Objectives

The primary objective is to procure a fully automated Continuous Flow Analyser (CFA) system for routine laboratory analysis of water, soil, plant, and agricultural samples. The procurement aims to deliver a complete, operational system that complies with internationally recognised analytical methods and ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards. Additional goals include ensuring reliable after-sales technical support, providing comprehensive user training, and securing long-term availability of spare parts and local service resources.

Scope of Work

The successful bidder will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the CFA solution, including:

• Supply, delivery, installation, and commissioning of the complete analyser system.
• Conducting Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
• Performing Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) to verify correct setup and consistent analytical performance.
• Providing method validation data and support for specified analytical parameters.
• Delivering comprehensive user training to designated laboratory personnel, accompanied by certificates and full technical documentation.
• Supplying a 24-month warranty covering parts and labour, alongside guaranteed access to spare parts for a minimum of ten years post-purchase.
• Ensuring all pricing is inclusive of equipment, services, taxes, and ancillary costs required for full operation.

Technical Requirements

Bidders must propose a fully automated, multi-channel CFA system meeting the following minimum specifications:

• Hardware Components: Autosampler (minimum 120 positions), automatic programmable diluter (supporting dilution factors up to 1000×), precision peristaltic pump, bubble segmentation system, heating bath(s), reaction manifolds, photometric detector(s), computer workstation, printer, and uninterruptible power supply (UPS).
• Performance Metrics: Detection limits compliant with ISO, APHA, EPA, or equivalent standards. Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) must be ≤2%, carry-over ≤0.5%, baseline drift ≤1% over eight hours, and correlation coefficient (R²) ≥0.999.
• Software & Quality Management: System must support ISO/IEC 17025 requirements, featuring audit trails, electronic signatures, user access controls, QC and Levey–Jennings charts, measurement uncertainty tracking, and automatic baseline/drift correction, peak recognition, and blank subtraction.
• Qualification & Validation: Full documentation for FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, and PQ. Method validation reports must be submitted as part of the technical bid.
• Warranty & Support: Minimum 24-month warranty from commissioning. Spare parts and troubleshooting capabilities must be guaranteed for at least ten years.

Note: FAT, SAT, IQ, OQ, and PQ are standard qualification protocols used in regulated laboratory environments. FAT verifies factory readiness; SAT confirms on-site functionality; IQ validates correct installation; OQ ensures operational compliance; and PQ demonstrates consistent analytical performance under routine conditions.

Skills & Experience Requirements

Bidders must demonstrate the following qualifications and capabilities:

• Hold valid manufacturer authorisation confirming the right to supply, install, commission, maintain, and warrant the proposed equipment.
• Maintain a qualified service technician physically located within a 100-kilometre radius of the delivery site to ensure rapid technical support, servicing, and emergency assistance.
• Provide at least two verifiable client references for contracts of similar scope, nature, and value, including contact details for verification.
• Demonstrate strict compliance with all mandatory administrative, financial, and ethical requirements, including Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration, tax compliance, Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status declaration, and anti-fraud/corruption declarations.
• Submit detailed technical specifications, product brochures, and manufacturer datasheets proving compliance with every mandatory requirement. Generic compliance statements without supporting evidence will be rejected.