Objectives

The primary objective of this quotation is to procure a reliable, compliant supplier for the one-off provision of sterile surgical sutures to support obstetric and gynaecological procedures at Grey’s Hospital Theatre.

Scope

• Supply of 6 boxes (72 units total) of specified surgical sutures.
• Delivery to Grey’s Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, within the agreed delivery period following contract award.
• Full compliance with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health procurement policies, including tax clearance, Central Suppliers Database (CSD) registration, and preferential procurement regulations.

Technical Requirements

• Product Specifications: Sutures must be Shirodkar Mersilene polyester white, braided, No. 5 CTX, 48mm ½ circle taper point double armed, 50cm length, and sterile. Each box must contain 12 units.
• Regulatory Documentation: Bidders must submit a valid licence issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) authorising the manufacture, import, export, or wholesale distribution of medical devices.
• Quality & Validity: Goods must be new, unused, current models, and valid for a minimum of six months upon delivery. Expired or second-hand products will be automatically rejected.
• Sample Verification: Physical samples may be requested from the top three scoring bidders for technical scrutiny. Previous successful suppliers to Grey’s Hospital may be exempt but are strongly encouraged to submit samples when requested.
• Evaluation Structure: Quotations progress through four mandatory stages: administrative compliance, specification compliance, sample verification, and price/preference scoring.

Skills Requirements

• Proven capability to source, store, and distribute sterile medical devices in accordance with healthcare and pharmaceutical storage standards.
• Working knowledge of South African public procurement frameworks, including CSD verification, SARS tax compliance, and BBBEE documentation.
• Logistical competence to ensure timely delivery, accurate inventory tracking, and proper handling of sterile surgical supplies.
• Administrative proficiency in completing official government quotation forms accurately and submitting all mandatory returnable documents without omission or alteration.

Key Terminology & Clarifications

• Shirodkar Mersilene: A high-strength, non-absorbable polyester suture widely used in obstetrics and gynaecology due to its minimal tissue reactivity, knot security, and durability.
• CTX: Refers to a specialised needle configuration and surface coating design optimised for smooth passage through delicate surgical tissues while maintaining structural integrity.
• SAHPRA Licence: Mandatory regulatory certification required for any entity handling medical devices in South Africa, ensuring products meet national safety, efficacy, and quality control standards.
• 80/20 Preference System: A standard South African procurement scoring model where 80 points are allocated to competitive pricing and 20 points to socio-economic goals (specifically, companies with at least 51% black ownership).
• SBD Forms: Standard Bidding Document templates used to declare conflicts of interest (SBD4) and claim preference points (SBD6.1) in compliance with national treasury directives.