Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure high-quality medical sterilization paper bags for clinical and surgical use at Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital. The procurement seeks to secure a reliable, compliant supply chain for essential infection-control packaging while adhering to public sector procurement regulations and promoting local economic participation through preferential scoring mechanisms.

Scope

The tender covers the supply of 75 units (packs) of steam sterilization paper bags, delivered to the designated hospital facility. Freight, handling, and all associated delivery costs must be included in the quoted price. The breakdown is as follows:

• Size 5 (127 x 85 x 229 mm): 20 packs
• Size 6 (192 x 62 x 318 mm): 20 packs
• Size 7 (178 x 74 x 380 mm): 20 packs
• Size 12 (330 x 152 x 559 mm): 15 packs

Each pack contains 1,000 bags. The quotation validity period is 90 days, and prices must remain firm throughout this period. No fixed contract duration is specified.

Technical Requirements

• Material & Function: Bags must be manufactured from specialized medical-grade paper that forms an effective bacterial barrier, specifically designed to enclose and protect items during steam sterilization processes.
• Process Indicator: Each bag must feature a distinct chemical process indicator that visibly changes colour upon exposure to steam cycles, providing visual confirmation of successful sterilization.
• Quality & Shelf Life: Products must be brand new, unused, and possess a minimum remaining shelf life of six months from the date of delivery. Expired or second-hand goods are strictly prohibited.
• Standards Compliance: All supplied items must conform to relevant South African National Standards (SANS/SABS) for medical packaging and hospital-grade sterilization materials.
• Sample Submission: Compliant bidders will be invited to submit physical samples for verification against the stated specifications prior to contract award. Failure to provide samples when requested will result in disqualification.

Skills & Capability Requirements

As this is a goods procurement, individual personnel skills are not mandated. Instead, bidders must demonstrate organizational and operational capabilities:

• Proven Delivery Experience: Submission of at least one valid order and corresponding delivery note proving prior supply of similar goods to public or private healthcare facilities.
• Financial Capacity: Provision of a bank statement dated within one month of submission, demonstrating a closing balance equivalent to at least 40% of the total quotation value.
• Regulatory & Database Compliance: Active registration on the Central Suppliers Database (CSD), valid SARS tax clearance status, and updated CIPC company registration documents. Where applicable, a current SAHPRA licence authorizing the manufacture, wholesale, or distribution of medical devices is required.
• Administrative Competence: Ability to accurately complete all mandatory returnable documents, including bidder disclosure forms, preference point claim forms, and specification compliance checklists, without retyping official templates.

Key Terms & Clarifications

Steam Sterilization Paper Bags: Medical packaging pouches engineered for use in autoclaves. They permit steam penetration to sterilize enclosed surgical instruments and supplies while maintaining a sterile barrier until the point of use. The integrated colour-changing indicator confirms that the package has been successfully processed through a validated steam cycle.

80/20 Preference Point System: A government procurement evaluation framework allocating 80 points to competitive pricing and 20 points to socio-economic goals. For this tender, the full 20 points are allocated to verify South African ownership, aiming to stimulate local enterprise participation.

CSD & SAHPRA Compliance: The Central Suppliers Database is the national registry for all entities transacting with the public sector. SAHPRA licensing ensures suppliers meet rigorous regulatory standards for handling, storing, and distributing health-related products, safeguarding patient safety and supply chain integrity.