Independent Review of Railway Operating Rules Standard

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced service provider to independently review its draft Railway Safety Regulator Standard for Railway Operating Rules and Methods. The assignment is a review rather than new standard development. The appointed provider will test the RSR's baseline draft against the Railway Safety Act, 2024 (Act No. 30 of 2024), the National Rail Policy of 2022, and applicable RSR and SABS/SANS instruments. The review will assess whether the draft is technically sound, comprehensive, risk-informed, clear, consistent, enforceable and practical for South African railway operations, including open access and interoperability arrangements. The RSR retains ownership of the standard and sole authority to accept recommendations and approve the final text.

The scope covers a clause-by-clause review, a regulatory and operational alignment assessment, and a technical coverage review of topics such as train working methods, movement authorities, shunting, possessions and isolations, abnormal and emergency working, interfaces among network, train, station and siding operators, level crossings, competency and human factors, and auditable compliance. Deliverables include an inception report and project execution plan, an independent review report, a traceability matrix and controlled issues register, a tracked-changes and clean first reviewed draft, engagement and workshop records, and a final proposed reviewed standard. The provider must also support RSR Working Group sessions and governance presentations, and, if authorised, assist with public comment resolution. All deliverables must be supplied in editable format and searchable PDF, with written RSR acceptance at each stage.

Eligibility requires experience in railway operating rules, methods of train working, safe-working arrangements, operating standards or railway safety regulatory instruments. A minimum of two specialists is required: a Project Lead (Railway Operating Rules and Methods Specialist) and a Railway Operations / Safe-Working Specialist. Each must hold an NQF Level 7 or higher qualification in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent SAQA-verified international qualification, and one person cannot fill both roles. Bids are scored out of 100 on past comparable projects, key personnel qualifications and experience, and approach to work. Only bidders scoring at least 70 points proceed to price and specific-goal evaluation. Price is evaluated on an 80/20 preference point system, with up to 20 points for specific goals such as ownership by black people, black women, youth or persons with disabilities. Quotations must be VAT inclusive and supported by a CSD registration, a valid tax clearance certificate, a BBBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, CIPC registration documents, completed SBD forms and other listed documents. The RFQ does not state a fixed contract value. Responses close on Monday, 16 November 2026 at 10:00 and should be emailed to the SCM contact, Mr Siphamandla Mbatha.