Chartering of passenger ferries for robben island museum – three-year contract

Closing date: 21 September 2026 at 11:00 (submitted online).

Briefing session: 07 September 2026, 12h00-13h00, non-compulsory, via Microsoft Teams. Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/353274407052181?p=Ict7myrdywaXXIjIpO

Clarification deadline: 1 week before the submission deadline (close of business).

A non-compulsory briefing session will take place on 07 September 2026 from 12h00 to 13h00 via Microsoft Teams. Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/353274407052181?p=Ict7myrdywaXXIjIpO

Bidding procedure enquiries: Molefi Machela, telephone 021 413 4246, email [email protected].

Technical enquiries: Kevan Moodley, telephone 021 413 4200, email [email protected].

Submission channel: online only via the eTender portal (https://www.etenders.gov.za/). Faxed or emailed submissions are not accepted; late bids are returned unopened. Bids must remain valid for 90 days after closing. Bidders must prepare separate Technical and Financial Bids, each marked "Original Technical Bid" or "Original Financial Bid", signed, and all pages initialled.

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

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): the signed offer cover page.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure and Declaration): discloses any state employment or conflict of interest; false declarations lead to disqualification.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE preference points under the PPPFA.
• SBD 7.2 (Contract Form: Professional Services): the written contract to be signed by the successful bidder.
• SBD 3 (Pricing Schedule) where applicable.
• General Conditions of Contract (GCC).
• Annexure A: CV Template for key personnel.
• Letter of Authority: names the authorised signatory and provides contact details.
• CSD report (National Treasury SCM Instruction Note 4A of 2016-2017).
• Company profile.
• Response to TOR requirements (mandatory and functionality).
• SANAS B-BBEE Certificate / Sworn Affidavit / DTIC B-BBEE.

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory proposal requirement (per paragraph 6 of the TOR) missing leads to immediate disqualification.
• Bids not submitted on the official forms, or re-typed, are rejected.
• Variable price quotations are treated as non-responsive.
• Bids valid for less than 90 days are rejected.

The bid must include: Completed Invitation to Bid RIM-RFP01/2026/27 document; Letter of Authority with title, name, surname, position of authorised person, and contact details; General Conditions of Contract; CSD report (National Treasury SCM Instruction Note 4A of 2016-2017 Central Supplier Database); Company's profile; Response to TOR requirements (mandatory requirements evaluation and functionality requirements evaluation); SANAS B-BBEE Certificate/ Sworn Affidavit/ DTIC B-BBEE.

Evaluation is in three stages:

• Stage 1 – Mandatory requirements (Proposal Requirements per paragraph 6 of the TOR). Failure to submit any leads to immediate disqualification. Criteria 2 (Personnel Suitability) is evaluated separately for Passenger Boats and Luxury Boats.
• Stage 2 – Functionality (out of 100 points):

• Track Record/Experience (20 points): 5+ years' experience = 20; 3-5 years = 10; less than 3 years = 0.
• Personnel Suitability (20 points): Captain and Chief Engineer with 5+ years' experience = 10 each; less than 5 years = 5 each. CVs must follow the supplied specimen and include SAMSA CoCs.
• Vessel Suitability (40 points): proof the vessel can operate in Beaufort Scale 1-6, with max draft 2.2m, length 35m, beam 10m (from stability book or operation manual).
• Safety Record (20 points): fewer than 10 incidents in past 5 years = 20; 10-20 incidents = 10; more than 20 = 0.

A minimum of 75 points is required to be considered further.

• Stage 3 – Price & Specific Goals (100 points):

• Price: 80/90 points.
• Specific Goals: 20/10 points.

Preference point system: 80/20 for contracts up to R50,000,000 (all taxes included); 90/10 for contracts above R50,000,000. The lowest acceptable tender determines the applicable system. Price points are calculated using the formula Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin) or Ps = 90(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).

Specific Goals points (80/20): Black People Equity (min 51% Black owned) = 10; Black Women's Equity (min 51%) = 5; Local economy empowerment (domiciled in SA) = 5. Under 90/10: 5, 2.5, and 2.5 points respectively. Valid proof of address is required for local economy points.

RIM reserves the right to award to more than one service provider or not award at all.

The service is the chartering of passenger ferries to transport visitors between the Nelson Mandela Gateway (V&A Waterfront) and Robben Island, and back, for three years.

Passenger Boats:

• Must operate safely in Beaufort Scale 1-6 sea conditions.
• Length not to exceed 35m; maximum loaded draft not to exceed 2.2m; beam not to exceed 10m.
• Certified to carry a minimum of 50 passengers.
• At least 1 wash closet per 50 passengers.
• Passenger spaces air-conditioned.
• Universal accessibility: space for at least four wheelchairs and a universally accessible wash closet.
• Audiovisual sets and multimedia player for RIM-provided videos.

Luxury Boats:

• Length not to exceed 35m; maximum loaded draft not to exceed 2.2m; beam not to exceed 10m.
• Passenger spaces air-conditioned.
• Universal accessibility: space for at least one wheelchair and a universally accessible wash closet.
• Audiovisual sets and multimedia player.
• All seating properly cushioned and upholstered.
• At least 1 wash closet per 50 passengers or part thereof.

Crewing: qualified, certified crew trained in safety, emergency procedures, and customer service. Uniforms specified: Deck Officers (black pants/skirt, white shirt/top), Deck Ratings (blue pants and shirt), Engineering Officers/Ratings (same as deck or appropriate PPE).

Compliance: vessel and crew must operate legally and safely between Cape Town Harbour and Robben Island.

Proposal must include: vessel specifications with internal/external pictures; pricing per return trip; proof of experience; risk management and safety procedures; valid certificates (Local General Safety, Certificate of Registry, Load Line, Hull or Class Certificate, Safe Manning, lease agreement if applicable, Pilot Exemption); P&I insurance of USD 500 million and Hull & Machinery insurance; confirmation of at least 80% vessel availability; past 3 years' audited financials, bank rating letter, proof of funding, tax compliance; indicative planned maintenance schedule; sea and weather operating parameters.

The response must include risk management and safety procedures, and an indicative planned maintenance schedule for the duration of the contract.

The service provider must have a minimum of five years or more experience in rendering passenger vessel services. Proof of experience can be submitted via reference letters with the Client's letterhead, contact details, indicating the number of years of service supply, and signed by the appropriately authorised person. Personnel suitability: submit Senior Vessel Officers' CVs (as per specimen) and relevant SAMSA CoCs. The individual must be employed by the service provider. CVs not as per the supplied specimen will not be considered.

The vessel must be certified to carry a minimum of 50 passengers and must have valid certificates including Local General Safety Certificate, Certificate of Registry, Load Line Certificate, Hull Certificate (or Class Certificate if classed with an IACS member), Safe Manning Certificate, and Pilot Exemption. The vessel must be able to operate safely in Beaufort Scale 1–6 sea conditions.

Pricing per trip (return trip from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island) for the three-year contract duration.

Prices quoted in South African Rands, fixed for the contract period, adjusted only by the prevailing CPI rate. Variable price quotations are non-responsive.

Prices must include all duties, taxes, transportation, insurance, and other incidental costs.

Bidders must provide proof of P&I Insurance to the value of USD 500 million and Hull & Machinery Insurance with value indicated.

Past 3 years' audited financial statements, a bank rating letter, and proof of funding to maintain the vessel operational are required.

Pricing must be quoted per trip (return trip from the V&A Waterfront to Robben Island) for the three-year contract duration, in South African Rands.

Prices are fixed for the contract period, adjusted only by the prevailing CPI rate. Variable price quotations are non-responsive and will be rejected.

Proof of vessel P&I Insurance to the value of USD 500 million and proof of Hull & Machinery Insurance (with value indicated) is required.

Bidders must submit past 3 years' audited financial statements, a bank rating letter, and proof of funding to maintain the vessel operational.

Prices must be competitive and market-related; the Entity has limited resources.

Tax Compliance: Bidders must submit a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or certificate. Where no TCS PIN is available, a CSD number must be provided. Each party in a consortium/joint venture must submit separately.

CSD Registration: Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database and submit a CSD report.

B-BBEE: A SANAS B-BBEE Certificate, Sworn Affidavit, or DTIC B-BBEE certificate is required. Consolidated certificates are required for joint ventures/consortia.

State Employment: No bids will be considered from persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors who are state employees.

Joint Ventures/Consortia: Must submit a signed JV/Consortium/Trust agreement, valid tax clearance for all parties, CSD reports for all parties, and a consolidated B-BBEE certificate. SBD forms must use the JV/Consortium information.

Maritime Certificates: Valid Local General Safety Certificate, Certificate of Registry, Load Line Certificate, Hull Certificate (or Class Certificate if classed with an IACS member), Safe Manning Certificate, and Pilot Exemption.

Insurance: Proof of P&I Insurance to the value of USD 500 million and Hull & Machinery Insurance.

Fronting: The bidding entity must be the same entity that will execute the bid; fronting for another entity leads to immediate disqualification.

Specific goals for preference points: Points for Black People Equity (at minimum of 51% Black owned) – 10 points under 80/20, 5 points under 90/10; Points for a minimum of 51% Black Women's Equity – 5 points under 80/20, 2.5 points under 90/10; Points for Local economy empowerment (Bidders domiciled in South Africa) – 5 points under 80/20, 2.5 points under 90/10. Only valid proof of address will be accepted. No evidence submitted results in 0 points.

Provide qualified, certified crew trained in safety, emergency procedures, and customer service. Crew must be professional, friendly, and helpful. All crew must be attired in the specified uniform. The response must include risk management and safety procedures.

The Entity reserves the right to terminate the appointment or temporarily defer the work at any stage. The service provider must be a single legal entity. The bidding entity shall be the same entity that will execute the bid; fronting will be disqualified. The Entity will become the owner of all information, documents, programmes, advice, and reports compiled by the service provider. Copyright vests in the Entity. All information must be regarded as confidential. Bidders must limit copies of the document and destroy them if unsuccessful. The service provider is entitled to general knowledge acquired during execution, provided it is not to the detriment of the Entity. The Entity may cancel the contract for failure to comply with conditions, with a notice period of not less than seven days. The contractor shall not cede, assign, or transfer rights or obligations without prior written authority.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide a CSD report. Valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or certificate required; each party in a consortium/joint venture must submit separately. Bidders must not be persons in the service of the state, nor companies with directors who are state employees. Complete and submit SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1, and SBD 7.2 forms. Provide a SANAS B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. Submit a signed Joint Venture/Consortium agreement if applicable. Provide proof of authority for the signatory. Bids must remain valid for 90 days after closing. Failure to submit any mandatory proposal requirement leads to immediate disqualification.

Evaluation is in three stages:

Stage 1 – Mandatory requirements (Proposal Requirements per paragraph 6 of the TOR). Failure to submit any leads to immediate disqualification. Criteria 2 is evaluated separately for Passenger Boats and Luxury Boats.

Stage 2 – Functionality (100 points): Track Record/Experience (20), Personnel Suitability (20), Vessel Suitability (40), Safety Record (20). Minimum 75 points required to proceed.

Stage 3 – Price & Specific Goals (100 points): Price (80/90) + Specific Goals (20/10).

The 80/20 system applies for contracts up to R50,000,000; 90/10 for above R50,000,000. The lowest acceptable tender determines the applicable system. Price points calculated using the formula Ps = 80(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin) or Ps = 90(1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).

Specific Goals points: Black People Equity (10/5), Black Women's Equity (5/2.5), Local economy empowerment (5/2.5).