Clarification questions are one of the most underused tools in South African tendering. They protect you from compliance errors and help you score better on functionality.
Why clarification questions matter
- They prevent misinterpretation of technical requirements.
- They reduce the chance of a non-responsive bid.
- They clarify scoring expectations before you price.
What to ask
- Scope ambiguity: Ask for definitions of outputs, timelines, and deliverables.
- Compliance ambiguity: Clarify which certificates are mandatory or optional.
- Scoring ambiguity: Request a breakdown of functionality scoring.
Start by extracting requirements using the 5-minute document checklist.
How to submit questions
- Use the official email or portal listed in the tender notice.
- Submit questions in a single, numbered list.
- Reference the exact section/page in the tender document.
- Submit before the deadline—late queries are ignored.
Common mistakes
- Asking after the closing date.
- Requesting changes to the scope (unlikely to be granted).
- Ignoring issued addenda—this is a compliance risk.
For compliance, always cross-check your final submission with the rejection-proof checklist.
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