Objectives

The primary objective is to procure a qualified training provider to deliver comprehensive Safety and Environment Training Services to SANBS personnel. The engagement aims to strengthen workplace safety protocols, ensure adherence to national health and environmental regulations, and support SANBS’s strategic goal of maintaining world-class operational standards through continuous employee development.

Scope

The successful bidder will deliver blended training programmes encompassing both theoretical and practical modules across multiple South African provinces. Core deliverables include:

• Online delivery of theoretical coursework.
• Face-to-face facilitation of practical sessions, specifically focused on Firefighting and First Aid training.
• End-to-end candidate administration, including data capture, certificate issuance, renewal tracking, and monitoring of outstanding assignments.
• Provision of suitable training venues and logistical support for in-person sessions.

All training activities must align with applicable South African statutory requirements and SANBS’s internal safety and environmental policies.

Technical Requirements

• Mandatory Accreditation: Valid training accreditation from SETA, QCTO, or an equivalent recognised body. Specific accreditation for Firefighting and First Aid is required; if services are subcontracted, proof of subcontractor accreditation and a binding agreement must be submitted.
• Track Record: Three (3) client reference letters confirming recent experience in similar training services, issued within the past three years.
• Geographic Coverage & Venues: Demonstrated capability to operate and provide training facilities in five or more provinces. Subcontracting arrangements must be formally documented where direct presence is limited.
• Digital & Administrative Systems: Written confirmation of online and face-to-face training capabilities, accompanied by a detailed course list. Provision of a secure online portal or a structured manual process that grants SANBS access to candidate records, course completion status, certificate data, renewal logs, and assignment tracking.
• Compliance Documentation: Valid SARS tax clearance, company registration, and signed annexures covering declarations of interest, non-disclosure agreements, independent bidding certification, board resolutions, code of ethics acknowledgment, and a deviation matrix for any proposed contract amendments.
• Evaluation Framework: A phased assessment process beginning with mandatory criteria, followed by administrative verification, technical scoring (minimum 70% threshold required to proceed), and a final evaluation split 80% on pricing and 20% on B-BBEE compliance.

Skills Requirements

• Key personnel and lead trainers must possess a minimum of five (5) years of relevant professional experience in occupational safety, environmental management, or related fields.
• All proposed instructors must hold current, nationally recognised qualifications and certifications appropriate for safety and environment training delivery.
• Demonstrated expertise in regulatory compliance, risk assessment methodologies, and occupational health and safety standards.
• Proficiency in facilitating blended learning environments, combining virtual instruction with hands-on practical exercises.
• Competence in learning management systems, data analytics, reporting, and candidate lifecycle administration.

Notes on Specialised Terms

SETA / QCTO / SAQA: South African national accreditation bodies. SETA (Sector Education and Training Authorities) certifies sector-specific training providers; QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations) oversees trade and vocational qualifications; SAQA (South African Qualifications Authority) maintains the national qualifications framework. Valid accreditation from one or more of these bodies is mandatory for legal training delivery in South Africa.

B-BBEE: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment is a South African legislative framework designed to advance economic participation and equity for historically disadvantaged groups. Bidders are evaluated on ownership, management control, skills development, procurement preferences, and social investment. Points are awarded based on the bidder’s verified certification level.

Deviation Matrix: A compliance document requiring bidders to explicitly list any proposed modifications to SANBS’s standard contractual terms. This ensures transparent negotiation, clear risk allocation, and prevents unauthorised alterations to the agreed service conditions.