Collection
Procurement Literacy
Understand procurement rules, your rights as a bidder, and how to interpret transparency data from government entities.
Education, not accusation. We equip bidders with knowledge to make informed decisions.
Learn what government must disclose and how to challenge unfair procurement decisions.
Why Procurement Literacy Matters
Informed bidders create healthier markets. When SMEs understand procurement rules and their rights, they can compete more effectively, identify red flags, and hold government accountable. These guides follow our "Sunlight Strategy"—using education and transparency to improve procurement outcomes for everyone.
Browse by Category
Procurement Fundamentals
Core concepts every bidder should understand about public procurement.
Bidder Rights & Remedies
Know your rights when participating in government tenders.
Understanding Deviations
Learn about procurement deviations and how to interpret Treasury reports.
Using Transparency Data
How to use Okhantu's transparency scores and entity data for informed bidding.
Procurement Methods
Panels, framework agreements and the other ways government buys - and how to position for each.
All Procurement Literacy Guides
What is Public Procurement?
A beginner's guide to understanding how South African government buys goods and services, and how SMEs can participate.
PFMA & MFMA Basics: What Bidders Need to Know
Understand the Public Finance Management Act and Municipal Finance Management Act—the laws that govern how government entities spend money.
Preferential Procurement: Understanding B-BBEE Points
How B-BBEE status affects your bid scoring, and what the 80/20 and 90/10 preference point systems mean for your business.
Supply Chain Management Framework Explained
Navigate the SCM regulations that govern how government entities procure goods and services, from planning to contract management.
Your Rights as a Bidder: What Government Must Tell You
Understand your legal rights in the procurement process, including access to information, fair treatment, and transparency requirements.
How to Challenge an Unfair Award: Bid Protests Explained
Step-by-step guide to lodging a complaint when you believe a tender was awarded unfairly, including timelines and where to submit.
Judicial Review of Procurement Decisions
When and how to take a procurement dispute to court, including key case law precedents that have shaped bidder rights in South Africa.
Filing a Complaint with the Public Protector
How to escalate procurement irregularities to the Public Protector and other oversight bodies when internal channels fail.
Procurement Deviations: Types, Rules & Red Flags
Understand sole supplier appointments, emergency procurement, contract expansions, and variations—when they're legitimate and when they're concerning.
How to Read National Treasury Deviation Reports
A practical guide to interpreting the quarterly deviation reports published by Treasury, including what the numbers mean and how to spot patterns.
Deviation Thresholds & Approval Limits
Know the rand value thresholds that trigger different approval requirements, and what happens when entities exceed their limits.
Using Okhantu Entity Transparency Scores
How to interpret transparency scores when evaluating potential buyers, and what the scores reveal about procurement practices.
Panel Appointments & Multiple Service Provider Contracts
Understanding framework agreements, roster systems, and transversal contracts—how to get appointed to panels and maximize work allocation once you're on.
Connected to Okhantu Intelligence
Transparency Dashboard
See these concepts in action with real entity scores, deviation data, and procurement patterns.
View DashboardAccord Legislation
Access the full text of PFMA, MFMA, and Treasury regulations referenced in these guides.
Browse LegislationReady to explore the data?
See procurement transparency in action. View entity scores, deviation trends, and more in our Transparency dashboard.