As a result of Covid-19, many of the smaller contractors which serviced the Western Cape Department of Human Settlements (WCDoHS) were forced to close their doors, leading to a drop in the number of SMME’s on the department’s supplier database. With the worst of the pandemic behind us, and the recovery of the local economy in focus, the Department has taken proactive steps to once again boost the number of SMME’s on its contractor database. Contracting with SMME’s has an important transformative and local employment role, and the Department is determined to see more of its business channelled to small companies.
To achieve this, the department designed a contractor framework targeted at Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMME’s), and openly invited qualifying Engineering and Construction Contractors to submit their bids between the January 25, 2022 and February 21, 2022. Upon closure, the 606 bids received were subjected to formal compliance and registration processes.
To date, 402 of the submissions have been approved and signed off by the Chief Financial Officer and the Acting Head of Department. This is a great milestone for us and most importantly the 402 SMME’s who will soon be eligible to access the array of opportunities that the Department will be putting out in the coming years.
The scope of engineering and construction work was categorised for the purpose of the implementation of Human Settlements Infrastructure Delivery and fell in one (or more) of the following classes of construction work:
- General Building (2GB to 7GB)
- Civil Engineering (2CE to 7CE)
- Electrical Engineering Works – Building (2EB to 7EB)
- Electrical Engineering Works – Infrastructure (2EP to 7EP)
- Landscaping, irrigation and horticulture works (2SH to 7SH)
- Steel security fencing or precast concrete fencing (2SQ to 7SQ)
I am pleased and welcome the positive response shown by youth and women owned entities, in submitting their bids timeously and diligently. Though we may be experiencing tough economic times, it is imperative that our SMME’s remain optimistic and vigilant for opportunities of this nature.
It is through such initiatives that, as the Western Cape Government we continue to create tangible economic opportunities for previously marginalized residents and enable SMME’s to thrive.
A report with a full analysis of the Framework Agreements, will be published upon completion of all signatories.
