Objectives

The primary objective is to secure a reliable supplier for a one-off provision of high-quality sanitary pads to support patient care at a provincial hospital under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The procurement aims to ensure timely delivery of compliant medical consumables while adhering to public sector preferential procurement policies and ensuring value for money.

Scope

The tender covers the supply of 3,060 packets of regular sanitary pads specifically designated for post-delivery and maternity patient use. Each packet contains 12 units measuring 90mm x 240mm. The contract is structured as a single delivery event with an estimated value not exceeding R500,000 (inclusive of applicable taxes). Successful bidders will be responsible for delivering all goods directly to the designated hospital facility, with all associated transport, handling, and insurance costs factored into the quoted price.

Technical Requirements

• Products must be brand new, unused, and free from defects, meeting best-quality standards.
• All supplied items must have a minimum shelf life of six months upon delivery; expired or second-hand stock will be rejected.
• Goods must comply with relevant South African National Standards (SANS/SABS) and remain subject to inspection or testing by the institution.
• A valid SAHPRA certificate is mandatory to verify regulatory compliance for health-related consumables.
• Packaging must be clearly marked as packets, and delivery must occur within the timeframe specified in the bid.
• The supplier warrants goods against design, material, or workmanship defects for twelve months post-acceptance or eighteen months from shipment, whichever occurs first.
• Late deliveries incur penalties calculated at the current prime interest rate per day until fulfillment.

Skills Requirements

While no specialized technical expertise is mandated, bidders must demonstrate robust supply chain management capabilities, including inventory control, logistics coordination, and regulatory compliance administration. Suppliers must possess the administrative capacity to complete mandatory government returnable documents, maintain active Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, and provide valid SARS tax clearance certificates. Familiarity with public sector contracting, warranty management, audit readiness, and strict adherence to preferential procurement reporting is essential.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• SAHPRA Certificate: Issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority, this certifies that the sanitary pads meet national safety, quality, and efficacy standards for medical and personal care products.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A procurement evaluation model where 80 points are awarded based on competitive pricing and 20 points are allocated for socio-economic goals, specifically granting full points to enterprises with at least 51% Black ownership.
• Cover-Quoting Prohibition: A strict anti-fraud measure where submitting multiple quotations through affiliated or related companies for the same bid results in immediate disqualification and potential blacklisting from public sector contracts.
• Prime Interest Rate Penalty: A financial deterrent applied daily to the contract value for every day of delayed delivery, calculated using the prevailing prime lending rate until actual performance is completed.