Tender Summary: Global Public Relations and Digital Communications (Tender 362/26)

Objectives

The primary objective is to engage a qualified service provider to deliver integrated public relations and digital communications strategies that advance South African Tourism’s statutory mandate. Services must support the development and promotion of sustainable tourism, align with national sector strategies, and contribute to broader government priorities including job creation, poverty alleviation, and inequality reduction through targeted global marketing initiatives.

Scope

• Execution of segment-specific marketing and communications activities across multiple international regions, including Africa, the Americas, Europe, the UK & Ireland, Asia, and Australasia.
• Coordination with both physical and remote country offices, alongside domestic business units at the South African Head Office.
• A fixed contract period of thirty-six (36) months, subject to periodic performance evaluations and potential downscaling with three months’ written notice.
• Full management of campaign deliverables, with all resulting intellectual property automatically assigned to South African Tourism unless otherwise contracted.
• Implementation of strict quality assurance protocols, anti-corruption compliance measures, and adherence to a formal Service Level Agreement (SLA) framework.

Technical Requirements

• Proposal submission must follow a strict three-part structure: Part A (Tender Conditions & Standard Documents), Part B (Scope of Work), and Part C (Evaluation Criteria & Supporting Evidence).
• Detailed three-year pricing schedule with capped final costs, projected annual escalation percentages, and a tiered rate card for designated personnel categories.
• Mandatory proof of registration on the National Treasury Centralised Supplier Database (CSD) and current tax compliance status verified through official channels.
• Submission of draft SLAs outlining performance metrics, reporting structures, and compliance obligations.
• Completion of all prescribed annexures, including company profiles, declarations of interest, bidder conduct commitments, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) verification documents.
• Compliance with South African public procurement legislation, including the Public Finance Management Act, Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, and BBBEE Act.
• Successful passage of an anti-bribery due diligence assessment and confirmation of zero conflict of interest or collusive bidding practices.

Skills Requirements

• Documented proven experience and measurable success in managing global public relations and digital communications campaigns.
• Highly skilled, professional, and competent teams capable of delivering superior-quality outputs without operational disruptions.
• Ability to oversee multi-regional execution, manage sub-contractors effectively, and maintain end-to-end accountability for all deliverables.
• Strong strategic planning, analytical, and project management capabilities aligned with rigorous evaluation methodologies.
• Proficiency in navigating complex public sector procurement, financial, and regulatory environments.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• Fronting: A deceptive practice where businesses falsely represent their ownership, control, or empowerment status to qualify for preferential public procurement benefits. Strictly prohibited and subject to contract cancellation and potential ten-year exclusion from government supply chains.
• CSD (Centralised Supplier Database): A National Treasury-maintained electronic registry used to validate supplier registration, tax clearance status, and eligibility for state contracts.
• Punitive Service Levels: Contractual provisions that enforce financial deductions or other penalties when the service provider fails to meet predefined performance benchmarks outlined in the SLA.
• Anti-Bribery Due Diligence: A risk-based verification process applied to shortlisted or successful bidders to confirm ethical business conduct, transparent financial practices, and compliance with anti-corruption standards prior to contract finalisation.