The appointment of a transaction advisor to undertake a warehousing outsourcing feasibility study and business case development

Closing: 15 October 2026 at 16:00

Advertisement date: 02 October 2026

Bid validity: 90 days from the closing date

Enquiries (bidding procedure and technical)

• Contact: Sithembile Maseko
• Telephone: 013 735 4209
• Email: [email protected]

Submission

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

Bidders may not contact any other SANParks staff about this RFQ.

Submission method: email only, to the designated address. Submissions sent to any other email will not be accepted.

Submission email: [email protected]

Closing: 15 October 2026 at 16:00

Late bids are not accepted for consideration.

Bid validity: 90 days from the closing date.

Format: bids must be submitted on the official forms provided, not retyped, or in the manner prescribed in the RFQ.

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

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid): bidder and contact details, signed as the offer cover page.
• Quotation on the bidder's company letterhead.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest): discloses whether any director, member or shareholder is employed by the state or connected to anyone at SANParks; a false declaration disqualifies the bid.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim): claims specific-goal points; without the prescribed proof no preference points are awarded.
• SBD 7.2 Part 1 (Contract Form): signed contract form.
• Original or certified B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a valid B-BBEE sworn affidavit, for specific-goal points only.
• Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, or a CSD number where no PIN is available.
• Proof of authority to sign, such as a company resolution.

Disqualification risks:

• Submission to any email other than the designated address.
• Late submission.
• Any returnable form not fully completed or not signed.
• Contacting SANParks staff other than the designated officials about this RFQ.
• Failure to provide tax compliance particulars or CSD registration.

The successful bidder may be required to sign a written contract form (SBD 7) or a Service Level Agreement.

Returnable documents:

• SBD 1 (Invitation to Bid), fully completed.
• Quotation on the bidder's company letterhead.
• SBD 4 (Declaration of Interest), fully completed.
• SBD 6.1 (Preference Points Claim), fully completed.
• SBD 7.2 Part 1 (Contract Form), fully completed.
• Original or certified B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a valid B-BBEE sworn affidavit, for specific-goal points only.
• Proof of registration on the Central Supplier Database.
• SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, or a CSD number where no PIN is available.
• Proof of authority to sign, such as a company resolution.

Sworn affidavit: rejected if any required field is incomplete — full name, surname and identity number; Member/Director/Owner designation; full enterprise and trading name; company registration and VAT numbers; physical address with postal code; entity type; percentage figures; financial statement basis and date; level ticked; and the deponent's and Commissioner of Oaths' signatures dated the same day with the Commissioner's stamp.

Failure to submit the required documents may disqualify the bid.

Two-stage evaluation: Stage 1 functionality/technical, then Stage 2 price and preference. Only bids meeting the functionality threshold proceed.

Preference point system: 80/20, as the estimated value does not exceed R50 million including all applicable taxes.

• Price: 80 points
• Specific goals: 20 points

Price formula: Ps = 80 x (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin), where Pt is the bid price and Pmin the lowest acceptable bid.

Minimum qualifying score (functionality): 55 out of 100. Bids below this are non-responsive and are not evaluated further.

Functionality matrix (100 points):

• Experience in transaction advisory services: 40 points. 0 points for under 3 years or unverifiable evidence; 10 points for 3 to 5 years; 20 points for 5 to 7 years; 30 points for 7 to 10 years; 40 points for more than 10 years. Evidence: signed client reference letters, signed contracts or appointment letters, or completion certificates. Overlapping experience periods count once.
• Experience in logistics and warehousing optimisation: 35 points. 0 points for under 3 years or insufficient evidence; 10 points for 3 to 5 years with one to two completed projects; 20 points for 5 to 10 years with three to four projects; 35 points for more than 10 years with five or more projects. Evidence: company profile of projects completed in the last 10 years, supported by contactable reference letters or case studies stating project description, scope, contract value, duration, client, the bidder's role and outcomes.
• Availability of suitably qualified multidisciplinary resources: 25 points, made up of five key personnel at 5 points each.

Specific-goal points by B-BBEE procurement recognition level:

• Level 1: 20 points
• Level 2: 18 points
• Level 3: 14 points
• Level 4: 12 points
• Level 5 and above: 0 points

Bidders at Level 5 to 8 may still bid but score no specific-goal points.

Failure to submit the prescribed supporting documentation means no specific-goal points are awarded.

Appointment of a transaction advisor to assess SANParks' Skukuza warehousing function and produce a business case and implementation strategy for the preferred warehousing model.

Context: SANParks operates warehousing and inventory management at Kruger National Park, supporting an operational footprint of approximately 2 million hectares. The assignment must determine whether warehousing should remain in-house, be fully or partially outsourced, or be delivered through an alternative model.

Scope of work:

• Current state assessment: warehouse infrastructure and facilities, capacity and utilisation, inventory holding patterns, stock classifications, storage requirements, transport, distribution and logistics processes, warehousing costs, organisational structures, staffing and competencies, and supporting systems and technology; identify strengths, gaps, inefficiencies and improvement opportunities.
• Demand and service delivery analysis: current and projected demand, future operational requirements, geographic coverage, response times, and the effect of warehouse location on service delivery, accessibility and cost; assess the risks of consolidation.
• Feasibility of a single central warehouse for Kruger National Park (approximately 2 million hectares) and, where applicable, broader SANParks operations; compare against regional and multi-site networks, weighing distribution distances, transport accessibility, lead times, responsiveness, emergency support, stock availability risk, fleet requirements, access to remote locations and business continuity.
• Evaluation of alternative warehouse management models: full in-house, fully outsourced, hybrid, regional networks, third-party logistics (3PL), lead logistics provider (LLP), shared services, and public-private partnership or other strategic partnership models; compare total cost of ownership, operational effectiveness, scalability, service performance, governance, risk exposure, HR implications, procurement and business continuity.
• Financial feasibility assessment: baseline current warehousing costs (operating and administrative, staffing, property and facilities, utilities, security, fleet and distribution, inventory carrying costs, warehouse management systems, capital expenditure); compare models including implementation and transition costs; build five-year and ten-year projections, NPV, IRR, payback period, sensitivity and scenario analysis.
• Human resources and staff absorption assessment: profile the affected workforce (numbers, categories, roles, reporting lines, skills, employment conditions, labour relations); assess transfer to an outsourced provider, skills matching, employee transfer arrangements, training and reskilling, retention and change management measures.
• Cost-benefit analysis: quantify savings in operating, logistics, inventory holding, transport and capital costs and gains in productivity, efficiency, stock control and service performance; assess qualitative benefits such as governance, systems integration, reporting, flexibility, resilience and access to specialist expertise.
• Risk assessment: operational, financial, HR, strategic and business continuity risks, with a mitigation framework covering risk ratings, mitigation strategies, responsibilities and monitoring.
• Detailed business case: Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial and Management Cases, with an implementation roadmap.
• Outsourcing strategy: procurement strategy, contracting strategy (contract structure, duration, pricing mechanisms, performance management, SLAs and KPIs), transition strategy, governance framework and exit strategy.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report (methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement, project governance)
• Current State Assessment Report
• Demand and Service Delivery Analysis Report
• Financial Feasibility Assessment Report
• Human Resources and Staff Absorption Assessment Report
• Alternative Warehouse Management Models Assessment Report
• Cost-Benefit Analysis Report
• Risk Assessment Report
• Draft Business Case and Final Business Case
• Outsourcing Strategy and Implementation Roadmap
• Consolidated recommendations and a presentation of findings to SANParks Management

Reporting: regular progress reports to the Senior Manager SCM, Kruger National Park.

Delivery timeline: deliverables must be delivered within seven calendar days of appointment, or alternative arrangements acceptable to SANParks must be made.

Deliverables: a suite of reports and recommendations covering the financial viability of outsourcing, the costs and benefits of alternative models, workforce implications, feasibility of a single central warehouse, preferred operating models, risks, implementation requirements, procurement approach, governance and the recommended solution.

Sequence: Inception Report (methodology, work plan, stakeholder engagement, project governance), then the Current State Assessment Report and Demand and Service Delivery Analysis Report, then the Financial Feasibility, HR and Staff Absorption, Alternative Warehouse Management Models, Cost-Benefit Analysis and Risk Assessment Reports, then a Draft Business Case and Final Business Case, and where outsourcing is recommended an Outsourcing Strategy and Implementation Roadmap.

Final output: consolidated recommendations on the preferred model and implementation approach, presented to SANParks Management for decision and approval.

Key personnel requirements (25 functionality points, 5 points each):

• Transaction Advisory Specialist: NQF Level 7 and 10 years' transaction advisory experience.
• Logistics and Warehousing Specialist: NQF Level 6 and 8 years' logistics optimisation experience.
• Financial Modelling Specialist: NQF Level 7 and 5 years' financial modelling experience.
• HR/Labour Transition Specialist: NQF Level 6 and 5 years' HR, labour relations, organisational change or labour transition experience.
• Legal and Commercial Expert: NQF Level 7 and 5 years' legal and commercial experience.

Evidence: detailed CVs of all proposed key personnel and certified copies of qualifications not older than six months; CVs must show the individual's role, qualifications, years of relevant experience and similar assignments.

Firm experience: transaction advisory experience (40 points) and logistics and warehousing optimisation experience (35 points), scored on years and completed projects, evidenced by reference letters, contracts, appointment letters or completion certificates.

Minimum functionality score: 55 out of 100.

Form: SBD 3.1 (Firm Prices).

Rates required (per hour, excluding VAT): Transaction Advisory Specialist (Team Leader), Logistics and Warehousing Specialist, Financial Modelling Specialist, Human Resources and Labour Relations Expert, Legal and Commercial Expert.

Travel: AA rates per kilometre.

VAT at 15% shown separately; the total is for evaluation purposes only.

Cap: total expenditure must not exceed R999,000.00 including all taxes; the appointment duration depends on cumulative spend against the cap.

Rates must remain firm for 90 days from the day after the closing date and be quoted in ZAR, inclusive of all costs. VAT may only be charged by VAT-registered vendors.

Appointment is based on the agreed unit rates; SANParks may negotiate before signing.

Travel expenses require prior written approval; SANParks arranges accommodation where necessary.

Pricing schedule: SBD 3.1 (Firm Prices), quoted as hourly unit rates excluding VAT for:

• Transaction Advisory Specialist (Team Leader)
• Logistics and Warehousing Specialist
• Financial Modelling Specialist
• Human Resources and Labour Relations Expert
• Legal and Commercial Expert
• Travel by motor vehicle at AA rates per kilometre

VAT at 15% is shown separately; the total is for evaluation purposes only.

Expenditure cap: R999,000.00 including all taxes. The appointment duration cannot be fixed in advance and depends on cumulative spend against the cap.

Price validity: firm for 90 days from the day after the closing date.

All prices must be quoted in South African Rand and be inclusive of all costs of delivering the service. VAT may only be charged by VAT-registered vendors. Prices must allow for anticipated fluctuations and hold for the contract duration, except travel kilometre rates and accommodation costs.

Appointment is based on the agreed unit rates; SANParks may negotiate with the recommended bidder before signing.

Travel: prior written approval from SANParks is required before any travel expense is incurred; SANParks arranges or provides accommodation where necessary.

Payment: within 30 days of receipt of invoice, in line with the PFMA, after delivery of the service.

CSD: bidders must be registered on National Treasury's Central Supplier Database and submit proof of registration; failure may lead to disqualification.

Tax: a valid SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN, or a CSD number where no PIN is available. Consortia, joint ventures and sub-contractors must each submit a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.

State employment: bids are not considered from persons in the service of the state, companies with such directors, or close corporations with such members.

B-BBEE: an original or certified B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a valid sworn affidavit is required to claim specific-goal points. A sworn affidavit is rejected if it omits the full name, surname and identity number, the Member/Director/Owner designation, the full enterprise and trading name, the company registration and VAT numbers, the physical address with postal code, the entity type, the percentage figures, the financial statement basis and date, the level ticked, or the deponent's and Commissioner of Oaths' signatures dated the same day with the Commissioner's stamp.

Key personnel (25 functionality points, 5 points each; detailed CVs and certified qualifications not older than six months required):

• Transaction Advisory Specialist: NQF Level 7 and 10 years' transaction advisory experience.
• Logistics and Warehousing Specialist: NQF Level 6 and 8 years' logistics optimisation experience.
• Financial Modelling Specialist: NQF Level 7 and 5 years' financial modelling experience.
• HR/Labour Transition Specialist: NQF Level 6 and 5 years' HR, labour relations, organisational change or labour transition experience.
• Legal and Commercial Expert: NQF Level 7 and 5 years' legal and commercial experience.

POPIA: personal information submitted is processed in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013, for procurement, evaluation, verification and contract management.

Preference point system: 80/20 — price 80 points, specific goals 20 points.

Specific-goal points by B-BBEE procurement recognition level:

• Level 1: 20
• Level 2: 18
• Level 3: 14
• Level 4: 12
• Level 5 and above: 0

Bidders at Level 5 to 8 may still bid but score no specific-goal points.

Evidence: an original or certified B-BBEE status level verification certificate or a valid sworn affidavit must be submitted with the bid; without it, no specific-goal points are awarded.

SANParks may require a bidder to substantiate any preference claim before or after adjudication.

Risk assessment: the advisor must identify operational risks (stock shortages, inventory inaccuracies, service disruptions, supplier dependency, distribution failures), financial risks (cost escalation, unforeseen costs, contractual obligations), HR risks (labour disputes, loss of critical skills, resistance to change), strategic risks (reduced control, reliance on third parties, reputational impact) and business continuity risks (disaster recovery, availability of critical stock, inventory security), and produce a mitigation framework with risk ratings, mitigation strategies, assigned responsibilities and monitoring mechanisms.

Business case: Strategic, Economic, Commercial, Financial and Management Cases, with a practical implementation roadmap.

Outsourcing strategy: procurement, contracting, transition, governance and exit strategies.

Functionality threshold: 55 out of 100.

Background: SANParks is a public entity under the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act, mandated to conserve, protect, control and manage national parks and protected areas and their biodiversity, and is governed by the PFMA as a Schedule 3 Part A public entity.

HR impact assessment: profile the affected warehousing workforce (numbers, categories, roles, reporting structures, skills, employment conditions, labour relations); assess transfer to an outsourced provider, skills matching, employee transfer arrangements, training and reskilling, retention strategies and labour relations implications; identify change management measures, redeployment opportunities, skills development, stakeholder engagement and business continuity during transition, ensuring compliance with labour legislation, collective agreements and organisational policies.

Contract form: the successful bidder may be required to sign SBD 7 or a Service Level Agreement.

Duration: not fixed in advance; the appointment runs until the R999,000.00 expenditure cap is reached.

Delivery: deliverables within seven calendar days of appointment, or alternative arrangements acceptable to SANParks. Failure may lead to cancellation of the purchase order and/or termination of the appointment.

Payment: within 30 days of receipt of invoice under the PFMA, after delivery of the service.

Ownership of information: all working papers, reports, evidence, electronic records and supporting documentation produced during the engagement remain the sole property of SANParks.

SANParks' rights: to expand or reduce the scope, terminate the assignment for unsatisfactory performance, refer findings to law enforcement agencies, and independently verify information submitted.

The General Conditions of Contract apply; where they conflict with the Special Conditions of Contract, the special conditions prevail.

Award: SANParks recommends the bidder who quoted on all items, subject to supplying the required administrative documentation and complying with all terms and conditions.

Ownership of information: all working papers, reports, evidence, electronic records and supporting documentation produced during the engagement remain the sole property of SANParks.

SANParks may expand or reduce the scope, terminate the assignment for unsatisfactory performance, refer findings to law enforcement agencies, and independently verify information submitted.

POPIA: personal information submitted is processed in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013, and used only for procurement, evaluation, verification, contract management and related lawful purposes; submitting a bid constitutes consent to that processing.

Tax compliance: bidders must be tax compliant and submit their SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN so SANParks can verify their tax profile; a printed TCS certificate may also be submitted. Where no PIN is available but the bidder is registered on the CSD, the CSD number must be provided. Consortia, joint ventures and sub-contractors must each submit a separate TCS certificate, PIN or CSD number.

State employment: bids will not be considered from persons in the service of the state, companies with such directors, or close corporations with such members.

Failure to provide or comply with these particulars may render the bid invalid.

Preference point system: 80/20 — price 80 points, specific goals 20 points.

Price formula: Ps = 80 x (1 - (Pt - Pmin)/Pmin).

Minimum functionality score: 55 out of 100; bids below this are non-responsive.

Functionality matrix (100 points):

• Transaction advisory experience: 40 points, scored on years of experience (0 points under 3 years; 10 for 3 to 5; 20 for 5 to 7; 30 for 7 to 10; 40 for more than 10).
• Logistics and warehousing optimisation experience: 35 points, scored on years and number of completed projects (0 under 3 years; 10 for 3 to 5 years with one to two projects; 20 for 5 to 10 years with three to four projects; 35 for more than 10 years with five or more projects).
• Availability of suitably qualified multidisciplinary resources: 25 points, five key personnel at 5 points each.

Specific-goal points by B-BBEE procurement recognition level: Level 1 = 20, Level 2 = 18, Level 3 = 14, Level 4 = 12, Level 5 and above = 0. Bidders at Level 5 to 8 may bid but score no specific-goal points.

Only bids meeting the functionality threshold proceed to price and preference evaluation.