Objectives

The primary objective is to procure high-quality, compliant uncuffed endotracheal tubes for clinical airway management in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Grey’s Hospital. The tender seeks to secure a reliable, once-off supply that meets stringent medical standards while complying with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health procurement frameworks and preferential procurement regulations.

Scope

The scope encompasses the supply and delivery of Blue Ivory Portex endotracheal tubes across five specified internal diameters (3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, and 5.0 mm). The contract is structured as a single delivery event, with exact quantities per size detailed in the official quote form. Successful bidders must deliver all items directly to Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, with all transportation, handling, and insurance costs fully incorporated into the quoted price. Evaluation utilises an 80/20 preference point system, allocating 80 points to price competitiveness and 20 points to socio-economic transformation goals, specifically rewarding companies with at least 51% black ownership.

Technical Requirements

• Products must be new, unused, and retain a minimum shelf life of six months upon delivery.
• Tubes must exhibit the specified soft, pliable characteristics and conform to the Blue Ivory Portex standard.
• Bidders must hold a valid licence issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) permitting the manufacture, import, export, or wholesale distribution of medical devices.
• All quotations must be submitted using official government forms, including mandatory disclosure declarations, Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, and verified tax compliance status.
• Pricing must remain firm for 90 days, inclusive of VAT (where applicable), and cover all delivery expenses to the designated hospital site.
• Physical samples may be requested from the highest-scoring compliant bidders for specification verification prior to final contract award.
• Supplies must comply with relevant South African National Standards (SANS/SABS) where applicable.

Skills & Capability Requirements

• Proven capability in medical device logistics, including cold-chain or temperature-controlled storage if required, and timely last-mile delivery to acute care facilities.
• Administrative proficiency in navigating public sector procurement documentation, maintaining accurate inventory tracking, and fulfilling contractual delivery timelines.
• Regulatory compliance expertise to manage SAHPRA licensing, BBBEE certification, and tax clearance validation throughout the supply chain.
• Operational readiness to respond swiftly to clarification requests, sample submission directives, and post-award performance security requirements.

Key Terms & Clarifications

Uncuffed Endotracheal Tube: A breathing tube designed for airway management that lacks an inflatable balloon (cuff) near the distal end. These are typically indicated for paediatric patients or specific adult clinical scenarios where cuff inflation is unnecessary or contraindicated.

Portex: A recognised industry designation for flexible, radiopaque PVC endotracheal tubes manufactured by Smiths Medical. They are widely used in critical care due to their consistent wall thickness, softness, and compatibility with standard anaesthesia circuits and ventilation equipment.

SAHPRA Licence: A mandatory regulatory permit required in South Africa for any entity commercially handling medical devices. It ensures that supplied products meet national safety, efficacy, and quality benchmarks before clinical deployment.

80/20 Preference System: A standard South African public procurement scoring model where 80 points are awarded based on competitive pricing and 20 points on transformation goals. In this tender, full points for the specific goal are granted exclusively to enterprises with verified black ownership exceeding 51%.