Tender Logistics

Never miss a tender deadline. We handle collection, printing, briefing attendance, and bid box submissions.

Risk-managed logistics support for government and corporate tenders

The Last-Mile Problem in Tendering

Despite digital portals, many South African tenders still require physical attendance at compulsory briefings and hand-delivery of sealed bid documents to physical tender boxes. For businesses with limited staff, remote contractors, or companies located in other provinces, these physical requirements create barriers to entry.

Missing a compulsory briefing means automatic disqualification–regardless of how competitive your technical proposal is. Arriving one minute after the tender box closing time means your bid isn't opened.

Second Office eliminates these logistical barriers.

We handle the logistics. You handle the bid.

Complete Tender Logistics Support

From document collection to bid box delivery–we manage the physical tender process so you can focus on winning.

Document Purchase & Collection

When tender documents can't be purchased online, we handle the physical collection on your behalf.

What We Do:

  • Travel to relevant department (e.g., Public Works)
  • Pay collection fee (billed to you)
  • Collect physical tender pack
  • Scan and email, courier, or hold for pickup

Pricing: Cost varies

  • Collection fee: Depends on issuing department (we cannot predict this cost)
  • Our service fee: Quoted based on collection location and urgency
  • Travel to locations outside East London incurs additional fees
Request Quote →

Pricing depends on tender pack cost and collection location. Contact us for a quote.

Briefing Proxy Service

Our staff attends compulsory briefings on your behalf, eliminating travel costs.

What We Do:

  • Attend briefing with your Letter of Authority
  • Sign attendance register on your behalf
  • Collect handouts and addendums
  • Provide written summary

From R350/hour

  • Base rate for East London municipal area
  • Travel to other regions quoted separately
Book Proxy Service →

Includes meeting summary, and all documentation. Travel outside East London area billed separately.

Bulk Print & Collate

Professional printing, binding, and collation of your tender documents.

What We Do:

  • Print required copies (1 original + X copies)
  • Quality-check for legibility and completeness
  • Comb binding
  • Seal packages per your specifications

Pricing: Quoted per job

  • Depends on page count and number of copies required
  • Complex specifications may incur additional fees

Important: We check print quality ONLY, not content compliance.

Request Quote →

Provide page count and number of copies needed for accurate quote.

Tender Delivery - "Last Mile Guarantee"

Hand-delivery to municipal tender box with time-stamped photo proof. Eliminate submission risk.

What We Do:

  • Transport sealed package to submission location
  • Deposit bid box before deadline
  • Take geo-tagged, time-stamped photo proof
  • Obtain stamped receipt (where available)
  • Send entry confirmation in submission register

Pricing: Quoted based on location & deadline

  • Submission location (different municipal departments have different locations)
  • Deadline urgency (same-day vs. scheduled delivery)
  • Travel outside East London incurs additional fees

CRITICAL: Requires 72-hour notice

We must receive your final tender documents at least 72 hours before the submission deadline to guarantee on-time delivery.

Request Quote →

Serving East London and surrounding areas. Regional submissions quoted separately.

How Tender Logistics Pricing Works

Because every tender is different, we provide customized quotes based on your specific requirements. Here's why pricing varies:

Document Collection

Tender pack costs vary by department (R50-R500+). We can't predict this until we know which department issued the tender.

Briefing Attendance

R350/hour base rate for East London. Travel to eBisho, Queenstown, or other regions will be quoted based on distance and time required.

Printing & Binding

Depends on page count and number of copies. A 50-page tender with 5 copies costs less than a 200-page tender with 10 copies.

Delivery

Submission location matters. Delivering to Buffalo City Municipal Offices (10 minutes away) costs less than delivering to eBisho, 60km away.

Get Your Custom Quote →

We typically provide quotes within 2 hours of receiving your tender details.

Ready to Get Started?

Here's how to engage Second Office for your tender logistics needs:

1

Download & Complete Authorization Form

Download our Tender Logistics Service Authorization Form, complete your tender details, and specify which services you need.

Download Authorization Form (PDF)
2

Request Your Quote

Contact us with your tender details (deadline, location, services needed). We'll provide a detailed quote within 2 hours.

Request Quote Online →
3

Confirm & Proceed

Once you approve the quote, return the signed authorization form and we'll get to work. For delivery services, remember to provide documents at least 72 hours before deadline.

Important Notice

Second Office provides logistical support only. We do not audit, verify, or certify tender compliance. All technical and legal compliance remains the responsibility of the bidding entity.

We handle the movement, replication, and delivery of your documents. We do not review content, check for missing signatures, verify tax clearances, or assess compliance with tender requirements.

How Our Tender Logistics Process Works

1

Initial Consultation

We review your tender requirements and identify which logistics services you need.

2

Service Booking

You book specific services (briefing proxy, printing, delivery) based on tender deadlines.

3

Execution

We execute the logistics–attending briefings, printing documents, or delivering to tender boxes.

4

Proof of Delivery

You receive time-stamped photo proof, meeting summaries, and confirmation of all completed tasks.

The Cost of Missing Logistics

Missed Deadlines

Impact: Automatic disqualification regardless of bid quality

Solution: Our guaranteed on-time delivery

Geographic Barriers

Impact: Travel costs for out-of-province contractors

Solution: We're local–you're not locked out

Resource Constraints

Impact: Small teams can't spare staff for briefings

Solution: We attend on your behalf

Who Uses Our Tender Logistics Services

Construction Contractors

Bidding on government infrastructure projects requiring physical briefing attendance

Remote Contractors

Out-of-province businesses competing for local tenders without local presence

Small Businesses

Limited staff unable to travel to multiple briefings or submission points

Consultants & Service Providers

Professional service firms needing logistics support for proposal submissions

Scope of Service - What We Don't Do

To protect both you and us, we're very clear about what falls outside our logistics services.

We DO (Logistics) ✓ We DON'T DO (Compliance) ❌
Attend compulsory briefings
Review tender requirements for compliance
Collect and deliver documents
Audit your bid for completeness
Print and bind submissions
Check for missing tax clearances or signatures
Sign attendance registers
Ask technical questions at briefings (unless scripted)
Provide photo proof of delivery
Certify your tender meets all requirements
Record briefing Q&A sessions
Provide legal or technical advice

If you need full tender readiness consulting (compliance checking, bid writing, etc.), we can refer you to qualified tender consultants. Our focus is purely logistics.

Transparent Service Pricing

Quote-based pricing for most services. Clear rates for briefing proxy.

Briefing Proxy Service

From R350/hour

Base rate in East London (includes meeting summary)

Nationwide service available
Rates vary by region
Meeting summary provided
Book Proxy Service →

Other Services

Custom Quotes

Based on specific requirements

Services requiring quotes:

Document collection
Bulk printing & binding
Tender delivery
Package services
Request Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you review my tender for compliance before submission?

No. We provide logistics services only. We do not audit, verify, or certify that your tender meets compliance requirements. All technical and legal compliance is your responsibility.

Can your proxy ask questions on my behalf at briefings?

Our proxies will read questions verbatim from a script you provide. They cannot answer follow-up questions or provide technical opinions. This protects you from misrepresentation.

What if the tender box is locked when you arrive?

We arrive with sufficient time buffer before closing. If we encounter an unexpected closure, we immediately notify you and document the situation with photos. However, this is extremely rare.

Do you provide a Letter of Authority template?

Yes. We provide a standard template that authorizes our staff to sign attendance registers on your company's behalf.

Can you collect tender documents from any government department?

We primarily serve East London and surrounding areas. For other regions, we can arrange service but rates may vary based on travel requirements.

What proof do I get that documents were submitted on time?

You receive geo-tagged, time-stamped photos of the submission (package going into bid box, entry in register, and clock/timestamp). This provides irrefutable proof of on-time delivery.

Can you help with e-tender portal submissions?

No. Our services are specifically for physical tender requirements (briefings, document collection, hard-copy submissions). For e-portal assistance, consult an IT specialist.

Do you store tender documents securely?

Yes. All client documents are stored in locked cabinets with restricted access. We treat all tender information as confidential.

Ready to Secure Your Next Tender?

Don't let physical requirements disqualify a winning bid. Let us handle the logistics.

Request a Quote →

Serving East London and nationwide. Contact us for regional service availability.