Business english, professional writing and AI training services (gauteng & kwazulu-natal) – 3-Year as-and-when-required contract

Closing date: 17 November 2026 at 11h00 (CAT)

Issue date: 03 November 2026

Validity period: bids must remain valid for 60 days from submission.

No compulsory briefing or site visit is stated.

Enquiries before bid closure:

• Contact: Bright Blessie
• Role: Demand Management
• Email: [email protected] (cc: [email protected])

Enquiries after bid closure:

• Contact: Simphiwe Qwabe
• Role: Acquisition Management
• Email: [email protected] (cc: [email protected])

General telephone: +27 11 607 1000

Fraud hotline: 0800 222 335 (24 hours)

Fraud email: [email protected]

Submission: via e-Submission (e-Tender) system (no physical address given).

Submission method: online via the e-Submission (e-Tender) system only. Email submissions will not be accepted.

Bid structure: submit in two parcels, each as a single PDF uploaded under the correct tab:

• Parcel A – Administrative & Mandatory: Volume 1A (general instructions and administrative requirements, excluding SBD 3.3 and SBD 6.1), Phase 1 administrative requirements, Phase 2 mandatory requirements.
• Parcel B – Price & Specific Goals: SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule), SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form), CSD report, CIPC documents, shareholder certificates, ID copies of shareholders, valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs).

Returnable forms (all must be completed, signed and submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid, Parts A and B): bidder details and acceptance of bid conditions; signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services): fully completed and signed; all line items must be priced.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses any state employment or relationships with the procuring institution; false disclosure disqualifies.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form): claims preference points for specific goals.
• POPIA consent form.

Disqualification risks:

• Late submissions (after 11h00 on 17 November 2026) are not accepted.
• Incomplete or unsigned returnable forms.
• Missing any mandatory requirement.
• Pricing schedule not fully completed (100% of line items).
• Submitting via email instead of the e-Submission system.
• Failure to provide proof of CSD registration or application.
• Failure to provide a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or CSD number.
• Failure to provide proof of professional body registration.

Evaluation stages:

1. Stage 1 – Administrative: SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN (valid 60 days from submission). Non-compliance may lead to rejection or a 7-day window to submit supplementary information (administrative only).
2. Stage 2 – Mandatory: full compliance required; failure results in automatic disqualification. Mandatory items include valid accreditation certificate (SETA, QCTO, or equivalent), at least one client reference letter (work completed within past 5 years, on official letterhead, signed and dated, with contact details), and proof of training facilities in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal within 30 km of the specified ATNS offices.
3. Stage 3 – Price and Preference Points (80/20 system):

• Price: 80 points (formula: Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin)).
• Specific Goals: 20 points (10 points for 51% black-owned, 10 points for 30% black woman-owned).

Minimum qualifying score: not stated.

Preference points are claimed via SBD 6.1 and verified using CSD report, CIPC documents, shareholder certificates, ID copies of shareholders, and B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.

Scope: appointment of an accredited training service provider to deliver three training programmes to ATNS employees in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal over three years on an as-and-when-required basis.

Programmes and content:

• Business English: business grammar, professional verbal communication, vocabulary, workplace communication, presentation skills, communication etiquette, listening and comprehension, professional email.
• Professional Writing: business correspondence, email writing, report writing, technical and professional writing, minute-taking, proposal and memorandum writing, editing and proofreading, writing for executive and stakeholder audiences.
• AI Training: introduction to AI, generative AI fundamentals, prompt engineering, AI in business operations, productivity and automation, responsible and ethical use, data privacy and governance, AI tools for research/writing/reporting/presentations, practical workplace use cases, emerging trends.

Delivery requirements:

• Classroom-based, instructor-led sessions.
• Provide all learning materials and manuals.
• Facilitate practical exercises, case studies, and assessments.
• Maintain attendance registers.
• Conduct learner evaluations.
• Issue certificates of competence upon successful completion.
• Provide post-training reports including attendance and learner feedback.

Training locations:

• In-person at a suitable facility provided by the service provider.
• Facilities must be within 30 km of ATNS Head Office (Eastgate Office Park, Block C, South Boulevard Road, Bruma, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2198) and ATNS King Shaka International Airport (La Mercy, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 4407).
• All facility costs (rooms, AV, parking, internet) are included in the quoted rates; no additional payment by ATNS.

Mandatory accreditation: valid accreditation certificate, registration certificate, or proof of recognition as a training provider from a relevant SETA, QCTO, or equivalent national/international quality assurance body. Failure to submit valid accreditation results in automatic disqualification.

Client reference: at least one reference letter on official letterhead, signed and dated, with contact details, showing experience in Business English, Professional/Business Writing, or AI training, completed within the past 5 years. Letters of appointment, award notifications, or contracts are not accepted.

Pricing must be submitted on SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services).

Rates per delegate for each of the three training programmes (Business English, Professional Writing, AI Training) for each of the three years.

Rates must include: facilitator fees, training materials, assessments, certification, administrative costs, post-training reports, attendance registers, and all training delivery costs.

All rates in ZAR, all applicable taxes included.

As-and-when-required contract; no guarantee of minimum volume.

Payment based on actual work executed using quoted rates, upon formal instruction or approved work order.

ATNS may set a contract ceiling value.

Pricing schedule must be fully completed (100% of line items); incomplete pricing is non-responsive.

Any disbursement not priced will not be accepted.

Pricing format: SBD 3.3 (Pricing Schedule – Professional Services). Rates per delegate per training programme (Business English, Professional Writing, AI Training) for each of the three years.

Rates must include: facilitator fees, training materials, assessments, certification, administrative costs, post-training reports, attendance registers, and all training delivery costs.

All rates in South African rand (ZAR), all applicable taxes included.

Contract type: as-and-when-required; no guarantee of minimum volume or frequency.

Payment: based on actual work executed using the quoted rates, upon formal instruction or approved work order.

ATNS may set a contract ceiling value.

Pricing schedule must be fully completed (100% of line items); incomplete pricing is non-responsive.

No bid security, bond, or guarantee is stated.

Retention: on termination, the bidder must hand over all documentation and deliverables to ATNS without right of retention.

CSD registration: mandatory. Submit proof of registration or application; no award without CSD registration.

SARS tax compliance: submit a valid Tax Compliance Status PIN (valid 60 days from submission) or CSD number; each JV/consortium/subcontractor party must submit separately.

Accreditation: valid accreditation certificate, registration certificate, or proof of recognition as a training provider from a relevant SETA, QCTO, or equivalent national/international quality assurance body.

Client reference: at least one reference letter on official letterhead, signed and dated, with contact details, showing experience in Business English, Professional/Business Writing, or AI training, completed within the past 5 years. Letters of appointment, award notifications, or contracts are not accepted.

Training facilities: proof of existing or secured facilities in both Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal within 30 km of the specified ATNS offices (lease agreement, ownership proof, facility confirmation letter, or letter of intent).

B-BBEE: valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) required to claim preference points.

Specific goals evidence: CSD report, CIPC documents, shareholder certificates, ID copies of shareholders.

State employment: bids from persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors who are, will not be considered.

Professional body registration: proof required; bids without it are non-responsive.

ATNS's mission includes ensuring economic, social, and environmental sustainability. No specific environmental requirements for bidders are stated.

Contract duration: three years, as-and-when-required.

ATNS may vary the scope and terms, with written notice to bidders.

Contract includes standard terms: retention for non-satisfactory completion, breach, confidentiality, and requirement for professional indemnity insurance.

ATNS may cancel or postpone the procurement at any stage before contract signature.

ATNS may negotiate with one or more bidders; negotiation does not constitute award.

Contract is concluded only when signed by both parties.

ATNS may reject any bid, including the lowest, and may award multiple contracts for different functions.

Reasons for rejection: proven corruption or fraud, abuse of SCM system, failure to perform on previous contracts.

Additional information may be requested; responses due within 7 working days.

Confidentiality: bid information must be kept confidential and used only for bid preparation.

Intellectual property: copyright of all documentation belongs to ATNS; no disclosure without written approval.

Non-compliance with delivery terms: immediate written notice required; ATNS may implement remedies under GCC.

Bidder warrants it can conclude the agreement to ATNS's satisfaction.

Waiver of breach does not prejudice remedies for continuing breach.

Retention: on termination, bidder must hand over all documentation and deliverables without right of retention.

Evaluation is in three stages:

1. Administrative: SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN (valid 60 days).
2. Mandatory: accreditation, client reference, training facilities in both provinces.
3. Price and Preference Points (80/20):

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific Goals: 20 points (10 for 51% black-owned, 10 for 30% black woman-owned).

Price formula: Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).

Preference points claimed via SBD 6.1, verified with CSD report, CIPC documents, shareholder certificates, ID copies, and B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.