Objectives

The primary objective is to procure six units of Entonox demand valves with hoses for St Marys Marianhill Hospital. The equipment will be deployed to provide rapid, safe analgesia for pain and anxiety management during the active phase of labour.

Scope

This is a one-off supply contract for medical gas equipment. The successful bidder will deliver the items directly to the hospital’s designated facility. The evaluation follows an 80/20 preference point system, awarding 80 points for price competitiveness and 20 points for promoting South African-owned enterprises. All supplied units must be brand new, unused, and retain a minimum shelf life of six months upon delivery. The department reserves the right to request physical samples from the top three scoring bidders for final validation.

Technical Requirements

• Must interface seamlessly with existing wall-piped medical gas outlets, specifically matching N2O + O2 Afrox type connections.
• Engineered exclusively for Entonox (a 50/50 nitrous oxide and oxygen mixture).
• Equipped with a demand valve that activates at very low negative inspiratory pressures to enable smooth, self-administered dosing.
• Includes a high-pressure hose (1.5 to 3 meters) with a dedicated probe for wall-piped outlet attachment.
• Supplied with a standard adult silicone face mask, a bacterial filter disc to prevent cross-contamination, and spare mouthpieces.
• Features a 360-degree swivelling patient valve to prevent hose tangling or kinking during clinical use.
• Constructed from durable, wipe-clean materials suitable for sterile healthcare environments.
• Mandatory SABS approval and strict compliance with the attached specification document.
• Bidders must attach a manufacturer brochure; omission results in automatic disqualification.

Skills Requirements

No specialized clinical or engineering skills are mandated, as this tender concerns the supply of pre-manufactured medical goods. However, bidders must demonstrate standard commercial and logistical competencies, including:

• Active registration on the Central Suppliers Database (CSD) with verified tax compliance status.
• Submission of current CIPC registration documents and a valid B-BBEE status certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Proven capacity for timely delivery, secure packaging, and adherence to strict contractual timelines.
• Ability to provide documentary proof of South African ownership if claiming preference points.

Key Terms & Clarifications

Entonox: A clinically approved 50/50 mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen used for rapid, short-term pain relief, widely administered during childbirth and emergency procedures.

Demand Valve: A respiratory delivery device that releases gas only when the patient inhales (generating negative pressure), maximizing gas efficiency and minimizing environmental exposure.

SABS Approved: Certification from the South African Bureau of Standards, confirming the product meets national safety, quality, and performance regulations.

80/20 Preference System: A government procurement scoring model where 80% of evaluation points are allocated to price and 20% to designated socio-economic goals (here, local ownership).

CSD Registration: Mandatory enrollment in the National Treasury’s Central Suppliers Database, which verifies a supplier’s legal, tax, and financial standing prior to contract award.