Socio-economic impact assessment (seias) study for the aarto amendment act – professional services

Closing date: 02 November 2026 at 14:00

Compulsory briefing session: held virtually, date and time as per the advert (not stated in the document).

Clarification deadline: 48 hours before the bid deadline, by email to the Bid Office.

Project deliverables timeframe: 01 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Administrative Contact (Bidding/Quotation Office):

• Name: Ms Kelebogile Thipe Mabotja
• Role: Supply Chain Management
• Telephone: 0862877996
• Email: [email protected]

Technical Contact:

• Name: Ms Helen Kgamanyane
• Role: Chief Directorate: PMO, R&D and IM
• Telephone: 0829361548
• Email: [email protected]

Submission address: not stated in the document.

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

• Compulsory questionnaire (Annexure A): indicate the area of speciality/competence within the scope of work. Failure to indicate results in disqualification.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): for specific goals claimed.
• Proof of CSD registration (must accompany the technical proposal).
• For companies/close corporations: resolution or agreement of directors/members signed by an authorised person.
• For partnerships: written partnership agreement.
• For consortia/joint ventures: signed memorandum of understanding covering conditions, duration, authorised representatives, participation, benefits and other relevant information.
• Supporting documents for claimed specific goals: proof of company registration, ID copies of women in the company and their positions, medical reports, and proof of residence.
• Technical proposal must be structured in sections and appendices as provided in the bid document.
• Bidders must attend the compulsory briefing session.
• Bids must be submitted by the closing date and time; late bids are disqualified.
• Bidders may not contact RTIA about their bid from submission until contract award; attempts to influence evaluation may lead to rejection.

Evaluation is in phases:

• Phase 1 (Mandatory): CSD registration, tax compliance, compulsory questionnaire, attendance at compulsory briefing. Not scored; failure disqualifies.
• Phase 2 (Functionality): scored out of 100. Minimum qualifying score: 70/100. Bids below 70 are disqualified and not evaluated further.
• Phase 3 (Preference Points): 80/20 system. Price (80 points) and specific goals (20 points).

Specific goals and points (80/20 system):

• Ownership equity by persons who had no franchise in national elections before the 1983 and 1993 Constitutions: 8 points
• Female ownership: 3 points
• Military veterans: 3 points
• Disability: 2 points
• Youth: 2 points
• Locality: 2 points

Functionality criteria (scored 1-5 per criterion):

• Institution/Company Experience: SEIAS or relevant work within past 10 years; 0-3 years = 1 point, over 3-4 years = 2, 5-7 years = 3, 8-9 years = 4, over 10 years = 5.
• Reference letters: on company letterhead, signed and dated; 0 valid = 0 points, 1 = 2, 2 = 3, 3 = 4, 4-5 = 5.
• Key personnel qualifications: Engagement Director/Project Leader with relevant NQF level 10 (Doctorate/PhD) = 3 points; with NRF rating = 5 points.
• Team qualifications: percentage of team with NQF level 8-10; less than 50% = 0, 50% = 2, more than 70% = 3, more than 80% = 3, 100% = 5.
• Team relevant experience: 100% with 0 years = 0, 50% with 1-3 years = 2, 50% with 4-6 years = 3, more than 50% with 7-9 years = 4, 100% with over 10 years = 5.
• Training, skills development and transfer of skills: plan covering all 5 skills (R&D strategy, communicate findings, source data, develop research paper/report, data analytics) = 5 points.

Bidders must provide a unique reference number (binder/folio, chapter, section, page) to locate substantiating evidence; unlocatable evidence may be treated as 'NOT COMPLY'.

The RTIA requires appointment of a research and development service provider to conduct a Socio-Economic Impact Assessment System (SEIAS) study for the AARTO Amendment Act, and to deliver research across the following workstreams (each with a deliverable and timeframe 01 Nov 2026 – 31 Mar 2027):

• Foreign Drivers and Vehicles: research report on AARTO regulations for foreign drivers and vehicles, with recommendations.
• Appeals Tribunal: impact research report, recommendations to enhance fairness, advice on whether a single tribunal suffices, pre-implementation study, legislative improvements.
• Compliance revenue collection actuarial models: research report and recommendations on administrative fees for infringement structures.
• Independence of Adjudication: research report on separation between law enforcement and adjudication roles.
• Rehabilitation programme: research paper on impact, recommendations for behaviour change, pre-implementation study, proposed programme, driver simulator investigation, funding model.
• Appeals Structure: analysis of cost and scalability of current provisions.
• NRTA Alignment: analysis of enforcement capabilities not legally supported.
• Digital Service Gaps: analysis of regulations prohibiting electronic addresses.
• Electronic Service: amendment of definition of electronic service.
• Human Resource Flexibility: report on recruitment processes locked into outdated gazette requirements.
• Information Access: report on data access restrictions affecting insurers and fleet operators.
• AARTO education and awareness campaigns: research report on impact and effectiveness, recommendations for behaviour change.
• Socio-economic impact assessment study (SEIAS): research report on national socio-economic impact of AARTO.
• Communication plan: detailed plan for stakeholder communication.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: report on systematic tracking and assessment of project progress.
• SAPO monopoly: provision for other courier companies to deliver infringement notices.
• Demerit Point Information: provision for insurance companies to obtain demerit point info with driver consent (POPI Act).
• Demerit Points: provision for assigning demerit points to infringers not yet sentenced.
• Re-service process: detailed processes for address changes.
• Inspection in Loco: processes for address inspection where infringer alleges no road sign.
• Cancellation and removal from system: for infringement notices never served.
• Appeals Tribunal funding model: provision establishing funding model.
• Unallocated funds: provision allowing RTIA to keep unallocated funds.
• Arrest of pedestrians: provision making it an offence for pedestrians who are a 'source of danger'.
• Impounding of vehicles: provision for impounding and spot fines for non-compliant vehicles/operators.

Pricing must be firm, inclusive of all costs including disbursements and VAT (if applicable), correctly calculated and identical to the financial proposal. Pricing must be detailed with proper cost breakdown in line with milestones.

Fees and rates:

• Domestic hotel accommodation may not exceed R1,440 including VAT per night per person (incl. dinner, breakfast and parking).
• Air travel restricted to economy class.
• Travel claims per kilometre may not exceed rates approved by the Automobile Association of South Africa.
• Rates must follow the Cabinet Resolution of 23 October 2013 (National Treasury Instruction 01 of 2013/14): either SAICA 'Guidelines for fees', DPSA 'Guide on Hourly Fee Rates for Consultants', or rates based on the body regulating the profession.

Payment:

• Invoices submitted at the end of each period, certified by the Contractor's Project Manager, showing actual work performed, hours, manpower inputs and associated costs.
• Invoice becomes due and payable only when the Project Manager signs off on the deliverable and the invoice is correct (calculations, information, banking details, supporting documents).
• Invoices must reference the project name and Order-Nr; non-compliance delays payment.

Costs of preparing proposals and negotiating the contract will not be reimbursed.

CSD registration:

• Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD).
• Consortia, joint ventures and subcontractors must each be registered on the CSD.
• Tax compliance status will be verified through the CSD; must be compliant at closing date and remain valid for the duration of the contract.
• Proof of CSD registration must be submitted with the technical proposal.

B-bbee:

• Bidders must submit SBD 6.1 to claim specific goals points.
• Supporting documents for claimed goals: proof of company registration, ID copies of women in the company and their positions, medical reports, proof of residence.

Other:

• Compulsory questionnaire (Annexure A) must be completed.
• Compulsory briefing session attendance required.
• Bidders must comply with RTIA's Supply Chain rules and processes.