Free tender search

Every tender currently open on the National Treasury portal, in one searchable list. Filter by what you supply, where you are and how soon it closes, then download the documents. Paid tender alert services charge R199 to R3 200 a month for this. Government publishes it free, so we do too.

Fetching the current tender list…

Before you bid, the paperwork decides it

Bids are thrown out every week before anyone reads the price, because something in the compliance pack is missing or expired. This is the list the evaluation committee checks first.

Central Supplier Database registrationCompulsory for any government work. Many requests for quotation are sent only to suppliers already on the database, so if you are not on it you never see them.
A valid tax compliance status PINNot a printed certificate, a live PIN the buyer verifies with SARS on the day. They expire, and an expired one is a disqualification.
A B-BBEE affidavit or certificateUnder R10 million turnover you can use a sworn affidavit rather than paying for a verification certificate. Your level sets your preference points.
The right CIDB gradeConstruction tenders name a grade and class of work up front. It is pass or fail, entirely separate from your points, and you cannot be awarded work above your grade.
A Compensation Fund letter of good standingAsked for on most tenders where people work on site, and it lapses when your next return of earnings falls due.
Matching registered detailsThe name on the bank confirmation letter, the CIPC record and the tax record must be the same entity. Small mismatches get bids rejected.

What this list does and does not cover

It carries every tender advertised as open on the National Treasury eTenders portal, refreshed daily. That is the national publication point for all three spheres of government, and it is free to everyone.

It is not everything. Municipalities and state-owned entities are not obliged to publish on the national portal, so smaller local tenders and quotations under the formal threshold often appear only on a municipal website or a physical notice board. No commercial service can honestly claim complete coverage either, whatever the subscription page says. If you sell to a particular municipality, watch that municipality directly as well. Our where to find tenders page lists the other official sources.

Know when the rules change

The Public Procurement Act 28 of 2024 has been signed but is not yet in force. When it commences it brings a new supplier database, set-asides for smaller suppliers and a tribunal for bid disputes. We send one email when that happens, and when tender compliance rules change.

Frequently asked questions

Is this tender search really free?

Yes. Government publishes every tender free on the National Treasury eTenders portal, and the Government Tender Bulletin is a free weekly download. This tool makes that same information easier to search. There is no account, no subscription and nothing is saved from your search. Paid tender alert services charge between about R199 and R3 200 a month to send you the same listings.

Where does the data come from?

Directly from the National Treasury eTenders portal at etenders.gov.za, refreshed daily. The date and time of the last refresh is shown above the results. ProperSA is not connected to National Treasury and does not control what appears on the portal.

Does this show every tender in South Africa?

No, and no service can honestly claim that. Municipalities and state-owned entities are not obliged to publish on the national eTenders portal, so smaller local tenders and quotations often appear only on a municipal notice board or website. For those you still need to watch the municipality directly. What you see here is everything currently advertised as open on the national portal.

What do I need before I can bid?

At minimum: registration on the Central Supplier Database, a valid tax compliance status PIN from SARS, and a B-BBEE affidavit or certificate. Construction tenders also need the right CIDB grading, and many tenders ask for a Compensation Fund letter of good standing. Bids are disqualified on this paperwork every week, before anyone even looks at the price.

Why do some tenders close so soon?

Requests for quotation often run for only a few days, while formal tenders usually stay open for three weeks or more. The list is sorted by closing date, soonest first, so what is about to close is at the top. Check the closing time as well as the date, because many close at 11am rather than end of day.

Do you submit the bid for me?

No. We prepare and maintain the compliance documents a bid needs, and we register you on the Central Supplier Database. Writing the technical proposal and pricing the work is yours, and the submission goes from you to the buyer.

Keep exploring

Where to find tenders Central Supplier Database registration Tender ready pack Free B-BBEE affidavit builder CIDB registration Letter of good standing

Tender data is taken from the National Treasury eTenders portal at etenders.gov.za and refreshed daily; the refresh time is shown above the results. Treasury states that its procurement data comes from disparate sources and is not guaranteed accurate in all instances, and municipalities and state-owned entities are under no obligation to publish there. Always confirm the closing date, time and requirements in the official tender document before you bid. Information, not advice.