Tender Summary: Intravenous Line Splints

Objectives

The primary objective is to procure clinically appropriate intravenous line splints specifically designed for preterm and neonate patients at Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Memorial Hospital. The procurement aims to enhance patient safety, ensure reliable medical device supply, comply with national health product regulations, and advance socio-economic development by prioritising South African-owned enterprises through the official preferential procurement framework.

Scope

The contract encompasses the supply and delivery of 400 units of intravenous line splints, allocated as follows:

• 200 units for preterm infants
• 200 units for neonates

Deliveries must be made directly to the designated hospital facility within agreed timelines. The scope includes warranty provisions, fixed pricing for the validity period, inclusion of all applicable taxes and delivery costs in the quoted amount, and compliance with statutory health regulations. Compliant bidders may be invited to submit physical product samples for quality verification prior to contract award.

Technical Requirements

• Sizes & Variants: Available in preterm/neonate and small sizes, preferably offering multiple size options.
• Material Properties: Lightweight, soft, non-toxic, skin-friendly, and latex-free. Radiolucent composition is preferred to facilitate medical imaging.
• Design & Functionality: Semi-rigid construction with soft padded lining to prevent circulation compromise. Anatomically shaped to support hands/wrists or feet/ankles without excessive restriction. Features smooth, rounded edges to minimise pressure injuries.
• Fastening Mechanism: Adjustable soft Velcro or elastic straps (or equivalent) to secure the splint while permitting full visibility and access to the IV cannula and insertion site.
• Usage & Packaging: Disposable versions must be single-use, individually packed, and suitable for neonate peripheral IV cannulation. Reusable variants must be easily cleaned and disinfected. All products must have a minimum shelf life of six months; expired goods will be rejected.
• Regulatory Compliance: Bidders must provide evidence of SABS/SANS approval and a valid licence issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) authorising the manufacture, wholesale, or distribution of medical devices.

Skills and Capacity Requirements

No specialised technical skills are explicitly mandated; however, bidders must demonstrate operational, financial, and administrative capacity to execute the contract successfully:

• Delivery Track Record: Proof of at least one prior successful delivery to a public or private health facility (via order confirmations and delivery notes).
• Financial Stability: Alternative proof of financial capability via a bank statement showing a balance of at least 40% of the quoted value, dated within one month of submission.
• Administrative Competence: Ability to compile mandatory documentation, including Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, B-BBEE status verification or sworn affidavit, tax clearance confirmation, and completed standard bidding disclosure forms.
• Logistical Reliability: Capability to submit physical samples when requested and maintain consistent supply chain performance without prior default history.

Notes on Unusual or Complicated Terms

• SAHPRA Licensing: Mandatory regulatory approval in South Africa for any entity manufacturing, wholesaling, or distributing medical devices, ensuring products meet national safety, efficacy, and quality standards.
• Radiolucent Material: Medical-grade material that permits X-ray penetration, allowing clinicians to monitor IV placement and limb positioning without removing the splint.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A standard South African public procurement scoring model allocating 80 points for competitive pricing and 20 points for socio-economic goals, specifically rewarding South African-owned enterprises in this tender.
• Cover-Quoting Prohibition: A strict anti-collusion measure where submitting multiple bids through affiliated or related companies results in immediate disqualification, classified as fraud under public sector regulations.
• SBD Documentation: Standardised government bidding forms (SBD 4 for conflict-of-interest disclosure and SBD 6.1 for preference claims) that must be fully completed; omissions, inaccuracies, or failure to claim points result in non-responsiveness or loss of preference scoring.