Provision of specialised diplomacy, protocol, and etiquette training services for samsa personnel

SAMSA’s Corporate Affairs, Government and International Relations Unit seeks a reputable training provider to deliver a Diplomacy, Protocol, and Etiquette Training Programme. Goal: Enhance diplomatic engagement skills of SAMSA personnel for international travel and high-level engagements. Key objectives: Represent SAMSA professionally, engage appropriately with domestic/foreign dignitaries, demonstrate understanding of diplomatic protocols, uphold DIRCO standards, and mitigate diplomatic/cultural risks. Scope: Design and deliver a comprehensive training programme covering diplomacy principles, South African diplomatic framework, etiquette, cross-cultural communication, stakeholder engagement, and practical scenarios. Deliverables: Curriculum, training facilitation, toolkit/handbook, simulations, and post-training assessment report. Timelines: To be agreed with SAMSA; refresher sessions may be required within 12 months.

Closing date: 09/07/2026 at 11h00. No briefing session. Price validity period: 60 days after closing date.

Technical/SCM enquiries: Onkgopotse Seemela. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 012 366 2600. Submission email: [email protected]. Delivery address (if applicable): SAMSA, 146 Lunnon Road, Hillcrest, Pretoria.

Submit bids via email to [email protected]. Email subject line must include the RFQ number (RFQ-HO-1508.2). Bids must be delivered by the closing date and time (09/07/2026 at 11h00). Late bids will not be accepted. Use official forms provided; do not re-type. All bids must include signed SBD forms. Delivery address for physical submissions (if applicable): SAMSA, 146 Lunnon Road, Hillcrest, Pretoria. Price validity period: 60 days after closing date. Disqualification risks: Incomplete or inconsistent supporting documents, non-compliance with bid conditions, or submission after the deadline.

Bidders must achieve minimum 75/100 technical points to be considered for price/preference evaluation. Tax compliance is mandatory (submit TCS PIN or CSD number). Persons in service of the state and companies with directors who are persons in service of the state are disqualified. Consortiums/JVs must submit separate TCS certificates/PINs for each party. All information must be consistent across declarations; inconsistent information may result in 0 points for applicable goals. SAMSA reserves right to disqualify bids with improperly submitted supporting documents.

Scope: Design, organise, and deliver a Diplomacy, Protocol, and Etiquette Training Programme for SAMSA personnel. Objective: Enable SAMSA staff to represent the organisation professionally in international maritime forums, engage with dignitaries, and uphold South African diplomatic standards (aligned with DIRCO’s framework). Training must cover: Diplomacy and protocol principles, South African diplomatic framework, business/diplomatic etiquette, cross-cultural communication, meeting etiquette, stakeholder engagement, managing interactions with international dignitaries, official correspondence, hosting official functions, basic ceremonial procedures, and practical scenarios/case studies. Deliverables: Detailed training curriculum and schedule, facilitation for identified SAMSA personnel, comprehensive training toolkit/handbook, practical simulation exercises, post-training assessment report (participant performance, feedback, recommendations). Timelines: To be agreed with SAMSA. Follow-up refresher sessions may be required within 12 months of initial training.

Bidder must submit a detailed methodology addressing: Understanding of SAMSA’s requirements, training content and programme structure, practical simulations and role-playing exercises, case studies relevant to government/international engagements, assessment methodology, post-training evaluation and reporting, and knowledge transfer approach. Scoring: All 7 elements = 10 points, 4-6 elements = 5 points, fewer than 3 elements or no submission = 0 points.

Company Experience (30 points): Requires reference letters from previous clients for diplomacy, protocol, etiquette, or related training. 2 letters = 30 points, 1 letter = 10 points, none = 0. Trainer Experience (30 points): Lead facilitator’s CV must show relevant experience in diplomacy, protocol, or related fields. 10+ years = 30 points, 5-10 years = 20 points, 3-5 years = 10 points, <3 years = 0 points. Trainer Qualification (30 points): Submit copies of lead trainer’s qualifications. Master’s or higher = 30 points, Honours = 20 points, Bachelor’s/BTech/NQF7 = 10 points, Diploma/NQF6 = 5 points, no submission = 0 points. Only relevant fields count.

Submit a detailed quotation on company letterhead, inclusive of VAT. Pricing table must include: Full training programme (2-3 day programme), training materials (per participant), post-training assessment and reporting (per participant). Total price must include VAT at 15%. Delivery costs are part of the total quotation. Prices must remain valid for 60 days after closing date.

Pricing must be inclusive of VAT. Submit a detailed quotation on company letterhead. Pricing table must include: Full training programme (2-3 day programme), training materials (per participant), post-training assessment and reporting (per participant). Total price must include VAT at 15%. Delivery costs are part of the total quotation and not evaluated separately. Validity period: Prices must remain valid for 60 days after closing date.

Mandatory compliance: Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD registration. Submit TCS PIN (via SARS e-filing) or CSD number (if no TCS PIN). For consortia/JVs, each party must submit separate TCS/CSD documentation. Valid B-BBEE certificate required. CIPC CK1 registration document. ID copies of all listed owners (per CSD report). Proof of address (not older than 3 months) for locality points. Medical certificate (if claiming disabled ownership points). Signed SBD forms. Quotation on company letterhead. Disqualification: Bids from state employees, companies with state-employed directors, or close corporations with state-employed members are invalid. Inconsistent or missing documents may result in 0 points for applicable goals or disqualification. Minimum functionality score: 75/100 to proceed to price evaluation.

Functionality evaluation (100 points minimum threshold: 75/100): Company Experience (30 points): 2 valid reference letters = 30 points, 1 letter = 10 points, none = 0. Trainer Experience (30 points): 10+ years = 30, 5-10 years = 20, 3-5 years = 10, <3 years = 0. Trainer Qualification (30 points): Master’s+ = 30, Honours = 20, Bachelor’s/NQF7 = 10, Diploma/NQF6 = 5, none = 0. Methodology (10 points): 7 elements = 10, 4-6 elements = 5, <3 elements = 0. Preference points (80/20 or 90/10 system): Specific goals include equity ownership (HDI, women, disabled, youth) and locality. Supporting documents mandatory for all claims. Consortium/JV submissions must detail ownership and contract allocation per member.