Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to secure a qualified supplier for the one-off provision and delivery of sterile medical needles to support clinical operations at Mseleni Hospital and affiliated facilities within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. The procurement aims to ensure consistent availability of safe, compliant diagnostic equipment while adhering to public sector value-for-money principles.

Scope

The contract covers the supply and delivery of 464 boxes of 21-gauge vacutainer needles, with each box containing 100 units. This is a single-delivery arrangement requiring transportation to the designated hospital location. The scope encompasses full compliance with South African public procurement regulations, including mandatory documentation submission, tax clearance verification, Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, and adherence to a structured three-stage evaluation process. The contract period is one-off, with a quotation validity period of 90 days.

Technical Requirements

• Product Specification: 21G vacutainer/vaccination needles, measuring 0.8 x 38 mm.
• Sterility & Safety: Must be sterile, pyrogen-free, and free from toxic substances.
• Packaging: Supplied in standardized boxes of 100 units.
• Quality Standards: Full compliance with relevant South African National Standards (SANS/SABS) is mandatory.
• Shelf Life: Delivered products must retain a minimum validity period of six months from the date of delivery. Expired or second-hand items are strictly prohibited.
• Certification: Suppliers must submit a valid certificate issued by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA).
• Documentation: Completion of all official quotation forms, SBD declarations, tax clearance certificates, CSD registration confirmation, and valid CIPC business registration documents.

Skills Requirements

This tender does not require specialized engineering or clinical skills. Instead, it demands standard vendor competencies in medical supply chain management, including regulatory compliance navigation, logistics coordination, and accurate preparation of government procurement documentation. Suppliers must demonstrate proficiency in managing tax obligations, maintaining active CSD profiles, tracking product expiry dates, and meeting strict public sector delivery timelines. Familiarity with South African preferential procurement frameworks and contract law is also expected.

Notable Terms & Conditions

• Three-Stage Evaluation: Quotations are assessed sequentially for administrative completeness, technical specification compliance, and final price/preference scoring. Failure at any stage results in immediate disqualification.
• 80/20 Preference Points System: Scoring allocates 80 points to price competitiveness and 20 points specifically to promoting South African-owned enterprises. Bidders must provide verifiable proof of ownership to claim these points.
• Cover-Quoting Prohibition: Submitting multiple quotations under different entities or names for the same bid is classified as fraudulent activity, resulting in automatic disqualification and potential legal action.
• Delay Penalties & Termination: Late deliveries incur financial penalties calculated at the prevailing prime interest rate per day. Persistent non-performance, corrupt practices, or failure to meet specifications may lead to contract termination and a potential ten-year restriction from public sector procurement.
• Performance Security: The successful bidder may be required to furnish a performance guarantee within thirty days of award, ensuring commitment to contractual obligations.