The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has released a Request for Qualification (RFQ), inviting suitably experienced and financially capable private-sector parties to participate in the development and long-term operation of a proposed multi-use hospitality precinct at its campus in Pretoria.
The proposed development will create an integrated accommodation and hospitality offering alongside the CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC), strengthening the facilities available to conference delegates, visiting researchers and academics, business travellers, institutional visitors and other guests to the CSIR ICC, the CSIR campus and surrounding Innovation Corridor precinct.
The project is planned as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), with an experienced private-sector partner expected to bring the financial capacity and expertise required to design, finance, construct, operate and maintain the proposed hospitality facility, subject to the final procurement documentation and PPP agreement.
A key motivation for the development is the opportunity to provide quality accommodation within walking distance of the CSIR ICC. While the convention centre currently works with nearby hotels, the proposed development would bring accommodation and related hospitality amenities into the CSIR precinct, creating a more integrated experience for conference delegates and other visitors.
Strengthening the CSIR ICC offering
Opened in 1977, the CSIR ICC has served the meetings and convention sector for more than four decades. It operates in the international business-events market, with a particular focus on supporting local, national and regional research, development, innovation and knowledge-sector events, as well as international association conferences across a range of industries and sectors.
Located at the CSIR campus in Pretoria East, the CSIR ICC forms part of Tshwane’s wider concentration of government, diplomatic, academic, scientific and research institutions. The centre provides convention, meeting, function and exhibition facilities, as well as digital and hybrid event capabilities and live web streaming.
The proposed hospitality precinct is intended to complement these capabilities by enhancing the overall delegate and visitor experience and strengthening the CSIR ICC’s proposition when competing for conferences and events where convenient access to accommodation is an important consideration. The development is expected to increase the competitiveness of the CSIR ICC in the national, regional and international markets and increase the number, and size, of these types of conferences hosted at the facility which would generally bode well for all hotels in the area.
Bronwen Cadle de Ponte, CSIR Group Manager for Conferencing & Accommodation, said the release of the RFQ marks an important milestone as the project moves from planning and feasibility into formal market procurement.
“For more than four decades, the CSIR International Convention Centre has provided a platform for people from South Africa and around the world to meet, share knowledge and build partnerships.This proposed development gives us an opportunity to build on that foundation by creating an integrated hospitality offering that complements the convention centre and the wider CSIR campus.Through this RFQ, we are inviting the private sector to bring forward the financial capacity, development capability, hospitality expertise and long-term operational experience required to help realise this opportunity.”
Opportunity for private-sector participation
The opportunity is expected to be of interest to hotel and hospitality operators, hospitality brands and management companies, property developers, investors, infrastructure and property funds, financial institutions, construction and development companies, facilities-management providers and multidisciplinary consortiums or joint ventures.
Prospective participants do not necessarily need to possess all the required capabilities within a single organisation. Appropriately structured consortiums may bring together the development, financing, construction, hospitality, management and operational expertise needed to participate in the project.
The RFQ is the first stage of the formal competitive procurement process. It sets out the applicable qualification criteria, submission requirements and evaluation methodology through which the CSIR intends to identify suitably capable participants. Respondents that satisfy the RFQ requirements will be eligible to proceed to the subsequent Request for Proposal stage in accordance with the formal procurement process.
RFQ information
RFQ title: Request for Qualification for the design, finance, development, operation and maintenance of a multi-use Hospitality lifestyle precinct for the CSIR via a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project.
RFQ reference number: CSIR REQ-QUAL No.0001/18/01/2027
Publication date: 29/10/2026 – 14:51 non-compulsory briefing date and time: 12/11/2026 – 09:00
Closing date and time: 18/01/2027 – 16:00 Procurement platform: https://www.csir.co.za/work-with-us/tenders RFQ documentation: https://www.csir.co.za/request-for-qualification-for-the-design-finance-development-operation-and-maintenance-of-a-multi
Interested parties should consult the formal RFQ documentation for the definitive eligibility requirements, consortium arrangements, qualification criteria, compulsory documentation, submission procedures and closing requirements.
Media enquiries
Phetolo Phatsibi, Practitioner: CSIR Media Relations
Email: PPhatsibi@csir.co.za
Tel: 081 396 8871
Procurement enquiries
Email: Tender@csir.co.za
Note: Any enquiry regarding this RFQ shall be submitted in writing to CSIR to the email and format outlined above, using the RFQ number as a clear reference. Any other contact with CSIR personnel involved in this tender is not permitted during the RFQ process other than as required through existing service arrangements or as requested by the CSIR as part of the RFQ process.
About the CSIR
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, is one of Africa’s leading scientific and technology research, development and innovation organisations. Established in 1945, the CSIR undertakes multidisciplinary research and technological innovation to improve the quality of life of South Africans and contribute to industrial development and economic growth.
About the CSIR International Convention Centre
The CSIR International Convention Centre is located on the CSIR campus in Pretoria East, within Tshwane’s research, academic and diplomatic hub. It operates in the international business-events market hosting over 700 events for upwards of 70 000 delegates per year and seeks to contribute to the development of the knowledge economy through local, national and international knowledge-sector events and international association conferences.
Follow the CSIR/CSIR ICC on social media
X: @CSIR / @CSIRICC
Facebook: CSIRSouthAfrica / csiricc
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LinkedIn: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
YouTube: CSIRNewMedia
