Supply of Diagnostic Kits and Test Strips

The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness (WCGHW) is inviting bids for the supply and delivery of diagnostic kits to all institutions under its control for a three-year period. The tender, reference WCGHCC0054/2026, covers eleven bid items across point-of-care testing, rapid diagnostic tests and related consumables. The requirement includes hand-held ketone meters and compatible test strips, hCG urine pregnancy test strips, five-panel and twelve-panel multi-drug urine test strips, 28-gauge blood lancets, rapid rhesus test kits, rapid HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) tests, and an INR coagulation meter with its test strips and quality control materials. Estimated annual volumes are substantial, with hCG strips at around 1,000,000 per year, lancets at 325,000 per year, and hepatitis B tests rising from 100,000 to 120,000 over the contract. Quantities are estimates only and are not guaranteed, and institutions are not restricted to minimum order quantities. Delivery is required within 21 days of order to all listed hospitals and clinics and to the Western Cape Warehouse at Tygerberg. Payment is due within 30 days of receipt of a valid invoice, and the contract carries penalties for late delivery and pro rata deductions for non-compliance.

Bidders must meet strict mandatory requirements before their offers are evaluated. These include a valid SAHPRA licence as a manufacturer, distributor or wholesaler of medical devices and IVDs (a proof of application is not accepted), an ISO 13485 certificate for each manufacturer, and a manufacturer or supply agreement where the bidder is not the manufacturer. Bidders must be registered on the Central Supplier Database at bid closing, and must be tax compliant. Products must meet detailed technical specifications, including WHO prequalification for the rapid HBsAg test, a minimum shelf life of 12 months on delivery for most items, and clear labelling with lot numbers, expiry dates and supplier details. Bids that include the Hazardous Substances Act licence and Occupational Health and Safety compliance are also expected for relevant items. Evaluation is conducted in three phases: administrative and mandatory compliance, clinical sample testing (a minimum of 3-5 samples per item, delivered within about 3-4 weeks of request), and finally price and B-BBEE points. The bid is subject to the 90/10 preference point system, as the estimated value exceeds R50 million. Bids must be submitted in hard copy at the M9 building on the Karl Bremer Hospital premises in Bellville by 11:00 on 20 November 2026, with a USB soft copy. Offers remain valid for 120 days.

For suppliers, this tender offers a long-term, multi-year volume contract with a large public healthcare buyer across the Western Cape. The benefits include predictable forecasted demand, a single contract that covers many diagnostic categories, and the opportunity to become a recognised supplier to a major provincial health system. The requirements are demanding, however, and favour established manufacturers and authorised distributors with regulatory approvals, quality certification, clinical data, and reliable cold-chain and distribution capacity. Bidders should review the full bid document, verify their regulatory status early, and seek clarification from the contact officials listed before the query deadline of 10 November 2026.