As part of such projects, the restaurant and retail opportunities were originally outsourced in 2001 and with these contracts coming to an end, SANParks embarked on a restaurant and retail tender process at some of its key national parks in May 2012.
In compiling SANParks' requirements for the tender, customer feedback on the facilities was analysed in order to ensure that any concerns from the previous term are addressed. On the retail facilities, guests raised concerns on the freshness of some items as well as price. As such, prominence was given to these aspects and bidders were requested to outline initiatives to address these. The bidders had to propose a margin across the range of fast moving consumer goods in order to ensure that our guests receive value for money.
With bids submitted at the end of August 2012, SANParks undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the technical offers received. Technical results were submitted to and approved by the SANParks Board on 26 September 2012. In the interest of transparency and good governance, the financial envelopes were opened in front of the SANParks chief executive, a team of senior officials as well as representatives of the bidders and the media. The financial offers were inspected for compliance and the final scores determined.
The successful bidders are:
"Visitors can look forward to a further improvement in the quality of all products and services on offer in our parks as a result of these strategic alliances. At the same time the improved efficiencies will result in more funds being secured for conservation, ensuring the continued sustainability of our parks," Dr. Mabunda said.
