PLACEMENT /OUTRIGHT PURCHASE OF AUTOMATED NUCLEIC CARD PUNCHER FOR UNIVERSITAS INCLUDING SERVICE, REAGENTS, CONSUMABLES AND MAINTENANCE FOR THE PERIOD OF FIVE (5) YEARS.Closed

Overview

NHLS invites bids for the placement / outright purchase of an automated nucleic card puncher for Universitas, including service, reagents, consumables and maintenance for five years. It is an open-tender (RFB) with a 180-day contract term and a compulsory briefing at UFS, Bloemfontein, ahead of a 23 Oct 2026 closing date.

Who should bid: suppliers of DNA/forensic laboratory equipment and related services with qualifications such as ISO 13485, regulatory approvals (IMDRF/SFDA), on-site service capability, and the ability to provide long-term maintenance, reagents and consumables.

Key dates (from the tender text):

• Briefing and site visit: 25 Sep 2026, 11:00, UFS (Room 315, Block C, Francois Retief Building).
• Questions deadline: 2 Oct 2026; responses by 7 Oct 2026.
• Closing: 23 Oct 2026, 11:00; open bidding 11:30 in Sandringham, Johannesburg.

Documents: technical specs (Annexure A) and pricing (Annexure B) accompany the RFB (see attached file names in the documents).

Requirements

• Compulsory briefing attendance and site visit (questions by email to Zimasa Makhetha).
• Compliance with General and NHLS Special Conditions; signed SBD forms.
• Tax compliance: Tax Clearance PIN or CSD status; separate PINs for consortium members.
• Central Supplier Database (CSD) registration; B-BBEE status documentation (SBD4/annexures).
• Technical: semi/fully automated nucleic card puncher; must handle standard deep-well 96-well plates; accommodate at least two plates simultaneously.
• Warranty and support: minimum 36-month warranty; 5-year service/maintenance; onsite technician within 48 hours; installation and training; spare parts availability.
• Delivery: up to 3 months from award.
• Documentation in two envelopes (BID/Proposal and PRICING); original and copies; pricing in a separate envelope (per NHLS rules).

(Documentation references: Annexure A – Technical Specification; Annexure B – Pricing Schedule.)

How to Apply

• Attend compulsory briefing: 25 Sep 2026, 11:00, UFS address above (Room 315, etc.).
• Submit questions by 2 Oct 2026 to Zimasa.Makhetha@nhls.ac.za; responses by 7 Oct 2026.
• Prepare bid documents: two envelopes (BID/Proposal and PRICING), plus one USB PDF copy; include original signed copies and required annexures (SBD4, B-BBEE docs, tax, CSD, etc.). Pricing in Annexure B (see Annexure B Price Template-RFB017-26-27.xlsx).
• Delivery: bids must be deposited in NHLS Bid Box, NHLS Procurement Tender Office, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham, Johannesburg, by 23 Oct 2026 11:00. Late bids won’t be considered.
• If submitting via post/courier, ensure arrival 36 hours before closing.
• Attach annexes: Annexure A (Technical), Annexure B (Pricing), Annexure C (Bidder’s Disclosure SBD4), Annexure D (PPPPFA forms), etc. (filename references in the attached documents).

Notes: pricing is five-year scoped; consumables are on an as-needed basis; ISO/IMDRF and other regulatory compliance are required for eligibility.