ITB Procurement of Automated Weather Stations (AWS) and Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) for Timor Leste

New amendment added #2: This amendment is to extend the submission deadline 

New clarification added: We have compiled our last set of clarifications. Although we did attend the pre-bid meeting, my sound quality over the first section of the meeting was quite compromised and therefore I have missed most of the first section of the meeting. If a recording is available, that would be greatly appreciated if you could send access to it. So apologies in advance if some of the questions below have already been addressed.Administrative/logistical question:A. In order to save some freight cost, having an option where power supply (e.g. bulky items such as solar panels, solar panel mounts and batteries) can be sourced locally) and therefore stay out of the bid offer? CSA would provide specifications of required power and work with NDMG to make for an easy integration and installation.Technical questions:- AWS:B. the AWs specifications refers to 5 sensors for the calibration kit, but I can only count 4: rain gauge, wind sensor, hygrometer (temp/RH) and barometer. Can you confirm that this list is teh only suite of sensors required on the AWS. Or is Solar radiation the 5th one? No problem one way or the other, we just want to make sure we do not miss any of the requirements for these systems.- AWOS:C. there is no rating listed for the airports. Should we assume that they are non-precision approach without Runway Visual Range?D. What are the reporting requirements for the messaging AWOS? Anything unique or only the standard METAR/SPECI?- AWS and AWOS:E. Can the preferred mode of data communication be confirmed? Would that be Ethernet or GPRS (cellphone)? Or other?- Manual weather station:F. The specifications refer to a local data storage. Can a datalogger be used for measurement of wet/dry bulb and barometer and maybe even wind? This would be similar to the many systems that other Met Services in the Pacific and Australia are now using (including Fiji and Vanuatu). If not, can you please clarify what sort of data storage you are after for the manual station.Services questions:G. For the maintenance services levels, would a Service Level Agreement be required as part of the delivery?H. For the training section in country. It refers to 5 days and up to 8 staff per site. Is it anticipated that all technicians/staff from all sites would be trained over the same 5 days (e.g. up to 80+ staff trained over 5 days in supplier country) or is the requirement to have 5 days of training for up to 8 staff per site?AnswersA.. Power supply (e.g. like bulky items such as solar panels, solar panel mounts and batteries) may be procurred locally but it should be sole responsibilty of the Supplier and should be included in the offer.B. Supplier should propose the number of Calibration kits as per the requirement which has been clarified during the pre-bid meeting.C. As mnetioned in the specification ● Range (visibility) Default: 10m to 75km ● Measurement Resolution: 1m or 10m (default)D..It can be METAR/SPECI/ SIGMET/ similar standard as per the requirementE..It should have all the options of GPRS/ GSM SIM crads / Modem and also the Ethernet and can be deceided as per the situation may vary from Municipality to Municipality.F.The Datalogger should be used for measurement of all the parametrs as is being used by other Met Services.G.Yes.H.The total number of staff with the Met Agency-DNMG is not more than 42. Hence, the supplier can suggest a better plan to train these staffs, may be in three to four locations 

New clarification added: 1. For the Infrared all-sky camera: the power supply requirement of this model is 220VAC, yet the specifications of power supply for both the AWS and AWOS system refers to a solar system with a 50W solar panel. With DC solar power only, this camera would not be able to be used. Will mains power be available on the 2 AWOS sites? If not, will it be OK to supply an alternative camera which can perform the same functions but will not meet the specifcations of the tender?2.For the lightning protection, the Current1 CR-120 is specified. Are alternative lightning protection options offering the same or better protection than the CR-120 a feasible option, although the specifications will not match those listed on the tender? In orther words, can we offer another lightning protection system that offers the same level of functionaliy or better but will not compy with the listed specifications?3.Are frangible towers required for the 2 AWOS sites? Will the AWOS stations be deployed in the frangible zone?4,For the solar power supply on both the AWS and the AWOS stations, can the supplier offer alternative (e.g. smaller or larger power supply) in order to meet the actual power consumption of the solution put forward by the supplier?Answers1. The Solar system recommend in the specification i minimum 100 W but if there is a requirment of higher value should be used subject to enviurnmental condition. However, the mail power supplies will be available in all the two locations of AWOS installation as they are the Airport.2.Yes, CR-120 or similar is fine as suggested.3.Yes, frangible towers required for the 2 AWOS sites as the locations of 2 AWOS are diffrent and are in frangiblle zone.4.Yes. 

New clarification added: Are you going to share the answers from Monday's pre-bid meeting?We would like to request that UNOPS extend the deadline by one week. The due date from the timing of the 'pre-bid meeting' is only one week. Also, the project tender documents didn't not appear through the UNGM Tender Alert System (TAS), even though we have the categories of Timor-Leste and this type of work were selected. When we searched this project in UNGM it could not be found via the ITB reference nuymber or a key word search of 'Timor-Leste'.The tender documents request a the return / submission of the Section III - Returnable Bidding Forms. Can we submitt additional proposal documents, ie. technical approach, capability statements etc.The Technical Requirement briefly mentions a MIPS, but provides no details. Is a MIPS a requirement of this bid? Or is the key objective to just get the data to the national directorate of meteorology's server, and other options can be suggested?The tender docs ask for the UNOPS vendor numnber. Is this the same as the UNGM number?? We have not been able to clarify this point from searching the UNOPS website.Answers1. Yes2. The Tender is now extended3. Yes , it can be submitted but it is optional4. Yes, MIPS is required and the supplier need to propose the desired specification. However, as mentioned in the comment, the data will be retrived to the diretortae of Meteorology and will be processed through a Climate Data Information System (CDIS)-a dedicated sever at National level.5.No, the UNGM number is different from UNOPS number. The UNGM number is mandatory at this stage. Bidders that does not have the UNOPS vendor number should indicate that they do not have the number yet. This will not affect how the proposal will be evaluated at the evaluation level 

New clarification added: QUESTIONDear Sir/Madam,Refer to ITB Section II Schedule of requirements, detailed technical specification item AWS and AWOS Tower/Mast, would it be possible to have the drawings?thank you very muchANSWERIt is expected tat the drawing be prepared by the bidder 

New clarification added: QUESTIONRespected Sir/Madam,Documents: ITB Section II - Schedule of requirements - B. Related services requirements (page 22)4.1 Training "a. four operators per location and 4 technician per location"Please confirm if the training is for both AWS and AWOS system therefore (9 AWS + 2 AWOS = 11 location) x (4 operator + 4 technician) = 88 personorthe training is only for AWOS system therefore (2 AWOS location) x (4 operator + 4 technician) = 16 personThank you very muchANSWERTraining is for both AWS and AWOS at 11 Locations.

New amendment added #1: The amendment is for the following:1. Uploading minutes of prebid meeting 2. Extending submission deadline 3. Adding the specification for computer for AWOS 

New clarification added: QUESTIONDear Sir/Madam,In schedule of requirement you mentioned AWOS weather sensors and supporting equipment but we did not find any information about server and client computers requirement? AWOS system normally came with network of computers (server and client) with dedicated software to process and display/operate the system. Would you please confirm if its not required in this project? If existing system available, would you please provide architecture details how the data flow from sensors to the system?For AWOS, how many Visibility sensor required per location? It's written "2 AWS as per above specification plus Visibility Meter and Solar radiation sensor....". Refers to ICAO Annex 3 - 75 4.6.3.4 - Runway visual range assessment shall be representative of:a) Category I: Touchdown zone only (1 Visibility sensor)b) Category II/III: Touchdown zone, mid runway and end of runway (2 Visbility sensor)For AWOS and AWS Solar cell required 50 WP. Did you allow bigger solar cell e.g 250 WP?Calibration kit: Would you please elaborate the 69 calibration kits required? normally we could use one calibration kit for more than 1 location/site.Spare parts: please confirm if any spare parts required in the project?Thank you very muchANSWER1. Indeed the computer for AWOS is required in this case. The revised Schedule of Requirements as well as Returnable Bidding Form has reflected this, 2. Two Visibility Sensors as two AWOS will be installed in two different air port locations (i.e. Dili AND Suai Airport). The Bidders have to propose for the best possible sensors as required based on the specifcations mentioned in the ITB.3. The correct size is 100W as reflected in the revised Schedule of Requirements which serves as the minimum requirement,  but bidders are allowed to offer higher4. Bidders are requested to propose the qty for the calibration kits which aligns with the model they offer5. Regarding the Spare Parts: please refer the section B. Related Services requirements. 

New clarification added: QUESTIONRespected Sir/Madam,Document: ITB Section II Schedule of requirement detailed technical specification item no1. Automated weather station (AWS).The technical specification/details refers to certain manufacturers brand/type/series which prevent other proven products/solution available in the market to participate in this tender bidding as following:Data logger refer to SPL XSYS 3.0Barometic/ air pressure sensor specification and details refer to Vaisala PTB 330 Class ARelative humidity and air temperature sensor refer to Vaisala HMP seriesWind speed and direction sensor refers to Vaisala WMT 703etcIn regards to UNOPS document DP/OPS/2021/6 - Annex I clausal 17(f): "Review the procurement process to ensure that it is fair, competitive and transparent, provides best value for money and represent best practices and commonly accepted practises of United Nations procurement", would you please kindly advice and consider if other manufacturer/brand are allowed to participate in this tender project?Thank you very muchANSWERNo where it is mentioned about "Vaisala" in the specification and the codes are given for just reference. Most importantly the specifications mentioned against each sensors / equipnment provided in the ITB should be referred, which has been prepared based on the WMO/ GBON guidenace.UNOPS does not suggest any specific brand; Any brands / model are accepted and UNOPS does not limit the acceptance to any specific brand / model" 

New clarification added: QuestionRespected Sir/Madam,Document: ITB Section II Schedule of requirement detailed technical specification item no1. Automated weather station (AWS).The technical specification/details refers to certain manufacturers brand/type/series which prevent other proven products/solution available in the market to participate in this tender bidding as following:Data logger refer to SPL XSYS 3.0Barometic/ air pressure sensor specification and details refer to Vaisala PTB 330 Class ARelative humidity and air temperature sensor refer to Vaisala HMP seriesWind speed and direction sensor refers to Vaisala WMT 703etcIn regards to UNOPS document DP/OPS/2021/6 - Annex I clausal 17(f): "Review the procurement process to ensure that it is fair, competitive and transparent, provides best value for money and represent best practices and commonly accepted practises of United Nations procurement", would you please kindly advice and consider if other manufacturer/brand are allowed to participate in this tender project?Thank you very muchANSWERNo where it is mentioned about "Vaisala" in the specification and the codes are given for just reference. Most importantly the specifications mentioned against each sensors / equipnment provided in the ITB should be referred, which has been prepared based on the WMO/ GBON guidenace.UNOPS does not suggest any specific brand; Any brands / model are accepted and UNOPS does not limit the acceptance to any specific brand / model"

New clarification added:  Ref. ITB/2023/48611, as you can see in attached files, we received the email that you sent to our office in UK and they forwarded this project to us because this project is in Timor Leste which is in our region. After we have looked in these documents, we have some questions that would like you to clarify. 1. This technical specification stated that “To procure and install nine (9) Automated Weather Stations (AWSs), two (2) Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS), and one (1) manual weather station.” If we would like to join this bidding, can we only bid for nine (9) Automated Weather Stations and one (1) Manual Weather Station, without two (2) Automated Weather Observation System ?2. The datalogger in the technical specification is SPL XSYS 3.0. Can we submit the other brand that may comply with this specification?3. The barometric/air pressure sensor is PTB330 Class A. This model seems to be the model from specific brand. Can we submit the other brand that may comply with this specification?4. The wind speed and directions sensor are WMT703. This model seems to be the model from specific brand. Can we submit the other brand that may comply with this specification?5. The switch regulator is Phocos 12V 10A. This model seems to be the model from specific brand. Can we submit the other brand that may comply with this specification?6. The calibration kit for all the sensors of AWS (5 sensors) & AWOS (5 + 3 Sensors). PTB330TS or equivalent Class A barometer including temperature & humidity (HMP155 or equivalent.) probe and case; Centre 375 RTD precision platinum thermometer. HS rain gauge Field Calibration Device (FCD-314); Li-Cor LI250a light meter with pyranometer. These models seem to be the models from specific brand. Can we submit the other brand that may comply with this specification?7. Is this technical specification final version already? Is it possible to change something after Pre-Bid meeting? UNOPS responses to your questions:1.No, bidders are required to bid for all required equipment.2.Yes, this is possible without changing in specifcations.3.Yes, this is possible without changing in specifcations.4.Yes, this is possible without changing in specifcations.5.Yes, this is possible without changing in specifcations.6.Yes, this is possible without changing in specifcations.7.The specifications shared in the tender document outline our current plan for procuring items and providing related services like installation, training, and maintenance. If, during the meeting, there are valid points raised that are closely tied to the project's context or the technical aspects of the items, and if the panel believes these points are important for the project's success, we may revise the specifications accordingly.8.UNOPS does not suggest any specific brand; Any brands / model are accepted and UNOPS does not limit the acceptance to any specific brand / model"9.UNOPS does not suggest any specific brand; Any brands / model are accepted and UNOPS does not limit the acceptance to any specific brand / model"