Objectives

The primary objective is to deliver targeted training on the implementation of an ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) for eight participants. The training aims to equip laboratory staff with the theoretical knowledge and practical competencies required to establish, maintain, and audit a compliant quality system, thereby supporting successful laboratory accreditation and ensuring consistent, reliable testing and calibration outcomes.

Scope

The training encompasses a comprehensive curriculum aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements. Key coverage areas include:

• Accreditation processes, core principles, documentation standards, impartiality, and confidentiality.
• Structural implementation: personnel competence, facility/environmental controls, equipment management, external providers, and metrological traceability.
• Operational processes: contract/request review, method selection/verification/validation, sampling, test/calibration item handling, technical records, and data/LIMS management.
• Quality assurance: measurement uncertainty, result evaluation, quality control, reporting, complaints handling, and nonconforming work management.
• Management system functions: documentation and record control, risk and opportunity actions, continual improvement, corrective actions, internal audits, and management reviews.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must submit a complete proposal containing:

• A detailed training programme specifying methodology, delivery approach, and sample course materials.
• Proof of facilitator compliance with SAATCA module standards, including relevant certificates.
• A signed SBD4 Bidder’s Disclosure declaration confirming transparency, absence of conflicts of interest, and compliance with ethical procurement principles.
• SBD6.1 Preference Points Claim Form supported by verifiable documentation (BBBEE certificate showing ≥51% black ownership or ≥30% women ownership, or official disability confirmation).
• Adherence to strict submission formatting rules (Word and Excel files are explicitly prohibited).
• Acceptance of the Government Procurement General Conditions of Contract (July 2010).

Evaluation uses an 80/20 weighted scoring model: 80% for price competitiveness and 20% for socio-economic preference points. Missing mandatory declarations or proof results in immediate disqualification.

Skills Requirements

The appointed facilitator must demonstrate:

• Minimum five years of direct experience in ISO/IEC 17025:2017 implementation and laboratory quality management.
• Proven instructional capability to deliver structured, interactive training on accreditation frameworks, risk-based thinking, internal auditing, and data integrity.
• Ability to contextualize regulatory requirements for practical laboratory application.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills tailored to small-group training environments.

Key Terms & Concepts

ISO/IEC 17025:2017: The global standard defining competence, impartiality, and consistent operation for testing and calibration laboratories. It emphasizes risk management, data integrity, and integrated quality practices over prescriptive procedural checklists.

LQMS (Laboratory Quality Management System): A formalized set of policies, procedures, and controls ensuring laboratory activities consistently yield valid, traceable, and defensible results while meeting accreditation criteria.

SAATCA: A recognized South African accreditation or training certification body. Bidders must verify that their facilitator meets SAATCA’s specific module competency standards.

BBBEE & 80/20 Preference System: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment is a South African policy promoting economic transformation. The 80/20 system allocates 80 points to price and 20 points to socio-economic goals (10 for ≥51% black ownership, 8 for ≥30% women ownership, 2 for disability inclusion), benchmarked against the lowest acceptable tender.

SBD4 & SBD6.1: Standard South African public procurement forms. SBD4 discloses state employment ties and conflict-of-interest declarations, while SBD6.1 formally claims preference points for designated demographic groups under national procurement regulations.