Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to engage a qualified service provider to facilitate a specialized workshop on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence for the University of KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative seeks to build institutional capacity through structured knowledge transfer, practical skill development, and strategic exposure to contemporary AI methodologies.

Scope

The scope covers the end-to-end facilitation of the designated workshop, including instructional delivery, session coordination, and alignment with the University's academic and professional development frameworks. All mandatory compliance forms, pricing breakdowns, and specific deliverables are defined in the official Request for Quotation (RFQ) returnables. The University retains full discretion over bid evaluation and reserves the right to accept the entire or partial scope of any submitted quotation.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must adhere to the technical specifications, software compatibility standards, and hardware prerequisites outlined in the compulsory RFQ documentation. Proposed solutions must integrate seamlessly with the University's existing educational technology environment. Any specialized tools, licensing requirements, or digital platforms necessary for effective workshop delivery must be clearly declared and justified within the submission.

Skills Requirements

Successful providers must possess advanced subject-matter expertise in artificial intelligence and machine learning, combined with demonstrated proficiency in instructional design and adult learning facilitation. Core competencies include curriculum structuring, interactive pedagogy, real-time troubleshooting of technical demonstrations, and the ability to tailor complex algorithms and AI concepts to diverse learner profiles. Relevant academic credentials, industry certifications, and verifiable experience in delivering comparable corporate or tertiary-level training programs are mandatory.

Key Procurement Terms & Clarifications

• 80/20 Evaluation Split: This term refers to the bid scoring methodology. Eighty percent (80%) of the total evaluation score is weighted toward price competitiveness, while twenty percent (20%) is allocated to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) status verification. This is a standard South African public sector procurement weighting model designed to balance cost efficiency with transformation goals.
• BBBEE Compliance: The University operates under a strict Procurement Policy on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment. Bidders must submit valid, up-to-date BBBEE certificates or sworn affidavits as stipulated in the mandatory returnables to qualify for the 20% weighting.
• Submission Protocol: All quotations must be submitted electronically through the designated central procurement channel. Physical copies, fax transmissions, and late submissions will be automatically disqualified. Each quote must explicitly reference the RFQ number, project title, company name, closing date, and closing time in both the subject line and document body.
• Award Communication: The University does not bind itself to award contracts based solely on the lowest price. Applicants who receive no formal correspondence within ninety working days after the closing date should assume their submission was unsuccessful.