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 5 March 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
CNR HOSPITAL AND DE KORTE STREETS, WATKINS PITCHFORD BUILDING - BRAAMFONTEIN - JOHANNESBURG - 2195
Organization Type
GOVERNMENT
Published
05 Feb 2026
OCDS Reference
ocds-9t57fa-146705
The national health laboratory service (nhls) is seeking bids to supply, install, and provide five‑year service, maintenance and reagents for two capillary electrophoresis genetic analysers for its braamfontein genetic department. The contract is open to all qualified suppliers and requires full compliance with technical, support and b‑bbee requirements.
AI Document Analysis Stages
Categories
Request for Bid(Open-Tender)
CNR HOSPITAL AND DE KORTE STREETS, WATKINS PITCHFORD BUILDING - BRAAMFONTEIN - JOHANNESBURG - 2195
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
Thursday, 05 March 2026 - 11:00
Venue
CNR HOSPITAL AND DE KORTE STREETS, WATKIN TITCHFORD BUILDING, BRAAMFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG
Division of Human Genetics uses of a Genetic Analyser for Sanger sequencing and fragment analyses. This instrument uses capillary electrophoresis to separate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of different lengths with high precision. In doing so, the laboratory is able to detect various point mutations, deletions and insertions which are causative of various genetic conditions. The laboratory can also use the instrument for the analysis of short tandem repeat polymorphisms which are useful in establishing relatedness, and chromosomal copy number variation inpatients. The current instrument can process 24 samples in parallel without affecting the running time of each sample, so that high-quality data can be used for high-throughput analysis. The division runs about 80% of its tests on the genetic analyser per year. The current instrument was an outright purchase and servicing the instrument is now via annual service contract deviations. . 4 MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS If a bidder does not comply fully with each of the mandatory requirements, it Shall be regarded as mandatory non-performance/non-compliance and the bid Shall be disqualified. No “unanswered” questions will be allowed. If a response to a question has been indicated as comply but not elaborated upon or substantiated it shall be regarded as mandatory non- performance/non-compliance and the bid shall be disqualified. Bidders shall provide full and accurate answers to the mandatory questions posed in this document, and, where required, explicitly state either “Comply/Accept (with a “Yes”)” or “Do not comply/do not accept (with a “No”)” regarding compliance to the requirements. Bidders must substantiate their responses to all mandatory questions. PLEASE NOTE: If the response does not substantiate any of the points or requirements in the body of the tender, it will be deemed to not comply, even if the ‘Comply’ field has been marked. Please note: All documentation to substantiate the mandatory requirements has to be supplied. TECHNICAL SUITABILITY: MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS (NOTE: The bidder who fails to comply with the Mandatory Requirements WILL be disqualified). Comply Do Not Comply
05 Feb
2026
Tender Published
Tender was published
05 Mar
2026
Closing Date
Tender closing date
Pending
Median Estimate
R 165 426
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.
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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.pdfClosing date: 05 March 2026 at 11:00 AM. Public tender opening: 05 March 2026 at 11:30 AM at Main Conference Boardroom, NHLS, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham. Compulsory briefing session: 16 February 2026 at 11:00 AM at Watkins Pitchford Building, cnr Hospital and De Korte Streets, Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Deadline for clarification questions: 18 February 2026. Bid validity period: 180 days from closing date.
Contact Information
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfSCM/Technical contact: Phillip Serage. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 011 386 0595. Submission address: NHLS Procurement Tender Office or NHLS Main Reception, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg.
Submission Guidelines
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfSubmit bids as follows: 1 original, 1 hard copy, and 1 electronic copy (PDF) on CD/USB. Pricing must be in a separate sealed envelope marked with RFB number, description, and bidder’s name. All bids must use official forms without alterations. Deliver to: NHLS Procurement Tender Office or NHLS Main Reception, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg. Late bids will not be accepted. Bids sent by post/courier must arrive at least 36 hours before closing. Mandatory: Sign all required documents, provide full supplier information (name, addresses, contact details, VAT/CSD/TCS PIN, B-BBEE status with certificate or sworn affidavit), and attach proof of authority to sign. Failure to comply with any mandatory requirement results in disqualification.
Evaluation Criteria
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfEvaluation follows a multi-stage process: 1) Administrative pre-qualification (mandatory documents and compliance checks). 2) Technical/functional evaluation based on NHLS specifications (Annexure A). Bidders must achieve a minimum 75% score in technical functionality to proceed. Scoring criteria include: software capabilities (e.g., paternity/kinship likelihood ratios, nucleic acid sequencing alignment), reagent loading ease, maintenance duration, spares availability, backup storage, and reagent usage reporting. 3) Commercial evaluation: Price scores a maximum of 80/90 points; B-BBEE preference points score a maximum of 20/10 under PPPFA. Final evaluation conducted by NHLS Procurement Services separately from the Cross Functional Evaluation Team (CFET).
Technical Specifications
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfScope: Supply, install, and maintain 2 x Genetic Analysers (Capillary Electrophoresis Open System) for Braamfontein-Genetic Department, including reagents, service, and maintenance for 5 years. Mandatory technical requirements (non-compliance results in disqualification): 1) Sample capacity: 240 samples in 8 hours (2.5 x 96-well plates, 24 samples per run). 2) Capable of Sanger sequencing with Big Dye Terminator Chemistry. 3) Fragment analysis (Regular/HID, STR’s, SNP’s, MLPA) with multiplexing, dosage detection, and data analysis. 4) Compatible with ≥50cm capillary array. 5) 6-dye chemistry capability. 6) Open system for plasticware/kits (e.g., Applied Biosystems, Promega, Qiagen). 7) Read length: ≥700bp for Sanger, up to 1000bp for Fragment Analysis (600bp sizing required). 8) Software for DNA sequence and fragment analysis (amplicon sizing, peak height/area, dye separation, allele calling). 9) Automated amplicon separation with 1bp resolution. 10) Adjustable run conditions/protocols. 11) LIMS/third-party software interfacing. 12) Reagent usage tracking/notification. 13) Barcoding system interface. 14) Data export (CSV/text files). Additional requirements: 24-hour online support with 6-hour on-site response, on-site repair/loan unit for downtime >1 week, site inspection (renovations at bidder’s cost), free software upgrades for 5 years, annual reagent/consumable supply (e.g., 50cm capillary array, polymer, buffers, formamide, plates, septas) for ~15,000 samples/year, UPS (1-hour backup, surge protection, voltage regulation) supplied/maintained by vendor, free installation/validation reagents, annual operator training with certificates, 24-month warranty, operator’s manual, calibration certificate at commissioning, 2 networked computer workstations per instrument.
Financial Requirements
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfPricing must be submitted in a separate sealed envelope marked with RFB number, description, and bidder’s name. Include 1 original, 1 hard copy, and 1 electronic copy (PDF). Bid price must be all-inclusive. Bid validity period: 180 days from closing date. NHLS reserves the right to request cost validation for analysers and reagents at bidder’s expense. Payment terms and bonds/guarantees not explicitly stated in the document.
Compliance Requirements
Source: RFB208_25-26_Bid Document_Reviewed v00.pdfMandatory documents: 1) Original valid Tax Clearance Certificate or Tax Compliance Status letter (with PIN) from SARS, or CSD Report showing active Tax Clearance Compliance. For consortiums/JVs/subcontractors, submit for each member. 2) Central Supplier Database (CSD) Registration Report. 3) B-BBEE Verification Certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs/QSEs) to claim preference points. 4) SBD4 (Bidder’s Disclosure) and SBD6.1 (Preferential Procurement Claim Form). 5) National Industrial Participation Programme Certificate (DTI) if applicable (SBD5). 6) Proof of authority to sign (e.g., director’s resolution). Additional: Comply with PPPFA, PFMA, and Treasury Regulations. Bidders must confirm no tender defaulter status (checked via Treasury website). Fraudulent B-BBEE claims or non-compliance with contract conditions may result in disqualification, blacklisting, or criminal prosecution.
Tenders 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.
Category: technical
Capacity: must be able to run and complete 240 samples during an 8-hour period (i.e. 2 and half 96 well plates) with 24 samples per run. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
MandatoryCategory: technical
be capable of Sanger sequencing including Big Dye Terminator Chemistry. Comply Do Not Comply Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
be capable of Fragment analysis (Regular and HID, including STR’s, SNP’s, MLPA) Comply Do Not Comply with multiplexing and dosage detection capabilities, data collection and analysis. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
be compatible with a minimum of 50cm capillary array. Comply Do Not Comply Confidential of 62 RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
be capable of 6 dye chemistry. Comply Do Not Comply Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specifications/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
be open system in terms of plasticware and kits that can be run on the equipment Comply Do Not Comply including, but not limited to: Applied Biosystems kits, custom fluorescently labelled primers, Promega kits, Yourgene kits, Asuragen kits, MRC Holland kits, Qiagen kits or equivalent (be able to add other suppliers’ kits as required) i.e. custom spectrals. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Length required: Minimum 700bp for Sanger sequencing products and up to 1000bp Comply Do Not Comply for Fragment Analysis. 1000bp sizing is not required, but visualization of products is. Sizing for Fragment Analysis is required up to 600bp Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
MandatoryCategory: technical
for analysis of DNA sequences as well as software for analysis of fragments. Comply Do Not Comply Analysis to include amplicon sizing, peak height, peak area, dye separation, to be able to load panels and bins for allele calling for kits from different suppliers for the duration of the contract. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification. Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
have automated amplicon separation with 1bp separation capability. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification or commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
have adjustable run conditions and protocols. Comply Do Not Comply Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification. Comply Do Not Comply
Category: technical
must be capable of interfacing with LIMS/Third party softwares. Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
MandatoryCategory: technical
have a Reagent usage tracking /notification. Comply Do Not Comply (Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
Category: technical
be able to interface with Barcoding system. Comply Do Not Comply Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification. Confidential of 62 RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
be able to export data to an external device and data must retrievable and Comply Do Not Comply compatible to the lab PCs software (CSV, text files). Substantiation: Provide proof by means of brochure/specification/commitment letter. Failure to provide information will lead to disqualification.
MandatoryCategory: technical
Functionality 5.1The bidder must complete in full all of the TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY requirements. 5.2 The bidder must provide a unique reference number (e.g. binder/folio, chapter, section, page) to locate substantiating evidence in the bid response. During evaluation, NHLS reserves the right to treat substantiation evidence that cannot be located in the bid response as “NOT COMPLY”. Evaluation per requirement. The evaluation (scoring) of bidders’ responses to the requirements will be determined by the completeness, relevance and accuracy of substantiating evidence. Each TECHNICAL FUNCTIONALITY requirement will be evaluated using the following generic point scale: Technical Functionality Requirements The bidder must achieve a score of 75% to be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the evaluation. Substantiation: Evidence can be provided in the brochure and/ or manuals and /or commitment letters. Evaluation Criteria Score % Substantiate Reference The analysis software should be able to calculate paternity and other kinship 15% likelihood ratios. Analysis software to calculate paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios to be compatible with LAB workflow without the need for exporting data to other software = 15% Analysis software to calculate paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios to be compatible with LAB workflow with exporting data to third party software = 10% Software for calculating paternity and other kinship likelihood ratios not compatible with lab workflow/No software = 0% (Provide proof by means of specification/brochure). Instrument related Reagent Loading should be Plug and Play: 20% No manual intervention beyond loading a sachet = 20%. Pippeting of reagents onto the instrument = 15% Having to dilute/mix reagents prior to loading = 0% (Provide proof by means of specification/brochure). Confidential of 62 RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years. Evaluation Criteria Score % Substantiate Reference Duration of maintenance. 15% Daily maintenance less than 5 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance less than 1 hour = 15% Daily maintenance less than 5 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance between 1-2 hours = 10% Daily maintenance up to 10 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance up to 2 hours = 5% Daily maintenance more than 10 minutes, Weekly and Monthly maintenance more than 2 hours = 0% (Provide proof by means of specification/brochure). Spares/parts must be readily available. 15% Available in approximately 6 hours = 15% Available in approximately 24 hours = 10% Available in approximately 48 hours =5% (Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter). Back-up Network associated Storage device on-site for storing DNA data from 10% the instrument: Provide Back-up data storage of 32TB = 10% Provide Back-up data storage of 16TB = 5% No Back-up data storage provided = 0% (Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter). Nucleic Acid Sequencing alignment software: 15% Should be able to align unknown nucleic acid sequences with the reference sequence and identify mismatches/conflicts = 15% Not able to provide a Nucleic Acid Sequence alignment software = 0% Provide proof by means of specification/brochure/ commitment letter). Reagents usage management report: 10% Capable of providing a historical breakdown of reagent usage, with lot numbers and dates changed, as well as current and remaining usage = 10% Provide only current and remaining usage = 5% Provides no breakdown of current and remaining usage = 0% TOTAL 100% Confidential of 62 RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years. Summary- The bidder needs to provide detailed brochure/ Specification confirming the above. The bid must achieve score of 75% as illustrated above to be eligible to proceed to the next stage of the evaluation.
MandatoryCategory: technical
threshold of 75% needs to be achieved to be considered for further evaluation.
Category: technical
bid specification was compiled and approved by the Line of Business and the following is hereby confirmed:
Category: technical
Bid Specification document can be objectively evaluated using the evaluation criteria stated in the RFB document; and
Category: technical
technical specifications are open and not written around a particular brand or product. Confidential of 62 RFB208/25/26: Placement of 2 x Genetic Analysers CE (Capillary Electrophoresis) open system for Braamfontein-Genetic Department including reagents, service and maintenance for a period of five (5) years.
Category: technical
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.
05 Mar
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
CNR HOSPITAL AND DE KORTE STREETS, WATKINS PITCHFORD BUILDING - BRAAMFONTEIN - JOHANNESBURG - 2195
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.
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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
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