Objectives

The primary objective is to eradicate and control pests and vermin across Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Hospital to maintain a clean, safe environment for patients, staff, and visitors, while ensuring strict compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Scope of Work

The contract covers comprehensive monthly pest control services for a period of twenty-four months. The scope includes:

• Initial inspections and treatments for existing infestations across all hospital departments, wards, clinics, administrative offices, laboratories, mortuaries, laundry, waste storage, and surrounding infrastructure.
• Monthly scheduled servicing, including targeted spray treatments, chemical gel applications in strategic areas, and preventative measures against nesting insects, critters, bedbugs, and fleas.
• Provision, installation, and monthly maintenance of new rodent bait stations at designated locations throughout the facility.
• Emergency response to reported infestations within twenty-four hours, with immediate re-service at no additional cost if re-infestation occurs between scheduled visits.
• Bi-annual performance review meetings with hospital management to assess service effectiveness.

Note: The contract explicitly excludes woodborers, termites, bed bugs, bird proofing, bees, and snakes. Should these arise, a separate quotation process will apply.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must adhere to stringent operational and chemical management protocols:

• Chemical Rotation: Five distinct chemicals must be used for cockroach treatment, three for rodents, and three for mosquitoes, alternating quarterly to prevent chemical resistance.
• Treatment Zones: All built-in cupboards, free-standing structures, drainage pipes, HVAC units, skirting boards, fire hose reels, patient lockers, storage rooms, waste gullies, exterior walls, and concrete walkways require targeted spraying and gel application.
• Documentation & Reporting: Maintenance of a comprehensive pest control management file compliant with OHS regulations, detailed service logs, sign-in/sign-out registers with the Environmental Health Practitioner, and submission of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals.
• Standards & Compliance: All products and methods must meet SABS/SANS standards. Chemicals must be environmentally friendly with no harmful secondary effects.
• Operational Protocols: Strict adherence to scheduling via prior arrangement with facility management. Service technicians must wear branded uniforms, name badges, and full personal protective equipment (PPE).

Skills and Qualification Requirements

Qualified bidders must demonstrate regulatory compliance, financial standing, and relevant expertise:

• Licences & Certifications: Valid Pest Control Operator Certificate, current COIDA letter of good standing, and registration with the South African Pest Control Association.
• Legal & Financial Standing: Active Central Suppliers Database (CSD) registration, valid CIPC business registration, B-BBEE verification certificate or sworn affidavit, and SARS tax clearance compliance.
• Experience: Documented proof of previous successful pest control contracts delivered in public or private healthcare facilities.
• Personnel Competency: All field staff must be formally trained and certified in safe pesticide handling, application techniques, and occupational health and safety practices.

Key Terms Explained

• Quarterly Chemical Alternation: Rotating pesticide formulations every three months to prevent target pests from developing immunity, ensuring long-term efficacy and reducing environmental buildup.
• COIDA: Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act. Mandatory South African legislation requiring employers to register and insure against workplace injuries and occupational diseases.
• CSD: Central Suppliers Database. National Treasury’s mandatory registry for all entities bidding for government contracts, verifying tax compliance and business legitimacy.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A procurement evaluation model where eighty percent of scoring is based on price competitiveness and twenty percent on socio-economic goals, specifically favouring South African-owned enterprises.
• MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheets. Standardised documents detailing chemical composition, hazards, handling procedures, and emergency measures for all pesticides used.