Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure qualified service providers to issue Airside Operator Licenses across all nine airports operated by Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). These licenses include Catering Licenses, Technical Licenses, and Self Handling Licenses, ensuring compliance oversight and operational standards for entities providing related services at the airports. The process aims to establish a regulated framework to monitor and control airside services, enhance safety, security, and efficiency, and support airport operations over a period of five years.

Scope

The scope of the tender encompasses:

• The issuance and management of Airside Operator Licenses for catering, technical, and self-handling services at all nine airports managed by ACSA.
• Licensing of entities involved in catering services, aircraft maintenance (technical services), and self-handling operations, restricted to South African registered aircraft operators (ZS- aircraft), excluding foreign operators.
• Provision of oversight to ensure licensees meet strict operational, safety, and security standards.
• Limiting self-handling services at airports with existing licensed ground handling providers, with restrictions of up to 20% of the aircraft operators' catering and ground handling operations per airport.
• Implementation of compliance, security, environmental, and quality management plans as part of licensing requirements.

Technical Requirements

Bidder’s technical capabilities must include:

• Valid licenses issued by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) for Catering and Technical services, including manuals of procedures.
• Proof of experience in providing airport-related services, supported by reference letters from previous clients, especially in airport environments.
• Operational plans detailing how services will be delivered at each airport, including staffing, processes, and procedures.
• Human resource plans with organizational structures, roles, and responsibilities.
• Vehicle and equipment plans, including age, maintenance, and operational readiness, with airside vehicles not exceeding 8 years and specialized equipment not older than 15 years.
• Environmental management plans addressing risks and mitigation measures.
• Security programs aligned with SACAA requirements to prevent security threats.
• Quality management systems demonstrating processes for quality assurance and control.
• Security vetting and compliance with national security regulations.

Skills Requirements

The successful bidder must demonstrate:

• Experience in airport operations, catering, technical services, or self-handling within an airport environment.
• Capability to develop and implement operational, environmental, security, and quality management plans.
• Ability to manage airside licensing processes, including compliance oversight and security protocols.
• Qualified personnel with relevant expertise in aviation safety, security, and airport operations.
• Capacity to provide vehicles and equipment that meet operational standards and maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge of South African civil aviation regulations and airport security standards.
• Proficiency in environmental management and security risk mitigation.