Provision of subsidised public transport services in ritchie–kimberley areas for 18 months (ncdtsl 03/2026/27) – compulsory briefing 14 august 2026, closing 31 august 2026 11:00

Briefing session (compulsory): 14 August 2026, 11h00–12h00, at Kimberley Provincial Traffic Station (Padkamp), 45 Schmidtsdrift Road, Carters Glen.

Clarification queries must be submitted in writing at least seven calendar days before the closing date and time.

Returnable documents — all must be completed, signed and submitted with the bid:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule – Firm Prices): firm prices only, valid for 120 days from closing date.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any state employment or connections to the procuring institution; false disclosure disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under the 80/20 system.
• Copy of CSD registration report or SARS tax pin certificate.
• Letter of authority to sign documents on behalf of the company.
• Compulsory meeting certificate confirming attendance at the briefing session.

Disqualification risks:

• Failure to provide or comply with any of the above particulars may render the bid invalid.
• Bids received after the closing time will not be considered.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.

Evaluation is carried out in three phases:

• Phase 1 (Pre-compliance): review of SCM returnable documents, tax matters, and proof of CSD registration submitted with the bid.
• Phase 2 (Mandatory requirements): bidders must submit all mandatory requirements with the bid; failure to comply results in disqualification and no further evaluation.
• Phase 3 (Price and Preference Points): the 80/20 preference point system applies. Price scores a maximum of 80 points using the formula Ps = 80[1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin]. A maximum of 20 points is allocated for specific goals: 20 points if the bidder has more than 50% ownership by Black people, women, or people with disabilities; fewer points for 50% and below ownership.

The bid is awarded to the bidder with the highest combined price and preference points, provided all evaluation phases are met. The department may award to a tenderer that did not score the highest points under section 2(1) of the PPPFA.

The department seeks a substitute operator to render a subsidized public passenger transport service in the Ritchie–Kimberley areas for 18 months.

Fleet requirements:

• Provide and operate a total of 7 standard buses (60–65-seat capacity), registered in the name of the company/operator and subcontractor.
• 6 buses operate on approved routes; 1 bus must be on standby at all times for unforeseen eventualities.
• Buses must not be older than 15 years; chassis must not be older than 30 years.
• Each bus must be fitted with a tracking system accessible to the department for monitoring and report generation.
• Each vehicle must have a valid Certificate of Fitness (COF), valid disc, and valid Certificate of Roadworthiness (COR).
• Buses must be roadworthy at all times during the contract period.

Service requirements:

• Operate subsidized public passenger services across seven approved routes, Monday to Saturday, in accordance with the approved timetable.
• Monthly claims are based on kilometres operated.
• The successful bidder must obtain an operating licence before operations resume.
• Certified copies of registration certificates and licences for all vehicles must be submitted.
• Subcontracting is not allowed after award without prior written permission from the department.
• The successful bidder may not cede, transfer, sell or alienate the contract or any part thereof.

Pricing must be firm for the duration of the contract; non-firm prices (including those subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered.

Monthly claims are calculated as: (Operated KMs x KM rate) x escalation factor. Total monthly income is the claimed amount plus passenger ticket revenue.

The contract is escalated annually in line with the PTOG allocation percentage.

Offer must remain valid for 120 days from the closing date of the bid.

Mandatory compliance requirements:

• Registration on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) — proof must be submitted with the bid.
• Valid tax compliance status (SARS tax pin certificate or CSD number/report).
• Bidders making taxable supplies over R1 million in any 12-month period must register as VAT vendors within one month of award.
• Valid B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate issued by SANAS-accredited verification agency, or B-BBEE Certificate issued by CIPC, or a Sworn Affidavit commissioned by a Commissioner of Oaths.
• For joint ventures or partnerships, accreditation credentials in the name of the joined entities must be submitted.
• Compliance with the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (Act No. 5 of 2000) and the Preferential Procurement Regulations 2022.
• Compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) regarding processing of personal information.