Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure a reliable, compliant supplier for the one-off delivery of specialized diagnostic medical equipment to Murchison Hospital. The procurement seeks to ensure uninterrupted access to high-quality, sterile core biopsy needles that meet rigorous clinical, safety, and regulatory standards, thereby supporting accurate histological tissue sampling and patient care.

Scope

• Procurement Item: Auto-cut automatic core biopsy needles (14g x 150mm, disposable).
• Quantity: 100 units.
• Delivery Destination: Murchison Hospital, N2 Main Harding Road, Port Shepstone 4240.
• Contract Duration: One-off supply with no renewal option.
• Quotation Validity: Prices must remain firm for 90 days from the closing date.
• Evaluation Process: Three-stage assessment covering administrative compliance, technical specification adherence, and price/preference scoring using an 80/20 model (80 points for price, 20 points for designated socio-economic goals).

Technical Requirements

Bidders must supply products that strictly conform to the following specifications. Any deviation will result in immediate disqualification:

• Mechanism & Design: Spring-loaded, single-use instrument with an ergonomic handle featuring two finger holes and a bevel tip equipped with a locking system.
• Sampling Performance: Capable of extracting full-core tissue samples up to 2cm in length.
• Sterility & Composition: Sterilized via ethylene oxide (EO) gas. Must be non-toxic, non-pyrogenic, and individually peel-packed. Colour-coded green or white.
• Imaging Compatibility: Needle must feature etched depth markers and a tip engineered for enhanced scanning visibility during ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance.
• Packaging & Labelling: Manufacturing and expiry dates must be clearly printed on the exterior of each package. Delivered as individual units.
• Regulatory Documentation: Submission of a valid licence from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) authorising the manufacture, wholesale, or distribution of medical devices is mandatory.
• Submission Requirements: Fully completed and signed specification annexure, clear product imagery, and SAHPRA proof must accompany the quotation.

Skills Requirements

This tender relates exclusively to the supply of goods rather than professional or technical services. Consequently, no specialised clinical or engineering skills are required from the bidder. Suppliers must, however, demonstrate robust commercial and logistical capabilities, including inventory management, timely delivery coordination, and familiarity with public sector procurement compliance. Bidders must also possess the administrative capacity to compile mandatory returnable documents, maintain tax clearance status, and register on the Central Suppliers Database (CSD) to pass the initial compliance stage.

Notable Terms & Product Explanation

Auto-Cut Automatic Core Biopsy Needle: A specialised interventional tool used to extract cylindrical soft-tissue samples for pathological analysis. The "auto-cut" mechanism utilises a spring-loaded firing system that ensures rapid, consistent penetration and clean tissue severance, minimising procedural trauma while maximising sample integrity. The 14-gauge diameter and 150-millimetre length define the needle's thickness and reach, optimising the balance between adequate tissue volume and patient comfort.

SAHPRA Authorisation: A mandatory regulatory credential issued by South Africa’s health products regulator. It certifies that the supplier is legally permitted to handle, distribute, or manufacture medical devices, ensuring all supplied items comply with national safety, efficacy, and quality benchmarks.

80/20 Preference Point System: A standard South African public procurement scoring framework where 80 points are awarded for competitive pricing and 20 points for designated transformation goals. In this tender, full points are allocated to companies that are at least 51% owned by Black women. Documentary proof of ownership demographics must be submitted to claim these points.