Appointment of service provider for AI training – tender in gauteng

Release of RFP: 25 August 2026

Last day of enquiries: 14 September 2026

Responses to enquiries: 16 September 2026

Closing date and time: 17 September 2026 at 12h00 PM

No briefing session or site visit is mentioned.

No briefing session or site visit is mentioned in the RFP.

Queries and clarifications must be submitted via the Sasria Online Tender Portal at https://procurement.sasria.co.za/ under 'Queries'. For registration assistance, email [email protected].

Bids must be submitted via Sasria's Online Tender Portal at https://procurement.sasria.co.za/ before the closing date and time. Hand-delivered, posted, emailed, or faxed proposals will not be accepted. The portal accepts a maximum file size of 4MB per file and each schedule is limited to 30MB; all four schedules must be completed to submit. Bidders must register on the portal before closing; for registration assistance email [email protected]. Proposals must remain valid for at least 150 days after the closing date. Bidders must sign the confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement (Annexure A). Returnable documents include: SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid, the entire RFP filled and signed), SBD 4 (Disclosure and Declaration), SBD 6.1 (Specific Goal Declaration Form), Annexure B (Acceptance of Bid Conditions and Bidder's Details), Annexure C (Shareholder Information), Annexure D (Bidder's Experience and Proposed Project Team), CSD report, and B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. Failure to provide any required document may lead to immediate disqualification. Bids must be submitted in four schedules: Schedule 1 (Executive Summary and Annexure B), Schedule 2 (all other documents), Schedule 3 (Technical Proposal), Schedule 4 (Financial/Price Proposal).

Required Documents: Bidders must submit all documents listed in Part 6, including Annexure A (Confidentiality and Non-disclosure Agreement), Annexure B (Acceptance of Bid Conditions and Bidder's Details), Annexure C (Shareholder Information), Annexure D (Bidder's Experience and Proposed Project Team), and standard bidding documents: Invitation to Bid (SBD 1), Disclosure and Declaration (SBD 4), and Preferential Points Claim Form (SBD 6.1). Failure to provide any required document may lead to immediate disqualification. Submission format: Schedule 1 (Executive Summary and Annexure B), Schedule 2 (all other documents including CSD report, B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, and specific goal documentation), Schedule 3 (Technical Proposal), Schedule 4 (Financial/Price Proposal). Bids must be submitted via the Sasria Online Tender Portal before closing date and time; hand-delivered, posted, emailed, or faxed proposals will not be accepted.

Proposals are evaluated in three levels. Level 1 – Governance Verification: checks compliance with CSD registration, valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit, completed standard bidding documents, technical proposal, and financial proposal; failure leads to disqualification. Level 2 – Technical Evaluation: Phase 1 mandatory requirements – the proposed AI training programme must align to at least one recognised AI governance framework (e.g. ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF, Gartner AI Governance Playbook), the bidder must be associated with or accredited by recognised training or certification bodies with the ability to issue formal internationally recognised certification (e.g. Microsoft CoPilot), and must provide access to AI platforms post-training for 1 year; proof required via letters of partnership/ownership and confirmation. Phase 2 – Technical Evaluation Criteria (100 points): Company Profile (20), Project Proposal and Training Methodology (40), Training Personnel (10), CVs of Key Personnel (10), Bidder's Reference Letters (20). Bidders must achieve a minimum of 70 points in Phase 2 to proceed. Level 3 – Preference Point System: Price (80/90 points) and Specific Goals (20/10 points). Specific goals include: being an EME, QSE, or Generic enterprise; subcontracting at least 20% of the contract to an EME or QSE; and additional points for at least 51% black ownership. Proof required as per the table.

Sasria seeks a service provider to design and deliver a company-wide, tool-agnostic Artificial Intelligence (AI) training programme for approximately 170 employees, including enterprise AI literacy, Responsible AI and governance enablement, and advanced training. The programme must be role-based with differentiated learning pathways for: Executives and Senior Management (AI strategy, governance, risk, business transformation); Specialists and Employees (AI literacy, productivity, practical applications); AI Navigators and Project Team (advanced AI capabilities, adoption enablement, implementation, change management); Business Process Owners (AI use-case identification, process optimisation, implementation oversight). Deliverables include: assessment and design of an AI training framework; training content development; training material and skills transfer (manuals/guides for AI Navigators); training outcomes and deliverables (clear learning outcomes, evaluation mechanisms, training artefacts, attendance records, post-training recommendations); and other deliverables such as documented materials, presentation packs, AI awareness certification, and post-training recommendations. The service provider must act as a trusted advisor, co-design and co-review curricula, participate in advisory meetings, provide expert speakers and guest lecturers, support establishing an internal AI Learning Pathway, and support cross-functional governance structures (AI Steering Committee, Data Governance Office, AI Ethics Review Panel, Navigators Network). Training content must be suitable for non-technical business leaders while remaining rigorous for governance, and delivery must be hands-on and practical. The programme must be delivered within 12 months.

The bidder must submit a comprehensive project proposal and detailed implementation methodology demonstrating its approach to delivering the required services. The proposal should address: project understanding, implementation approach and delivery methodology, key project phases and milestones, governance structure and roles, resource allocation and team composition, risk management, change management and stakeholder engagement, and proposed project schedule. The programme must not follow a one-size-fits-all approach; it must cater for varying levels of AI knowledge and responsibilities across the organisation.

Bidders must provide a company profile demonstrating proven experience delivering AI training within a regulated environment. Scoring is based on the number of AI trainings delivered in the past 3 years and AI delivery experience in financial services: 5 or more trainings (20 points), 4 trainings (14 points), 2-3 trainings (6 points), less than 2 or no profile (0 points). Proposed facilitators must hold relevant AI, technology, data, or related professional qualifications and certifications, with a minimum of 3 years' experience in AI training, facilitation, advisory, or capability-building. They must demonstrate practical experience in AI use cases, Generative AI, responsible AI, AI adoption, and productivity solutions, and proven experience delivering AI learning interventions across multiple organisational levels. Experience in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries is advantageous. Bidders must propose a team structure outlining disciplines and key personnel. CVs of key personnel (including the Project Lead) are required: 3 detailed CVs with 3 years' relevant experience (10 points), 2 CVs with 2 years' experience (7 points), less than 2 or irrelevant (0 points). Reference letters from clients where the bidder implemented the proposed solution/training are required: letters must be on client's letterhead, signed, include a contactable telephone number, not older than 5 years, and include nature of training, clients/partners, and international accreditation. Scoring: 5 or more letters (20 points), 4 letters (16 points), 3 letters (14 points), 1 letter (6 points), no letter (0 points).

Financial Proposal: Bidders must provide a detailed and comprehensive price proposal with all costs clearly specified and included in the Total Bid Price. All prices must be VAT exclusive and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR). Bidders must indicate if the bid price is linked to exchange rate and specify the portion. Payments will be linked to specified deliverables after approval. Sasria may consider National Treasury Instruction on Cost Containment Measures. The pricing model includes activities/deliverables with rates per hour, number of hours, and total cost (VAT excl.), including enterprise AI literacy delivery, all employee program/training, for Navigators and other staff, assessment and design, certification & assessment, training content development, AI certification, and other costs. Sub-total and Total Bid Price must be provided. Pricing terms: all fields must be completed; miscalculations may lead to disqualification; no upfront fees; payments 30 days in arrears; final price declaration binding; Sasria may reject materially lower pricing; no negotiation or amendments to declared prices.

Bidders must provide a detailed and comprehensive price proposal with all costs included in the Total Bid Price. All prices must be VAT exclusive and quoted in South African Rand (ZAR). Bidders must indicate if the bid price is linked to the exchange rate and specify the portion. Payments will be linked to specified deliverables after approval by Sasria. Sasria may consider the National Treasury Instruction on Cost Containment Measures. The pricing model requires rates per hour, number of hours, and total cost (VAT excl.) for each activity/deliverable, including: Enterprise AI literacy delivery, All employee program/training, For Navigators and other staff, Assessment and Design, Certification & assessment, Training content development, AI Certification, and Other Costs. All fields must be completed; incomplete or grossly miscalculated prices may lead to disqualification. Sasria does not pay upfront fees; payments are 30 days in arrears. The final price declaration is binding and no amendments or negotiations are allowed. Sasria may reject materially lower pricing that could compromise quality (e.g. a total price of R10 or R20).

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) with tax-compliant status. A valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit is required: EMEs with annual turnover less than R10 million may submit an affidavit confirming annual total revenue and level of black ownership; QSEs with 51% or more black beneficiaries may also submit an affidavit. Consortium or Joint Venture bidders must submit a consolidated B-BBEE certificate or affidavit and a signed Consortium or Joint Venture agreement. Prime contractors with subcontractors must submit B-BBEE certificates or affidavits for both parties and a signed subcontracting agreement. Bidders must complete and sign SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), SBD 4 (Disclosure and Declaration), and SBD 6.1 (Specific Goal Declaration Form). Bidders must not appear on National Treasury's restricted/defaulters register and must not be prohibited from doing business with the state. Bidders must comply with ethical standards and may be disqualified for unethical practices, fraud, collusion, or misrepresentation.

Transformation: Sasria promotes transformation and encourages bidders to partner with majority black-owned entities (51% black owned and controlled) and small to medium-sized businesses. Partnerships may include Joint Ventures or subcontracting agreements. Bidders must submit a partnership/subcontracting proposal detailing the portion of work to be outsourced, level of involvement of the black-owned partner, and where relevant, a consolidated B-BBEE scorecard.

Contract Duration: The appointed service provider must start immediately and deliver the scope of work within 12 months.

Bidders must sign the confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement (Annexure A). Sasria reserves the right to amend bid conditions, validity period, specifications, or extend closing date before closing; to award in whole or part, to more than one bidder, to negotiate with shortlisted bidders, not to accept the lowest priced bid, to conduct site visits, and to restrict a company from doing business with the State for up to 10 years. Bidders consent to vetting and due diligence. Proposals must remain valid for at least 150 days after closing. Bidders must bear all proposal costs. Bidders must comply with ethical standards and may be disqualified for unethical practices, fraud, collusion, or appearing on National Treasury's restricted list.

Evaluation Process: Proposals are evaluated in three levels. Level 1 - Governance Verification: checks compliance with RFP requirements including CSD registration, B-BBEE certificate/affidavit, completed standard bidding documents, technical proposal, and financial proposal. Failure leads to disqualification. Level 2 - Technical Evaluation: Phase 1 Mandatory Requirements: bidder must demonstrate alignment to recognised AI governance frameworks (ISO/IEC 42001, NIST AI RMF, or equivalent), association with recognised training/certification bodies, and provide access to AI platforms post-training for 1 year. Phase 2 Technical Evaluation Criteria (100 points): Company Profile (20 points), Project Proposal and Training Methodology (40 points), Training Personnel (10 points), CVs of Key Personnel (10 points), Bidder's Reference Letters (20 points). Minimum score of 70 points required to proceed. Level 3 - Preference Point System: Price (80/90 points) and Specific Goals (20/10 points). Specific goals include: tenderer being EME/QSE/Generic enterprise, subcontracting to EME/QSE, and additional points for 51% black ownership. Proof required as per table.