Supply, delivery, installation and service of a high purity germanium detector for the nuclear medicine department at ithemba labs, cape town

• The National Research Foundation (NRF) is the contracting government agency supporting research.
• iThemba LABS is a multi-disciplinary research laboratory with sites in Western Cape and Gauteng, focusing on nuclear physics, radiation biophysics, and accelerator-produced radioisotopes for nuclear medicine.
• Procurement need: The Nuclear Medicine Department requires a high-purity germanium detector for accurate radionuclide identification and quantification in radioisotope manufacturing, as part of routine quality control testing.
• Objective: Appoint a service provider to supply, deliver, install, and service a detector with software.
• Equipment specifications are detailed, including detector, cryostat, software, digital analyzer, computer, printer, and calibration sources.

• Closing date: 4 August 2026.
• Closing time: 11:00 am.
• No briefing sessions, site visits, or clarification deadlines are mentioned in the document.

• For bidding procedure enquiries: Supply Chain Management Section, email [email protected].
• For technical information queries: Nuclear Medicine Section, email [email protected].
• Submission address: Tender Box, Main Security Gate, iThemba LABS, Old Faure Road, Faure, Western Cape, 7131, South Africa. GPS coordinates: 34.025°S 18.716°E.
• Fraud alert: Report suspected fraud to toll-free number 0800 701 701 or SMS 39772.

• Submit by the closing date: 4 August 2026 at 11:00 am.
• Use the two-envelope system: Envelope 1-part A (Bid Forms and Compliance Response), Envelope 1-part B (Technical Response), Envelope 2 (Financial Proposal). Do not include financial information in the technical envelope.
• Submission methods: Deposit in the tender box at Tender Box, Main Security Gate, iThemba LABS, Old Faure Road, Faure, Western Cape, 7131, or submit electronically via the e-Tenders e-submission platform.
• Faxed and emailed bids will not be accepted.
• On each envelope, clearly state: Bid Number (NRF/ILABS/ IOP1/01/2026-27), Bidder’s Name, Postal Address, Contact Name, Telephone Number, and email address.
• Mandatory returnable documents to qualify for evaluation: Signed SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 (with B-BBEE certificate or affidavit), authority resolution (if applicable), datasheets for HPGe detector/cryo-cycle/digital analyser/software, authorised distributor/exclusive supplier proof (letter from manufacturer), one contactable reference with client details, and installer/trainer certificates.
• Pricing must be submitted separately in SBD 3.2 format.
• Disqualification risks: Failure to provide required documents, collusion, fraud, fronting, or any attempt to influence evaluation.

Mandatory: (a) Registered on Central Supplier Database; (b) Authorized distributor/exclusive supplier of HPGe detector and software with manufacturer proof; (c) Technical compliance with all detector, cryostat, analyzer, and software specifications; (d) At least one verifiable reference for HPGe detector supply, installation, and training; (e) Manufacturer-certified installer and trainer. Failure on any mandatory criterion disqualifies bidder. Evaluation: Administrative compliance → Technical compliance → Price scoring per PPPFA 2022 Regulations.

• Scope: Supply, delivery, installation, and service of a high-purity germanium detector with software for the Nuclear Medicine Department at iThemba LABS.
• Detector must be compatible with existing Apex Gamma software; if not, quote for all software requirements.
• Detailed equipment specifications include:

• Germanium Detector: Standard P-Type Coaxial, relative efficiency ≥20% @1332keV, FWHM ≤1.8keV @1332keV, FWHM ≤850 eV @122keV, Peak to Compton Ratio 50:1 or better, aluminium endcap diameter 76mm, preamplifier with cables, energy range 40 keV to >10 MeV.
• Cryo-Cycle Cryostat: Low vibration/noise, liquid nitrogen redundancy, non-CFC/non-flammable refrigerant, low power demand, LCD/USB for monitoring, onboard memory, detector operation up to 2 years without LN-2 replenishment.
• Software: Must integrate with laboratory management systems, gamma-ray spectroscopy with multi-channel analyser controls, advanced analysis capabilities, long-term performance monitoring, secure access controls.
• Digital Signal Analyzer: Dual-range high voltage power supply, HV inhibit inputs, operation within -20°C to +50°C, 85% humidity.
• Desktop Computer: Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11 Pro, 21.5” monitor.
• Printer: Multifunction, colour, Ethernet LAN.
• Efficiency calibration sources (liquid 10ml glass vial).

• Warranty: All equipment must have a warranty of 12 months or more.
• Services: Installation qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) documents and services, on-site training with certificates, annual on-site qualification and calibration for 5 years, on-demand labour, in-person and remote support with 10-minute response time, annual software licence renewal for 5 years.

• The detector is critical for radionuclide identification and purity assessments in quality control testing.
• iThemba LABS has the right to conduct supply chain due diligence and site inspections at any time during the contract.
• General conditions allow for inspections, tests, and analyses of supplies; costs borne by purchaser if compliant, by supplier if non-compliant.
• Non-compliant supplies may be rejected and substituted at supplier’s cost.
• Packing must withstand rough handling, extreme temperatures, and open storage.

• Pricing must be submitted in SBD 3.2 format, as provided in the document.
• Separate envelope required for pricing (Envelope 2 in two-envelope system).
• Payment terms: 30 days after invoice with delivery validation.
• Invoices must reference purchase order and include detailed line items and statement of account.
• Performance bond only required if upfront deposit exceeds R1 million.

• Pricing format: Submit pricing in SBD 3.2 format, provided in the document.
• Payment terms: Within 30 days of receipt of invoice, provided invoice is accompanied by signed iThemba LABS delivery validation documents proving performance acceptance.
• Invoices must reference purchase order number, include detailed line items as per purchase order, and include a statement of account.
• Performance security: An acceptable financial performance bond is required only if iThemba LABS pays an upfront deposit exceeding R1 million (bond value equals deposit). No other performance security is required.
• No advance payment security is mentioned unless upfront deposit exceeds R1 million.
• All costs incurred in bid preparation are borne by the bidder.

• Central Supplier Database (CSD): Bidders must be registered and include their Master Registration Number (Supplier Number) for tax verification.
• Tax compliance: Verified via CSD; non-residents must provide Confirmation of Tax Obligations letter from SARS.
• B-BBEE: Preference points claimed via SBD 6.1 with B-BBEE certificate or sworn affidavit.
• Mandatory qualification documents: Datasheets for HPGe detector, cryo-cycle, digital analyser, software; proof of authorised distributor/exclusive supplier (signed letter from manufacturer); one contactable reference; installer/trainer certificates.
• Fronting is condemned; NRF may investigate and restrict bidders for up to 10 years if fronting is proven.
• No specific CIDB, CIPC, or professional registrations are required.
• Local content and imported content definitions are provided but no specific requirements are stated.

• Contract period: Five years from commissioning date.
• Special conditions include project management by Nuclear Medicine Department, written purchase orders for control, incidental services/spares valid only via purchase order.
• Performance verification by iThemba LABS project manager, with signed documentation.
• Right to conduct supply chain due diligence and site visits during contract.
• Communication must be in writing via email, referencing contract and purchase order numbers.
• Performance security: Financial performance bond required only if upfront deposit exceeds R1 million.
• Packing must prevent damage during transportation.
• Delivery and documentation as per bid specification paragraph 6.
• Payment terms: 30 days after invoice with validation documents.
• Warranty: 12 months, with supplier confirming repair/replacement within 5 business days of claim.
• Performance levels: Measured against stated levels; failure triggers joint investigation, correction, and penalties including cost reimbursement and appointment of alternative provider at bidder’s cost.
• Termination for default may result in appointment of alternative provider at bidder’s cost.

• Mandatory returnable documents checklist includes SBD 1, SBD 4, SBD 6.1 (with B-BBEE proof), authority resolution, datasheets, authorised distributor proof, reference, and installer/trainer certificates.
• Pricing competition requires SBD 3.2 submitted separately.
• Evaluation stages: administrative, technical, and scoring based on price.
• Clarification requests are directed to contact officials, with responses distributed to all bidders within 2 working days.
• No counter proposals are accepted.
• Two-envelope system is used to avoid price bias in technical evaluation.
• Collusion, fraud, and fronting are prohibited, with penalties including disqualification and restriction from public sector business.
• NRF disclaims liability for bid preparation costs and document accuracy.