RFQ: accredited otn mpls-tp training provider for PRASA telecoms department, gauteng region

Closing date: 02 September 2026 at 10:00 (CAT).

No briefing or site visit is scheduled — the certificate of attendance form is marked N/A.

Contact person: Khuthadzo Tshikhudo

Telephone: 011 085 7060

Email: [email protected] and [email protected]

Complaints: [email protected]

RFQ must be hand delivered to Ground Floor Shosholoza Meyl Junction, Cnr Leyds and Simmonds Street, Braamfontein, on or before the closing date and time. No email or fax submissions will be accepted; late RFQs will not be considered.

Returnable documents — all must be completed, signed and submitted with the quotation:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• SBD 4 (Bidder's Disclosure): discloses whether any director or shareholder is employed by the state, connected to anyone at PRASA, or has interests in related enterprises; also discloses Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) and Prominent Influential Persons (PIPs). False declarations disqualify the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal preference points under the 80/20 system.
• SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies the price was set independently, with no collusion or disclosure to competitors.
• Completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4) and BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10).
• Proof of accreditation as an OTN MPLS-TP training provider or vendor proprietary training certificate.
• Letter of Good Standing (COIDA), valid SARS PIN, CSD registration number.
• Joint Venture/Consortium/Partnering/Subcontract agreement signed by all parties, indicating the leading bidder where applicable.
• Proof of authority to sign (e.g. company resolution).

Disqualification risks:

• Any mandatory returnable document omitted or unsigned at closing.
• Quotations received after the closing time or at the incorrect venue.
• Attempts to canvass any SCM officer or PRASA employee between closing and award.
• Including documents or references relating to any other quotation or proposal.

Mandatory returnable documents: completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4), completed BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10), proof of OTN MPLS-TP accreditation or vendor proprietary training certificate, signed RFQ and SBD forms, COIDA letter of good standing, valid SARS PIN, all declarations, JV/consortium/subcontract agreement, and CSD registration number. Failure to provide mandatory documents at closing results in disqualification.

Evaluation is staged:

• Stage 1A (Mandatory): submission of completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule, BOQ/Pricing Schedule, and proof of OTN MPLS-TP accreditation or vendor proprietary training certificate. Failure to submit any of these automatically disqualifies the bid.
• Stage 1B (Other Mandatory): signed RFQ and SBD forms, COIDA letter of good standing, valid SARS PIN, completion of all RFQ documentation and declarations, JV/consortium/subcontract agreement, and CSD registration number. PRASA may request missing items within three working days; failure to provide them disqualifies the bid.
• Stage 2 (Technical/Functionality): minimum threshold of 70%. Scoring: compliance with technical specifications (40 points) and organisational experience in OTN MPLS-TP training (60 points). Experience points: 0 for no similar projects, 12 for one, 24 for two, 36 for three, 48 for four, 60 for five or more. Evidence required per project: appointment letter, project description, client name and contact, start/end dates, contract value, and completion certificate or client letter.
• Stage 3 (Price and Specific Goals): 80 points for price, 20 for specific goals, using the 80/20 preference point system. Price formula: Ps = 80(1 − (Pt − Pmin)/Pmin).

Specific goals (20 points total):

• Black Women owned: 10 points — certified copy of ID documents of the owners.
• EME or QSE 51% Black Owned: 10 points — audited annual financial statements, B-BBEE certificate, or affidavit.

PRASA may apply objective criteria to award to a bidder other than the highest scorer, and may split the award among multiple service providers.

Training specification for OTN Installation, Configuration and Maintenance for the Telecoms Department, Gauteng Region.

Purpose: equip PRASA Telecoms Technicians with theoretical knowledge and practical skills for installing, configuring, operating and maintaining OTN systems, covering MPLS-TP technology on modular aggregated nodes and integrated nodes.

Scope of training:

• Introduction to OTN: evolution from SDH/SONET to MPLS-TP, measurement of radio disturbance characteristics, industry standards and safety regulations.
• System components: modular aggregated nodes, integrated nodes, node support module, central switching module, interface module, power supply unit, TXCare management system.
• System design and planning: site assessment, housing location, required services (CCTV, telecontrol, PA system), network topology design, traffic bandwidth calculation.
• Installation and setup: unpacking and checking goods, rack preparation, node support brackets, power requirements, fibre installation, grounding, and 132mm free space above and below the node for ventilation.
• Software and configuration: prepare TxCare PC, connect to OTN node, install TxCare software, set up dashboard, discover and approve XTran network topology.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance: diagnosing network alarms, regular maintenance schedules, replacing faulty equipment.
• Cybersecurity and access management: password management and encryption, user roles and access logs, protection from unauthorised access.

Training requirements:

• Conducted by a registered and accredited training provider.
• Trainer must be experienced and certified in OTN systems.
• Combination of classroom theory and hands-on practical sessions.
• Real-world equipment and simulation scenarios must be used.
• Learner manual or training guide must be provided.
• Lunch for trainees.

Learning outcomes: trainees must be able to understand OTN components and functions, plan and design OTN layouts, install nodes and cabling, configure system settings and remote access, maintain and troubleshoot OTN systems, integrate OTN with other services, and demonstrate hands-on skills.

Assessment and certification:

• Theoretical test: minimum pass mark of 80%.
• Practical evaluation: on-site or simulated environment.
• Final evaluation by accredited trainer or external assessor.
• Certificate of Competence issued to successful participants, specifying trainee name, trainer institution, topics covered, accreditation number, and date of issue.

A Compliance Specification Sheet (Annexure 1) must be completed item-by-item confirming compliance with the specification.

Training must combine classroom theory and hands-on practical sessions, using real-world equipment and simulation scenarios. The training covers: introduction to OTN, system components, system design and planning, installation and setup, software and configuration, troubleshooting and maintenance, and cybersecurity and access management. A learner manual or training guide must be provided, and lunch for trainees.

Training provider must be registered and accredited for OTN MPLS-TP training, or hold a vendor proprietary training certificate. The trainer must be experienced and certified in OTN systems.

Organisational experience in OTN MPLS-TP training is scored out of 60 points: 0 for no similar projects, 12 for one, 24 for two, 36 for three, 48 for four, 60 for five or more. For each project, provide: appointment letter on company letterhead, project description, purchase order, client name and contact (email and office number), project start and end dates, extension of time where applicable, contract value inclusive of VAT, and a completion certificate or client letter confirming successful completion.

No specific quality management requirements beyond the training specification and assessment criteria are stated. The training must be delivered by a registered and accredited provider, with a learner manual, and assessment includes a theoretical test (80% pass mark) and practical evaluation.

Prices must be in South African Rand inclusive of all taxes, firm, with cost breakdown and escalation basis indicated. Pricing must be submitted strictly on the provided schedule format; deviation may render the bid non-responsive. The BOQ includes one item: Personnel, unit EACH, quantity 10, with VAT at 15% and grand total. Discounts are only considered at final evaluation on an unconditional basis.

Prices must be quoted in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes, on a fixed price basis.

Pricing must be submitted strictly on the provided Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4) and BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10); deviation from the format may render the bid non-responsive.

The BOQ includes a single item: Personnel, unit of measure EACH, quantity 10, with VAT at 15% and a grand total.

Cost breakdown and price escalation basis/formula must be indicated.

Discounted prices will only be considered at the final evaluation stage on an unconditional basis.

If the highest scoring bidder's price is not market-related, PRASA may negotiate a market-related price with the highest, then second, then third scoring bidder; if no agreement is reached, the RFQ is cancelled.

Payment is made within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice.

Stage 1A (Mandatory — automatic disqualification if not submitted):

• Completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule (Section 4) and BOQ/Pricing Schedule (Section 10).
• Proof of accreditation as an OTN MPLS-TP training provider or vendor proprietary training certificate.

Stage 1B (Other Mandatory — may be requested within 3 working days):

• Signed and completed RFQ document and all SBD forms.
• Letter of Good Standing: COIDA.
• Valid SARS Tax Compliance PIN.
• Completion of all RFQ documentation including all declarations.
• Joint Venture, Consortium, Partnering or Subcontract Agreement signed by all parties, indicating the leading bidder.
• CSD supplier registration number.

General compliance:

• Bidders must be registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD); business may not be awarded to unregistered bidders.
• Bids will not be considered from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors in state service, or close corporations with members in state service.
• Foreign suppliers must complete the foreign supplier questionnaire; those with no local registered entity need not register on CSD.
• Bidders listed on the Register for Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers are automatically disqualified.
• The successful bidder must be in full compliance with all applicable national and local laws.

No specific health and safety requirements are stated beyond the training scope covering industry standards and safety regulations, and the requirement for a COIDA Letter of Good Standing.

PRASA General Conditions of Purchase apply.

• Price and payment: payment within 30 days of receipt of a correct tax invoice.
• Delivery: supplier must deliver on or before the date stated in the order; late delivery may incur penalties if imposed.
• Title and risk: passes to PRASA when items are accepted.
• Rejection: PRASA may reject non-compliant items by written notice; supplier must replace or re-work at own cost.
• Warranty: items must be free from defects for one year from acceptance (unless another period is stated).
• Indemnity: supplier indemnifies PRASA against claims arising from negligence, IP infringement, or breach of statutory duty.
• Assignment and sub-contracting: only with PRASA's prior approval; the successful bidder remains liable for performance.
• Governing law: South African law, non-exclusive jurisdiction of South African courts.
• PRASA may appoint another bidder if the successful bidder fails to sign the contract within 14 days, fails to provide required security/bonds/guarantees, or fails to meet a condition precedent.

Mandatory requirements (Stage 1A): completed Pricing and Delivery Schedule, completed BOQ/Pricing Schedule, and proof of accreditation as an OTN MPLS-TP training provider or vendor proprietary training certificate.

Other mandatory requirements (Stage 1B): signed and completed RFQ and SBD forms, COIDA letter of good standing, valid SARS PIN, completion of all RFQ documentation and declarations, JV/consortium/subcontract agreement signed by all parties, and CSD registration number.

Evaluation stages: Stage 1 Compliance (1A mandatory, 1B other mandatory), Stage 2 Technical/Functionality with a 70% minimum threshold, Stage 3 Price (80 points) and Specific Goals (20 points). Technical scoring: compliance with specifications (40 points) and organisational experience (60 points). Price uses the 80/20 preference point system. Specific goals: Black Women owned (10 points) and EME/QSE 51% Black Owned (10 points).