Objectives

The primary objective is to secure a qualified supplier for the once-off provision of sterile, single-use hypodermic needles to RK Khan Hospital under the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The procurement aims to maintain uninterrupted clinical operations by acquiring medically compliant products at competitive pricing, while complying with South Africa’s public procurement legislation and socio-economic empowerment targets.

Scope

The tender covers the supply and delivery of three specific needle gauges to the hospital premises:

• 3,000 boxes of 21-gauge needles
• 6,000 boxes of 23-gauge needles
• 300 boxes of 25-gauge needles

Each box contains 100 units. The contract is once-off with a quotation validity period of 90 days. All freight and delivery costs must be included in the quoted price. Supplies must be delivered within the timeframe declared by the successful bidder. Expired stock will be rejected; all products must retain a minimum shelf life of six months upon delivery.

Technical Requirements

• Must strictly conform to SANS 1124-1 standards for hypodermic injection needles.
• Constructed from medical-grade stainless steel and plastic, featuring ISO colour-coded hubs and luer fittings compatible with luer-lock syringes.
• Sterile, pyrogen-free, and toxin-free. Individually packaged in peel pouches for single use.
• Packaging must clearly display: trade name, gauge/specification, sterilisation method, manufacturing site, CE mark, batch/lot number, and expiry date.
• Bidders must submit a valid SANAS accreditation/logo verification, a current BBBEE certificate, and a sworn affidavit.
• Products must be new, unused, and fully compliant with the General and Special Conditions of Contract, including warranty, inspection, and penalty provisions.

Skills & Supplier Capabilities

As this is a goods supply tender, formal personnel skills are not mandated. However, bidders must demonstrate operational capacity to:

• Source or manufacture certified medical-grade sterile needles meeting South African national standards.
• Maintain active Central Suppliers Database (CSD) registration and valid SARS tax clearance status.
• Manage bulk logistics for timely, cost-inclusive delivery to the designated hospital facility.
• Comply with public sector documentation requirements, including accurate completion of standard bidding forms, anti-collusive declarations, and preference point claim forms.
• Fulfill contractual obligations regarding product warranties, defect replacement, and audit cooperation.

Key Terms & Clarifications

SANAS Logo: Indicates the product or its testing laboratory is accredited by the South African National Accreditation System, verifying compliance with national quality and safety benchmarks.

SANS 1124-1: The South African National Standard detailing technical, material, sterility, and packaging requirements for hypodermic needles.

80/20 Preference Point System: An evaluation framework where 80% of scoring is allocated to price and 20% to specific socio-economic goals. Full points are awarded to companies at least 51% owned by Black individuals.

Luer Fitting/Luer Lock: A standardized tapered connector system that securely attaches needles to syringes without leakage during administration.

Pyrogen/Toxin-Free: A critical medical safety requirement ensuring the needles contain no substances capable of inducing fever or toxicity when introduced into the body.

GCC/SCC: General and Special Conditions of Contract that govern payment terms, performance security, termination rights, dispute resolution, liability limits, and anti-fraud measures within the public sector procurement framework.