Objectives

The primary objective is to procure reliable water quality testing materials for the High Dependency Unit’s haemodialysis department. These strips ensure safe water output from reverse osmosis machines, preventing severe patient complications such as allergic reactions, haemolysis, and fatalities, while also protecting sensitive medical equipment from mineral scale damage.

Scope

The procurement covers the supply of two specific testing products to Addington Hospital: five bottles of Hisense Ultra Chlorine Test Strips (100 strips per bottle) and eight bottles of Water Hardness Test Strips (50 strips per bottle). Each strip is designed for daily use in monitoring dialysis water quality. Delivery must be made directly to the hospital’s designated security entrance within the agreed timeframe.

Technical Requirements

• Chlorine strips must feature colour-coded indicators to accurately measure total chlorine concentration and confirm safe operational levels.
• Hardness strips must detect calcium and magnesium concentrations at the post-softener stage to prevent membrane scaling.
• All items must meet SABS/SANS quality standards, be brand-new, unused, and possess a minimum shelf life of six months from delivery.
• Bidders must submit physical samples for end-user verification prior to contract award.
• Pricing must be firm, inclusive of VAT (if applicable), and cover all delivery costs. Quotes remain valid for ninety days.
• Products must be delivered intact, properly packaged, and accompanied by valid tax invoices and delivery notes.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Demonstrated experience supplying similar goods to public or private healthcare facilities, evidenced by at least one previous order and corresponding delivery note.
• Full compliance with mandatory administrative documentation, including Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, valid B-BBEE status verification or sworn affidavit, SARS tax clearance confirmation, and completed statutory returnable forms (SBD 4, SBD 6.1, General and Special Conditions of Contract).
• Ability to provide accurate, firm pricing without hidden costs or exchange rate variations.
• Strict adherence to ethical procurement practices, with zero tolerance for cover-quoting or collusive bidding.
• Capacity to maintain consistent supply continuity and respond promptly to performance delays or contractual breaches.

Explanation of Key Terms and Conditions

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Machines: Advanced filtration systems critical for haemodialysis that require precise water purity monitoring to ensure patient safety and equipment longevity. Failure to monitor water quality can lead to toxic exposure or machine failure.

Hard Water: Tap water containing elevated levels of dissolved minerals (primarily calcium and magnesium) that precipitate as scale, potentially clogging and destroying RO membranes if not properly monitored and treated.

80/20 Preference Point System: A procurement evaluation model where eighty percent of scoring is allocated to competitive pricing and twenty percent to socio-economic goals, specifically favouring South African-owned enterprises to promote economic transformation.

Cover-Quoting: An illegal procurement practice where multiple entities submit bids for the same contract to artificially influence pricing or guarantee success; participation results in immediate disqualification, potential contract termination, and sector-wide trading restrictions.

SABS/SANS Standards: Mandatory South African quality benchmarks ensuring that supplied medical consumables meet nationally recognised safety, accuracy, and durability criteria.