Automated chemistry analysers and associated services for western cape and northern cape laboratories

Closing date: 11 September 2026 at 11:00 AM. Public opening: 11 September 2026 at 11:30 AM at the Main Conference Boardroom, NHLS, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham. Compulsory briefing session: 24 August 2026 at 11:00 AM at NHLS Green Point (GPC), 1 Portswood Road, Green Point, Block C Seminar Room, Cape Town. Late arrival will not be accepted. Questions must be emailed to [email protected] on or before 26 August 2026.

A compulsory briefing session will be held on 24 August 2026 at 11:00 AM at NHLS Green Point (GPC), 1 Portswood Road, Green Point, Block C Seminar Room, Cape Town. Late coming will not be accepted. Questions must be emailed to [email protected] on or before 26 August 2026.

Bidding procedure and technical enquiries: Zimasa Makhetha, telephone 011 386 6203, email [email protected]. Queries must be submitted in writing by 26 August 2026. No other NHLS employee may be approached.

Bids must be delivered to the NHLS Main Reception, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, before the closing time of 11:00 on 11 September 2026. Late bids will not be accepted. Bids sent by post or courier must reach the office at least 36 hours before closing. Bids must be submitted on the official forms provided and not re-typed. Submit one original, one hard copy, and one electronic copy on a USB flash drive in PDF format. The original must be signed in black ink by an authorised representative, and every page initialled. Bids must be in two sealed envelopes: the first marked 'BID / Proposal Section' containing all documents except pricing; the second marked 'PRICING Section' containing the pricing schedule, price declaration, and detailed supporting pricing documentation. Both envelopes are placed in an outer envelope. Bids too large for the tender box may be handed in at reception during office hours (08:00-16:30) or before 11:00 on closing date. Telephonic, faxed, emailed, or oral tenders will not be accepted. Mandatory returnable documents include: signed Declaration of Interest (SBD 4), proof of attendance at the compulsory briefing, a valid tax clearance certificate or CSD report, CSD registration report, and the General Conditions of Contract. Failure to sign mandatory documents or to price according to the costing template will lead to disqualification.

Mandatory returnable documents include: signed Declaration of Interest (SBD 4), signed and accepted NHLS General Conditions of Contract, proof of attendance of compulsory briefing session, and signed NHLS Special Conditions of Contract. Essential returnable documents include: Preferential Procurement Claim form and B-BBEE verification certificate or sworn affidavit, and a certificate from an IMDRF member authority (e.g., Australia TGA, Brazil ANVISA, Canada Health Canada, China CFDA, EU, Japan PMDA). Bidders must also submit a manual or brochure for UPS with 30 minutes backup and surge protection, and proof of TrakCare integration via brochure or host comms document.

Evaluation is conducted in stages: Stage 1 Administrative pre-qualification verification, Stage 2 Technical Mandatory requirement evaluation, Stage 3 Technical Functionality requirement evaluation, Stage 4 Price / Specific Goals evaluation. Bidders must qualify at each stage to proceed. Points are allocated under the PPPFA 80/20 or 90/10 principle: maximum 80/90 points for price and 20/10 points for specific goals (B-BBEE). The bid must be awarded to the bidder scoring the highest total points (Merit 1) after the Cross Functional Evaluation Team (CFET) and commercial evaluation. Bidders must achieve the minimum predefined functionality threshold for their pricing envelope to be opened. The NHLS reserves the right to conduct benchmarks and pre-award surveys.

The tender is for the placement of automated chemistry analysers, including reagents, consumables, and a service contract, for a period of five years for various laboratories in the Western Cape and Northern Cape. The current analysers are over 10 years old and do not cope with workload, causing breakdowns and affecting service quality and turnaround times. The solution must include a water purification system as defined by the test repertoire, UPS with 30 minutes backup and surge protection, technical support, service and maintenance for 5 years. The system must be compatible with existing power, safety, water, plumbing, and floor plans; any changes or additions are at the supplier's cost. The system must be compatible with TrakCare (LIS). The supplier must provide unlimited initial, advanced, and continual technical training of lab staff on-site for the contract duration. The supplier must have a dedicated application specialist, a 24-hour telephonic hotline, and an engineer available 24/7 within 24 hours in rural areas and less than 4 hours in urban sites. Hardware and software must be upgradable or upscale at the supplier's cost in the event of new technologies or changes in test menu or work volume. Software updates within the five years must be at the bidder's cost; bidders charging additional costs will not be considered. Materials for the current testing scope, including printers and scanners, must be included in the bidding costs, and the printer and consumables must be available in the South African market.

The supplier must have a dedicated application specialist, a telephonic 24-hour hotline service, and an engineer available 24/7 within 24 hours in rural areas and less than 4 hours in urban sites. Applicable hardware and software must be upgradable or upscale at the supplier's cost in the event of new technologies, capabilities, or changes in test menu or work volume. UPS must provide 30 minutes backup, surge protection, and voltage regulator, with repair and maintenance responsibility of the supplier.

Bidders must provide credentials of the company/consortium, structure, and partnership agreements. Key personnel must be identified by employer (including subcontractors) with contact information. Bidders must provide a solvency statement signed by a qualified independent auditor confirming financial soundness and ability to mobilise resources.

Bidders must provide a certificate from an IMDRF member authority (e.g., Australia TGA, Brazil ANVISA, Canada Health Canada, China CFDA, EU, Japan PMDA) as evidence of quality compliance. The manufacturer must be ISO 13485 compliant.

Bid price must be submitted in a separate envelope marked clearly with the RFB number, description, and bidder's name. The pricing section includes the pricing schedule, price declaration, and detailed supporting pricing documentation. Bidders must price according to the costing template provided; failure to do so may lead to disqualification. RFB conditions and pricing shall be fixed and firm from the RFB closing date to the end of the contract. Bidders must provide a solvency statement signed by a qualified independent auditor confirming financial soundness and ability to mobilise resources.

Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and provide a valid Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN or CSD number, or a printed TCS certificate. For consortia, joint ventures, or subcontractors, each party must submit a separate TCS certificate/PIN/CSD number. Bidders must submit a signed Declaration of Interest (SBD 4). Bidders must submit a B-BBEE Status Level Verification Certificate or sworn affidavit (for EMEs and QSEs) to claim preference points. The manufacturer must be ISO 13485 compliant and comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. Bidders must provide a certificate from an IMDRF member authority (e.g., Australia TGA, Brazil ANVISA, Canada Health Canada, China CFDA, EU, Japan PMDA) as evidence of quality compliance. Bids from persons in the service of the state, or companies with directors who are state employees, will not be considered. Bidders must not be restricted on the Treasury database or the Register for Tender Defaulters. Employees and subcontractors of the successful bidder may be required to hold security clearances and sign non-disclosure agreements. Bidders must ensure all employees are covered under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and may be required to provide proof of good standing with the Compensation Fund.

The manufacturer must comply with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act. Bidders must ensure all employees are covered under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act and may be required to provide proof of good standing with the Compensation Fund.

The bid is subject to the General Conditions of Contract (GCC) and any special conditions. The laws of the Republic of South Africa govern the RFB. NHLS reserves the right to cancel or reject any proposal, not award to the lowest bidder, or award parts to different bidders. NHLS may conduct pre-award surveys and benchmarks. Bidders must accept the evaluation criteria. Withdrawal of proposal before validity period may incur costs. NHLS may extend validity period. Fraudulent B-BBEE claims or non-fulfilment of contract conditions may lead to disqualification, recovery of costs, contract cancellation, restriction from business for up to 10 years, blacklisting, and criminal prosecution. The successful bidder will be required to sign a written contract form (SBD7).

Bidders must submit bids in two envelopes: one marked 'BID / Proposal Section' (all documents except pricing) and one marked 'PRICING Section' (pricing schedule, price declaration, and detailed supporting pricing documentation). The outer envelope encloses both. NHLS opens the BID section first and only opens the PRICING section for bidders meeting the functionality threshold.

Bidders must comply with all preferential procurement pre-qualification requirements for the bid to be accepted for further evaluation. Bidders must provide proof of attendance at the compulsory briefing session. Bidders must submit a valid IMDRF certificate from an approved authority. Bidders must provide a manual or brochure for UPS with 30 minutes backup and surge protection. Bidders must provide proof of TrakCare integration.

Evaluation is conducted in stages: Stage 1 Administrative pre-qualification verification, Stage 2 Technical Mandatory requirement evaluation, Stage 3 Technical Functionality requirement evaluation, Stage 4 Price / Specific Goals evaluation. Bidders must qualify at each stage to proceed. Points allocated: maximum 80/90 for price and 20/10 for specific goals under PPPFA.