Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to procure and deliver a one-off supply of safe, durable, and clinically compliant spectacle frames and protective cases for adult and pediatric patients at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital. The procurement supports optical rehabilitation services while adhering to South African public sector procurement legislation, with a focus on value for money, product safety, and socio-economic transformation.

Scope

The contract encompasses the supply and delivery of the following items:

• 400 units of children’s spectacle frames (suitable for newborns to 12 years)
• 200 units of male adult plastic frames
• 200 units of female adult plastic frames

Each frame unit must be supplied with a soft spectacle case and a microfiber cleaning cloth. The engagement is a single, non-renewable transaction requiring full delivery within three weeks of contract award. The procuring facility is the Optical Lab at McCord Provincial Eye Hospital.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must supply frames that strictly adhere to the following technical and quality parameters:

• Material & Safety: Frames must be manufactured from non-toxic, highly durable T90 plastic. Products must hold FDA and SAPHRA approval certificates.
• Design & Functionality: Frames must be flexible, elastic, and resistant to breakage. They must feature lightweight construction, cushioned temple ends, and adjustable/non-slip nose pads. Pediatric frames additionally require adjustable head straps and a colorful range.
• Certifications & Testing: Suppliers must provide proof of successful Durability, Bridge, and Temperature Stability testing.
• Product Condition: All items must be brand new, unused, and possess a minimum remaining shelf life of six months upon delivery.
• Documentation & Samples: Bidders must submit a technical brochure alongside physical samples. A wide variety of children’s frames must be presented for end-user approval prior to contract award.
• Compliance: Full submission of mandatory returnable documents, including Central Supplier Database (CSD) verification, updated CIPC registration, B-BBEE status evidence, and prescribed Standard Bidding Document (SBD) forms.

Skills Requirements

No specialized professional or academic qualifications are explicitly mandated. However, bidders must demonstrate robust operational and administrative capabilities, including:

• Proven supply chain capacity to source, stock, or manufacture medical-grade ophthalmic equipment meeting specified safety standards
• Ability to execute large-volume deliveries within a strict three-week timeframe
• Competence in preparing error-free procurement documentation and navigating South African public sector compliance frameworks
• Operational readiness to coordinate sample submissions, technical demonstrations, and post-award warranty obligations

Explanation of Unusual or Complicated Terms

• T90 Plastic: A specialized, hypoallergenic polymer widely used in pediatric eyewear. It offers superior flexibility, impact resistance, and safety, significantly reducing the risk of frame breakage and facial injury during normal child activity.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A South African government procurement evaluation model where 80% of the total score is allocated to competitive pricing and 20% to specific socio-economic goals. In this tender, the full 20 points are reserved exclusively for verifying South African ownership.
• SAPHRA & FDA Approval: Regulatory endorsements confirming that optical products meet stringent international and national standards for biocompatibility, structural integrity, and clinical safety in healthcare environments.
• Cover-Quoting Prohibition: A strict anti-fraud measure that automatically disqualifies any bidder found to have submitted multiple quotations through affiliated or linked entities to artificially manipulate pricing, evaluation rankings, or market competition.