Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a service provider to deliver 24-hour fraud and corruption hotline services to the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS) over a period of 36 months. The service aims to enable anonymous reporting of fraudulent and corrupt activities by employees, contractors, suppliers, and the public, ensuring effective whistleblowing mechanisms and integrity management within the organization.

Scope

The scope of work includes:

• Providing a 24/7 accessible fraud and corruption hotline via multiple communication channels (telephone, fax, secure email).
• Ensuring confidentiality and anonymity of reporters, with protocols to protect their identities unless legally required.
• Storing information securely off-site and facilitating reporting to SAPS and NRCS as per protocols.
• Developing and implementing awareness campaigns, including marketing materials, newsletters, posters, workshops, and awareness CDs.
• Maintaining engagement activities such as quarterly staff workshops and bi-annual awareness posters.
• Guaranteeing staff availability, quality assurance, and compliance with relevant legislation throughout the contract period.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Provision of multiple reporting channels (toll-free telephone, fax, secure email, web link).
• Protocols for confidentiality, data storage, and reporting, including protocols for law enforcement engagement.
• Development of marketing and awareness materials with artwork and design costs included.
• Regular reporting and documentation of activities, reports, and outcomes.
• Conformance to South African legislation, including the Protected Disclosure Act and relevant standards.
• External quality assurance reviews and maintaining objective independence of staff.
• Guarantee of staff availability and expertise in ethics hotlines, fraud investigation, and related areas.

Skills and Experience Requirements

The bidder must demonstrate:

• Experience in managing ethics hotlines and fraud investigation services, preferably within the public sector or similar organizations.
• At least 3-7 years of practical experience for key personnel, including:
• Ethics officers, compliance officers, or certified fraud examiners (CFE).
• Call center operators with at least 2-5 years of relevant experience.
• Qualified personnel with relevant certifications such as EO, CFE, or equivalent.
• Proven track record with at least five contactable references from similar projects in the public or governance sectors within the last five years.
• Capability to develop and implement awareness campaigns, reports, and protocols aligned with legislative requirements.
• Ability to provide detailed methodology, approach, and work plan demonstrating understanding of the scope and deliverables.
• Company profile demonstrating operational capacity, financial stability, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.