Complete Guide to Transport & Logistics Tenders in South Africa

Government departments and public entities require extensive transport and logistics services – from daily courier deliveries to complex supply chain management. For transport operators and logistics companies, the public sector represents a reliable source of long-term contracts.

Types of Transport & Logistics Tenders

• <strong>Courier & Parcel Services:</strong> Document delivery, parcel distribution, express services.
• <strong>Freight Transport:</strong> Long-haul trucking, heavy goods transport, abnormal loads.
• <strong>Fleet Management:</strong> Vehicle hire, fleet maintenance, fuel management.
• <strong>Passenger Transport:</strong> Staff transport, scholar transport, shuttle services.
• <strong>Warehousing & Distribution:</strong> Storage facilities, inventory management, distribution networks.
• <strong>Supply Chain Services:</strong> End-to-end logistics, 3PL/4PL services, procurement support.

Essential Licensing Requirements

Operating Permits

• <strong>NRCS Permits:</strong> National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications for certain goods transport
• <strong>Operating License:</strong> Provincial Regulatory Entity (PRE) operating permit for passenger transport
• <strong>Cross-Border Permit:</strong> Required for international transport services
• <strong>Abnormal Load Permit:</strong> For oversized or overweight cargo

Vehicle Requirements

• Valid vehicle license and roadworthy certificate
• Appropriate vehicle insurance (goods in transit, public liability)
• GPS tracking systems (increasingly required)
• Professional Driving Permit (PDP) for passenger transport drivers

RTMS Certification

The Road Transport Management System (RTMS) is a voluntary self-regulation scheme for the road freight industry. RTMS certification demonstrates commitment to road safety and efficiency, and is increasingly required in government transport tenders.

Benefits of RTMS Certification

• Competitive advantage in tender evaluation
• Reduced insurance premiums
• Improved operational efficiency
• Legal compliance assurance
• Access to certain freight corridors and permits

Common Tender Evaluation Criteria

Scholar Transport Specific Requirements

Scholar transport tenders have additional safety requirements:

• Vehicles must be roadworthy and regularly inspected
• Drivers must have valid PDPs and clean driving records
• Criminal background checks for all staff
• First aid kits and fire extinguishers required
• GPS tracking is mandatory
• Vehicle age limits often apply (typically under 10 years)

Pricing Strategies

Common Pricing Models

• <strong>Per kilometre rates:</strong> For distance-based services
• <strong>Per trip rates:</strong> Fixed price per journey
• <strong>Monthly retainer:</strong> Fixed monthly fee for guaranteed capacity
• <strong>Per parcel/consignment:</strong> For courier and freight services
• <strong>Storage rates:</strong> Per pallet/square metre for warehousing

Building Your Transport Track Record

1. Start with smaller municipal or school transport contracts
2. Build relationships with larger logistics companies as subcontractor
3. Invest in RTMS certification early
4. Develop strong driver training and safety programmes
5. Implement vehicle tracking and fleet management systems

Conclusion

Transport and logistics tenders offer steady opportunities for operators with compliant fleets and strong service capabilities. Focus on obtaining proper licensing, building safety credentials, and demonstrating reliability through smaller contracts before targeting larger government transport opportunities.