Vendor application for saa IT infrastructure support (RFQ GSM069/2026)

Closing date: 23 October 2026 at 16:00

Contact: [email protected]

(No physical address or telephone contact provided in the document.)

Submission method: email to [email protected]. Maximum email size 2MB per transmission; send larger files in parts or provide a downloadable link. SAA is not responsible for corrupt or unopenable links. Late or incomplete submissions will be disqualified.

Required returnable documents (Annexures must accompany the quote):

• Annexure 1: SAA Vendor application and supporting documents (vendor registration).
• Annexure 2: SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest) – discloses any connection between bidder's directors/shareholders and the state.
• Annexure 3: General Conditions of Contract – acknowledge acceptance of SAA standard terms.

Additional mandatory submissions:

• Certified copies of qualifications and professional certifications for each candidate.
• At least 3 reference letters per candidate (on client letterhead, with contact details, signed by authorised person).
• A service availability and mobilisation proposal stating lead time in weeks.
• Resource CVs per role, each including IT qualification, certifications, at least one contactable reference, and aviation domain experience.
• Evidence of B-BBEE status (certificate, sworn affidavit, or CIPC certificate) for Specific Goals points.
• Valid Original Tax Clearance Certificate if SAA does not already have one on file.

Evaluation stages (sequential or parallel, at SAA's discretion):

1. Administrative responsiveness – returnable documents complete, signed, and valid.
2. Substantive (mandatory) responsiveness – 100% compliance required on mandatory criteria; any 'No' or failure to submit all required documents leads to disqualification.
3. Technical functionality – minimum qualifying score 80% (threshold). Scored as follows:

• AMADEUS eRetail/RefX experience (40%): 3 fully compliant reference letters = 40, 2 = 20, 1 = 10, 0 = 0.
• Lead time to provide standard services (40%): 0–1 week = 40, 2–3 weeks = 20, 3–4 weeks = 10, more than 4 weeks = 0.
• Resource CVs (20%): 3 compliant CVs per role = 20, 2 = 10, 1 = 5; CVs must show minimum IT qualification (National Diploma), relevant certifications, at least one contactable reference, and aviation domain experience.

4. Price (80 points) and Specific Goals (20 points):

• B-BBEE Level 1 or 2 = 10 points; Level 3–8 or non-compliant = 0.
• 30% or more black women owned companies = 10 points.
• Evidence: B-BBEE certificate, sworn affidavit, or CIPC certificate; for JVs a consolidated scorecard is accepted.

5. Post-tender negotiations before award.

Bidders failing to achieve 80% on functionality are excluded from further evaluation. SAA is not obligated to accept the lowest quotation and may withdraw the RFQ at any time.

Scope: Provision of IT systems support and maintenance services for SAA's customer-facing digital channels (Flysaa Website and Voyager Website), including hardware, software, network, security, and related services.

Key requirements:

• Support is required 24/7, 365 days per year.
• Services include support and maintenance of Liferay-based digital channels, and migration from hosted partner infrastructure to AWS.
• Bidders must have at least 10 years' experience in supporting airline customer-facing digital channels, evidenced by at least 3 reference letters from airline customers (cumulative 10 years).
• At least 5 years' experience in AWS cloud migration and maintenance, evidenced by at least 3 reference letters.
• Capability to provide 24/7/365 support for business-critical applications, evidenced by at least 3 reference letters.
• Provide a service availability and mobilisation proposal indicating lead time in weeks to commence standard services.
• Provide CVs for a minimum of 3 to 5 resources with Liferay CMS support, maintenance, design, development and architecture experience.
• All vendor resources must individually meet the 10-year experience requirement (at least 7 years in aviation industry).
• Minimum qualification: National Diploma in IT plus relevant certifications.
• Bidders must pass mandatory technical assessments and background checks (criminal, credit, employment history).

Bidders must provide a service availability and mobilisation proposal clearly stating the lead time (in weeks) required to commence standard services for airline customer-facing digital channels upon award. Pricing should be based on individual components of the solution, based on technical and functional requirements.

Mandatory experience and qualifications:

• Bidder must have at least 10 years' proven experience in providing IT resources for large-scale enterprise projects, with at least 5 years in AWS cloud migration and maintenance.
• Vendor resources must have a minimum of 7 years hands-on experience in the aviation industry.
• Evidence: at least 3 PO's or contracts from aviation clients, cumulative period 10 years.
• Minimum qualification: National Diploma in IT and relevant certificate for the field/area of speciality.
• All vendor resources must meet these requirements.
• At least 3 reference letters per candidate, dated within last 7 years, on client letterhead, with contact details, signed by authorised person.
• CVs must show professional certifications, references, and minimum IT diploma, plus aviation domain experience.
• SAA reserves the right to verify all credentials with issuing institutions.
• All candidates must pass background checks (criminal, credit, employment history) prior to engagement.
• Mandatory technical assessments for all profiles shared by bidders.

Pricing must be exclusive of VAT and firm (fixed, subject only to statutory VAT changes). Pricing should be provided on an individual component basis, based on technical and functional requirements. Cost-effectiveness is required.

Pricing format:

• All prices must be exclusive of VAT.
• Prices must be firm (fixed), and only subject to statutory changes (VAT).
• Pricing must be provided on an individual component basis, based on technical and functional requirements.
• Cost-effectiveness is a requirement; bidders must balance quality with affordability.

No bid security, bonds, guarantees, or retention mentioned.

Contract conditions:

• All purchases subject to SAA Conditions of Contract and Order.
• Performance-based contracting with clear KPIs and SLAs per role, periodic performance reviews.
• SAA reserves the right to request immediate replacement of any resource not meeting performance standards.
• Penalty clauses for non-compliance with SLA, including poor performance, credential falsification, or delayed service delivery.

Mandatory eligibility:

• CSD registration: implicit via SAA Vendor application (Annexure 1).
• Tax clearance: valid Original Tax Clearance Certificate required if SAA does not have one on file; failure to submit may invalidate the quote.
• B-BBEE: evidence required for Specific Goals points (10 points for Level 1 or 2; 10 points for 30%+ black women owned). Acceptable evidence: B-BBEE certificate / sworn affidavit / CIPC certificate; consolidated scorecard accepted for JVs.
• CIDB: not applicable (not construction).
• Professional registrations: not specified beyond IT qualifications.
• Local content: not applicable.

Additional compliance requirements:

• Certified copies of all qualifications and professional certifications for each candidate.
• Background checks (criminal, credit, employment history) for all candidates; failing these disqualifies the bidder.
• Reference letters must be on client's letterhead, with contact details, signed by authorised person, and dated within last 7 years.
• SAA will conduct reference calls to validate claims.
• Bidders must comply 100% with mandatory (substantive) requirements; selecting 'No' leads to disqualification.

SAA has the right to negotiate contract terms and conditions, including price(s). All goods/services are subject to the SAA Conditions of Contract and Order. The contract will include penalty clauses for non-compliance with SLAs, including poor performance, credential falsification, or delayed service delivery. Performance-based contracting applies with clear KPIs and SLAs per role, and periodic performance reviews. SAA reserves the right to request immediate replacement of any resource not meeting performance standards.

SAA has the right to negotiate terms and conditions, including price(s). SAA is not obligated to accept the lowest quotation and may withdraw the RFQ at any time. All goods/services subject to SAA Conditions of Contract and Order. Firm prices, exclusive of VAT. Penalty clauses for SLA non-compliance. Performance-based contracting with KPIs/SLAs and periodic reviews.

Eligibility requirements:

• Minimum 10 years' experience in providing IT resources for large-scale enterprise projects, with at least 5 years in AWS cloud migration and maintenance.
• Vendor resources must have 7 years hands-on experience in aviation industry.
• At least 3 PO's/contracts from aviation clients (cumulative 10 years).
• Mandatory technical assessments.
• Certified copies of qualifications and certifications.
• Minimum National Diploma in IT and relevant certificate.
• At least 3 reference letters per candidate (dated within last 7 years).
• Background and security checks (criminal, credit, employment history).
• Performance-based contracting with KPIs/SLAs.
• Penalty clauses for non-compliance.
• Cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation stages: Administrative -> Substantive (mandatory, 100% compliance) -> Technical functionality (min 80%) -> Price (80) and Specific Goals (20) -> Post-tender negotiations. Technical functionality scoring: AMADEUS eRetail/RefX experience (40%), Lead time (40%), Resource CVs (20%). Threshold for functionality is 80%. Specific Goals: B-BBEE Level 1/2 (10 points), 30%+ black women owned (10 points).