Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure a foundational Mandarin language training programme for Brand South Africa employees. This initiative directly supports the organisation’s mandate to enhance South Africa’s global reputation, international competitiveness, and national cohesion by equipping staff with essential cross-cultural communication skills for diplomatic, trade, and investment-related engagements.

Scope of Work

The successful bidder will design and deliver a structured basic Mandarin language course tailored for corporate professionals. The curriculum must comprehensively cover:

• Essential vocabulary, pronunciation, and practical grammar for everyday professional and social scenarios
• Understanding of Chinese language varieties, phonetic systems (pinyin and tonal rules), and character composition (simplified and traditional)
• Core conversational modules including greetings, numbers, names, nationalities, and appropriate use of professional titles
• Oral and written proficiency in assigned grammatical structures and thematic vocabulary
• Cultural education encompassing formative historical events, geographical context, and business etiquette

All deliverables will be formalised during project inception and aligned with a mutually agreed implementation plan.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must provide verifiable proof of experience in delivering basic Mandarin language training, substantiated by a reference letter on the client’s official letterhead specifying the services rendered. Proposals must include a detailed, line-item budget breakdown on company letterhead, with all unit prices quoted VAT-exclusive and a clear total inclusive amount. Quotations must remain valid for a minimum of ninety days. The appointed service provider will operate under the direct supervision of a Brand South Africa representative, strictly adhering to the organisation’s Code of Conduct and internal operational guidelines. Compensation will be milestone-driven, processed within thirty days of satisfactory completion and submission of a validated invoice. Standard South African public procurement documentation (SBD 3, 4, and 6.1) must be fully completed and submitted with the proposal.

Skills Requirements

Providers must demonstrate specialised expertise in adult corporate language instruction, with advanced proficiency in Mandarin phonology, syntax, and modern pedagogical methodologies. Trainers should exhibit strong cross-cultural communication capabilities, familiarity with business-appropriate Mandarin usage, and the ability to effectively adapt curricula for non-native speakers in a professional environment. A proven track record of delivering similar institutional training programmes is mandatory.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• 80/20 Preference Points System: A statutory South African procurement framework where eighty percent of evaluation points are awarded based on competitive pricing, and twenty percent are allocated for designated socio-economic transformation goals (e.g., 100% Black-owned enterprises or Exempted Micro Enterprises with an annual turnover below R10 million). Points are calculated using prescribed regulatory formulae; failure to submit required proof results in zero allocation for this category.
• SBD Forms: Standardised Bid Submission Documents mandated by South African public entities. SBD 3 captures pricing schedules, SBD 4 discloses conflicts of interest and state employment affiliations, and SBD 6.1 claims preference points for specific transformation goals. These forms ensure transparency, compliance with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, and equitable supplier development.