Objectives

The primary objective is to train eight (8) designated personnel to effectively implement, operate, and maintain a Laboratory Quality Management System (LQMS) fully compliant with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards, ensuring technical competence, operational consistency, and regulatory alignment.

Scope

• Foundational Overview: Laboratory accreditation processes, ISO/IEC 17025:2017 principles, documentation requirements, impartiality, and confidentiality.
• Structural Implementation: Personnel competence, laboratory facilities and environmental conditions, equipment management, oversight of externally provided products/services, and metrological traceability.
• Technical Processes: Review of requests/tenders/contracts, method selection/verification/validation, sampling, handling of test/calibration items, technical records, measurement uncertainty, result evaluation/analysis, quality assurance, reporting, complaints management, nonconforming work management, and data/LIMS control.
• Management Requirements: Management system documentation, document and record control, risk and opportunity management, continual improvement, corrective actions, internal audits, and management reviews.

Technical Requirements

• Facilitator must demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years' practical experience with ISO/IEC 17025:2017, supported by a detailed CV.
• Training provider must hold current, valid accreditation from both a SETA and SAATCA, with certificates submitted with the quotation.
• Facilitator must provide documented proof of SAATCA training/certification specifically for this module.
• Submission must include a detailed training programme, delivery methodology, and sample course materials.
• All compulsory documentation must be attached; omission results in immediate disqualification.
• Bids must comply with the Government Procurement General Conditions (July 2010) and South African Preferential Procurement Framework Act regulations.

Skills Requirements

• Comprehensive mastery of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 technical and management clauses.
• Expertise in laboratory accreditation pathways, quality management system architecture, and compliance auditing.
• Proficiency in measurement uncertainty analysis, method validation, and laboratory information management systems (LIMS).
• Strong instructional capability to translate complex regulatory frameworks into actionable laboratory workflows.
• Competence in facilitating internal audits, managing nonconformities, and driving continual improvement cycles.

Key Terminology & Unusual Requirements

ISO/IEC 17025:2017: The international standard specifying general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories. It replaces older versions with a stronger emphasis on risk-based thinking and process integration.

SETA & SAATCA: SETA refers to South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities, which accredit vocational training providers. SAATCA (South African Accreditation Training and Certification Association) specifically certifies training providers and facilitators in accreditation-related disciplines. Dual accreditation ensures the training meets both educational standards and industry-specific competency benchmarks.

80/20 Preference Point System: A South African public procurement scoring model allocating 80% of evaluation points to price competitiveness and 20% to socio-economic transformation goals (e.g., ≥51% black ownership, ≥30% women ownership, disability inclusion). Points are claimed via standardized SBD forms requiring verifiable documentation.

Strict Compliance & Disqualification Clause: The tender enforces zero-tolerance for missing compulsory requirements. Any omission, regardless of pricing or experience, triggers automatic disqualification, reflecting strict adherence to public sector procurement governance.