Objectives

The primary objective is to procure sterile, absorbable surgical sutures to support routine and specialised general surgical procedures, particularly anastomosis, within the Theatre Department at Addington Hospital. The procurement seeks to ensure uninterrupted clinical supply chains while complying with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health's standardised procurement frameworks, quality assurance protocols, and national preferential purchasing legislation.

Scope

The contract covers the supply of sixty (60) boxes of Monocryl reverse-cutting sutures, distributed equally across three gauge specifications: 2.0 mm, 3.0 mm, and 4.0 mm. Each box contains twelve units. Deliveries must be made directly to Addington Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The quotation validity period is ninety days, and award decisions will follow a four-stage evaluation process focusing on administrative compliance, technical specification adherence, proven delivery capacity, and a combined price and socio-economic preference scoring model.

Technical Requirements

• Material & Composition: Poliglecaprone monofilament, undyed, fully absorbable, and sterile-packaged.
• Needle Specifications: Reverse-cutting geometry with gauge-specific dimensions: 2.0 mm (36 mm length, ½ circle, 70 cm suture); 3.0 mm (24 mm length, ⅜ circle, 70 cm suture); 4.0 mm (19 mm length, ⅜ circle, 45 cm suture).
• Regulatory & Quality Standards: Must comply with SABS/SANS specifications and hold a valid SAHPRA licence for medical device distribution.
• Shelf Life & Condition: Products must retain a minimum of six months' validity upon delivery. Second-hand, refurbished, or expired goods are strictly prohibited.
• Sample Submission: A physical product sample is mandatory for end-user verification against the advertised specifications before progression to financial evaluation.
• Delivery & Warranty: All-inclusive delivered pricing required. Goods carry a twelve-month warranty from hospital acceptance or eighteen months from shipment origin, whichever expires first.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Corporate Registration: Updated CIPC business registration documents and a full Central Supplier Database (CSD) verification report.
• Tax & Compliance: Valid SARS tax clearance verification and submission of the Bidder's Disclosure form (SBD4) confirming no undisclosed conflicts of interest or state-employment ties.
• Socio-Economic Status: Current B-BBEE level verification certificate or sworn affidavit, plus completed Preference Points Claim Form (SBD6.1) to qualify for targeted scoring.
• Proven Capacity: Documentary evidence of at least one successfully executed order and corresponding signed delivery note from a public or private healthcare facility demonstrating relevant medical supply experience.
• Financial & Operational Readiness: Ability to maintain firm pricing throughout the contract term, provide performance security upon award, and execute deliveries without unauthorised subcontracting.

Key Terms and Clarifications

Reverse-Cutting Needle: A surgical needle design where the cutting edge is located on the inner curvature rather than the outer edge. This geometry allows precise penetration through dense or fibrous tissue while minimising tearing, making it highly suitable for vascular and gastrointestinal anastomosis.

Monocryl: A recognised trade name for poliglecaprone 25 absorbable sutures. These sutures are engineered for rapid initial absorption, low tissue reactivity, and predictable tensile strength retention during early wound healing phases.

SAHPRA Licence: Regulatory authorisation issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. It is legally mandatory for any entity manufacturing, wholesaling, or distributing medical devices and consumables within South Africa.

80/20 Preference System: A government procurement scoring framework allocating eighty points to competitive pricing and twenty points to designated socio-economic goals. In this tender, the twenty points are exclusively reserved for enterprises that are majority South African-owned, aligning with historical redress and local economic development mandates.