Objectives

The primary objective is to procure and deliver a digital refractometer machine to support analytical testing and research activities within the Chemistry Department at Mangosuthu University of Technology.

Scope of Work

The scope covers the complete supply, delivery, and handover of the specified equipment. It includes provision of a minimum 12-month warranty covering parts and labour, confirmed after-sales support, and full compliance with institutional procurement policies. Payment is contingent upon successful delivery, end-user verification, and submission of a valid tax invoice, with settlement occurring within 30 days in arrears. Bidders must submit firm pricing inclusive of all applicable taxes, and quotations remain valid for 90 calendar days post-closing.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must propose a digital refractometer that meets or exceeds the following specifications:

• Refractive Index Range: 1.33 to 1.53 nD
• Resolution: ±0.00001 RI
• Accuracy: ±0.00002 nD or better
• Brix Range: 0 to 100%
• Brix Accuracy: ±0.01 Brix or better
• Brix Resolution: ±0.01 Brix
• Temperature Compensation: Integrated electronic or Peltier-based control
• Operating Temperature Range: Minimum 0°C to 50°C
• Temperature Resolution: 0.1°C
• Calibration: Factory-calibrated using NIST-traceable standards, with operator calibration capability
• Sample Surface: Flat and easy to clean
• Light Source: Long-life LED equivalent to 589 nm sodium D-line
• Display: LCD touchscreen or colour display
• Connectivity: USB and RS-232 ports
• Prism Material: Hard optical glass with chemical resistance

Skills and Qualification Requirements

While hands-on technical installation skills are not explicitly mandated, bidders must demonstrate:

• Formal authorization as an official distributor, dealer, or reseller of the offered equipment
• Proven capacity to deliver within agreed lead times
• Ability to provide written warranty confirmation (minimum 12 months, covering parts and labour)
• Documented after-sales support and maintenance arrangements
• Compliance with Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) regulations
• Completion of mandatory disclosure forms addressing state employment, conflicts of interest, and anti-collusion declarations

Unusual or Complicated Terms

• 80/20 Preference Point System: A procurement scoring model where up to 80 points are awarded based on price competitiveness (lowest acceptable bid scores maximum), and up to 20 points are allocated according to the bidder’s BBBEE status level. This balances cost efficiency with socio-economic transformation goals.
• NIST-Traceable Calibration: Measurement standards linked to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, ensuring internationally recognized accuracy, legal metrology compliance, and reliable scientific data.
• Peltier Temperature Control: A solid-state thermoelectric system that precisely heats or cools the measurement prism without external water baths, improving thermal stability, reducing maintenance, and enabling faster equilibration.
• 30 Days in Arrears Payment: Invoices are settled 30 calendar days after successful delivery, departmental acceptance, and receipt of a compliant tax invoice, rather than upfront or upon delivery.
• Two-Stage Evaluation Process: Submissions first undergo Stage 1 (eligibility and mandatory documentation verification). Only compliant bids advance to Stage 2, where price and BBBEE preference points are calculated and compared.