Supply, installation, and support of a real-time cell analyser (rtca) system for onderstepoort biological products

Cell culture characterisation forms part of the daily experimental routines of the Research and Development

Virology department (RDV). The growth and maintenance of viable cells is integral for the continuance and

success of research studies conducted within the department; thus, consistent and non-subjective monitoring

and behaviour analysis is required.

Real-Time Cell Analysis (RTCA) system allows for the continuous monitoring of cell growth, adhesion,

proliferation as well as morphology states in a label-free method with high accuracy and sensitivity (Hajduk

and Ochocka, 2020). The impedance detected by the system analyser in wells of growing cultures is reported

as the cell index (CI). The CI gives a measure of parameters such as cell size, cell–substrate or cell–cell

attachment. The RTCA system allows one to conduct real-time continuous data collection, making it more

advantageous over other traditional endpoint assays by providing detailed insights into cell viability,

proliferation, migration, cytotoxicity, apoptosis to name a few (Moetlhoa et al., 2020).

The RTCA system will benefit the RDV team in generating real-time continuous data for their respective

projects also focusing on cytotoxicity analysis of the virus on the host cells. The system may also allow for

researchers to determine optimal cell, and virus yields for vaccine development and optimisation. The

system’s ability to allow for numerous analyses to be conducted simultaneously will reduce the turnaround

time for project completions and troubleshooting. Although the RTCA system will be under the custodianship

of RDV, its versatility will allow for interested departments to obtain the opportunity to run samples on the

system.

Evaluation criteria

1. The request for this equipment will be evaluated based on the following stages.

RTCA system Specifications:

Applications:

• Cell proliferation kinetics

• Cell characterisation

• Immune cell killing

• Cytotoxicity

• Virus cytopathic effect

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

Well Format Min 4 x 96 well plates

Size Dimensions of the RTCA should be accommodated to fit in a standard CO2 incubator with

the following maximum dimensions:

External dimension (WxDxH=660x660x906mm)

Internal dimension (WxDxH = 505x535x633mm)

Operating temperature 20 to 40 °C

Operating humidity Up to 90% RH

range

Power supply Adaptor to supply for South Africa 240V 50Hz

Uninterrupted power Uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to maintain the measuring equipment and control unit

supply (computer) for up to 4 hours during main power interruption. 1.5 – 2 KVA

Accessories Heat resistance cables, wired keyboard and mouse

Warranty 36-month Warranty on the RTCA equipment

Maintenance 2 years, with local agent/support.

RTCA Software • Live continuous and endpoint plots including resistance, capacitance, impedance

magnitude, barrier index, % cytolysis, area under the curve, kill time50, and EC50/IC50.

• User-friendly graphical user interface

• Curve fitting and does response plots using any endpoint

• Exports raw and analysed data directly to Microsoft Excel for easy access and fast

analysis

• Automated system status tracking to identify changes in environment and system state.

• Built-in system validation test.

• Cost of software should be included as a once-off payment with a back-up copy of the

software supplied

• FDA 21CFR part 11

Qualification Supplier must handle delivery, installation, and commissioning of the RTCA at the final

Requirements site.

The supplier is to develop and execute installation qualification (IQ) and operational

qualification (OQ) protocols. The protocols and supporting documents such as calibration

certificates should be sent to OBP QA for approval PRIOR to the execution.

The equipment must be fully operational and tested before acceptance.

Service provider should provide the user manuals, technical documentation, and

maintenance guides in English.

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

Laptop Component Recommended Specification

CPU Series 2 Intel Core Ultra 7

RAM 16 GB DDR5-SDRAM (32GB Upgradeable or

higher)

Storage 512 GB M.2 PCIe SSD

Display 16" Full HD (1920x1200) or

higher, Anti-glare (non-touch)

Operating Windows 11 Pro (preferred for domain join,

System

BitLocker).

Battery Life 12.6+ hours

Camera 1080p FHD

Keyboard Backlit, with AI hotkey and Number pad

Onboard

Graphics

Card Model Intel Graphics

Security TPM 2.0, BitLocker Support

Ports/Slots Universal Audio Port

USB 3.2 Gen1

USB 3.2 Gen1 with PowerShare

HDMI 2.1

Gigabyte RJ45 Ethernet Port

Wedge Shaped Lock Slot

2x USB Type C Thunderbolt 4.0 with

Power Delivery & DisplayPort 2.1 (Type-C)

SIM Card Tray

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

4G CAT12 - Qualcomm Snapdragon X12 Global

LTE-Advanced (DW5826e), eSIM capable

Warranty 3 Year ProSupport Onsite

Training Onsite training to be provided

Technical support for a period of 3 months

* NOTE all primary activities should not be outsourced.

Compulsory documents

Template for list of references to be completed compulsory requirements

Company Name Contract person Tel/cell number Email address Company Website

address

STAGE 1: CHECK FOR COMPULSORY DOCUMENTS

All documents indicated on must be submitted, missing documents will result in automatic

disqualification.

STAGE 2: EVALUATION FOR FUNCTIONALITY

Interested service provider must obtain a minimum score of 80 for functionality to be eligible for evaluation in

stage three. The following will be used as a criterion and the minimum points of each criterion which are

indicated in the table below:

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

Aspect Functionality Criteria Weight Means of

Verification.

Product Catalogue RTCA Unit: 30 All items should be

Well Format there on the

Size specification to

Operating Temperature measure or they will

Operating humidity range be disqualified.

Power supply

Uninterrupted power supply

Accessories

Warranty

Maintenance

RTCA Software

Qualification Requirements

Training

Computer: 30 As per the

CPU specification

RAM document

Storage

Display

Operating System

Battery Life

Camera

Keyboard

Onboard Graphics Card Model

Security

Ports/Slots

Warranty

Project Plan with 0-3 months =20 20 From issue of

timelines and 4-6 months =10 Purchase order to

deliverables 7- 12 months =0 completion of project

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

Reference letters Submit letters of reference with contact details 10 Confirmation of

of the most recent references for work References and

industry indication

• Less than 3 references = nil points

• 3 to 5 references = 5 points

• More than 5 references = 10 points

Certification Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) 10 Letter from the OEM

Letter =10

Total 100

Bidders that meet the functionality criteria will move to the next stage which is the pricing and specific goal

stage.

STAGE 3: PRICE AND SPECIFIC GOAL

The evaluation for Price and Specific goal shall be based on the 80/20 PPPFA principle and the points for

evaluation criteria are as follows:

Evaluation of Price and Preference

All Bids will be evaluated on a points system based on weighted average score for Price and

Preference as per Preferential Procurement Framework Act of 2000 (Act ).

Preference Point allocation – 80/20

Price / Preference Weighting percentage

Preference: 20%

Price: 80 %

Total must equal: 100%

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

OBP Onderstepoort Points Evidence required Yes/No

Biological Products will

award preference points as

follows: Specific Goal

Historically disadvantaged by 10 A valid BBBEE Certificate showing

unfair discrimination on the at least 51% black ownership

basis of Race

Historically disadvantaged by 8 A valid BBBEE Certificate showing

unfair discrimination on the at least 30% women ownership

basis of Gender (women)

Historically disadvantaged by 2 A doctor’s note confirming

unfair discrimination on the disability, confirmation of disability

basis of disability from the Department of Labour,

BEE certificate or equivalent

confirmation.

Total points 20

The evaluation for Price and BBBEE shall be based on the 80/20 PPPFA principle and the points for evaluation

criteria are as follows:

Evaluation Criteria Points

1. Price 80

2. Specific goals 20

3. Total 100

4. Validity of Bids

The prospective tenderer is required to confirm that it will hold its Bid valid for 120 Days from the closing date

of the submission of Bids. All the Bids must be quoted in South African Rand and remain valid for 120 days

after closure of the tender.

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

5. PRICING SCHEDULE

All pricings must be fixed amounts and must be in Rands.

Item Price excl. Vat (ZAR)

RTCA unit

RTCA software

Laptop (inclusive of all specifications)

UPS

Accessories

Delivery, installation, and commissioning

Onsite Training

Total excl.Vat

Vat 15%

Total

Presentation of proposal

The recommended bidder that meets all the above evaluation criterion will undergo a presentation of

proposal at OBP Premises (at own expense/s) communication will be shared accordingly.

Signed Name in Print:

___________________________________ __________________________________

Capacity: Date:

___________________________________ __________________________________

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

6. DECLARATION OF INTEREST BY TENDERER SBD4

BIDDER’S DISCLOSURE

1. PURPOSE OF THE FORM

Any person (natural or juristic) may make an offer or offers in terms of this invitation to bid. In line with

the principles of transparency, accountability, impartiality, and ethics as enshrined in the Constitution

of the Republic of South Africa and further expressed in various pieces of legislation, it is required for

the bidder to make this declaration in respect of the details required hereunder.

Where a person/s are listed in the Register for Tender Defaulters and / or the List of Restricted

Suppliers, that person will automatically be disqualified from the bid process.

2. Bidder’s declaration

2.1 Is the bidder, or any of its directors / trustees / shareholders / members / partners or any person having

a controlling interest1 in the enterprise,

employed by the state? YES/NO

2.1.1 If so, furnish particulars of the names, individual identity numbers, and, if applicable, state employee

numbers of sole proprietor/ directors / trustees / shareholders / members/ partners or any person

having a controlling interest in the enterprise, in table below.

Full Name Identity Number Name of State

institution

1 the power, by one person or a group of persons holding the majority of the equity of

an enterprise, alternatively, the person/s having the deciding vote or power to

influence or to direct the course and decisions of the enterprise.

Tender to provide the appointment of the service provider to provide a Real time Cell Analyser for

Onderstepoort Biological Products. OBP13/25/RDV01.

2.2 Do you, or any person connected with the bidder, have a relationship with any person who is employed

by the procuring institution? YES/NO

2.2.1 If so, furnish particulars:

................................................................................................

................................................................................................

2.3 Does the bidder or any of its directors / trustees / shareholders / members / partners or any person

having a controlling interest in the enterprise have any interest in any other related enterprise whether

or not they are bidding for this contract? YES/NO

2.3.1 If so, furnish particulars:

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No specific requirements found