step 2: CSD registration at csd.gov.za — ensure Active and Verified status
• Step 3: SARS eFiling registration — obtain TCS pin
• Step 4: B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit
• Collect all certified copies: CoR14.3, ID documents of directors
• Ensure CSD banking details match your actual business bank account

Steps 5–9: Registering on Eskom's Systems and Submitting a Bid

Step 5 — Register on the Eskom Supplier Portal: Navigate to eskomtenders.eskom.co.za and create a supplier account. Complete the online registration form, uploading your CSD confirmation, CIPC documents, B-BBEE certificate, TCS pin, and a company capability statement. Select the correct commodity categories for your business — this determines which tender notifications you receive. Step 6 — Register on the SAP SRM System: Eskom's electronic bid submission uses the SAP Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) platform. Follow the SAP SRM registration process linked from the Eskom Supplier Portal. Once approved, you will be able to view and respond to electronic RFQs and RFPs on the SRM platform. Step 7 — Find and Download the Tender: Monitor the Eskom Supplier Portal and etenders.gov.za for tender opportunities in your commodity categories. Download the complete tender document (Terms of Reference/Scope of Work, pricing schedule, evaluation criteria, and SBD forms) and read every section carefully before preparing your response.

Step 8 — Prepare Your Bid: Address every evaluation criterion in the specification document. Prepare a technical proposal demonstrating your capability, experience, and methodology. Complete the pricing schedule with itemised costs and clear assumptions. Fill in all SBD forms (SBD 1, 3.3, 4, 6.1, 8, and 9) accurately. Gather all supporting documents: certified CIPC documents, TCS pin, B-BBEE certificate, ISO certificates (if required), professional registrations, and reference letters from previous clients. Step 9 — Submit on Time: Electronic submissions go through the SAP SRM portal before the closing date and time. No late submissions are accepted under any circumstances. Ensure you have tested your SAP SRM login and upload functionality well before the deadline. For tender box submissions, deliver sealed bid envelopes to the designated Eskom address marked with the tender number and closing date.

• Step 5: Register on eskomtenders.eskom.co.za — select correct commodity categories
• Step 6: Complete SAP SRM system registration for electronic bid submission
• Step 7: Download full tender document and read all evaluation criteria
• Step 8: Prepare complete technical proposal and complete all SBD forms
• Step 9: Submit electronically via SAP SRM before closing date and time
• Never submit late — Eskom does not accept late bids
• Keep copies of all submitted documents for your records

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common reasons Eskom bids are disqualified include: an inactive or unverified CSD profile, an expired or invalid SARS TCS pin, unsigned SBD forms, incorrect pricing schedule format, missing B-BBEE documentation, and incomplete company registration documents. Each of these is an administrative failure that results in automatic disqualification — no matter how strong your technical or price offer is. Review your bid document against a compliance checklist before submission.

Beyond compliance, bids often fail on technical evaluation because they do not adequately address Eskom's specific scope of work and evaluation criteria. Avoid submitting generic company profiles or brochures. Instead, tailor your technical proposal to the exact requirements of the tender specification, demonstrate relevant experience with similar clients or projects, and provide credible references. Price your bid competitively and ensure your pricing assumptions are clearly stated to avoid disputes during negotiation.

• Check CSD status is Active and Verified before bid close
• Generate a fresh SARS TCS pin within 21 days of bid submission
• Sign and date every SBD form — unsigned forms cause disqualification
• Address every technical evaluation criterion in your proposal
• Do not submit generic brochures — tailor your response to the specific scope
• Double-check pricing schedule format matches Eskom's required template

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Guides

• Eskom Tenders Overview
• CSD Registration Guide
• B-BBEE Explained
• B-BBEE Calculator