Panel of scholar transport service providers — eastern cape (6 districts, 36 months)

Scope: Appointment of a panel of service providers for learner transport services in the Joe Gqabi district of the Eastern Cape for a 36-month period.

Routes: The tender includes a detailed route database covering numerous schools (primary, junior secondary, senior secondary, and full-service schools) across the district.

Route data per entry: route number, school name (with EMIS number), route name, pickup point, distance (kilometres), and number of learners.

Distances range from 7 km to 110 km per route.

Learner numbers per route range from 1 to 329.

Multiple routes per school are common, serving different pickup areas.

Service covers transport of qualifying and approved learners to and from schools.

Appointment of a panel of service providers for the provision of transport services for qualifying and approved learners to and from schools in the Eastern Cape for 36 months.

Closing date: 26 October 2026 at 11:00.

Clarification meetings (all at 10:00):

• 02 October 2026: Nangoza Jebe, New Brighton, Gqeberha.
• 05 October 2026: Emaxesibeni Town Hall, Mt Ayliff.
• 06 October 2026: OR Tambo Hall, Mthatha.
• 07 October 2026: Indoor Sport Centre, Komani.
• 08 October 2026: Bensonvale Hall, Sterkspruit.
• 13 October 2026: Orient Theatre Hall, East London.

Bid documents available from 25 September 2026 at 09:00 on www.ectransport.gov.za and www.e-tenders.gov.za.

Contract anticipated to commence from beginning of 2027/28 financial year.

Technical enquiries:

• Name: Ms P Mehlo
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 076 991 8568

Supply Chain enquiries:

• Name: Ms Z. Taleni
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: 076 561 2122

eSubmission technical queries:

• National Treasury
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: +27(0)12 406 9222 / 012 406-9229 / 012 312-5000

Issuing department address:

Province of the Eastern Cape

Department of Transport

Private Bag X0023

Bhisho, 5605

Submission method: eTender Publication Portal (eSubmission) only.

Submission deadline: 26 October 2026 at 11:00.

No late, telephonic, posted, emailed or faxed bids accepted.

Returnable documents (all must be completed and signed):

• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses connections with state employees.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims B-BBEE points under PPPFA.
• SBD 8 (Declaration of Bidder's Past SCM Practices).
• SBD 9 (Certificate of Independent Bid Determination): certifies no collusion.
• FORM 2: individual vehicle information for eNaTIS verification.
• Proof of valid Passenger Liability Insurance (PLI) of at least R500,000 per vehicle.
• CSD registration number (mandatory, verified before evaluation).
• Tax compliance PIN (encouraged).

Bids must be completed in black ink; errors struck through and initialed.

Any misrepresentation of vehicle type or licences disqualifies the bid.

Incomplete or conditional bids may be rejected.

Preference point system: 80/20 or 90/10 (PPPFA).

Evaluation stages: eligibility and compliance check first.

Preference for local operators (closest to pickup point based on CSD address).

The department may split routes among multiple operators.

The department aims to promote women, youth, military veterans, and people with disabilities.

No minimum qualifying score stated.

Scope: Provision of transport services for qualifying and approved learners to and from schools in the Eastern Cape.

Contract period: 36 months, running to the last school day of the 2029 academic year.

Modes of transport: buses, midi buses, and minibuses registered under the bidder's name.

Vehicles must be compliant for public transport operation and have a valid Certificate of Fitness.

All vehicles must be in the name of the bidder (company) or vehicle owner (if natural person).

Passenger Liability Insurance of at least R500,000 per vehicle required.

Successful bidders must register and use the Learner Transport Management System (LTMS) for operational monitoring, learner verification, route management, contract administration, payment certification, vehicle verification, and compliance management.

Each vehicle must have a compatible smart handheld device with signing capabilities, minimum OS version 12 (iOS or Android).

The Department will provide a mobile application (Driver's App) for monitoring.

Routes, pickup points, and learner numbers may change during the contract based on Department of Education enrolment.

The department may break down routes into smaller capacity vehicles if needed.

Only authorised pickup points to be used.

No fares to be charged to learners.

Services to commence on the 1st official day as stated in specifications or letter of acceptance.

Operator must be a licensed and suitably experienced local public transport operator.

No specific years of experience or key personnel requirements stated.

Operator must have vehicles registered in their name and compliant with public transport regulations.

Department monitors service quality and has access to all vehicles and relevant documentation.

Operator must exercise highest degree of skill, care, and diligence.

Operator must comply with Department's written instructions.

Operator must provide services to the satisfaction of the Department.

Operator must report any circumstances preventing service provision as soon as possible.

Pricing data and schedule are in Section 7 of the bid document.

Maximum route rates provided by Department of Transport.

Rates may be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders.

Monetary corrections applied from date of identification, not retrospectively.

Payment based on monthly invoice submission with proof of delivery.

Pricing: Maximum route rates provided by the Department of Transport; rates may be reviewed in consultation with stakeholders.

Monetary corrections for verified kilometres, errors, etc., applied from date of identification, not retrospectively.

Payment: Monthly invoice submission on or before the 7th day of each month, accompanied by list of learners ferried.

Payment subject to certification by the Department; certificate does not waive rights.

No bid security, guarantees, or retention mentioned.

Pricing data and schedule are in Section 7 of the bid document.

CSD registration: Mandatory before closing date; verified throughout evaluation.

Tax compliance: Must be tax compliant at award and for contract duration; verified via CSD or SARS eFiling; tax PIN encouraged.

B-BBEE: Preference points claimed via SBD 6.1 under 80/20 or 90/10 system; specific thresholds not stated.

Operating licence: Not required at bid stage, but successful bidders must apply for Scholar Transport Operating Licence within 7 working days after contract signing.

Vehicle registration: All vehicles must be registered in bidder's name and verified with eNaTIS.

Passenger Liability Insurance: R500,000 per vehicle, proof required every 12 months.

Bidder must not be an employee of any organ of state or political office bearer.

No CIDB, CIPC, or local content requirements mentioned.

Operator must take reasonable steps to ensure safety of passengers and property.

Operator indemnifies Department against claims from injury or damage caused by operator's negligence.

Operator must have passenger liability insurance of R500,000 per incident.

Operator must report any accident involving injury or death within 24 hours, with written report within 4 weekdays, and provide SAPS case number.

Operator must ensure vehicles are roadworthy and have Certificate of Fitness.

Operator may refuse to convey violent or abusive learners.

Contract duration: 36 months, from commencement date to last school day of 2029 academic year.

No cession, delegation, or sub-contracting allowed.

Transport Operator acts as independent contractor, not employee.

Operator must maintain confidentiality of information.

Operator must provide proof of licences, permits, insurance within 2 working days of request.

Operator must notify Department within 7 days of any change in ownership control.

Operator must report accidents within 24 hours, followed by written report within 4 weekdays.

Operator must retain records for at least 3 years after contract end.

Department may access vehicles and documentation at reasonable times.

Department may access communication mobile devices used in contract.

Cancellation of scheduled trips not permitted unless instructed by Department, agreed in writing, due to unforeseen circumstances, or immediate danger.

Operator must inform Department within 24 hours of trip cancellation and recommencement.

Penalties for late/early trips: R200 (15-30 min late), R300 (30-45 min), R500 (45-60 min), R700 (>60 min).

Repeated non-performance may lead to contract review, suspension, or termination.

Dispute resolution clause available.

Order of precedence: Bid document, Letter of appointment, Allocation form, Completed Contract Forms.

CSD registration is a prerequisite for evaluation.

Preference given to local operators based on CSD address.

Bids evaluated on eligibility and compliance first, then preference points.

This document is Form 2: Schedule of Existing Vehicles, an annexure for the scholar transport tender. It requires the transport operator to provide details of all vehicles to be used under the contract. Full compliance is required, including copies of any documents required by the form. Failure to comply will result in the bid being deemed non-responsive.

Returnable documents:

• Form 2: Schedule of Existing Vehicles — must be completed in full with details of all vehicles to be used under the contract, including copies of any documents required by the form. Incomplete or missing Form 2 will render the bid non-responsive.

Submission method, address, number of copies, and packaging requirements are not specified in this document.

Vehicle schedule requirement: Bidders must submit a complete schedule of all vehicles to be used for the scholar transport contract, including for each vehicle:

• Make
• Model
• Year
• Registration number (number plate)
• Owner as per registration papers
• Carrying capacity
• Route number
• Mobile device model type
• Cell phone number per vehicle

Full compliance with Form 2 is mandatory; failure to provide all details and required document copies will result in the bid being deemed non-responsive.

Mandatory compliance:

• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration — CSD number must be provided.
• Company name / bidder name.
• Director name and surname, and director ID number.
• Contact details: telephone/cell number and email address.
• Preferred address as per CSD.
• Copies of vehicle documents as required by Form 2 (e.g., registration papers).

No other compliance requirements (tax clearance, B-BBEE, CIDB, etc.) are mentioned in this document.