Technical Competency Assessment & RBO Support Services

The South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), a Schedule 3A public entity under the Department of Transport, is seeking a service provider to conduct competency assessments and support the implementation of Risk-Based Performance-Based Oversight (RPBO), which the tender also refers to as Risk-Based Oversight (RBO). The change is driven by an ICAO undertaking for African civil aviation authorities to move from compliance-based oversight to a risk-based model. It affects SACAA's core oversight function and requires inspectors to develop new competencies, including understanding the broader safety and security risk profile, focusing oversight on an organisation's safety management capability, and assessing how organisations manage safety accountabilities. The assessment will establish the current competency levels of about 260 inspectors and 40 managers, giving a total of roughly 300 candidates. The contract runs for two years in a phased approach. The estimated quantities in the pricing schedule are 300 technical competency assessments, 300 behavioural competency assessments, and 300 sets of comprehensive reports and feedback sessions for both line management and inspectorate positions. SACAA notes these quantities are estimates for evaluation purposes and may vary.

The successful bidder must be a psychologist registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and must facilitate end-to-end assessments. Key deliverables include developing psychometric and assessment tools for leaders, designing work-based and assessment centre exercises with line managers, scoring psychometric and assessment centre results, and providing individual feedback reports with facilitated feedback sessions. The provider must also integrate outcomes into individual development plans, deliver group-level insights and recommendations for organisational development, and present an organisational report to the Human Capital Executive, the Executive Committee, and the SACAA Board as required. Coordination with the Organisational Development and Skills Development departments is required for scheduling, along with attendance at regular project meetings. Confidentiality and ethical handling of assessment data are mandatory.

Bidders are evaluated in three phases. Phase 1 covers mandatory administrative compliance, including CSD registration, SBD forms, and tax compliance. Phase 2 is a technical and functionality evaluation scored out of 100, with a minimum of 70 points needed to proceed. It assesses company profile and years of experience in competency assessments, sample assessment tools and reports, at least three qualifying reference letters from the past five years, detailed CVs for a team of at least three psychologists, and certified qualifications, including a master's degree in psychology, HPCSA registration, and certification in technical competency assessment. Phase 3 applies the 80/20 preference point system, with 80 points for price and 20 points for B-BBEE specific goals. The closing date is 30 November 2026 at 11:00. Submissions use a three-envelope system and must be deposited in Bid Box 2 at BYLS Bridge Office Park, Centurion. Prior access arrangements are required for entry to the office park. Clarification queries must be sent in writing to tenders@caa.co.za by 20 November 2026. There is no briefing session.