Snake safety training & advisory services for tcta employees (24-Month contract)

TCTA requires a professional service provider to deliver Snake Awareness, Identification, and Handling Training for employees across multiple sites over 24 months. The service includes training materials, certificates of competence/attendance, and advisory support on snake-related occupational hazards. The goal is to improve employee competence, reduce snakebite risk, and ensure safe emergency response protocols in alignment with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Closing date: 24 July 2026 at 11:00. Clarification deadline: 20 July 2025 at 11:00. Bid validity period: 30 days from closing date. No briefing session scheduled.

Enquiries and submissions: Email [email protected]. No phone or fax contacts provided.

Submit proposals electronically to [email protected] by the closing date and time. Late submissions will not be accepted. Mandatory returnables include: (1) Proof of company experience (Annexure A or 3 signed reference letters on client letterheads), (2) CVs and accreditation proof for Snake Trainer/Facilitator and Snake Advisory Specialist, (3) Fully completed itemised RFQ Pricing Schedule (unmodified). Non-mandatory documents: Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS-accredited), SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, CSD registration proof. Failure to submit mandatory documents results in disqualification. Non-mandatory documents missing will score zero for linked criteria.

Scope: Provide Snake Awareness, Identification, Handling Training, certificates, and advisory support on snake-related occupational hazards for 24 months across TCTA sites. Training must: (1) Be in English. (2) Align with wildlife handling best practices and national standards. (3) Use trainers accredited by FGASA, Herpetological Associations, or equivalent. (4) Include supplied training materials and certificates (attendance/competency). (5) Apply strict animal welfare standards for live handling. (6) Be delivered in-person, online (awareness only), or hybrid. Required training components (20 attendees each, min 6 per session): Snake Awareness & Identification, Snakebite First Aid, Snake Handling (practical), Safe Snake Capture & Removal, Site-specific Snake Hazard Induction. TCTA will set training dates post-appointment. Company must have 3+ prior Snake Awareness/Handling projects and be registered/accredited with a wildlife/environmental/first-aid body. Personnel: Snake Trainer/Facilitator (5+ years’ wild snake experience, accredited in handling, venomous snake management, first-aid instruction, competent in species ID, capture/relocation, emergency response). Snake Advisory Specialist (5-10 years’ herpetology/wildlife/snake capture experience, workplace risk assessment experience).

Company: Minimum 3 completed Snake Awareness/Handling projects. Submit Annexure A or 3 signed reference letters on client letterheads (with full contact details). Must be registered/accredited with a wildlife, environmental, or first-aid regulatory/training body. Snake Trainer/Facilitator: 5+ years’ wild snake experience. Accreditation required in Snake Handling Training, Venomous Snake Management, and Snakebite First-Aid Instruction. Competence in species identification, safe capture/relocation, and emergency response. Snake Advisory Specialist: 5-10 years’ herpetology/wildlife/snake capture experience. Demonstrated workplace snake risk assessment experience and advisory capability on safe operating procedures.

Use TCTA’s provided pricing schedule template without modification. Price per attendee (excl. VAT) for Year 1 and Year 2, with total cost (excl. VAT) for both years. Pricing must cover all training components (online/in-person): Snake Awareness & Identification, Snakebite First Aid, Snake Handling (practical), Safe Snake Capture & Removal, Site-specific Snake Hazard Induction. Prices must include all disbursements, be firm/unconditional, and reflect both excl. and incl. VAT (15%). Invoice based on actual attendees per event.

Use the provided RFQ Pricing Schedule template without modification. Price per attendee (excl. VAT) for Year 1 and Year 2, with total cost (excl. VAT) for both years. Prices must include all disbursements and be firm/unconditional. Invoice based on actual attendees per event. VAT at 15% applies. Pricing must cover: Snake Awareness & Identification, Snakebite First Aid, Snake Handling (practical), Safe Snake Capture & Removal, Site-specific Snake Hazard Induction (online/in-person).

Mandatory: (1) Proof of company experience (Annexure A or 3 signed reference letters on client letterheads). (2) CVs and accreditation proof for Snake Trainer/Facilitator and Snake Advisory Specialist. (3) Completed RFQ Pricing Schedule. Non-mandatory (zero points if missing): Valid B-BBEE certificate (SANAS-accredited), DTIC B-BBEE certificate, or Sworn Affidavit (EME/QSE compliant with Annexure C). SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1. CSD registration proof. Tax Compliance: Submit TCS PIN (via SARS e-filing) or CSD number. No bids accepted from state employees or entities with state-employed directors/members. Bidders must declare conflicts of interest (SBD 4).

Training must align with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and TCTA’s risk-management requirements. Focus areas: (1) Snake identification and behavioural risk understanding. (2) Safe response during snake encounters. (3) TCTA emergency procedures for snake incidents. (4) Snakebite first-aid training. (5) Safe capture, relocation, and removal techniques. Live handling training must adhere to strict animal welfare standards. Advisory support must cover workplace snake risk assessments and safe operating procedures.

Contract duration: 24 months. Bid validity: 30 days from closing date. TCTA’s Standard Conditions of Bid apply. TCTA reserves the right to cancel or not award the bid. Successful bidder must sign SBD 7 (Contract Form). Preference points system: 80/20 for bids ≤ R50M. Fraudulent claims may result in disqualification, cost recovery, contract cancellation, 10-year public sector restriction, or criminal prosecution. Bidders must certify independence from competitors and no prior involvement in specification drafting.

Functionality evaluation (40 points, min 30 to qualify): (1) Company Experience (20 pts): 3+ completed Snake Awareness/Handling projects = 20 pts; fewer = 0. (2) Snake Trainer/Facilitator (10 pts): 8+ years = 10 pts, 5-7 years = 5 pts, <5 years = 0. (3) Snake Advisory Specialist (10 pts): 10+ years = 10 pts, 5-9 years = 5 pts, <5 years = 0. Price (80 pts) uses lowest acceptable bid as baseline (80/20 system). B-BBEE (20 pts): Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 = 8, Level 6 = 6, Level 7 = 4, Level 8 = 2, Non-compliant = 0. Joint ventures must submit consolidated B-BBEE certificates. Sworn Affidavits for EME/QSE must comply with Annexure C.