Objectives

The primary objective is to procure two portable tonometers for clinical use at St Francis Hospital under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The equipment will enable accurate, non-contact measurement of intraocular pressure to support ophthalmic and optometric diagnostics.

Scope

The contract encompasses the supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of two units. The supplier must provide a complete operational starter pack, comprehensive user and service manuals, calibration software, and initial training for hospital personnel. The agreement includes a minimum twenty-four-month warranty covering all labour, spare parts, travel, and regulatory testing, followed by a fully costed five-year preventive maintenance and service agreement. All associated costs, including delivery, installation, training, and warranty obligations, must be incorporated into the quoted price. The contract is once-off with a ninety-day price validity period.

Technical Requirements

• Must utilise rebound technology for intraocular pressure measurement.
• Fully portable, handheld, battery-operated design with a high-contrast digital display readable in all lighting conditions.
• Capable of delivering accurate readings in any orientation, including when the patient is supine.
• Compliance with international safety and quality standards: IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, ISO, CE certification, and SA Medical Council or FDA approval.
• Included accessories: carrying case, charger, USB cable, computer software, and a minimum of one hundred disposable probes.
• Hospital-grade, colour-coded mains cable (minimum three metres) and electromagnetic interference protection.
• New equipment only; refurbished or reconditioned units are strictly prohibited.
• Warranty must cover all spare parts, labour, travel, and Radiation Control Board QA testing, with machine downtime automatically extending the warranty period.
• Spare parts availability guaranteed for ten years post-delivery.
• Software updates related to patient safety or virus removal must be supplied at no additional cost.

Skills Requirements

• Suppliers must operate an established service and repair facility within KwaZulu-Natal, subject to institutional inspection.
• Technical personnel must be original equipment manufacturer (OEM) trained and available to attend to malfunctions within twenty-four hours.
• Ability to deliver advanced technical training to Health Technology Services engineers, including diagnostic and repair capabilities down to the printed circuit board (PCB) level.
• Proven capacity to manage logistics, commissioning, and long-term maintenance contracts in accordance with provincial health procurement regulations.
• Bidders must satisfy mandatory administrative compliance, including Central Supplier Database registration, valid tax clearance certificates, and B-BBEE status verification.

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

Rebound Technology: A non-contact diagnostic method where a lightweight, spring-loaded probe gently rebounds off the cornea to calculate intraocular pressure without requiring anaesthetic drops or patient cooperation.

PCB-Level Training: Advanced technical instruction enabling hospital engineers to diagnose electronic faults, replace components, and perform repairs directly on printed circuit boards, significantly reducing dependency on external manufacturers for routine servicing.

80/20 Preference Point System: A government procurement evaluation framework where eighty percent of the total score is allocated to price competitiveness and twenty percent to designated socio-economic goals, specifically prioritising South African-owned enterprises.

Health Technology Services (HTS): The provincial division responsible for the strategic planning, clinical evaluation, acquisition, maintenance, and lifecycle management of medical equipment across public healthcare facilities.