Review of draft rsr rolling stock safety standard (rsr 00-2-3-2:2027) – technical improvement recommendations

Returnable documents: SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim Form) must be completed, signed, and submitted with the quotation. Bidders must be registered on the CSD and hold a valid SARS tax clearance (TCS or tax pin).

Evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system (price 80 points, specific goals 20 points). Specific goals points are available for EMEs or QSEs at least 51% owned by black people (10 points), black women (5 points), youth (3 points), or persons with disabilities (2 points). Bidders must submit proof to claim these points.

Bidders must be registered on the CSD and hold a valid SARS tax clearance (TCS or tax pin). Bidders claiming specific goals points must be an EME or QSE at least 51% owned by black people, black women, youth, or persons with disabilities, and must submit the required proof.

The Railway Safety Regulator requires a review of its draft Regulator Standard RSR 00-2-3-2:2027 (Edition 1.0, Draft) titled "Railway Safety Management – Part 2-3-2: Rolling Stock Safety Requirements". The review must recommend technically justified improvements to the draft standard. The draft standard sets minimum safety requirements for rolling stock across its full lifecycle, from feasibility and concept through design, manufacture, operation, maintenance, modification, decommissioning and disposal. It applies to all types of rail vehicles operating on South African railway networks, including locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches, freight wagons, shunting vehicles, heritage rolling stock, on-track machines and road-rail vehicles. The standard extends and augments SANS 3000-2-3 and interfaces with other RSR and SANS standards. It is issued under the Railway Safety Act, 2024 (Act No. 30 of 2024).

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and hold a valid SARS Tax Clearance Certificate. Bidders must have demonstrable experience in railway rolling stock safety standards and engineering. No specific B-BBEE level or CIDB grading is stated in the document.

The Railway Safety Regulator requires a review of its draft Regulator Standard RSR 00-2-3-2:2027 (Edition 1.0, Draft) titled "Railway Safety Management – Part 2-3-2: Rolling Stock Safety Requirements". The review must recommend technically justified improvements to the draft standard.

The draft standard sets minimum safety requirements for rolling stock across its full lifecycle, covering: feasibility and concept, design, manufacture/refurbishment/rebuild, inspection/testing/commissioning/acceptance, operation and serviceworthiness, monitoring and maintenance, modification and change, abnormal working and degraded modes, decommissioning and disposal, and rolling stock records and database.

The standard applies to locomotives, multiple units, passenger coaches, freight wagons, shunting vehicles, heritage rolling stock, on-track machines, road-rail vehicles and other rail vehicles operating on South African railway networks. It covers new, imported, second-hand, refurbished, rebuilt and materially modified rolling stock.

The standard extends and augments SANS 3000-2-3 and interfaces with SANS 3000-2-6, RSR 00-2-3-1 (wheels, axles and bearings), RSR 00-2-6-1 (interface agreements), RSR 00-3 (occurrence management) and RSR 00-4-1 (fatigue management). It is issued under the Railway Safety Act, 2024 (Act No. 30 of 2024).

Key technical areas covered by the draft standard include:

• Safety management and lifecycle control within the Operator's Safety Management System (SMS)
• Competence and independence of persons performing safety-related activities
• Interface and compatibility management (per SANS 3000-2-6 and RSR 00-2-6-1)
• Configuration and change management
• Records and safety evidence retention
• Feasibility and concept phase deliverables (ConOps, URS, hazard log, RAMS objectives, route compatibility)
• Design phase requirements: structural integrity, running gear/wheelsets/axles/bearings, braking, coupling, electrical/traction/electronic systems, train control/software/cybersecurity, fire safety, human factors and accessibility
• Manufacture, refurbishment and rebuild controls, including safety-critical manufacturing controls and records
• Inspection, testing, commissioning and acceptance, including FAT, SAT, static, dynamic, braking, stability, EMC, train control, route compatibility, rescue and degraded-mode testing
• Operation and serviceworthiness, pre-service inspections, train formation and loading, dangerous goods handling
• Monitoring and maintenance, including safety-critical component controls and condition monitoring
• Modification and change classification and requirements
• Abnormal working and degraded-mode controls
• Decommissioning and disposal planning
• Rolling stock records and database requirements

Annexure A lists minimum lifecycle safety deliverables. Annexure B specifies minimum route compatibility assessment matters. Annexure C lists reference standards (EN, IEC, AAR, ISO, SANS) that may be adopted through an approved design basis.

Bidders must have a valid tax clearance certificate from SARS. Bidders must not have tax matters that are not in order. Bidders must comply with the General Conditions of Contract, including provisions on corrupt and fraudulent practices, which may lead to termination and restriction from doing business with the public sector. Bidders must be able to provide performance security within 30 days of contract award if specified in the Special Conditions of Contract.

The contract is governed by the General Conditions of Contract (GCC). Key provisions include:

• Performance security: The successful bidder must furnish performance security within 30 days of contract award, in the amount and form specified in the Special Conditions of Contract (SCC).
• Payment: Payment will be made within 30 days of submission of a valid invoice, unless otherwise specified in the SCC.
• Prices: Prices quoted in the bid are firm and cannot vary unless price adjustments are authorised in the SCC or a bid validity extension.
• Contract amendments: No variation or modification of the contract is valid unless made by written amendment signed by both parties.
• Assignment: The supplier may not assign its obligations under the contract without the purchaser's prior written consent.
• Subcontracts: The supplier must notify the purchaser in writing of all subcontracts awarded under the contract.
• Delays and penalties: If the supplier fails to deliver or perform within the specified period, the purchaser may deduct a penalty calculated on the delayed value using the current prime interest rate per day of delay, and may also terminate the contract.
• Termination for default: The purchaser may terminate the contract if the supplier fails to deliver, fails to perform any obligation, or engages in corrupt or fraudulent practices. The supplier may be restricted from doing business with the public sector for up to 10 years.
• Force majeure: The supplier is not liable for delays or failures caused by force majeure events, provided the purchaser is notified promptly.
• Disputes: Disputes are first resolved by mutual consultation, then mediation, and finally in a South African court.
• Governing law: The contract is governed by South African law and written in English.
• Taxes: The supplier is responsible for all taxes and duties until delivery. No contract will be concluded with a bidder whose tax matters are not in order.
• National Industrial Participation Programme (NIP): Applicable to contracts subject to NIP obligations.

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) seeks to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced service provider to independently review the RSR-developed Draft Railway Safety Regulator Standard for Rolling Stock and recommend technically justified improvements. The review must determine whether the draft standard is technically complete, risk-informed, clear, consistent, enforceable and practical for the South African rail environment, and whether it provides appropriate assurance for rolling stock through its lifecycle. The RSR retains ownership of the draft standard and the authority to accept or reject proposed changes, authorise consultation text, approve the final standard and manage its publication. The appointment is for an independent, evidence-based review and targeted refinement, not for development of an unrelated standard from first principles.

Closing date: 19 November 2026 at 16:00

SCM contact:

• Name: Doris Letsholo
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 010 495 5391

Project Manager:

• Name: Reginald Ntshingila
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 010 495 5391

Submission method: email

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing time: 19 November 2026 at 16:00

Returnable documents (all must be completed, signed and submitted):

• CSD registration report (National Treasury Central Supplier Database)
• Comprehensive quotation with VAT-inclusive prices
• Tax PIN and tax clearance certificate
• Fully completed and signed Standard Bidding Documents (SBD) forms
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (affidavit must state the financial year period, e.g. 31 March 2022)
• Valid company registration documentation from CIPC
• Copy of the identity document of the company owner(s)
• For specific goals claims: valid medical certificate, SASSA registration, and NCPPDSA registration (for disability claims)

Disqualification risks:

• Failure to attain the minimum functionality threshold of 70 points
• Missing or invalid documents for specific goals claims will result in no points for those goals

Evaluation stages:

1. Functionality evaluation (minimum threshold: 70 points to proceed)
2. Price and specific goals evaluation under the 80/20 preference point system (PPPFA Regulation 2022)

Functionality scoring (total 100 points):

• Company's experience on similar projects: 20 points
• 5 references = 20 points
• 4 references = 16 points
• 3 references = 12 points
• 2 references = 8 points
• 1 reference = 4 points
• 0 references = 0 points
• Bidder's team qualification and experience: 15 points
• Project Lead qualifications (NQF Level 9 or above = 15, NQF Level 8 = 12, NQF Level 7 = 9, below NQF Level 7 = 0)
• Project Lead relevant experience: 10 points
• 10 years or more = 10 points
• 5 to <10 years = 8 points
• 2 to <5 years = 6 points
• 1 to <2 years = 4 points
• Less than 1 year = 0 points
• Rolling Stock Engineering / Maintenance Specialist qualifications: 15 points (same NQF scoring as above)
• Railway Operations Specialist experience: 10 points (same experience scoring as above)
• Approach to work: 30 points
• Review methodology: 15 points (well defined = 15, moderately defined = 10, poorly defined = 5, none = 0)
• Project Implementation Plan: 15 points (well defined = 15, moderately defined = 10, poorly defined = 5, none = 0)

Price and specific goals (80/20 system):

• Maximum 80 points for price
• Maximum 20 points for specific goals (see compliance requirements)

Minimum qualifying score: 70/100 on functionality

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) requires an independent review of its Draft Railway Safety Regulator Standard for Rolling Stock, with technically justified improvements recommended.

Scope of work:

• Project inception: confirm baseline, assessment criteria, methodology, timetable, and quality assurance arrangements.
• Regulatory and technical alignment assessment: assess the draft against the Railway Safety Act 2024, RSR and SABS/SANS standards, vehicle acceptance requirements, OEM manuals, and local industry practices.
• Clause-by-clause review: test all material provisions for safety purpose, completeness, technical validity, clarity, consistency, proportionality, implementability, and audit feasibility.
• Technical coverage review: review all sections of the draft, covering lifecycle phases (feasibility, design, manufacturing, testing, commissioning, operation, maintenance, modification, decommissioning) and safety-critical systems (brakes, wheels, axles, bogies, couplers, doors, fire protection, electrical/control, software).
• Interfaces and consistency: identify conflicts with other RSR and SABS/SANS instruments.
• Findings and recommendations: provide proportionate amendments, using regional/international references selectively.
• Controlled Review and Traceability Matrix: document each finding with clause reference, evidence, safety consequence, priority, proposed remedy, and closure status.
• Working group and governance support: facilitate technical sessions with the RSR-appointed Rolling Stock Industry Working Group, present to Technical Committee, OPCO, EXCO and Board.
• Consultation support (if authorised): review stakeholder/public submissions, provide comment-response matrix.
• Draft revisions: supply annotated/track-changes and clean versions of the draft.
• Project close-out: transfer all editable deliverables to RSR.

Deliverables (all in editable electronic format and searchable PDF):

• Inception Report and Project Execution Plan
• Independent Rolling Stock Technical and Regulatory Review Report
• Review and Traceability Matrix
• First Reviewed Draft Standard (tracked and clean versions of October 2026 Draft 4.0)
• Technical Engagement and Consultation Records
• Final Proposed Reviewed Rolling Stock Standard
• Executive Summary and Close-out Report

The bidder must submit a comprehensive methodology addressing all deliverables, aligned with best practice. The methodology will be scored out of 15 points: well defined = 15, moderately defined = 10, poorly defined = 5, none = 0. A project implementation plan with milestones and timelines is also required, scored similarly.

Company experience: The bidder must provide signed and contactable references for completed comparable rolling stock standards, safety assurance, vehicle acceptance, technical assessment or regulatory review projects during the previous 15 years. Scoring: 5 references = 20 points, 4 = 16, 3 = 12, 2 = 8, 1 = 4, 0 = 0.

Key personnel:

• Project Lead / Rolling Stock Engineering and Safety Assurance Specialist: NQF Level 7 or above in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, electro-mechanical engineering or related discipline (or SAQA-verified international equivalent). NQF Level 9+ = 15 points, Level 8 = 12, Level 7 = 9, below = 0. Relevant experience: 10+ years = 10 points, 5-<10 = 8, 2-<5 = 6, 1-<2 = 4, <1 = 0.
• Rolling Stock Engineering / Maintenance Specialist: same qualification requirements and scoring (15 points).
• Railway Operations Specialist: experience in rolling stock engineering/maintenance, scored as above (10 points).

ECSA professional registration (or recognised international equivalent) must be supported by documentary evidence. The same individual cannot be counted for both specialist positions.

The review must assess the draft standard's quality against the Railway Safety Act 2024, applicable regulatory instruments, RSR standards, SABS/SANS requirements, and established local rolling stock safety requirements. The review must identify safety-critical omissions, gaps, contradictions, overlaps, ambiguities, and implementation or enforcement risks. Quality assurance arrangements must be confirmed at inception.

Mandatory compliance:

• CSD registration (National Treasury Central Supplier Database)
• Tax PIN and tax clearance certificate
• Fully completed and signed SBD forms
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit (for EME/QSE)
• Valid CIPC company registration
• Copy of ID of company owner(s)

Specific goals (20 points total, under 80/20 system):

• EME/QSE at least 51% black-owned: 10 points
• EME/QSE at least 51% black women-owned: 5 points
• EME/QSE at least 51% youth-owned: 3 points
• EME/QSE at least 51% owned by persons with disabilities: 2 points

Proof required for specific goals:

• Copy of ID of owner(s)
• Valid SANAS-accredited B-BBEE certificate or valid sworn affidavit
• CSD report
• Valid CIPC registration
• For disability: valid medical certificate, SASSA registration, and NCPPDSA registration

Failure to submit valid documents for specific goals will result in no points for those goals.

The review must cover safety-critical aspects of rolling stock including braking, wheel-rail interaction, structural integrity, passenger and crew safety, freight containment, and safe operation in normal, degraded and emergency conditions. The review must assess safety management systems, hazard logs, risk registers, and safety assurance across the lifecycle.

The evaluation uses the 80/20 preference point system under PPPFA Regulation 2022. A maximum of 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals. Bidders must attain a minimum threshold of 70 points on functionality to be considered for price and specific goals evaluation. Functionality criteria include company experience (20 points), team qualifications and experience (15 points), Project Lead experience (10 points), Rolling Stock Engineering / Maintenance Specialist qualifications (15 points), Railway Operations Specialist experience (10 points), and approach to work (30 points).