Lula Bid

Guide

SBD 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3: the pricing schedules

The SBD 3 forms are where your price goes. Many buyers replace them with their own bill of quantities or pricing schedule, so always price on the schedule in the pack. When the standard forms are used, this is what each one asks.

Applies to
National and provincial departments and public entities; municipalities have matching MBD 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 forms.
Last reviewed

The issued tender pack always takes precedence. Buyers customise the standard forms and add their own conditions, so complete the forms and follow the rules in the pack you received. This guide explains the official forms; it is general information, not legal advice.

SBD 3.1: firm prices (purchases)

  • Only firm prices are accepted. Non-firm prices, including prices subject to exchange rate changes, are not considered.
  • Where different delivery points affect the price, submit a separate schedule per delivery point.
  • State how many days the offer is valid from the closing date.
  • Per item: quantity, description and bid price in rand with all applicable taxes included, required-by date, delivery address, brand and model, country of origin, whether it complies with the specification (and any deviations), and the delivery period.
  • All delivery costs must be included in the price.

"All applicable taxes" on SBD 3

The SBD 3 forms define it as value-added tax, pay as you earn, income tax, unemployment insurance fund contributions and skills development levies.

SBD 3.2: non-firm prices (purchases)

Used when the bid allows price adjustments at the periods and times it specifies. The front page asks for the same item details as SBD 3.1. For escalation, 15% of the original bid price stays firm and the other 85% is adjusted by the index or indices listed on the form, using a breakdown of your price into factors (for example labour or transport) that must add up to 100%. In period contracts the buyer adds the assessed price adjustments to non-firm prices when comparing bids. A second part covers prices subject to exchange rate variations: your financial institution, the currencies, the portion of the price affected and the amount remitted abroad. Those adjustments use your commercial bank's average monthly exchange rates, with proof from the bank.

SBD 3.3: professional services

  • A ceiling price for the whole project, based on the estimated time for all phases, including expenses and all applicable taxes.
  • Each person on the project, their position, and their hourly and daily rates. Invoices are certified against these rates.
  • Phases of the project, the cost per phase and the person-days per phase.
  • Travel expenses (for example the rate per km and class of air travel), where only actual costs are recoverable, and other expenses such as accommodation, each with rates and quantities. Proof of the expenses must accompany the invoices.
  • When work can start after acceptance, the estimated person-days to finish, and whether rates are firm for the full contract period (if not, the basis for adjustment, such as CPI).

Pricing tips

  • Your SBD 3 total must match the price on any form of offer or price summary in the bid document. SBD 1 has no price field, and the price in Part 2 of SBD 7 is recorded by the buyer from your bid.
  • Price including VAT if you are VAT registered. The SBD 3 forms ask for prices with all applicable taxes included, and the PPR 2022 define price as including all applicable taxes, less all unconditional discounts.
  • The validity period on SBD 3 must be at least what the bid document asks for. SBD 7 binds you to that period.

How Lula Bid helps

  • Reads the issued pack and lists the pricing schedule it requires among the returnables, so it is not missed.
  • Has SBD 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 worksheets: you enter your own prices, and Lula Bid produces a PDF worksheet to copy onto the official pricing schedule in the pack.
  • Pricing stays your decision: Lula Bid does not set or calculate your bid price.

You still check every answer and sign the forms yourself. See what each package includes

Official sources

  1. SBD 3.1 Pricing schedule: firm prices (purchases) · National Treasury, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer
  2. SBD 3.2 Pricing schedule: non-firm prices (purchases) · National Treasury, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer
  3. SBD 3.3 Pricing schedule: professional services · National Treasury, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer
  4. Preferential Procurement Regulations, 2022 (GN 2721, Government Gazette 47452, 4 November 2022) · National Treasury, Office of the Chief Procurement Officer

Last reviewed 10 October 2026 against these documents. Forms and instructions change; check the buyer's pack and National Treasury's site for later versions.