Objectives

The primary objective of this Request for Quotation is to appoint a qualified contractor to execute a one-off renovation and infrastructure upgrade at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) Bethlehem Laboratory. The project aims to modernize laboratory facilities, install specialized clinical furniture and fixtures, and ensure full compliance with healthcare, safety, and environmental standards while maintaining uninterrupted diagnostic and hospital operations.

Scope of Works

The contractor will deliver a comprehensive package of building, plumbing, electrical, and furnishing works, including:

• Joinery & Storage: Supply and installation of steel powder-coated cupboards, adjustable Krost shelving, pigeon-hole storage, lab benches with Formica worktops, and timber/steel lockers.
• Glazing & Windows: Removal and re-fitting of glass doors, application of frosted glass with NHLS branding, installation of vertical and horizontal blinds, and fitting of laminated safety glass panels.
• Plumbing & Sanitation: Installation of porcelain basins, stainless steel sinks, chrome-plated brass fittings, geysers, toilets, urinals, and emergency eye/body showers, complete with wall tiling and drainage connections.
• Electrical & HVAC: Provision of dedicated power circuits for air-conditioning units, hydroboils, and lighting; installation of circuit breakers, isolators, and distribution board upgrades.
• Surface Finishes: Crack repair, plaster preparation, painting of walls/ceilings/steelwork, and installation of heavy-duty vinyl flooring, acid-resistant ceramic tiles, and suspended ceilings.
• Signage & Partitions: Fabrication of branded interior/exterior signs, installation of drywall partitions with fire ratings, and aluminium skirtings.

All works must be executed in phases to accommodate an active hospital environment, requiring after-hours scheduling, vibration control near sensitive equipment, and strict coordination with facility management.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must adhere to stringent technical and regulatory standards throughout the project:

• Regulatory Compliance: All works must comply with SABS standards, SANS 10142 (the South African national standard for electrical installations in buildings), and the CIDB Act (Construction Industry Development Board, which regulates contractor grading). Contractors must hold a minimum CIDB grading of Level 1 GB.
• Material Specifications: Strict adherence to specified materials is required, including acid-resistant tiles, epoxy powder-coated steel, laminated safety glass (thickness varies by location), UV-resistant netting, and heavy-duty polyurethane-sealed vinyl flooring with heat-welded joints.
• Specialized Installations: Air-conditioning units must be inverter-type from approved manufacturers, individually wired with dedicated isolators and circuit breakers. Plumbing requires Grade 316/304 stainless steel, chrome-plated brass waste fittings, and certified geyser installations with safety valves.
• Quality Assurance: A 12-month guarantee period applies, covering defects in materials or workmanship. Five percent of the contract value will be retained for three months post-completion. Delays incur a daily penalty of 0.1% of the contract value.
• Operational Constraints: The contractor must account for all costs related to phased execution, noise/vibration restrictions, shared lift usage, and protection of existing sensitive laboratory equipment. No additional claims for these conditions will be entertained.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

Only bidders meeting the following mandatory criteria will be considered:

• Licensing & Registration: Valid CIDB registration (Level 1 GB), Central Supplier Database (CSD) number, and current Tax Clearance PIN/Certificate.
• Professional Credentials: Submission of a plumbing trade test certificate, a CV and certification for an experienced project manager, and three verifiable reference letters for similar healthcare or laboratory renovation projects.
• Specialist Trades: All plumbing and electrical work must be performed by registered practitioners. Electrical installations require Certificates of Compliance upon completion.
• Transformation & Preference Points: Bidders must submit a valid B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit. Evaluation follows an 80/20 preference point system, where 80 points are allocated to price competitiveness and 20 points to specific socio-economic goals (black ownership, women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural residents, and EME/QSE status—Exempted Micro Enterprises or Qualifying Small Enterprises, which receive targeted procurement benefits based on annual turnover thresholds).
• Project Management Capability: Demonstrated ability to plan and execute complex, phased construction within an active medical facility without disrupting diagnostic services or operating theatres.