Objectives

The primary objective is to equip 18 South African National Space Agency (SANSA) employees with comprehensive knowledge and practical competencies in protocol and diplomatic practice. The training aims to enhance staff capabilities in managing official engagements, navigating intercultural communications, and executing ceremonial events effectively within government and corporate environments.

Scope of Work

The successful service provider will deliver a two-day integrated training programme combining theoretical instruction and practical exercises at SANSA’s Hartebeesthoek facility. The curriculum encompasses:

• Introduction to Protocol and Foundational Diplomatic Practice
• Principles of Protocol and Diplomatic Etiquette
• Intercultural Communication and Contemporary Protocol Challenges
• Management of Official Visits, High-Level Engagements, and Ceremonial Events
• Protocol Documentation, Correspondence, and Practices in Multilateral Organisations
• Application of Protocol in Government and Corporate Settings

All participants will receive certificates of completion. The training must be implemented within one week following the issuance of a purchase order.

Technical Requirements

• Bidder Eligibility: Only South African public universities are permitted to submit bids.
• Documentation: Bids must include a completed pricing schedule (VAT inclusive), a Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration summary with compliant tax status, and fully signed quotation pages.
• Evaluation Method: An 80/20 preference point system will be applied. Eighty points are allocated for price competitiveness, while twenty points are awarded for verified socio-economic transformation targets related to black economic empowerment equity ownership.
• Contractual Conditions: Recommended bidders must execute a Supplier Development Programme (SDP) agreement to qualify for accelerated payment terms. SANSA reserves the right to audit performance, request clarifications, visit premises, or verify references.
• Compliance: Strict adherence to anti-collusion, anti-corruption, and data protection regulations is mandatory. Any unauthorised alterations to the tender template will result in immediate disqualification.

Skills Requirements

• Facilitator Qualifications: The lead trainer must hold recognised professional training certifications and possess substantial, verifiable practical experience in protocol and diplomatic relations specifically within the South African context.
• Citizenship: The facilitator must be a South African citizen by naturalisation.
• Delivery Capability: Proven ability to design and facilitate interactive theoretical and hands-on modules over a condensed two-day period.
• Administrative Competence: Capacity to produce comprehensive course manuals, training materials, and issue official certificates of completion.
• Submission Evidence: Bids must be accompanied by the facilitator’s identity document, curriculum vitae, academic/professional qualifications, detailed course overview, and a sample training manual.

Explanation of Key Terms

80/20 Preference System: A South African public procurement scoring mechanism where 80 points evaluate financial competitiveness and 20 points reward verified black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) ownership structures, such as majority black ownership, black women ownership, or black youth participation.

CSD (Central Supplier Database): The official national repository maintained by the South African government to register, validate, and monitor supplier credentials, including tax compliance status.

SDP Agreement (Supplier Development Programme): A contractual framework designed to accelerate the growth of historically disadvantaged small enterprises by granting them preferentially shortened payment cycles.

Fronting: A criminal offence under the B-BBEE Act involving the deliberate misrepresentation of ownership, control, or employment demographics to unlawfully obtain transformation benefits or contracts.

POPIA: The Protection of Personal Information Act, South Africa’s comprehensive data privacy legislation governing the lawful collection, processing, and storage of personal data.