Tender Summary: Digital Infrared Non-Contact Thermometers

Objectives

The primary objective is to procure reliable, hygienic, and accurate digital infrared non-contact thermometers for clinical patient care at Newcastle Regional Hospital. The procuring entity seeks to enhance infection control protocols through rapid, touch-free temperature screening while ensuring full compliance with provincial health technology standards and long-term operational sustainability.

Scope

• Supply of 25 new digital infrared non-contact thermometers for Ward 3.
• Delivery, installation, commissioning, and end-user demonstration at the designated facility.
• Provision of complete user manuals, original service/repair documentation, and calibration software.
• Comprehensive training for Department of Health technicians covering maintenance, calibration, and repair down to the printed circuit board (PCB) level.
• A minimum 24-month warranty with guaranteed equipment uptime, annual preventive servicing, and provision of loan units during repairs.
• Long-term logistical support, including spare parts availability for ten years and continuous technical assistance throughout the equipment lifecycle.

Technical Requirements

• Performance & Accuracy: Infrared non-contact operation with a fast response time of approximately two seconds. Measurement range must cover body temperatures (34°C to 42°C) and an extended range (15°C to 60°C) for ancillary applications.
• Display & Functionality: Clear liquid crystal display (LCD), automatic power-off after one minute of inactivity, and memory storage for a minimum of 32 readings.
• Power & Design: Operates on DC 3V (AAA batteries), which must be supplied with the bid. Units must be lightweight, handheld, and designed for straightforward battery replacement without special tools.
• Safety & Certification: Must hold CE certification and comply with IEC 60601-1 and 60601-1-2 medical electrical equipment standards. Requires electro-magnetic interference protection and a hospital-grade, SANS colour-coded mains cable (minimum three metres).
• Condition: Strictly new, unused equipment. Refurbished or reconditioned units are explicitly excluded.
• Documentation & Software: Submission of complete user and original service manuals (including circuit diagrams, PCB layouts, fault-finding guides, and part numbers), plus all necessary calibration and troubleshooting software at no extra cost.

Skills and Qualification Requirements

• Valid registration on the Central Suppliers Database (CSD) with verified tax compliance status.
• Active licence issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) permitting the manufacture, wholesale, or distribution of medical devices.
• Documented proof of prior supply and successful delivery of medical or surgical items.
• Established local service and repair facility in KwaZulu-Natal staffed by permanently employed or subcontracted technicians trained by the original equipment manufacturer.
• Guaranteed technician deployment within 24 hours of a reported malfunction.
• Completion of the mandatory HTS E60A technical specification form, providing explicit clause-by-clause compliance responses.
• Submission of a preference points claim form (SBD 6.1) to qualify for points based on 100% Black African ownership.

Unusual or Complicated Terms Explained

• HTS E60A Specification: A detailed provincial health department technical standard that requires bidders to respond to every clause individually. It imposes stringent post-sale obligations, including PCB-level training for state technicians, strict warranty uptime guarantees, and comprehensive documentation submission, ensuring long-term maintainability by government personnel.
• 80/20 Preference Point System: A South African public procurement evaluation model where 80 points are allocated for competitive pricing and 20 points for socio-economic transformation goals (specifically, companies that are 100% owned by Black Africans). This system balances cost-effectiveness with mandated economic empowerment targets.
• Sample Submission Stage: After initial administrative and scoring evaluations, the top three bidders will be formally requested to submit physical samples for objective clinical and technical verification. Failure to provide compliant samples may result in disqualification or a restart of the procurement process.