Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a reliable supplier to provide dry ice packaging solutions that maintain the cold chain integrity of vaccine shipments destined for OBP customers. The appointment aims to secure a consistent, on-demand supply chain while adhering to South African public procurement standards and socio-economic empowerment targets.

Scope

The contract covers the supply of 2,500 boxes of dry ice. Deliveries will be made on an as-needed basis directly to OBP’s Distribution Department to support ongoing vaccine packing operations. The supplier must ensure continuous availability, rapid order fulfillment, and strict compliance with pharmaceutical-grade handling protocols throughout the contract period.

Technical Requirements

• Product Specification: Dry ice packaged in standardized containers, with each box containing 10 kg of dry ice.
• Thermal Performance: Packaging configurations must validate specific cold chain retention periods: one box provides 24 hours of temperature control, two boxes provide 48 hours, and three boxes provide 72 hours.
• Delivery Model: Just-in-time/on-demand delivery triggered by client distribution requests.
• Documentation & Compliance: Bidders must submit a completed SBD4 Bidder’s Disclosure form, minimum two reference letters from the past 24 months proving prior supply of identical goods, and valid BBBEE documentation to claim preference points. All bid submissions must be in PDF format; Word or Excel files will be automatically rejected.
• Contractual Framework: Awards are governed by the Government Procurement General Conditions of Contract (July 2010).

Skills Requirements

Although no formal technical certifications are explicitly mandated, suppliers must demonstrate proven operational competence in cold chain logistics, including inventory buffering, rapid dispatch capabilities, and adherence to medical-grade handling standards. Administrative proficiency is essential to accurately complete mandatory disclosure forms, navigate preferential procurement regulations, and substantiate BBBEE claims with verifiable documentation. Prior experience supplying temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products or specialized cryogenic packaging is strongly preferred.

Key Terms & Clarifications

• Cold Chain Duration Specifications (24H/48H/72H): These denote the validated thermal retention capacity of the dry ice packaging system. They indicate how long vaccines will remain within safe temperature ranges depending on whether one, two, or three dry ice boxes are included in a single shipment.
• As-and-When Delivery: A flexible procurement model requiring the supplier to maintain adequate buffer stock and respond immediately to fluctuating demand without fixed delivery schedules or lead times.
• BBBEE Preference Points: A South African public procurement mechanism allocating up to 20 points toward socio-economic goals (black ownership ≥51%, women ownership ≥30%, disability certification), evaluated alongside price weighting (80 points) per the Preferential Procurement Framework Act.