How to Specify an Ambulance for Tanzania: A 12-Point RFQ Checklist

Why one-line RFQs fail

“Send ambulance price” produces offers with different chassis, steering sides, patient-care levels and equipment responsibilities. Use the same brief for every supplier.

The 12-point checklist

1. Clinical mission: stable transport, emergency response, monitored transfer or remote rescue.
2. Quantity and deployment: delivery city, operating districts and target date.
3. Road conditions: paved/unpaved mix, gradients, flooding, access width and travel distance.
4. Chassis: acceptable brands, fuel, transmission, wheelbase and service support.
5. Steering and emissions: document RHD availability and the exact emissions configuration.
6. Crew and patient: stretcher count, attendants, seats and restraint positions.
7. Oxygen: capacity, outlets, regulator, mounts and expected endurance.
8. Electrical: auxiliary battery, inverter, shore power, sockets and device load.
9. Medical devices: exact make/model or clearly marked buyer-supplied items.
10. Warning and markings: lightbar, siren, scene lights, livery and local restrictions.
11. Acceptance: inspection checklist, photos, function tests and document review.
12. Handover: manuals, training, spare parts, warranty contacts and packing list.

Compare the signed schedules—not the product titles

The lowest headline price may exclude devices, oxygen hardware, auxiliary power, documentation or destination-specific work. Require an itemised inclusion/exclusion table.