Tender Summary: Supply of Spectacles

This tender, issued by St Chads CHC (KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health), invites quotations for the supply and delivery of 300 units of spectacles. The contract is a once-off purchase, and the quotation must remain valid for 90 days.

Objectives

The primary objective is to procure a range of visual assistive devices to meet patient needs at the facility. This includes providing clear vision correction for distance and near tasks through various spectacle types. The tender also aims to promote South African-owned enterprises through its preferential procurement policy.

Scope of Supply

The required goods are divided into two line items:

• Item 01 (200 units): Supply and deliver pairs of single vision, bifocal, and multifocal spectacles.
• Item 02 (100 units): Supply and deliver reading glasses.

Bidders must price per patient based on a detailed specification list (Optom List, pages 1-20) and transfer the total price to the official price page. The successful bidder will be expected to supply spectacles according to individual patient prescriptions, which may include a wide range of lens powers and options.

Technical Requirements

The spectacles must comply with the detailed Health Technology Services (H.T.S.) specification (No. M71). Key technical requirements include:

• Lens Types: Organic plastic (CR39), polycarbonate (for children), and high refractive index lenses for stronger prescriptions.
• Lens Options: Clear, full lens fixed tint, gradient fixed tint, and photochromic (light-adaptive) tints. Anti-reflection coating is also required.
• Prescription Range: Lenses must be available for a wide range of prescriptions, including spheres up to -24.00 and cylinders up to 8.00, with prismatic corrections. Bifocal and multifocal lenses must offer reading additions from +1.00 to +4.00 in +0.25 steps.
• Ready-Made Glasses: Must be available in various designs and sizes, including readers (+1.00 to +4.00), minus lenses (-1.00 to -3.00), and aphakic lenses (+8.00 to +15.00).
• Frames: Must be SABS approved, of current design, and cater to all face shapes, sizes, and ages (including children from 3 months old). Metal frames must have flexible temples. A variety of colours and materials (metal and plastic) are required.
• Accessories: Each complete set includes a spectacle case, cleaning cloth, and a strap for children. The tender also requires pricing for replacement parts (frames, lenses, nose pads, screws) and services (tint removal/addition).
• Quality: All products must be new, unused, and have a minimum validity period of six months. Expired or second-hand products will not be accepted.

Skills and Compliance Requirements

Bidders must meet specific administrative and professional criteria to be considered responsive:

• Mandatory Documentation: Must be a registered optometrist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and provide proof of registration. Must also submit a valid CIPC registration, B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit, and a Central Supplier Database (CSD) compliance report.
• Experience: Must provide proof of similar work done in the form of a previous order.
• Evaluation Process: Quotations will be evaluated in four stages: 1) Administrative compliance, 2) Capacity to deliver, 3) Compliance with specification, and 4) Price and preference points. Failure at any stage will render the quotation non-responsive.
• Preference Points: The 80/20 preference point system applies. Points are allocated as follows: 80 points for price and 20 points for the specific goal of promoting South African-owned enterprises.

Important Terms Explained

• Bifocal Lenses: Lenses with two distinct viewing areas for distance and near vision.
• Multifocal (Progressive) Lenses: Lenses with a gradual change in power for clear vision at all distances.
• High Refractive Index Lenses: Thinner and lighter lenses used for stronger prescriptions.
• Photochromic Lenses: Lenses that darken automatically in sunlight and return to clear indoors.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A scoring system where price contributes a maximum of 80 points, and specific goals (like B-BBEE) contribute a maximum of 20 points.