Objectives

The primary objective is to appoint a qualified service provider to supply dedicated IT resources for infrastructure support and maintenance. The contract aims to modernize South African Airways' backend systems by facilitating a secure migration from legacy on-premises infrastructure to cloud environments, while ensuring uninterrupted operation of existing systems. This initiative seeks to enhance customer experience, streamline operations, and reduce long-term costs through technology alignment and efficient resource deployment.

Scope of Work

The engagement encompasses comprehensive IT support across hardware, software, networking, and cybersecurity domains. Key responsibilities include managing the dual-environment transition (maintaining on-premises systems while building and migrating to a new AWS architecture), providing specialized technical personnel for defined project phases, and adhering to performance-based contracting principles. The provider must guarantee a minimum 50% onsite presence throughout the project lifecycle, ensure rapid resource replacement if performance or suitability issues arise, and comply with strict service-level benchmarks and penalty clauses for non-compliance. All deliverables will be executed under official purchase orders and standard contractual conditions.

Technical Requirements

• Demonstrable industry experience: Minimum seven years combined across aviation, financial services, telecommunications, online gambling, or e-commerce, with at least three years specifically focused on AWS cloud migration and maintenance within these sectors.
• Platform expertise: Proof of two years' experience delivering AMADEUS eRetail/RefX services, supported by verifiable client reference letters.
• Digital transformation track record: Evidence of active or completed digital transformation projects within the last seven years, backed by valid purchase orders or contracts.
• Documentation & compliance: Submission of at least two CVs per required role, each containing professional certifications, references, a National Diploma in IT, and clear mobilization timelines stated in weeks.
• Evaluation thresholds: Bidders must achieve a minimum 75% score on functional technical evaluations and fully comply with all mandatory administrative and substantive requirements to proceed to pricing assessment.
• Contractual obligations: Valid tax clearance certification, adherence to SAA General Conditions of Contract, and acceptance of performance-based payment structures tied to measurable outcomes.

Skills Requirements

• Lead Airline Digital Solutions Architect: Strategic system design, enterprise architecture, and airline-specific digital ecosystem planning.
• AWS Cloud-Native Java/EKS Engineer: Proficiency in cloud-native development, Java programming, container orchestration, and Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) deployment.
• Senior Mobile and Digital Applications Developer: Advanced mobile and web application development, UI/UX integration, and customer-facing digital platform optimization.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Ability to work seamlessly across onsite and offshore teams, adapting to agile workflows and real-time stakeholder feedback.
• Domain & Certification Alignment: Each candidate must hold relevant industry certifications, possess a minimum of seven years' hands-on experience, and demonstrate practical knowledge in high-availability, regulated environments.

Key Terminology

AWS (Amazon Web Services): A globally recognized cloud computing platform providing scalable infrastructure, storage, and application hosting services.

EKS (Elastic Kubernetes Service): AWS's managed container orchestration service that automates the deployment, scaling, and management of containerized applications.

AMADEUS eRetail/RefX: Specialized travel technology platforms used by airlines for dynamic packaging, fare management, and direct-to-consumer sales channels.

B-BBEE: South Africa's Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment policy, which awards procurement preference points to companies meeting specific ownership, management, and socioeconomic development targets.

Performance-Based Contracting: An agreement model where compensation, renewals, and contract continuity are directly linked to achieving predefined quality, timeline, and service-level benchmarks.