Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE Act)
Act 53 of 2003
Provides the empowerment-compliance context often used in public-sector supplier evaluation.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Status: Closed — No Longer Accepting Submissions
This tender closed on 27 February 2026. Submissions are no longer accepted. The tender lifecycle continues — check the awards section for updates.
Tender Type
Request for Bid(Open-Tender)
Delivery Location
1 Portswood Road - NHLS Old City Hospital Complex - Green Point Cape Town - 8000
Organization Type
GOVERNMENT
Published
05 Feb 2026
The national health laboratory service (nhls) invites bids for the supply, installation, and five-year maintenance of two automated genetic analyser ce (capillary electrophoresis) systems, including reagents and consumables, for its braamfontein genetic department. This tender targets suppliers capable of providing high-throughput, open-system analysers with comprehensive service and support.
AI Document Analysis Stages
Categories
Request for Bid(Open-Tender)
1 Portswood Road - NHLS Old City Hospital Complex - Green Point Cape Town - 8000
These references help suppliers understand the public-procurement framework around this opportunity. They are generated from the tender category, issuing organisation type and procurement context.
RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdf
Date & Time
Friday, 27 February 2026 - 11:00
Venue
Seminar Room NHLS Old City Hospital Complex 1 Portswood Road Green Point Cape Town 8001
The Division of Human Genetics uses of a Genetic Analyser for Sanger sequencing and fragment analyses. This
Category: technical
instrument uses capillary electrophoresis to separate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of different
Category: technical
lengths with high precision. In doing so, the laboratory is able to detect various point mutations, deletions and
Category: technical
insertions which are causative of various genetic conditions. The laboratory can also use the instrument for the
Category: technical
05 Feb
2026
Tender Published
Tender was published
27 Feb
2026
Closing Date
Tender closing date
Pending
Median Estimate
R 158 234
Range
Based on 4 comparable awarded tenders. Companies with similar profiles typically bid near the median.
* Estimates are based on historical data and do not guarantee actual award values.
We refine every tender document through these stages so you can brief your team and prepare your bid with confidence. Anything marked as "in progress" will be upgraded automatically — no action required from you.
AI Document Analysis Stages
We refine every tender document through these stages so you can brief your team and prepare your bid with confidence. Anything marked as "in progress" will be upgraded automatically — no action required from you.
Review in progress
The information shown on this card is preliminary. Our procurement team is currently finalising the submission guidelines, evaluation criteria, technical specifications, financial requirements, and compliance sections so you have a clean, bid-ready summary to work from. Document being finalised: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdf. You don’t need to refresh — this page will pick up the updated review automatically.
Important Dates
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfContact Information
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfSubmission Guidelines
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfEvaluation Criteria
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfTechnical Specifications
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdf1. Process 240 samples in an 8‑hour shift (24 samples per run).
2. Support Sanger sequencing with Big Dye Terminator chemistry.
3. Perform fragment analysis (STR, SNP, MLPA) with multiplexing and dosage detection.
4. Minimum 50 cm capillary array; 6‑dye chemistry; open system compatible with a wide range of kits (Applied Biosystems, Promega, Qiagen, etc.).
5. Read length ≥ 700 bp (Sanger) and up to 1000 bp for fragment analysis (up to 600 bp sizing required).
6. Provide analysis software for DNA sequencing, fragment sizing, paternity/kinship likelihood ratios, and LIMS integration.
7. Automated amplicon separation with 1 bp resolution, adjustable run conditions, reagent‑usage tracking, barcode integration, and data export (CSV/text).
8. Each instrument must include two networked workstations.
Financial Requirements
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdf– Valid Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance Status letter (with PIN) from SARS, or a current CSD report for each consortium member.
– Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration report.
– National Industrial Participation Programme (NIPP) certificate where applicable.
Compliance Requirements
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfTenders in this industry often require registration with these bodies.
Recommended Certifications
Having these can improve your winning chances: SANC Registration, SAPC Registration, ISO 15189 (Medical Laboratory Quality)
These rules commonly apply to South African public-sector procurement.
Act 53 of 2003
Provides the empowerment-compliance context often used in public-sector supplier evaluation.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 108 of 1996 (s217)
Sets the constitutional standard for fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective public procurement.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 5 of 2000
Covers preferential procurement and preference-point systems used in public tenders.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 12 of 2004
Supports anti-corruption controls and supplier integrity in procurement processes.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 28 of 2024
Provides the national framework for public procurement across government.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 2 of 2000
Supports access to tender records, award decisions and public-sector procurement information.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
Act 3 of 2000
Supports lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair administrative tender decisions.
Relevant because this is a South African public-sector procurement opportunity.
These rules are linked to the work category, industry, or regulated service area.
Act 61 of 2003
Relevant to healthcare services, public health facilities and health-sector procurement.
Relevant because this tender appears to involve health services, public health facilities, clinical services, or medical procurement.
Act 85 of 1993
This is general procurement context, not legal advice. Always verify requirements in the official tender documents and issuing authority notices.
To download these documents and access AI-powered analysis, visit the main tender page.
This briefing session took place during the tender period.
analysis of short tandem repeat polymorphisms which are useful in establishing relatedness, and chromosomal
Category: technical
copy number variation inpatients. The current instrument can process 24 samples in parallel without affecting
Category: technical
the running time of each sample, so that high-quality data can be used for high-throughput analysis. The
Category: technical
division runs about 80% of its tests on the genetic analyser per year. The current instrument was an outright
Category: technical
purchase and servicing the instrument is now via annual service contract deviations.
Category: technical
.
Category: technical
4 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
MandatoryCategory: technical
If a bidder does not comply fully with each of the mandatory requirements, it Shall be regarded as mandatory
MandatoryCategory: technical
non-performance/non-compliance and the bid Shall be disqualified. No “unanswered” questions will be
Category: technical
allowed. If a response to a question has been indicated as comply but not elaborated upon or substantiated it
Category: technical
shall be regarded as mandatory non- performance/non-compliance and the bid shall be disqualified.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Bidders shall provide full and accurate answers to the mandatory questions posed in this document, and,
MandatoryCategory: technical
where required, explicitly state either “Comply/Accept (with a “Yes”)” or “Do not comply/do not accept (with
MandatoryCategory: technical
a “No”)” regarding compliance to the requirements. Bidders must substantiate their responses to all
MandatoryCategory: technical
mandatory questions. PLEASE NOTE: If the response does not substantiate any of the points or requirements
MandatoryCategory: technical
in the body of the tender, it will be deemed to not comply, even if the ‘Comply’ field has been marked. Please
Category: technical
note: All documentation to substantiate the mandatory requirements has to be supplied.
MandatoryCategory: technical
TECHNICAL SUITABILITY: MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
MandatoryCategory: technical
(NOTE: The bidder who fails to comply with the Mandatory Requirements WILL be disqualified).
MandatoryCategory: technical
Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
1. Sample Capacity: must be able to run and complete 240 samples during an 8-hour period
MandatoryCategory: technical
(i.e. 2 and half 96 well plates) with 24 samples per run.
Category: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
2. Must be capable of Sanger sequencing including Big Dye Terminator Chemistry. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
3. Must be capable of Fragment analysis (Regular and HID, including STR’s, SNP’s, MLPA) Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
with multiplexing and dosage detection capabilities, data collection and analysis.
Category: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
4. Must be compatible with a minimum of 50cm capillary array. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
Confidential of 62
Category: technical
RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including
Category: technical
reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
5. Must be capable of 6 dye chemistry. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications/commitment letter. Failure to provide information
Category: technical
will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
6. Must be open system in terms of plasticware and kits that can be run on the equipment Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
including, but not limited to: Applied Biosystems kits, custom fluorescently labelled primers,
Category: technical
Promega kits, Yourgene kits, Asuragen kits, MRC Holland kits, Qiagen kits or equivalent (be
Category: technical
able to add other suppliers’ kits as required) i.e. custom spectrals.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will
Category: technical
lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
7. Read Length required: Minimum 700bp for Sanger sequencing products and up to 1000bp Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
for Fragment Analysis. 1000bp sizing is not required, but visualization of products is. Sizing
MandatoryCategory: technical
for Fragment Analysis is required up to 600bp
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
8. Software for analysis of DNA sequences as well as software for analysis of fragments. Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
Analysis to include amplicon sizing, peak height, peak area, dye separation, to be able to load
Category: technical
panels and bins for allele calling for kits from different suppliers for the duration of the
Category: technical
contract.
Category: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
9. Must have automated amplicon separation with 1bp separation capability.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification or commitment letter. Failure to provide information
Category: technical
will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
10. Must have adjustable run conditions and protocols. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to
Category: technical
disqualification.
Category: technical
Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
11. Instrument must be capable of interfacing with LIMS/Third party softwares.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will
Category: technical
lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
12. Must have a Reagent usage tracking /notification. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
(Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information
Category: technical
will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
13. Must be able to interface with Barcoding system. Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will
Category: technical
lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
Confidential of 62
Category: technical
RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including
Category: technical
reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
14. Must be able to export data to an external device and data must retrievable and Comply Do Not Comply
MandatoryCategory: technical
compatible to the lab PCs software (CSV, text files).
Category: technical
Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will
Category: technical
lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
5. Technical Functionality
Category: technical
5.1The bidder must complete in full all of the TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY requirements.
MandatoryCategory: technical
5.2 The bidder must provide a unique reference number (e.g. binder/folio, chapter, section, page) to locate
MandatoryCategory: technical
substantiating evidence in the bid response. During evaluation, NHLS reserves the right to treat substantiation evidence
Category: technical
that cannot be located in the bid response as “NOT COMPLY”.
Category: technical
Evaluation per requirement. The evaluation (scoring) of bidders’ responses to the requirements will be determined by
Category: technical
the completeness, relevance and accuracy of substantiating evidence.
Category: technical
Each TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY requirement will be evaluated using the following generic point scale:
Category: technical
Technical Functionality Requirements
Category: technical
The bidder must achieve a score of 75% to be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the evaluation.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Substantiation: Evidence can be provided in the brochure and/ or manuals and /or commitment letters.
Category: technical
Evaluation Criteria Score % Substantiate Reference
Category: technical
The analysis software should be able to calculate paternity and other kinship 15%
Category: technical
likelihood ratios.
Category: technical
Analysis software to calculate paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios to be
Category: technical
compatible with LAB workflow without the need for exporting data to other
Category: technical
software = 15%
Category: technical
Analysis software to calculate paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios to be
Category: technical
compatible with LAB workflow with exporting data to third party software = 10%
Category: technical
Software for calculating paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios not
Category: technical
compatible with lab workflow/No software = 0%
Category: technical
(Provide proof by means of specification/brochure).
Category: technical
Instrument related Reagent Loading should be Plug and Play: 20%
Category: technical
No manual intervention beyond loading a sachet = 20%.
Category: technical
Pippeting of reagents onto the instrument = 15%
Category: technical
Having to dilute/mix reagents prior to loading = 0%
Category: technical
(Provide proof by means of specification/brochure).
Category: technical
Confidential of 62
Category: technical
RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including
Category: technical
reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
Evaluation Criteria Score % Substantiate Reference
Category: technical
Duration of maintenance. 15%
Category: technical
Daily maintenance less than 5 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance less
Category: technical
than 1 hour = 15%
Category: technical
Daily maintenance less than 5 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance
Category: technical
between 1-2 hours = 10%
Category: technical
Daily maintenance up to 10 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance up to 2
Category: technical
hours = 5%
Category: technical
Daily maintenance more than 10 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance
Category: technical
more than 2 hours = 0%
Category: technical
(Provide proof by means of specification/brochure).
Category: technical
Spares/parts must be readily available. 15%
MandatoryCategory: technical
Available in approximately 6 hours = 15%
Category: technical
Available in approximately 24 hours = 10%
Category: technical
Available in approximately 48 hours =5%
Category: technical
(Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter).
Category: technical
Back-up Network associated Storage device on-site for storing DNA data from 10%
Category: technical
the instrument:
Category: technical
Provide Back-up data storage of 32TB = 10%
Category: technical
Provide Back-up data storage of 16TB = 5%
Category: technical
No Back-up data storage provided = 0%
Category: technical
(Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter).
Category: technical
Nucleic Acid Sequencing alignment software: 15%
Category: technical
Should be able to align unknown nucleic acid sequences with the reference
Category: technical
sequence and identify mismatches/conflicts = 15%
Category: technical
Not able to provide a Nucleic Acid Sequence alignment software = 0%
Category: technical
Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter).
Category: technical
Reagents usage management report: 10%
Category: technical
Capable of providing a historical breakdown of reagent usage, with lot numbers
Category: technical
and dates changed, as well as current and remaining usage = 10%
Category: technical
Provide only current and remaining usage = 5%
Category: technical
Provides no breakdown of current and remaining usage = 0%
Category: technical
TOTAL 100%
Category: technical
Confidential of 62
Category: technical
RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including
Category: technical
reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
Summary- The bidder needs to provide detailed brochure/ Specification confirming the above. The bid must achieve
MandatoryCategory: technical
score of 75% as illustrated above to be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the evaluation.
Category: technical
1. A threshold of 75% needs to be achieved to be considered for further evaluation.
Category: technical
2. The bid specification was compiled and approved by the Line of Business and the following is hereby confirmed:
Category: technical
• the Bid Specification document can be objectively evaluated using the evaluation criteria stated in the RFB
Category: technical
document; and
Category: technical
• the technical specifications are open and not written around a particular brand or product.
Category: technical
Confidential of 62
Category: technical
RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including
Category: technical
reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
No specific requirements found
MandatoryCategory: compliance
Awaiting Award of Contract
This tender has not yet been awarded. The contracting authority is expected to publish the award notice in due course.
27 Feb
2026
Submissions Closed
No further submissions were accepted after this date.
Organization
National Health Laboratory ServiceThe NHLS is South Africa's national laboratory service, supporting public health diagnosis and research.
Contact Person
Phillip Serage
Phone
064-880-5687
[email protected]
Address
1 Portswood Road - NHLS Old City Hospital Complex - Green Point Cape Town - 8000
Source confidence
High source confidence
Official source
eTenders.gov.za
Documents found
1
Last checked
05 Jun 2026
AI status
Enhanced
This tender has strong source evidence, including source metadata and supporting tender information synced from the government tender portal.
Tenders SA is not the issuing authority. All tenders are automatically synced from the official government tender portal. Always confirm final submission details, closing dates, briefing sessions, eligibility requirements, and documents on the official government portal before applying.
The NHLS is South Africa's national laboratory service, supporting public health diagnosis and research.
Learn how to submit a winning bid with these related articles
Sets health and safety duties for contractors, employers and service providers working on public-sector sites.
Relevant because this tender appears to involve health services, public health facilities, clinical services, or medical procurement.
Data conflicts
None detected
💡 Want more tendering tips and strategies?
Explore Our BlogGet deep intelligence on Supplies: Medical. Unlock full pricing strategies, bid frequency, and historical win rates.