IT resources to enable migration to a new aws stack

SAA's IT department is revamping its backend systems and applications to align with current technologies, improve customer experience and cut operating costs, including migration from on-premises infrastructure to AWS.

• SAA seeks a service provider able to supply IT resources supporting its IT infrastructure: hardware, software, network, security and related services.
• The provider must have the experience, expertise and track record to deliver resources for the AWS migration while the existing on-premises systems remain in operation.
• SAA may negotiate contract terms and conditions, including price, with a prospective service provider.

Closing

• 16 November 2026 at 16:00.

Issue date

• 11 November 2026.

Quotation validity

• 90 days.

No compulsory briefing or site visit is scheduled.

Enquiries and submission

• Email: [email protected]
• Business unit: Global Supply Management

No named contact person or telephone number is provided; enquiries and submissions go to the email address above.

Submission method

• Email only, to [email protected].
• Attachment limit: 2MB per email. Larger submissions must be split across several emails or supplied as a downloadable link; SAA accepts no responsibility for links that are corrupt or cannot be opened.
• Quotations received after the closing time will not be considered. Late or incomplete submissions invalidate the quote and disqualify the bidder.

Returnable documents (all must accompany the quote)

• SAA Vendor application form and supporting documents (Annexure 1).
• SBD 4 Declaration of Interest (Annexure 2): discloses any director, shareholder or official connection to the state; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SAA General Conditions of Contract, signed and accepted (Annexure 3).
• Job descriptions for the roles in scope (Annexure 4).
• Original Tax Clearance Certificate where SAA does not already hold a valid one.
• Written quote form completed with vendor name, postal address, telephone, cell, email and contact person, signed by an authorised signatory with capacity stated.

Disqualification risks

• Late or incomplete quotation.
• Any returnable document omitted or unsigned.
• A "No" answer to any Phase 1 statement of compliance.
• Missing reference letters or CVs.

If not quoting, notify the relevant procurement official by return email.

Five stages, generally sequential (SAA may run stages in parallel; being evaluated at one stage does not mean earlier stages were passed).

Step 1 — Administrative responsiveness

• All returnable documents completed, returned by the closing date and time, and valid; bid signed by an authorised respondent.

Step 2 — Substantive responsiveness (mandatory, 100% compliance)

• Each statement of compliance must be answered with supporting evidence. A "No" answer is treated as non-compliant and disqualifies the bid.
• Required: 7 years' IT resource experience in the airline industry, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter; 2 years' AWS cloud migration and maintenance experience, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter.

Step 3 — Technical functionality (100 points, minimum qualifying score 70%)

• AMADEUS eRetail/RefX experience: 40 points. Minimum 2 years' experience plus one fully compliant client reference letter = 40; no letter or a non-compliant letter = 0.
• Lead time to mobilise and deploy resources: 30 points. 0–2 weeks = 30; over 2 up to 4 weeks = 20; over 4 up to 6 weeks = 10; more than 6 weeks or no clear timeline = 0. Timelines must be stated in weeks and supported by a mobilisation approach; vague answers such as "as soon as possible" or "TBD" are non-compliant.
• CVs: 30 points. 3 compliant CVs per role = 30; 2 = 20; 1 = 10; none or non-compliant = 0.
• A CV is compliant only if the minimum IT qualification is stated, relevant certifications are attached, at least one contactable reference is included, and domain experience is demonstrated through project roles.
• Bidders below the functionality threshold are not evaluated further on price or B-BBEE.
• Note: the Phase 2 heading states a 75% threshold while the scoring table sets the threshold at 70%.

Step 4 — Price and specific goals

• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals: 20 points.
• B-BBEE Level 1 or 2: 10 points (Level 3–8 or non-compliant: 0).
• 30% or more black women ownership: 10 points.

Step 5 — Post-tender negotiations, if applicable, before a letter of award is issued.

Award

• SAA awards at its sole and absolute discretion, may withdraw the RFQ at any time, and is not obliged to accept the lowest quotation.

Purpose

• Supply IT resources to support SAA's IT infrastructure (hardware, software, network, security and related services) while the airline migrates from on-premises systems to a new AWS stack and continues running the existing on-premises systems.

Roles required (minimum 2 CVs per role)

• Lead Airline Digital Solutions Architect
• AWS Cloud-Native Java/EKS Engineer
• Senior Mobile and Digital Applications Developer

Bidder experience

• At least 7 years providing IT resources for large-scale enterprise projects, of which at least 3 years in AWS cloud migration and maintenance.
• At least 3 purchase orders or contracts from previous clients in aviation, financials, telecoms, online gambling or online shopping, with a combined period of at least 7 years.

Resource requirements

• Each candidate: minimum 7 years' hands-on experience in the proposed role, within aviation, financials, telecoms, online gambling or online shopping.
• Minimum qualification: National Diploma in IT plus the relevant certificate for the field of speciality; certified copies of all qualifications and professional certifications for each candidate.
• At least 3 recent project-specific reference letters per candidate, dated within the last 7 years and matching the PO or contract, with direct telephone and email contact details. SAA will conduct reference calls.
• A detailed skill matrix per candidate mapping expertise to the role and project technologies.
• All candidates must pass criminal, credit and employment-history background checks before engagement; the service provider arranges these. A candidate who fails is disqualified.
• Technical assessments are mandatory for every profile submitted.
• SAA may verify credentials with issuing institutions before onboarding.

Delivery and performance

• Key roles such as Project Manager and Solution Architect must be available onsite for at least 50% of the project duration, even where other roles are delivered offshore.
• All resources must work collaboratively with SAA and third-party teams.
• Contracts must include KPIs and SLAs per role with periodic performance reviews; SAA may demand immediate replacement of underperforming resources.
• Every resource serves a minimum 2-month probation period; unsatisfactory performance means immediate replacement at no extra cost.
• Any resource who leaves or is unsuitable must be replaced within 10 business days; failure incurs penalties.
• Penalty clauses apply for poor performance, credential falsification and delayed replacement.
• Services must be cost-effective, balancing quality with affordability.

Mobilisation and lead time

• Bidders must state, in weeks, how long after contract award they need to mobilise, onboard and make the proposed resources available for project commencement.
• The timeline must be realistic and supported by a brief mobilisation approach.
• Scoring: 0–2 weeks = 30 points; over 2 up to 4 weeks = 20; over 4 up to 6 weeks = 10; more than 6 weeks or no clear timeline = 0.
• Vague answers such as "as soon as possible" or "TBD" are treated as non-compliant.

CV submission

• CVs must include professional certifications, references, a minimum IT diploma qualification, and demonstrated domain experience in aviation, financials, telecoms, online gambling or ecommerce.

Bidder track record

• At least 7 years providing IT resources for large-scale enterprise projects, including at least 3 years in AWS cloud migration and maintenance.
• At least 3 purchase orders or contracts from previous clients in aviation, financials, telecoms, online gambling or online shopping, with a combined period of at least 7 years.
• 7 years' IT resource experience in the airline industry, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter.
• 2 years' AWS cloud migration and maintenance experience, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter.
• Reference letters must state the client name, project description and start and end dates, and be signed by an authorised official.

Individual resources

• Minimum 7 years' hands-on experience in the proposed role, in aviation, financials, telecoms, online gambling or online shopping.
• Minimum qualification of a National Diploma in IT plus the relevant certificate for the field of speciality; certified copies of all qualifications and professional certifications must be submitted.
• At least 3 recent project-specific reference letters per candidate, dated within the last 7 years, matching the PO or contract and including contactable telephone and email details.
• A CV counts as compliant only where the minimum IT qualification is stated, relevant certifications are attached, at least one contactable reference is included, and domain experience is shown through project roles and descriptions.
• A resource that does not meet the experience or qualification minimum disqualifies the service provider.
• SAA may verify credentials with issuing institutions before onboarding.

Pricing schedule

• Onshore: one Lead Airline Digital Solutions Architect, one AWS Cloud-Native Java/EKS Engineer, one Senior Mobile and Digital Applications Developer — hourly rate and daily rate each.
• Offshore: the same three roles, one of each — hourly rate and daily rate each.
• The schedule columns are marked "Including VAT", but the standard conditions require all prices to be exclusive of VAT; bidders should confirm the basis with SAA.
• Prices must be firm and fixed, subject only to statutory VAT changes.
• Pricing must be broken down by individual component of the solution, based on the technical and functional requirements.
• Service, pricing and availability are taken into consideration.

Preference points

• B-BBEE Level 1 or 2: 10 points; Level 3–8 or non-compliant: 0 points.
• 30% or more black women ownership: 10 points.
• Total specific goals: 20 points.
• Evidence: B-BBEE certificate, sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate, or a consolidated scorecard for joint ventures; EMEs and QSEs that are 51% black owned may submit a sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate.

Pricing format

• Quote an hourly rate and a daily rate for each of the three roles, separately for onshore and offshore delivery, one resource per role.
• The pricing schedule columns are marked "Including VAT", while the standard conditions require prices to be exclusive of VAT. Bidders should confirm the basis with SAA before submitting.
• Prices must be firm and fixed; only statutory VAT changes may alter them.
• Pricing must be broken down by individual component of the solution, based on the technical and functional requirements.
• Service, pricing and availability are all taken into consideration.

Other financial requirements

• No bid security, performance guarantee, retention or turnover threshold is stated.
• All purchases are made on an official SAA purchase order; no goods or services may be delivered before an official order or contract is received.

Mandatory returnable documents

• SAA Vendor application and supporting documents (Annexure 1).
• SBD 4 Declaration of Interest (Annexure 2): discloses any interest held by directors, shareholders or officials connected to the state; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SAA General Conditions of Contract, accepted and signed (Annexure 3).
• Job descriptions for the roles in scope (Annexure 4).
• Written quote form, signed by an authorised signatory with capacity stated.

Tax

• SAA must hold a valid original Tax Clearance Certificate. Where it does not, the bidder must submit an original certificate with the quote; failure may invalidate the quote.

Experience and qualifications

• 7 years' IT resource experience in the airline industry, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter.
• 2 years' AWS cloud migration and maintenance experience, evidenced by at least one aviation reference letter.
• Reference letters must show client name, project description, start and end dates, and be signed by an authorised official.
• Each candidate: minimum 7 years' experience, National Diploma in IT, relevant field certification, certified copies of qualifications, and at least 3 project-specific reference letters from the last 7 years.
• A resource that does not meet the experience or qualification minimum disqualifies the service provider.

B-bbee

• Evidence accepted: B-BBEE certificate, sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate; a consolidated scorecard is accepted for joint ventures.
• EMEs and QSEs that are 51% black owned may use a sworn affidavit or CIPC certificate.
• Preference points: B-BBEE Level 1 or 2 earns 10 points; Level 3–8 or non-compliant earns 0. A further 10 points are available for 30% or more black women ownership.

Other

• All candidates must pass criminal, credit and employment-history background checks.
• No CIDB grading applies; this is not construction work.

Cost effectiveness

• Bidders must show that the services offered are cost-effective, balancing quality with affordability and remaining economically viable.

Roles to be supplied

• Lead Airline Digital Solutions Architect
• AWS Cloud-Native Java/EKS Engineer
• Senior Mobile and Digital Applications Developer
• Minimum 2 CVs per role.

Evaluation runs through administrative responsiveness, substantive responsiveness, technical functionality, price and specific goals, then post-tender negotiation before a letter of award.

• Administrative stage: returnable documents completed and returned by the closing date and time, bid signed by an authorised respondent, and validity of all returnable documents verified.
• Substantive stage: mandatory returnable documents and statements of compliance, with 100% compliance required.
• Technical functionality: scored out of 100 with a minimum qualifying score of 70%.
• Price: 80 points.
• Specific goals: 20 points, split between B-BBEE Level 1 or 2 (10 points) and 30% or more black women ownership (10 points).
• Stages are normally sequential, but SAA may run them in parallel; evaluation at any stage does not confirm that earlier stages were passed.

Disqualification

• A bidder listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or the List of Restricted Suppliers is automatically excluded from the process.
• Omitting any active CSD-registered company linked to a director leads to disqualification.
• A disclosure found to be false disqualifies the bid.

SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure) — must be completed and signed

• Discloses whether the bidder, or any of its directors, trustees, shareholders, members or partners, is employed by an organ of state, and whether anyone connected to the bidder is employed by the procuring institution.
• Discloses any interest the bidder or its controlling interests hold in other enterprises, listing all CSD-registered companies involved.
• The signatory confirms the bid was prepared independently, with no consultation or arrangement with competitors on price, quality, quantity, specifications, market allocation or the decision to bid, and that the bid terms were not revealed to competitors before bid opening or award.
• Suspicious bids may be referred to the Competition Commission or to law enforcement, and a bidder may be barred from doing business with the state for up to 10 years.

Bids must be submitted in accordance with the instructions in the bidding documents. The completed and signed SBD/SAA forms and all required returnable documents must be included. Late, unsigned, or incomplete submissions may be rejected. The General Conditions of Contract form part of all bid documents and may not be amended.

Bidders must be tax-compliant. An original SARS tax clearance certificate must be provided. Bids from bidders with a history of corrupt, fraudulent, or collusive practices may be rejected.

Goods supplied must conform to the standards mentioned in the bidding documents and specifications.

Goods must conform to the standards specified in the bidding documents. The purchaser may inspect, test, and analyze goods during production or after delivery. Non-conforming goods may be rejected. Pre-bidding testing costs are for the bidder. If inspections pass, the purchaser pays; if they fail, the supplier pays.

Performance security: within 30 days of notification of contract award, the successful bidder must furnish performance security of the amount specified in the Special Conditions of Contract. The performance security may be a bank guarantee, irrevocable letter of credit, or cashier's/certified cheque, and will be returned no later than 30 days after completion of the supplier's obligations. Payment will be made within 30 days after submission of a valid invoice. Prices are in Rand unless otherwise stated in the SCC. Penalties may be deducted for late delivery, calculated using the current prime interest rate per day of delay.

Original SARS tax clearance certificate required before award. No contract will be concluded with a bidder whose tax matters are not in order. Compliance with all SBD/SAA forms and declarations is required.

The contract is governed by the General Conditions of Contract (GCC), which cannot be amended. Special Conditions of Contract (SCC) supplement the GCC; where they conflict, the SCC prevails.

Key obligations:

• Confidentiality: The supplier may not disclose contract details or specifications without the purchaser's prior written consent.
• Patent rights: The supplier indemnifies the purchaser against third-party claims of infringement.
• Inspections: Premises open for inspection; failed inspections or rejected goods are at the supplier's cost.
• Delivery and documents: Delivery as per contract; documents specified in SCC.
• Incidental services: On-site assembly, commissioning, manuals, maintenance, and training may be required.
• Spare parts: Required to supply spare parts and notify of termination of production.
• Warranty: Goods new and defect-free; warranty 12 months after delivery/acceptance or 18 months after shipment, whichever ends earlier.
• Contract amendments: Only by written amendment signed by both parties.
• Assignment: Not allowed without consent.
• Subcontracts: Must be notified in writing.
• Delays: Supplier must notify of delays; penalties may be applied; purchaser may buy substitute goods at supplier's expense.
• Termination for default: Purchaser may terminate for failure to deliver, breach, or corrupt/fraudulent practice; may restrict supplier from doing business with public sector up to 10 years.
• Force majeure: Relief from penalties if delay due to force majeure.
• Termination for insolvency: Purchaser may terminate without compensation.
• Disputes: Amicable resolution, then mediation, then South African courts.
• Limitation of liability: Supplier not liable for indirect/consequential loss; aggregate liability limited to total contract price.
• Governing language: English.
• Applicable law: South African law.
• Notices: Sent to address in bid.

The tender is for IT resources to enable migration to a new AWS stack. The vendor application form is for local and domestic stations and must be emailed with all supporting documents to [email protected].

Contact: Vendor Master (email submission)

Email: [email protected]

Submission address: [email protected]

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected]

Completed vendor application form with all supporting documents must be emailed to the address above.

Returnable documents (all must be attached):

• Vendor application form (AP Form 07), signed by a duly authorised representative.
• Cancelled cheque or stamped bank confirmation letter not older than one year.
• Latest valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.
• Latest valid tax clearance certificate or SARS pin on official SARS documentation.
• CSD registration report.
• Certified company registration documents.
• Certified copies of identity documents of shareholders.
• Certified shareholders' certificates.
• If a contracted supplier, attach a copy of the contract; if not, attach the GSM Approval Schedule.

Bidders must be registered on the CSD (CSD registration report required).

Bidders must have a valid tax clearance certificate or SARS pin.

Bidders must provide a valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit.

Bidders must provide a cancelled cheque or stamped bank confirmation letter not older than one year.

The application form must be signed by a duly authorised representative.

The tender is for IT resources to enable migration to a new AWS stack.

The vendor application form requires the following business details:

• Registered and trading names.
• Physical and postal addresses.
• Contact person and phone/email/fax.
• Bank and tax details (bank name, branch, account number, VAT number, tax clearance certificate number and expiry).
• B-BBEE details: certificate number, verification and expiry dates, applicable scorecard (EME/QSE/General), status level, enterprise development, value adding, black ownership percentages, black women ownership, black people with disabilities.
• Years in operation and annual turnover for the previous financial year.

Payment terms: 15 days from invoice, subject to GSM Approval Schedule.

A cancelled cheque or stamped bank confirmation letter not older than one year is required.

CSD registration report required.

Valid tax clearance certificate or SARS pin on official SARS documentation required.

Valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit required.

Certified company registration documents required.

Certified copies of identity documents of shareholders required.

Certified shareholders' certificates required.

If contracted supplier, attach copy of contract; otherwise attach GSM Approval Schedule.