Helicopter services for the annual aerial census at mokala national park (RFQ-149b-26)

• Advertisement date: 13 October 2026
• Closing date and time: 19 October 2026 at 12:00
• Bid validity period: 90 days from the closing date
• Service period: once-off, October/November 2026
• No compulsory briefing or site visit is scheduled.

SCM enquiries

• Contact: Malebo Rammushi
• Role: bidding procedure enquiries
• Telephone: 012 426 5136
• Email: [email protected]

Technical enquiries

• Contact: Lufuno Munyai
• Role: technical enquiries
• Telephone: 053 802 1916
• Email: [email protected]

Submission

• Method: email
• Submission email: [email protected]

Service delivery

• Mokala National Park, Northern Cape

Submission method: email only, to the designated SANParks address.

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing: 19 October 2026 at 12:00

• Bids sent to any other email address will not be accepted.
• Bids received after the closing time will not be considered.
• Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided; the forms may not be retyped.
• Bid validity: 90 days from the closing date.
• Bidders may not contact any SANParks official other than the two named enquiry contacts.

Returnable documents (all must be completed and submitted):

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• Quotation on the bidder's company letterhead.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses state employment or relationships involving the bidder's directors, shareholders or members.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims the 20 specific-goal points under the 80/20 system.
• SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services): the service contract the successful bidder signs.
• Proof of registration on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or a printed TCS certificate.
• Proof of authority to sign, such as a company resolution.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory Phase 1 requirement not met.
• Returnable forms omitted or left unsigned.
• Submission to an email address other than the designated one.
• Late submission.

Documents required with the bid for compliance and governance verification:

• Fully completed SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid).
• Quotation on the company letterhead.
• Fully completed SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure).
• Fully completed SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim).
• Fully completed SBD 7.2 (Contract Form – Rendering of Services).
• Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or printed TCS certificate.
• Proof of authority to sign, such as a company resolution.

Phase 1 – mandatory compliance (pass or fail)

• Bidders must indicate compliance with each mandatory requirement and substantiate it with evidence; failure on any item eliminates the bid from further evaluation.
• Mandatory items: SACAA Air Operating Certificate in the bidder's own name; SACAA Air Operations Specification with General Air Service Class III and Aircraft Category H2; Air Services Licence from the Air Service Licensing Council, Class III, with Types of Air Services G10 and G15 and Category of Aircraft H2; valid commercial pilot licence with Cull Rating for the dedicated pilot; combined third-party and passenger liability cover of at least R50 000 000 per incident including darting and dangerous flying work, with an insurance reference and a signed letter of undertaking or letter of intent.

Phase 2 – functionality (minimum qualifying score: 70%)

• Bidders scoring below 70% across the functionality criteria are eliminated.
• Criterion 1 – dedicated pilot's aerial census flying hours, minimum 500 hours: weight 35 points. 0 points if no logbook is submitted or fewer than 500 hours; 3 points at 500 hours; 5 points above 500 hours.
• Criterion 2 – dedicated pilot's turbine/piston helicopter hours, minimum 1 000 hours: weight 35 points. 0 points if no logbook is submitted or fewer than 1 000 hours; 3 points at 1 000 hours; 5 points above 1 000 hours.
• Criterion 3 – valid commercial helicopter pilot licence for the dedicated pilots with supporting documents (pilot proficiency test within the previous 6 months, valid medical certificate, valid Crew Resource Management certificate, valid Dangerous Goods certificate, copy of the pilots' employment contract): weight 30 points. 1 point for the licence without supporting documents; 2 points for the licence with some supporting documents; 3 points for the licence with all required documents; 5 points for the licence with additional documents.
• Different pilots may be put forward for accreditation.

Phase 3 – price and preference (80/20 system)

• Price: 80 points, scored against the lowest acceptable bid.
• Specific goals: 20 points.
• Total: 100 points.

Scope

• Provision of helicopter services for the annual aerial census (animal counts) at Mokala National Park for the Arid Research Unit – Scientific Services.
• Once-off operation during October/November 2026.
• Aircraft: four-seater R44 helicopter or equivalent, small turbine engine.
• Flight hours: 32 hours at Mokala National Park, excluding ferry time.
• Fuel delivery is required as a separate priced item.

Aircraft equipment requirements

• Safety equipment fitted.
• Emergency plan and reaction capability with flight-following.
• Operational communication system including a ground-to-air radio and direct internal communication between the pilot and passengers.
• High skids.
• Siren for wildlife operations.
• Aviation GPS able to project the helicopter's bearing so that survey transects are held accurately.
• Removable or sliding doors for darting operations and adequate visibility during surveys.
• Specialised software able to plot spatial observations of species in real time during game surveys.

• The dedicated pilot must have at least 500 flying hours for aerial census work; certified copies of the pilot logbook must be submitted.
• The dedicated pilot must have at least 1 000 flying hours on turbine or piston helicopters; certified copies of the pilot logbook must be submitted.
• The dedicated pilots must hold a valid commercial helicopter pilot licence with a pilot proficiency test within the previous 6 months, a valid medical certificate, a valid Crew Resource Management certificate, a valid Dangerous Goods certificate, and an employment contract or agreement.
• Different pilots may be submitted for accreditation.

Quotes are submitted excluding VAT on the prescribed schedule:

• Item 1: helicopter services at Mokala National Park for the aerial census, 32 hours excluding ferry, priced at a unit rate per hour for the October/November 2026 period.
• Item 2: fuel delivery, priced as a lump sum.
• The schedule requires a sub-total, VAT at 15%, and a grand total in Rand.

Pricing

• Quote on the prescribed pricing schedule, excluding VAT.
• Item 1: helicopter services at Mokala National Park for the aerial census, 32 hours excluding ferry, priced at a unit rate per hour for October/November 2026.
• Item 2: fuel delivery, priced as a lump sum.
• The schedule requires a sub-total, VAT at 15%, and a grand total in Rand.
• Award goes to a bidder who has quoted on all items.

Payment

• Payment within 30 days of receipt of invoice, in line with the PFMA, after the service is rendered.

Insurance

• Combined third-party and passenger liability cover of at least R50 000 000 per incident, including darting and dangerous flying work, with an insurance reference; a signed letter of undertaking or letter of intent is acceptable at bid stage.

Registration and tax

• Registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database; proof of registration must be submitted.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN or a printed TCS certificate. Consortia, joint ventures and sub-contractors must each submit a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.
• Bids will not be considered from persons in the service of the state, companies with such directors, or close corporations with such members.

Aviation compliance (mandatory)

• Valid SACAA Air Operating Certificate in the bidder's own name as per company registration documents.
• Valid SACAA Air Operations Specification with General Air Service Class III and Aircraft Category H2.
• Valid Air Services Licence from the Air Service Licensing Council of South Africa, Class III, with Types of Air Services G10 and G15 and Category of Aircraft H2.
• Valid commercial pilot licence with Cull Rating issued by SACAA for the dedicated pilot (certified copy).
• Combined third-party and passenger liability insurance of at least R50 000 000 per incident covering darting and dangerous flying work, with an insurance reference and a signed letter of undertaking or letter of intent.

B-bbee

• A valid B-BBEE certificate from a SANAS-accredited verification agency, or a valid sworn affidavit signed by a Commissioner of Oaths, is required to claim the 20 specific-goal points.
• Bidders who do not qualify for any specific goal score zero for those points.

Forms

• SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 and SBD 7.2 must be completed and submitted, together with a quotation on company letterhead and proof of authority to sign.

Preference points for specific goals are claimed under the 80/20 system, out of 20 points.

Enterprises owned by 51% or more black people:

• 90% to 100% black ownership: 10 points
• 70% to 89% black ownership: 8 points
• 51% to 69% black ownership: 6 points
• 40% to 50% black ownership: 4 points
• 30% to 39% black ownership: 2 points
• Less than 30% black ownership: 0 points

Enterprise size:

• Exempted Micro Enterprise (EME): 10 points
• Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE): 5 points
• Generic Enterprise (GEN): 1 point

Evidence required to claim the points: an original or valid certified B-BBEE certificate issued by a SANAS-accredited verification agency, or a valid original sworn affidavit signed by a Commissioner of Oaths. A bidder qualifying for none of the specific goals scores zero for those points.

• The helicopter must be fitted with safety equipment.
• An emergency plan and reaction capability with flight-following must be in place.
• An operational communication system is required, including a ground-to-air radio and direct internal communication between the pilot and passengers.

SANParks is a public entity operating under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, mandated to conserve, protect, control and manage national parks and other protected areas and their biodiversity. It is also governed by the Public Finance Management Act and listed as a Schedule 3 Part A public entity. The aerial census supports the Scientific Services function at Mokala National Park.

• Payment is made in line with the PFMA, within 30 days of receipt of an invoice, after the service has been rendered.
• On appointment, the recommended service provider must confirm it can deliver the services as set out in the terms of reference; failure to confirm allows SANParks to cancel the purchase order.
• The successful bidder must complete and sign the written contract form (SBD 7).
• The contract is subject to the National Treasury General Conditions of Contract, with SANParks Special Conditions of Contract appended; where the two conflict, the Special Conditions prevail.

Phase 1 mandatory requirements – non-compliance leads to disqualification:

• Valid Air Operating Certificate issued by SACAA, in the bidder's name as per company registration documents (copies as proof).
• Valid Air Operations Specification issued by SACAA with General Air Service Class III and Aircraft Category H2.
• Valid Air Services Licence issued by the Air Service Licensing Council of South Africa, Class III, with Types of Air Services G10 and G15 reflected in the licence and Category of Aircraft H2.
• Valid commercial pilot licence with Cull Rating issued by SACAA for the dedicated pilot (certified copy).
• Proof of combined third-party and passenger liability insurance of at least R50 000 000 per incident, with an insurance reference, covering darting and other dangerous flying work; a signed letter of undertaking or letter of intent confirming the cover will be in place on contracting or award.
• Registration on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database, with proof of registration; failure to submit the requested information may lead to disqualification.

SANParks reserves the right to verify the accuracy of information and the authenticity of supporting documents.

Phase 1 – mandatory compliance: bidders failing any mandatory requirement are disqualified and not evaluated further.

Phase 2 – functionality: minimum qualifying threshold of 70% across all functionality criteria.

• Criterion 1 – dedicated pilot's aerial census flying hours, minimum 500 hours (35 points).
• Criterion 2 – dedicated pilot's turbine/piston helicopter hours, minimum 1 000 hours (35 points).
• Criterion 3 – valid commercial helicopter pilot licence for the dedicated pilots with supporting documents: proficiency test within the previous 6 months, valid medical certificate, valid Crew Resource Management certificate, valid Dangerous Goods certificate, and copy of the pilots' employment contract (30 points).

Scoring: 0 points where no logbook or licence is submitted or hours/documents fall short; 3 points for meeting the stated minimum; 5 points for exceeding it. For Criterion 3: 1 point for the licence alone, 2 points with some supporting documents, 3 points with all required documents, 5 points with additional documents.

Phase 3 – 80/20 preference point system: maximum 80 points for price and 20 points for specific goals, out of 100.