Objectives

The primary objective is to procure a high-capacity automatic tablet counting machine for pharmaceutical dispensing at King Dinuzulu Hospital. The procurement aims to improve medication packaging efficiency, ensure strict adherence to South African medical device safety and quality standards, and establish long-term operational sustainability through comprehensive technician training and guaranteed post-warranty maintenance.

Scope

The contract encompasses the supply, delivery, installation, commissioning, and clinical demonstration of one new automatic tablet counter. The scope includes provision of all essential accessories, starter packs, and operating manuals. The supplier must provide a minimum 24-month warranty covering all labour, spare parts, travel, and regulatory testing. Additionally, bidders must submit a fully costed three-year preventative maintenance and service agreement that commences immediately upon warranty expiry, with an option for renewal. All pricing must remain firm for 180 days and include VAT. Delivery, installation, and training costs must be fully absorbed into the quoted price.

Technical Requirements

• Must accurately count tablets, dagrees, and capsules using a vibrator feed mechanism with variable speed, dust extraction, and single-row gating.
• Solid-state amplification with a photocell beam width of 14–16mm; electronic eye must be sheltered from ambient light interference.
• Minimum throughput: ≥2,600 units/minute for 5mm tablets, ≥1,600 units/minute for 10mm tablets, and ≥800 units/minute for Size 1 capsules.
• Orbit-type batch counter with digital read-out positioned at the rear/top, selectable counts from 1 to 10,000, and a built-in self-test/resettable meter.
• Hopper constructed from seam-free fiberglass or non-corrosive metal (max dimensions 32.5 x 25 x 25.5 cm), designed for full removability to enable hygienic flat-surface cleaning.
• Compliance with IEC 60601-1, IEC 60601-1-2, CE certification, and SANS 0142 wiring standards. Must feature a hospital-grade, colour-coded mains cable (minimum 3 metres) and a 15A approved plug.
• Electromagnetic interference protection, neutral-spectrum lighting, and a milli-amp indicator for beam accuracy monitoring.
• Complete user manuals and original service/repair manuals (including schematics, PCB layouts, calibration guides, and exploded diagrams) must be supplied, along with all calibration and troubleshooting software.
• Spare parts availability guaranteed for ten years. Local KwaZulu-Natal service facility required with technician response within 24 hours.
• Only brand-new, latest-model equipment is accepted; refurbished or reconditioned units are strictly prohibited.

Skills Requirements

• Supplier must deliver comprehensive, factory-equivalent training to the institution’s in-house biomedical technicians, covering operation, calibration, preventive maintenance, and diagnostic repair down to the printed circuit board (PCB) level.
• Training must be completed within three months of delivery and conclude with the issuance of a formal Certificate of Competency.
• All service personnel must hold official Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) training certifications and be permanently stationed in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Bidders must demonstrate an established local service infrastructure capable of independent calibration, emergency repair, and ongoing technical support without external subcontracting dependencies.

Explanation of Unusual Terms and Conditions

• PCB-Level Training: Requires advanced biomedical engineering instruction enabling hospital staff to perform micro-circuit diagnostics and component-level repairs, significantly extending internal maintenance capabilities beyond basic operator training.
• Post-Warranty Maintenance Contract: A mandatory three-year service agreement must be priced and submitted alongside the initial bid. It commences automatically upon warranty expiry, ensuring uninterrupted service coverage without renegotiation.
• Loan Unit Provision: The supplier must supply a temporary replacement machine at their own cost whenever the primary unit undergoes repair, guaranteeing zero operational downtime for the hospital pharmacy.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: Evaluation allocates 80 points to price competitiveness and 20 points exclusively to companies owned at least 100% by Black Africans, aligning with national transformation procurement policies.
• Radiation/Hazardous Substances Licensing: Conditional compliance requirement where applicable; bidders must either provide valid Radiation Control Board licensing or official proof that the equipment falls outside regulated hazardous classifications.