Emergency paramedic and ambulance services for all csir sites nationwide, 24/7 standby, five-year term

Compulsory online briefing (MS Teams)

• Date: Wednesday, 07 October 2026
• Time: 10h00 – 11h00
• Attendance is compulsory. Bidders that do not attend are eliminated.
• Meeting link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/339023610916197?p=Sy1SZUGN3NNH91Dpeo
• Meeting ID: 339 023 610 916 197
• Passcode: Jw7tU7Mw

Enquiries and clarifications

• Last date for submission of enquiries: Monday, 12 October 2026 at 16h30
• Enquiries must be in writing to [email protected], quoting the RFP number and description in the subject line.

Closing

• Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 16h30

Other

• RFP issued: Thursday, 01 October 2026
• CSIR business hours: 08h00 – 16h30
• All dates and times are South African standard time and may be changed at the CSIR's discretion.

Compulsory online briefing session

• Date: Wednesday, 07 October 2026
• Time: 10h00 – 11h00
• Platform: Microsoft Teams
• Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/339023610916197?p=Sy1SZUGN3NNH91Dpeo
• Meeting ID: 339 023 610 916 197
• Passcode: Jw7tU7Mw
• Attendance is compulsory. Bidders that do not attend are eliminated from the evaluation.

Enquiries

• Unit: Strategic Procurement Enquiries Unit, CSIR
• Email: [email protected]
• Telephone: not provided
• Subject line: must quote the RFP number and RFP description
• Enquiries must be submitted in writing only. Contact with any other CSIR personnel involved in this tender is not permitted during the RFP process.

Submission

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

Service delivery

• All CSIR sites nationally, including:

Pretoria

Meiring Naude Road

Brummeria

• Scientia Campus
• Additional project sites within South Africa may be added as required.

Submission method

• Electronic submission by email only. No physical bid box is used.
• Submission email: [email protected]
• Closing: Thursday, 15 October 2026 at 16h30 (South African standard time).
• Late proposals are rejected. Proposals sent to any other address or channel are rejected.

Packaging and email format

• The bid must be split into two separate emails, each labelled with the RFP number on every file or folder:
• Part 1: Technical Proposal.
• Part 2: Pricing Proposal and Specific Goals claim documentation.
• The email subject line must carry the RFP number and the RFP description.
• If the submission exceeds 25MB, send it across multiple emails.
• File and folder names must be short and simple.
• Submissions via cloud transfer services (WeTransfer, Google Drive, Dropbox and similar) are not accepted.
• Pricing and specific goals credentials must be submitted as a separate document and must not appear anywhere in the technical proposal.
• The proposal must be signed by a duly authorised person; proof of signing authority (for example a company resolution) must be attached.
• All documentation must be in English.

Returnable documents

• Annexure A — SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder identification and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• Annexure D — Pricing Schedule / Bill of Quantities: completed strictly in the prescribed format.
• Annexure E — Proposal Form and List of Returnable Documents: the mandatory returnable documents table; every listed item must be submitted.
• Annexure F — Certificate of Acquaintance with RFP.
• Annexure G — Preference Point Award Form: claims preference points.
• Annexure H — SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses any director, member or shareholder employed by the state or connected to the CSIR.
• Annexure I — RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form.
• Annexure J — Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement.
• Annexure K — Draft Service Level Agreement: bidders must comment on the draft service level indicators, explain each proposed change, and mark changes in a distinct colour or with track changes.
• SBD 7 (Contract Form): completed and signed by the successful bidder before contract award.
• Joint ventures must additionally submit a signed JV agreement naming the lead partner and the split of work, a valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated scorecard, the tax compliance status or CSD report of each partner, proof of ownership or shareholder certificates, and company registration certificates.

Disqualification risks

• Late submission, or submission to the wrong email address.
• Any mandatory returnable document omitted.
• Failure to attend the compulsory online briefing session.
• Submission through a cloud file-sharing service.
• Attaching counter conditions or amending any RFP condition.
• Pricing information included in the technical proposal.

Submission format

• All proposals are submitted electronically to [email protected]; late proposals are rejected.
• Proposals must be split into two separate emails, each labelled with the RFP number on every file or folder: Part 1 Technical Proposal, and Part 2 Pricing Proposal and Specific Goals claim documentation.
• The email subject must quote the RFP number and description.
• Proposals must be signed by a duly authorised person, with proof of authority.
• Submissions to the wrong location or address are rejected. Cloud transfer services such as WeTransfer, Google Drive and Dropbox are not accepted.
• File and folder names must be short and simple.
• Pricing and specific goals credentials must be a separate document and must not appear in the technical proposal.

Annexures to complete and return

• Annexure A — SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder details and signed offer cover page.
• Annexure D — Pricing Schedule / Bill of Quantities.
• Annexure E — Proposal Form and List of Returnable Documents: the mandatory returnable documents table.
• Annexure F — Certificate of Acquaintance with RFP.
• Annexure G — Preference Point Award Form.
• Annexure H — SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest).
• Annexure I — RFP Declaration and Breach of Law Form.
• Annexure J — Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement.
• Annexure K — Draft Service Level Agreement, to be commented on with changes marked.
• SBD 7 (Contract Form): signed by the successful bidder.

Joint venture submissions

• Signed JV agreement naming the lead partner and the split of work.
• Valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated B-BBEE scorecard.
• Tax compliance status or CSD report for each JV partner.
• Proof of ownership or shareholder certificates.
• Company registration certificates.

Technical proposal content

• Company profile covering age, experience, resources and capability.
• Documents proving compliance with national and local by-laws.
• At least three contactable reference letters for similar work from 2020 to 2026, on client letterhead.
• Proof of trained medical emergency staff with valid registrations or certificates under the National Health Act.
• Ambulance fleet size and number of certified paramedics on call at any time.
• Confirmation of 24/7 availability including public holidays.
• Confirmation of a single emergency contact number to a call centre.
• Evidence of a national network covering all CSIR sites and project sites within South Africa.
• Estimated response times, including the maximum time to reach a site from the call.
• Copies of any affiliations, memberships or accreditations supporting the submission.

Three-phase evaluation. Only bidders passing a phase proceed to the next.

Phase 1 — Elimination (pass/fail)

• Late bids, or bids sent to the wrong location or email address.
• Bidders listed on National Treasury's database of restricted suppliers.
• Bidders on National Treasury's Register of Tender Defaulters.
• Bidders that omit any mandatory returnable document listed in Annexure E.
• Bidders that do not attend the compulsory online briefing session.

Phase 2 — Technical / functionality (100 points)

• National coverage: 40% of the functionality score. Bidders must operate emergency medical services nationally and prove coverage, in-house or through network partners, for both road and air ambulance support.
• Reference letters: 20%. Minimum three contactable reference letters on client letterhead for similar work completed between 2020 and 2026.
• Response times: 40%. Bidders must state the maximum expected response time to reach a CSIR site.
• Minimum qualifying score: 70 out of 100 overall, and at least 50% on each individual criterion. Bidders below either threshold are eliminated.
• Scoring rubric, national coverage: no submission or coverage excluding Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape scores lowest; coverage of only those three provinces scores next; those three plus one or more of the remaining provinces but not all nine scores higher; coverage of all nine provinces scores highest.
• Scoring rubric, reference letters: no letters for 2020–2026, letters unrelated to the scope, or only one to two letters scores 0; three relevant letters scores 5; four to five relevant letters scores higher; six relevant letters scores highest.
• Scoring rubric, response times: no response time stated, or 40 minutes or more, scores lowest; 30 to under 40 minutes scores 5; 20 to under 30 minutes scores higher; under 20 minutes scores 10.

Phase 3 — Price and preference points (100 points)

• Price: 80 points.
• Preference points: 20 points, assessed on the Annexure G Preference Point Award Form.

Other

• The CSIR may award to a bidder that did not score the highest points, in terms of section 2(1)(f) of the PPPFA (Act 5 of 2000), provided the bidder's directors, shareholders or officers have not been formally charged with fraudulent or illegal conduct that could harm the CSIR's reputation.
• The CSIR may request audited financial statements or other documents for a due diligence assessment of the bidder's ability to execute the contract.

Scope

• Provision of emergency paramedic services to the CSIR at all its sites across South Africa on a 24/7 standby basis for five (5) years.
• Services cover emergency paramedic support where an individual needs medical assistance because of an existing medical condition or an injury, and standby paramedic and ambulance cover on-site for special events as and when required.
• Emergency response must include both road and air support options.
• A single emergency contact number must give access to the service nationally.
• A national 24/7 ambulance and paramedic support network covering all CSIR sites is essential; additional sites may be added on a project basis.
• The provider must comply with all applicable national and local by-laws for operating medical emergency services in South Africa.
• Paramedic support must reach a site within the stated maximum response times.
• All emergency medical vehicles must be fully equipped and all staff certified to deliver emergency medical services.
• On-site medical care must be provided as needed, and patients transported to the nearest government or private medical facility where indicated.
• Injury-on-duty cases must be supported and the injured person transported to the nearest applicable IOD medical facility.

Technical proposal content

• Company profile covering the company's age, experience, resources and capability.
• Documents proving compliance with national and local by-laws.
• At least three contactable reference letters for similar services delivered between 2020 and 2026, issued on the client's letterhead.
• Proof that medical emergency staff are trained and hold valid registrations or certificates in line with the National Health Act requirements for emergency services providers.
• The size of the ambulance fleet and the number of certified paramedics on call at any given time.
• Confirmation of 24-hour, seven-day-a-week availability, including public holidays.
• Confirmation of a single emergency contact number linked to a call centre.
• Evidence of a national network covering all CSIR sites and any project site within South Africa's borders.
• Estimated response times, including the maximum time to get a paramedic service to the required site from the time of the call.

CSIR site locations

• Pretoria: Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria
• Scientia Campus
• Further sites are listed in the RFP annexures.

The RFP is structured in two parts: Section A sets out the general RFP terms and conditions, and Section B sets out the evaluation methodology and process.

Company profile

• Bidders must submit a company profile covering the company's age, experience, resources and capability.

Track record

• At least three contactable reference letters for similar services delivered between 2020 and 2026, issued by the client on the client's letterhead. Letters unrelated to the scope, or fewer than three, score poorly or score zero.
• Evidence of a national network covering all CSIR sites and any project site within South Africa's borders, either in-house or through network partners, for both road and air ambulance support.

Staff and fleet

• Proof that medical emergency staff are trained and hold valid registrations or certificates in line with the National Health Act requirements for emergency services providers.
• The size of the ambulance fleet and the number of certified paramedics on call at any given time.
• Confirmation of 24-hour, seven-day-a-week availability, including public holidays.
• Confirmation of a single emergency contact number linked to a call centre.
• Estimated response times, including the maximum time to get a paramedic service to the required site from the time of the call.

Regulatory

• Documents demonstrating compliance with national and local by-laws for operating medical emergency services in South Africa.
• Copies of any affiliations, memberships or accreditations supporting the submission.

The CSIR may verify the nature and quality of the service offered by carrying out site inspections, product evaluations or explanatory meetings, before or after adjudication of the RFP.

• The CSIR may request documentary proof of anything in a bidder's submission.
• The CSIR may audit the bidder's compliance with POPI Act safeguards on reasonable notice.

Pricing format

• Pricing must be submitted on the Pricing Schedule / Bill of Quantities in Annexure D and must follow that schedule exactly.
• Prices are quoted in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes and net of all unconditional discounts.
• Escalation and exchange-rate exposure must be clearly indicated, with the currency and rate of exchange used stated.
• Prices must include travel, freight, insurance up to acceptance, duty where applicable, and other cost elements.
• Quoted rates must cover all work and obligations under the resulting contract; arithmetic errors are at the bidder's own risk.

Submission of pricing

• The pricing proposal and specific goals claim documentation form Part 2 and must be sent in a separate email from the technical proposal, with the RFP number on each file or folder.
• Pricing and specific goals credentials must be a separate document and must not appear in the technical proposal.

Payment

• Payment follows the CSIR's payment terms and conditions.
• No delivery without an official CSIR purchase order or signed supplier agreement; the purchase order number must appear on the invoice, and invoices without it are returned.

Pricing

• Prices must be quoted in South African Rand, inclusive of all applicable taxes and net of all unconditional discounts.
• Pricing must follow the Pricing Schedule / Bill of Quantities in Annexure D exactly; no alternative pricing format is accepted.
• Any escalation or exchange-rate exposure must be clearly flagged, with the currency and rate of exchange used stated.
• Quoted prices must include travel, freight, insurance up to acceptance, duty where applicable, and all other cost elements.
• Quoted rates must cover every item and obligation under the resulting contract; arithmetic errors are at the bidder's own risk.
• The pricing schedule and specific goals credentials must be submitted as a separate document and must not appear in the technical proposal.

Payment

• Payment is made in accordance with the CSIR's payment terms and conditions.
• No goods or services may be delivered without an official CSIR purchase order or signed supplier agreement, and the purchase order number must appear on the invoice. Invoices without a purchase order number are returned.

Financial capacity

• The CSIR may request audited financial statements or other documents for a due diligence assessment of the bidder's ability to execute the contract.
• No bid security, performance bond or retention percentage is stated in the RFP.

Registration and tax

• Bidders must self-register on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database (CSD) at www.csd.gov.za and supply their CSD registration number. Only foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt.
• A valid SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN must be supplied, or a printed TCS certificate, or a CSD number where no PIN is available. Joint venture partners must each submit a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.
• A bidder found not tax compliant at recommendation stage is given seven (7) working days to provide proof of compliance or of an arrangement with SARS; failing that the bid is rejected. The CSIR may withdraw an award or cancel a contract if the bidder was not compliant at award, submitted a fraudulent tax clearance certificate, fails CSD verification, or does not stay compliant for the contract term.

Exclusion

• No award to bidders on National Treasury's Register of Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers, or to bidders whose members, directors, partners or trustees appear on those lists.
• No bids from persons in the service of the state, companies with directors in the service of the state, or close corporations with members in the service of the state.
• Bidders may be disqualified for collusive tendering, anti-competitive conduct, seeking unlawful advantage from state employees, offering or accepting inducements, paying success-based fees or commissions, past conduct of this kind, or a court conviction for fraud or forgery.

B-BBEE and transformation

• A valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated B-BBEE scorecard is required for joint venture submissions.
• Preference points are claimed on the Annexure G Preference Point Award Form.
• Fronting is prohibited. Where fronting indicators are established, the bidder has 14 days from notification to prove otherwise; failure may invalidate the bid or contract and may bar the bidder from public sector business for up to ten years.

Sector compliance

• The provider must comply with all applicable national and local by-laws for operating medical emergency services in South Africa.
• Medical emergency staff must hold valid registrations or certificates meeting the National Health Act requirements for emergency services providers.
• Copies of any affiliations, memberships or accreditations supporting the submission must be included.
• An omission of material information, factual inaccuracy or misrepresentation may disqualify the bid or cancel any resulting contract.

Preference points

• Preference points are claimed on the Annexure G Preference Point Award Form and make up 20 of the 100 points in Phase 3.
• Joint ventures must submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or consolidated B-BBEE scorecard.

Fronting

• Fronting is prohibited. The CSIR may investigate the accuracy of representations made in bid documents.
• Where fronting indicators from the Department of Trade and Industry guidelines on complex structures and transactions are established, the bidder must prove that fronting does not exist within 14 days of notification.
• Failure to do so may invalidate the bid or contract and may bar the bidder from doing business with the public sector for up to ten years, in addition to any other remedies the CSIR may have.

The CSIR must protect the health and safety of everyone on its sites, which is why it is appointing a professional emergency paramedic service.

• Emergency paramedic support is required where a person needs medical help because of an existing medical condition or an injury.
• Standby paramedics and an ambulance must be available on-site for special events as and when required.
• All emergency medical vehicles must be fully equipped and all staff certified to provide emergency medical services.
• Medical emergency staff must hold valid registrations or certificates meeting the National Health Act requirements for emergency services providers.
• On-site medical care must be provided as needed, with transport to the nearest government or private medical facility where indicated.
• Injury-on-duty cases must be supported and the patient transported to the nearest applicable IOD medical facility.
• The provider must comply with all applicable national and local by-laws for operating medical emergency services in South Africa.

Contract duration

• Five (5) years, on a 24/7 standby basis.

Award and agreement

• The contract goes to the bidder with the highest total points, unless the law permits otherwise.
• Appointment depends on the parties agreeing mutually acceptable contractual terms; if no agreement is reached, the CSIR may appoint another supplier.
• Awards are published on the platform where the bid was advertised; unsuccessful bidders receive no regret letters.
• The successful bidder must complete and sign SBD 7 (Contract Form).
• A service level agreement will be concluded on award, based on the draft service level indicators in Annexure K. Bidders must comment on the draft indicators, explain each change, and mark changes in a distinct colour or with track changes. The CSIR may accept or reject any proposed amendment.

Counter conditions

• Amending any RFP condition, setting counter conditions, or qualifying any RFP condition invalidates the bid.

Sub-contractors and personnel

• The bidder remains responsible for its personnel, agents, directors, advisors and representatives, and for any sub-contractors and their staff. The CSIR is not liable for losses caused by sub-contractors.

Misrepresentation

• The bid forms part of the contract by reference. Misrepresentation may lead to termination of services and a claim against the bidder. Where the bid and the service level agreement conflict, the service level agreement prevails.

Indemnity

• The bidder indemnifies the CSIR against costs and damages arising from a breach, including investigation costs, repetition of the bid process, and enforcement of intellectual property or confidentiality obligations.

Precedence

• The RFP document prevails over anything said or written at a briefing session unless the written information expressly amends it.

Tax compliance

• No award to a non-compliant bidder. A recommended bidder that is not compliant is notified in writing and has seven (7) working days to prove compliance or an arrangement with SARS; failing that the bid is rejected. The CSIR may withdraw an award or cancel a contract if the bidder was not compliant at award, submitted a fraudulent tax clearance certificate, fails CSD verification, or stops being compliant during the contract term.

Tender defaulters and restricted suppliers

• No award to bidders, or their members, directors, partners or trustees, on National Treasury's Register of Tender Defaulters or List of Restricted Suppliers. The CSIR may withdraw an award or cancel a contract if a bidder is blacklisted by another government institution at any time.

Governing law

• South African law applies, with exclusive jurisdiction of the South African courts.

Confidentiality

• Bid information may not be disclosed except where the law, a court or a regulator requires it. The RFP and CSIR documents remain the CSIR's property and must be returned on request. Bidders need the CSIR's written approval before releasing any information about the work or the process; failure may disqualify the bid and lead to civil action.

Availability of funds

• If funds are no longer available, the CSIR may terminate or suspend the agreement on notice. The bidder must stop work and limit further expenditure, and is entitled to full payment for services delivered up to the date of cancellation or suspension.

Personal information

• Both parties consent to processing personal information under the POPI Act for legal, personnel, administrative and management purposes, and must comply with the POPI Act and other data protection laws. The bidder must ensure its personnel, agents, contractors, sub-contractors and mandataries comply. The CSIR may audit the bidder's POPI safeguards on reasonable notice.

Disclaimer

• The RFP is a request for proposals, not an offer. Submitting a proposal means the bidder accepts all RFP terms and conditions. The CSIR gives no warranty on the accuracy or completeness of the RFP and accepts no liability in that regard.

Additional terms

• Bidders may not assume that documents supplied to the CSIR before this RFP remain available, and may not refer to them.
• Omitting material information, factual inaccuracy or misrepresentation may disqualify the bid or cancel a subsequent contract.
• No delivery without an official CSIR purchase order or signed supplier agreement; the purchase order number must appear on the invoice, and invoices without it are returned.
• Failure to comply with any term or condition invalidates the proposal.

The CSIR reserves the right to:

• Extend the closing date.
• Correct mistakes in the bid documents before the closing date and time, or at any stage of the process.
• Verify any information in a bidder's submission and request documentary proof.
• Conduct site inspections, product evaluations or explanatory meetings, before or after adjudication, to verify the nature and quality of the service offered.
• Award to a bidder that did not score the highest points, in terms of section 2(1)(f) of the PPPFA.
• Request audited financial statements or other documents for a due diligence assessment of the bidder's ability to execute the contract.
• Award the RFP as a whole or in part, and to more than one bidder.
• Cancel or terminate the process at any stage, including after the closing date, after presentations, after evaluation, or after preferred bidders have been notified.
• Negotiate after the tender on any element, including technical, transformation, price and contractual terms.
• Refuse an award to a bidder linked to a security breach that materially harms other entities, or whose directors or officers face fraud or illegal conduct charges that would damage the CSIR's reputation.

Elimination criteria (Phase 1)

• Late bids.
• Bids sent to the wrong location or email address; only electronic submission to [email protected] is considered.
• Bidders on National Treasury's restricted suppliers database.
• Bidders on National Treasury's Register of Tender Defaulters.
• Bidders that omit any mandatory returnable document listed in Annexure E.
• Bidders that fail to attend the compulsory online briefing session.

Tax compliance

• No award to a bidder that is not tax compliant. A recommended bidder that is not compliant is notified in writing and has seven (7) working days to provide proof of compliance or of an arrangement with SARS; failing that the bid is rejected.
• The CSIR may withdraw an award or cancel a contract if the bidder was not compliant at award, submitted a fraudulent tax clearance certificate, fails CSD verification, or does not remain compliant for the full contract term.

Central Supplier Database

• Bidders must self-register on National Treasury's CSD at www.csd.gov.za and provide their CSD registration number. Only foreign suppliers with no local registered entity are exempt.
• Before negotiations start, the winning bidder must be registered on the CSD and must give the CSIR its CSD registration number.

Phase 1 — Elimination (pass/fail)

• Late bids, or bids sent to the wrong location or email address; only electronic submission to [email protected] is considered.
• Bidders on National Treasury's restricted suppliers database or Register of Tender Defaulters.
• Bidders that omit any mandatory returnable document listed in Annexure E.
• Bidders that fail to attend the compulsory online briefing session.

Phase 2 — Technical / functionality (100 points)

• National coverage: 40%. National footprint for emergency medical services, with proof of coverage in-house or through network partners for road and air ambulance support.
• Reference letters: 20%. Minimum three contactable letters on client letterhead for similar work completed between 2020 and 2026.
• Response times: 40%. Maximum expected response time to reach a CSIR site.
• Minimum qualifying score: 70 out of 100 overall, and at least 50% on each individual criterion. Bidders below either threshold are eliminated.
• Rubric, national coverage: lowest for no submission or coverage excluding Gauteng, KZN and the Western Cape; then coverage of only those three provinces; then those three plus one or more of the remaining provinces but not all nine; highest for all nine provinces.
• Rubric, reference letters: 0 for no letters for 2020–2026, letters unrelated to the scope, or only one to two letters; 5 for three relevant letters; higher for four to five; highest for six.
• Rubric, response times: lowest for no response time or 40 minutes or more; 5 for 30 to under 40 minutes; higher for 20 to under 30 minutes; 10 for under 20 minutes.

Phase 3 — Price and preference points (100 points)

• Price: 80 points. Preference points: 20 points, assessed on the Annexure G Preference Point Award Form.
• Only bidders meeting the Phase 2 thresholds proceed to Phase 3.

Other

• The CSIR may award to a bidder that did not score the highest points under section 2(1)(f) of the PPPFA (Act 5 of 2000), provided the bidder's directors, shareholders or officers have not been formally charged with fraudulent or illegal conduct that could harm the CSIR's reputation.