Health & safety training services – saao cape town and sutherland (36-Month contract)

Closing date and time: Tuesday, 03 November 2026 at 16:00

Date issued: 27 October 2026

Procurement enquiries

• Contact: SCM Contact person
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 021 201 1629

Technical enquiries

• Contact: SCM Contact person
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 021 447 0025

Delivery locations:

Location 1:

Saao

1 Observatory Road

Observatory

Cape Town, 7925

Location 2:

Saao

Old Fraserburg Road

Sutherland

Northern Cape, 6920

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing time: 03 November 2026 at 16:00

Mandatory returnable documents (all must be completed and signed):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 3.1 (Pricing Schedule, firm prices): completed and signed.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any state employment or relationship with the procuring institution; false declaration disqualifies.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points.
• Company profile with at least 5 years relevant Health and Safety consulting/training experience.
• Proof of current affiliation with a relevant Health and Safety industry association/professional body.
• Proof of Public Liability Insurance with minimum cover of R1 million.
• Training provider information and methodology description.
• Description of training materials development process.
• Comprehensive list of HSE and labour law courses (SAQA-registered where applicable).
• Proof of SETA or recognised accreditation as a training provider, covering the proposed courses.
• At least three contactable client references on official letterheads from the preceding three years.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) to claim preference points.

Disqualification risks:

• Missing or unsigned mandatory returnable documents.
• Prices not valid for at least 60 days.
• Non-firm prices (subject to exchange rate or other variations).
• Bidder not registered on CSD (no award will be made).
• Quotation received after closing time.

Evaluation phases:

• Phase 1: Administrative compliance — all mandatory returnable documents must be submitted.
• Phase 2: Specification evaluation and eligibility.
• Phase 3: Preference points — 80/20 system in terms of PPPR22.

Scoring split:

• Price: 80 points (VAT and all taxes included).
• Specific goals (B-BBEE status level): 20 points.

Specific goal points (80/20 system):

• B-BBEE Status Level 1 to 3: 8 points.
• B-BBEE Status Level 4 to 6: 6 points.
• B-BBEE Status Level 7 to 8: 2 points.
• Supplier at least 51% Black-owned: 3 points.
• Supplier at least 51% Black female-owned: 3 points.
• Supplier at least 51% Black youth-owned: 1 point.
• Supplier at least 51% owned by People with Disabilities: 1 point.
• EME or QSE: 4 points.

Highest scoring bidder will be awarded (for quotations above R2 000). For goods/services below R2 000, the cheapest acceptable quotation wins.

The South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), a facility of the National Research Foundation, requires on-site health and safety training for SAAO personnel at its Cape Town and Sutherland sites for a period of 36 months.

Training delivery:

• Through electronic learning platforms, at SAAO premises, or at the service provider's training facilities.
• All certified training must be accredited by the relevant SETA or a recognised national or international learning institution.

Courses to be priced:

• First Aid Level 1, 2, and 3
• HSE Representative
• Fire Fighter
• Incident Accident Investigation and Reporting
• Dangerous Goods Training for Road Transport: Driver Class 6.2
• Travel per kilometre at AA rate
• Accommodation per night per person including meals

Service provider tasks (as and when needed):

• Deliver accredited HSE training to personnel including HSE Representatives, HSE Committee members, and employees requiring job-specific training.
• Maintain accurate training records and portfolios of evidence for the legally prescribed retention period, in line with POPIA.
• Develop, customise, review and update training materials (presentations, e-books, manuals) to align with legislation and industry best practices.
• Review and recommend improvements to SAAO's training and competency plans.
• Maintain attendance registers, record assessment and competency outcomes, issue certificates.
• Facilitate CPD registration of training events where applicable; subcontracting specialised training requires SAAO's prior approval.

Bidders must describe their training capabilities and delivery methodology, covering:

• Induction training.
• Formal training programmes.
• Formative assessment and ongoing learner progress monitoring.
• Summative assessment and evaluation of learning outcomes.
• Training facilitation methods, learner support and competency assessment.
• Processes for planning, developing, facilitating and evaluating training.
• Process for developing, reviewing, updating and customising industry-specific training materials.
• Training delivery may be via e-learning, on-site at SAAO, or at provider's premises.

Company profile and experience:

• Must demonstrate at least 5 years of relevant experience in Health and Safety consulting and training.
• Company profile must outline core business, technical capabilities and competence.

Industry affiliation:

• Proof of current affiliation or membership with a relevant Health and Safety industry association, professional body or organisation.

Client references:

• At least 3 contactable client references from the preceding 3 years, on official letterheads, including client name and contact details.

Training provider accreditation:

• Proof of accreditation as a training provider through a relevant SETA or other recognised accreditation body, covering the courses proposed.

All certified training must be accredited by the relevant SETA or a recognised national or international learning institution.

Training materials must be developed, reviewed, updated and customised to remain aligned with applicable legislation, regulations, standards and industry best practices.

Accurate training records and portfolios of evidence must be maintained for the legally prescribed retention period, in line with POPIA.

Training assessments (formative and summative) must be conducted and competency outcomes recorded.

Certificates of attendance or competency must be issued as applicable.

Pricing form: SBD 3.1 (Firm Prices Purchases). Only firm prices accepted.

Offer validity: 60 days from closing date.

Prices must include VAT (15%).

Pricing items per year (Year 1, Year 2, Year 3):

• First Aid Level 1 (qty 1)
• First Aid Level 2 (qty 1)
• First Aid Level 3 (qty 1)
• HSE Representative (qty 1)
• Fire Fighter (qty 1)
• Incident Accident Investigation and Reporting (qty 1)
• Dangerous Goods Training for Road Transport: Driver Class 6.2 (qty 1)
• Travel per kilometre at AA rate
• Accommodation per night per person including meals

Sub-total per year (excl. VAT), VAT (15%), total price per year, and total for Year 1+2+3 (incl. VAT).

A separate pricing schedule must be submitted for each delivery point if pricing differs.

Pricing:

• Only firm prices accepted. Non-firm prices (including those subject to exchange rate variations) will not be considered.
• Prices must be valid for at least 60 days from the closing date.
• Prices must include VAT (15%).
• Where different delivery points influence pricing, a separate pricing schedule per delivery point is required.
• Any additional items not in the original scope must be quoted separately on company letterhead.

Payment terms:

• Payment within 30 days from receipt of invoice and delivery of goods/services.
• No pre-payment allowed.

Public Liability Insurance:

• Minimum cover of R1 million required (proof to be submitted).

Central Supplier Database (CSD):

• Registration on CSD is mandatory. No award will be made to a non-registered provider. Register at https://secure.csd.gov.za/.

Tax compliance:

• Tax compliance status PIN required (unless the entity is not liable for taxation in the RSA).

B-bbee:

• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) required to claim preference points.
• EME (annual turnover ≤ R10 million): sworn affidavit confirming turnover and black ownership.
• QSE (annual turnover between R10 million and R50 million): sworn affidavit or B-BBEE verification certificate.

Returnable forms:

• SBD 1, SBD 3.1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 as listed in submission guidelines.

The purpose is to provide HSE training to SAAO personnel. The appointed provider must demonstrate proven expertise and a strong track record in delivering HSE training or consultancy services to organisations comparable to SAAO.

Training must be accredited by a relevant SETA (e.g., MERSETA, HWSETA, TETA, ETDP SETA, FoodBev SETA, PSETA, SASSETA) or other recognised accreditation body.

The provider must maintain HSE training records and comply with POPIA.

Courses must align with applicable health, safety and environmental legislation and standards.

Contract duration: 36 months.

The National Treasury General Conditions of Contract (GCC) govern the contract. The GCC is not attached but is accessible on SAAO's website: https://www.saao.ac.za/tenders/

Where supplier terms differ from SAAO terms, mutual agreement is required; otherwise GCC applies.

SAAO reserves the right to withdraw, re-advertise, or accept part of the quotation. It does not bind itself to accept the lowest quotation.

Additional training services may be required on an ad hoc basis.

Subcontracting of specialised training requires SAAO's prior approval.

As described in main evaluation criteria: 80/20 preference point system. Price counts 80 points; B-BBEE status level and ownership-specific goals count up to 20 points. Points awarded per B-BBEE level: Levels 1-3 = 8 points, Levels 4-6 = 6 points, Levels 7-8 = 2 points; additional points for 51% Black-owned (3), Black female-owned (3), Black youth-owned (1), People with Disabilities (1), and EME/QSE (4).