CANCELLED Provision of Paramedic Supporting Services for UN Agencies in Ukraine

Tender cancelled on 2024-01-30 13:41 UTC. The requirements require material revision. For any inquiries, please contact Valentyn ANANKO. Email: ValentynAN@unops.org, Phone: Ukraine 503244263

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement for PHTLS Trauma. Please confirm that an equivalent qualification, namely ITLS would be acceptable?Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm equivalent certification (ITLS) will be acceptable.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to provide capable and registered Paramedics as defined within the key personnel section of the Statement of Requirement which states that Paramedics should have experience coordinating medical evacuations in Ukraine, preferably using MEDEVAC, CASEVAC (knowledge of Ukraine Hospitals and Doctors).But to help ensure the success of this LTA, we strongly recommend that the requirements for individual clinicians are not so absolute as they’re not essential to UNOPS.Please confirm that provision of paramedics with more than 6-months experience of managing CASEVAC/MEDEVAC operations in a conflict or crisis affected region of the world, possibly including Ukraine, is a base requirement.In our experience, this more than meets the requirement and ensures a sustainable solution.Dear BidderThank you for your request.The requirements can not be changed.Please note that the evaluation methodology for the RFQ is “Lowest priced most technically acceptable offer”.Please submit your offer providing a detailed description of the experience of each paramedic proposed.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – we acknowledge your previous response in regard to costs associated with importation."Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm that all quotations shall be submitted net of any direct taxes (customs duties and indirect taxes, such as sales taxes, VAT, taxes on commodities such as fuel).Thank you."Please confirm that all equipment, medications and consumables imported for this UN contract are exempt from all taxes and duties as is the case for all other similar UN contracts, given that the UN is the end user.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Under this LTA UN Agencies will procure paramedic services that should include all the required equipment, consumables and supplies (standard paramedic kits). These items (goods) will not be procured by the UN separately and will not be paid separately by the UN. All these costs should be included in the daily rates of paramedic services. It is the responsibility of the service provider to equip paramedics with all required items and ensure the delivery of these items (including customs clearance if delivered from abroad). Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to provide capable and registered Paramedics as defined within the key personnel section.It is understandable that different agencies will have different SOPs however as Paramedics/Techs routinely work in pairs, please confirm the number of paramedics that would be deployed per convoy and please confirm if armoured ambulances are available to be used by Paramedics during any convoy movements.If armoured ambulances are not available, what platforms are available for use by the paramedics and are they armoured? Please privuce the details to these questions.Dear BidderThank you for your request.The SOP will be the same for all UN Agencies. The number of paramedics for each convoy will depend on risk assessment and size of the convoy. As a standard approach we expect to deploy one paramedic per convoy. Armored ambulances will not accompany each of the convoys (may be used in particular cases). Convoys will use UN standard armored SUVs.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to provide capable and registered Paramedics as defined within the key personnel section of the Statement of Requirement which states it is desirable for Paramedics to have experience of driving armoured vehicles.Please confirm if Paramedics are expected to drive any B6/B7 protected armoured convoy vehicles and that the UN will provide appropriate familiarisation training.Dear BidderThank you for your request.We are seeking individuals with prior experience in driving armored vehicles to serve as emergency backup drivers only in case of unforeseen circumstances such as an incapable driver. This experience is not mandatory but desirable. No formal training will be provided although familiarization prior to convoy is an option.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to provide capable and registered Paramedics as defined within the key personnel section of the Statement of Requirement which states all Paramedics must have a minimum of 10 years relevant experience.To ensure a wider and sustainable recruitment pool, we strongly recommend that a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience should the condition. There will be no degradation of quality with this approach.Please confirm.Dear BidderThank you for your request.The requirements can not be changed.Please note that the evaluation methodology for the RFQ is “Lowest priced most technically acceptable offer”.Please submit your offer providing a detailed description of the experience of each paramedic proposed.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to provide capable and registered Paramedics as defined within the key personnel section of the Statement of Requirement which states all Paramedics must have at least one year of operating in conflict-affected regions of Ukraine.To help ensure the success of this LTA, we strongly recommend that the stated requirements for individual clinicians are not so absolute as they’re not needed.Please confirm that provision of paramedics with more than 6-months experience of operating in a conflict or crisis affected regions of the world, possibly including Ukraine, is the base requiremen. In our experience. this more than enough to meet the requirement.Dear BidderThank you for your request.The requirements can not be changed.Please note that the evaluation methodology for the RFQ is “Lowest priced most technically acceptable offer”.Please submit your offer providing a detailed description of the experience of each paramedic proposed.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the requirement to maintain equipment, medications and consumables as defined in Clause 4 – Task 2 of Section II – Schedule of Requirements.Please confirm that all importing requirements are except all duties and taxes. Please also confirm that, following award of the contract, the UN, as the end user (ie UN patients), will provide the consignee address for shipping equipment, medications and consumables.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Under this LTA UN Agencies will procure paramedic services that should include all the required equipment, consumables and supplies (standard paramedic kits). These items (goods) will not be procured by the UN separately and will not be paid separately by the UN. All these costs should be included in the daily rates of paramedic services. It is the responsibility of the service provider to equip paramedics with all required items and ensure the delivery of these items (including customs clearance if delivered from abroad). These items will not be stored somewhere - the paramedic will deliver them in his/her kit when coming for the mission - so no delivery address will be provided.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement. Clause 4 – Deliverables of Section II states “Assign personnel (paramedic), equipment, medical supplies, and medications to be deployed within 72 h from request to the specific area (deployment point of the convoy).”Our understanding is that deployment window starts on receipt of a signed PO and ends when the paramedic, equipment, medications and consumables reach the RV specified in the COO and is confirmed as Mission-Ready. Please confirm our understanding of these responsibilities, noting that it is not considered feasible for a provider to formally commit resources (staff, movements, equipment etc) ahead of receiving a signed PO (ie not under contract).In addition, please provide the stages and associated timelines envisaged in the pre-PO planning process. Please confirm this will include use of:·       Warning Orders. Providing early warning and indication of possible deployments.·       Joint Planning, if required.·       A detailed COO providing all mission-specific details, which allow generation of a mutually agreed operations delivery plan and detailed pricing.·       A signed PO to trigger the physical activation of the mission.Dear BidderThank you for your request.After the service request is received and confirmed by the service provider and the CoO signed between the parties (CoO will make a contract for each mission) the service provider will have 72 hours to deploy the required personnel to the deployment point indicated in the CoO. Only subscription of the CoO will trigger physical activation of each mission. UN Agencies will take efforts to inform the service provider on possible deployments as soon as possible and arrange joint planning if feasible. Each CoO will provide all required mission details.Thank you. 

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge the management effort required to ensure the capability is maintained at Extreme High Readiness (EHR), and the associated continuous reporting requirements defined in Clause 5 of Section II – Schedule of Requirements.Please confirm that costs incurred by the provider for the provision of this management function (ie outside of a mission-specific COO) should be invoiced to the UN on a monthly basis and be based on submission of timesheets, with a proposed hourly rate for delivery of the management function.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Cost of the reports required will be covered by the Agency engaging the service provider through the CoO using the daily rate of Contract manager/Administrator. Monthly payments are impossible under this modality of the LTA as the service provider may be engaged by any UN Agency in Ukraine.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – From Form C, our understanding is that providers will be required to provide a quotation prior to each mission, following receipt of a COO. Each COO and subsequent PO will cover the following (as a minimum):·       Mission specified tasks.·       Type and number of staff required.·       Planned duration (dates and times) of the mission from the specified RV to when the staff are returned to the RV.·       Travel expenditures.·       Any additional equipment not included in the "Daily Rate" of staff.Please confirm our understanding of these responsibilities.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Your understanding is correct. With only one remark that no additional equipment will be required (only those mentioned in the Section II Schedule of Requirements, clause 4 Deliverables).Thank you. 

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – We acknowledge that for movements of personnel specified in the COO that the provider will be responsible, on a re-imbursement basis, for international movements and for movements of the staff to/from a pre-specified Rendezvous (RV) in the deployment area.And that the supported UN entity will be responsible for providing secured transportation (including individual PPE – body armour an helmets) for all movements of the specified staff from the RV, through the mission and return to the RV.Please confirm our understanding of these responsibilities.Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm that the service provider will be responsible for transportation of the service provider’s personnel to the deployment point identified by UN (transportation costs will be reimbursed) and UN Agency will be responsible for providing secured transportation (including individual PPE) for all movements of the specified staff from the deployment point, through the mission and return to the deployment point.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement. Section I – Clause 7 states “Article II, Section 7, of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities provides, inter alia, that the United Nations, including UNOPS as a subsidiary organ, is exempt from all direct taxes, except charges for public utility services, and is exempt from customs restrictions, duties, and charges of a similar nature in respect of articles imported or exported for its official use. All quotations shall be submitted net of any direct taxes and any other taxes and duties, unless otherwise specified in Section I: RFQ Particulars.” An approach that is line with all other UN contracts.Whereas, Form C states “Please provide the name and contact details of the entity which has an official presence in Ukraine and can provide logistical and customs clearance services for the delivery of the goods, customs clearance of the goods in Ukraine and payment of all required duties and taxes.” Please confirm that all services and goods supplied under this contract are exempt from all duties and taxes.Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm that all quotations shall be submitted net of any direct taxes (customs duties and indirect taxes, such as sales taxes, VAT, taxes on commodities such as fuel).Thank you. 

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – From Form C, our understanding is that expenditures such as travel, visa, and transit expenses during travel should be:·       Excluded from the Daily rate.·       Quoted separately at the time of activation and following receipt of a COO.·       Reimbursed in line with UNOPS travel policy.Please confirm our understanding of these responsibilities.Dear BidderThank you for your request.All transportation (not travel - transportation) costs (tickets, cost or fuel, etc.) should be excluded from the daily rates, quoted separately at a time of each order and reimbursed in line with UNOPS travel policy.Any other costs (visas if applicable, daily substance allowance which includes accommodation, nutrition and per diems for the contractor’s personnel) should be included in the daily rates.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – Please confirm if one or multiple providers will be selected for this LTA, with each COO being competed by several providers held within the LTA?If multiple, please conform how many providers will be brought into the LTA?Dear BidderThank you for your request.UNOPS reserves the right to award LTA to more than one service provider. Secondary Bidding between the LTA holders is possible. UNOPS plans to award LTAs to all the bidders whose bids will be considered technically compliant and prices fair and reasonable.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – details provided on UNOPS’ e-Sourcing site give the Clarification Question deadline as 1000 (UTC) 5 Jan 24 and Submission deadline as 1000 (UTC) 10 Jan 24.We acknowledge the urgency and in order to provide UNOPS with a comprehensive and complete submission we request that the Clarification Question deadline is amended to 1000 (UTC) Mon 8 Jan 24 and the Submission deadline amended to 1000 (UTC) Fri 12 Jan 24. Please confirm.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Given the urgency of the needs the originally set deadlines can not be extended.Please submit your bid in time.Thank you for your understanding.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement - We understand from an earlier CQ that The UN will not provide life support during the deployment.Reviewing Section II Clause 3 Target Audience and the paramedic working in various locations including those considered very high-risk conflict areas convoys.Please confirm that in a security or medical emergency that our personnel will be afforded the same evacuation support and protection as afforded to UN personnel, at no additional cost to the contractor.Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm that in a security or medical emergency contractor’s personnel will be afforded the same evacuation support and protection as afforded to UN personnel, at no additional cost to the contractor.Also paramedics should have their own international medical insurance cover as required in the Section II Schedule of Requirements.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement - Task 2 outlines the required equipment, medical and consumables.This will include (but may not be limited to): 1) Fully equipped ALS Medical Bag with stretcher, portable oxygen cylinder; 2) Multiparameter Monitor including integrated AED or automatic AED; 3) Limited Immobilization Kit for stabilization and transfer of casualties, 4) Medications and Consumables as agreed in the SOP.Please provide the current copy of the SOP referred to in Section II – Clause 4 – Deliverables – Task 2. This will enable us to more accurately price the daily rate, to include pricing for all required equipment, consumables and supplies.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Section Two outlines essential criteria and minimal standards for equipment, consumables, and medications, with specific details to be finalized in collaboration with the chosen provider. This includes the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), a crucial commitment to uphold international medical standards in demanding operational settings. As per the Section II Schedule of Requirements, under clause 4 Deliverables, task 3 emphasizes the collaborative creation of the SOP post-approval, fostering a partnership between the selected service provider(s) and the UN Medical Directors. Currently, there is no existing SOP, and its formulation will commence following the approval of the award.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement - Section II Clause 7 – Payment and Timeline Schedule states that expenditures are to be priced separately:“Travel (transportation) expenses of the paramedic to the deployment point. Travel (transportation) costs related to the assignment will be reimbursed in line with transportation costs reimbursement rules of the UNOPS travel policy upon provision of the documents confirming that such costs incurred.”Please confirm we can price separately and also include travel (transportation) expenses of the paramedic’s return home journey from the deployment point.Dear BidderThank you for your request.As stated in the Section II Schedule of Requirements “Travel (transportation) costs related to the assignment will be reimbursed in line with transportation costs reimbursement rules of the UNOPS travel policy upon provision of the documents confirming that such costs incurred. All travel (transportation) costs should be agreed in advance (provided in the supplier's proposal for the specific assignment) and confirmed by UNOPS before the delivery of the services”.Please refer to the Section II Schedule of Requirements.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS procurement.We have a few questions regarding this tender, please see below.Will the paramedic be based at a UN facility during their deployment?Will the UN provide life support for the Paramedic during the deployment period?Where will the UN main site/deployment point be located?Will the UN assist with VISA and Work Permits for the Paramedic?What will the duration of the deployment be?Where will the paramedics be based between deployments? (if not deployed on mission)Dear BidderThank you for your request. Please find the answers below.1. Will the paramedic be based at a UN facility during their deployment? - During the mission(s) paramedic will travel together with UN convoys on UN vehicles. As stated in the Section II Schedule of requirements DSA (daily subsistence allowance which includes accommodation, nutrition and per diems for the contractor’s personnel) should be included in the daily rate of the paramedic services. 2. Will the UN provide life support for the Paramedic during the deployment period? - The UN will not provide life support during the deployment.3. Where will the UN main site/deployment point be located? - As stated in the Section II Schedule of requirements “The deployment point of each convoy may be different and may include (but not limited to) all main cities (oblast centers) of Ukraine”.4. Will the UN assist with VISA and Work Permits for the Paramedic? - The UN will not provide this. As stated in the Section II Schedule of requirements all paramedics must be “legally in the country (Ukraine) and have permission to provide services in Ukraine”.5. What will the duration of the deployment be? - The duration of each mission (convoy) may be different depending on the requirements and circumstances and may last from 1 to several days.6. Where will the paramedics be based between deployments? (if not deployed on a mission). - There is no requirement regarding where the paramedics should be based between the convoys. As stated in the Section II Schedule of requirements “Assigned personnel (paramedic), equipment, medical supplies, and medications to be deployed within 72 h from request to the specific area (deployment point of the convoy)”.Please refer to the Section II Schedule of requirements included in the “Documents” section of this RFQ.Thank you. 

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – Clause 12 of Section II quite rightly states that “The volume of requests for service provision and expert engagement during this period will depend on the actual demand from the beneficiaries and the operational needs of the UN Agencies with a presence in Ukraine.  UNOPS cannot guarantee any monthly or annual days of engagement.”That’s fully understood and consistent with all LTAs. However, it would be very helpful to understand the planning assumptions on possible usage/pattern of use, which have led to this LTA procurement.If feasible, please provide an indication on what a possible deployment ‘month’ could look like. Noting that we fully acknowledge that there is no guarantee, and the information could only be used for contingency planning purposes.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Since it is not possible to establish a work plan that precisely includes the missions required by UN agencies, due to the complexity and constant changes in the local situation that demand adjustments to be made to the work plans, especially in field response actions, it is not possible to establish a minimum or a maximum number of missions that may be required within the framework of the resulting LTA.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – In terms of ensuring we correctly comply with Section III’s Returnable Bidding Forms:Form G – Performance Statement Form. We acknowledge the requirements in Form G and have assumed that it is completed at “Executive Summary’ level for each contract listed but also references a standalone Relevant Experience document, which provides all the supporting detail and evidence.Please confirm that this approach is acceptable, and that the e-portal allows bidders to upload additional supporting documents and evidence.Please also advise if there is a limitation on the number of supporting documents that can be uploaded/submitted and what their maximum file size (MB) can be.Dear BidderThank you for your request.All the requred forms and tables must be filled in and submitted. Bidders can upload more than one document against each document checklist if needed (there is no limitation in the quantity of the documents). The maximum allowed size for each document uploaded to eSourcing is 20 MB.Please refer to UNOPS e-Sourcing Vendor Guide (link is available in the tender "Particulars" Tab).Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – In terms of ensuring we correctly comply with Section III’s Returnable Bidding Forms:Form D – Technical Bid Form. We acknowledge the requirements in Form D and have assumed that it is completed at “Executive Summary’ level for the key sections but also references a standalone technical proposal document which provides all the supporting detail and evidence.Please confirm that this approach is acceptable, and that the e-portal allows bidders to upload additional supporting documents and evidence.Please also advise if there is a limitation on the number of supporting documents that can be uploaded/submitted and what their maximum file size (MB) can be.Dear BidderThank you for your request.All the requred forms and tables must be filled in and submitted. Bidders can upload more than one document against each document checklist if needed (there is no limitation in the quantity of the documents). The maximum allowed size for each document uploaded to eSourcing is 20 MB.Please refer to UNOPS e-Sourcing Vendor Guide (link is available in the tender "Particulars" Tab).Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – In terms of ensuring we correctly comply with Section III’s Returnable Bidding Forms:Form B – Quotation Submission Form. Clause k states “We understand that you are not bound to accept the lowest evaluated Quotation or any other Quotation that you may receive.”This implies that LPTA may not be applied. Which would be in accordance with instructions in UNOPS’ Procurement Manuel for RFQ’s being employed under an Emergency Procurement Procedure (EPP).Please confirm that “Best Value” will be applied in the assessment of this medical services procurement.Dear BidderThank you for your request.The evaluation methodology for the RFQ is "lowest priced, most technically acceptable offer". "Best value for money" is one of the main principles of the UNOPS procurement process.Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement – In terms of ensuring we correctly comply with Section III’s Returnable Bidding Forms:Form A – JV. If our solution does not require a JV, please confirm that we must return the form but with details described as “not-applicable” and signed by our Authorised Person. Dear UNOPS Procurement – In terms of ensuring we correctly comply with Section III’s Returnable Bidding Forms:Form A – JV. If our solution does not require a JV, please confirm that we must return the form but with details described as “not-applicable” and signed by our Authorised Person.Dear BidderThank you for your request.Form A: Joint Venture Form is not a mandatory form. If you do not submit your bid as a joint venture - please ignore this form (do not fill in and upload it).Thank you.

New clarification added: Dear Procurement teamCan you please advise on where we can retrieve our UNOPS Vendor ID? We are already registered with UNOPS at level 1 on UNGM.thank youDear BidderThank you for your request. UNOPS vendor ID is the registration number of the supplier in UNOPS ERP system. You should have it if you have previous contracts with UNOPS (it is indicated in each PO). If you do not have previous contracts with UNOPS most likely you are not registered in UNOPS ERP system and do not have this number yet.Thank you. 

New clarification added: Dear UNOPS Procurement - An advisory note in Section IV (Contract Forms) of the RFQ states that - "This template was issued in July 2017. If it has been more than a year since this date, please visit the UNOPS intranet to ensure you are using the most recent version." Please confirm that the version of the Contract Form included with the RFQ documents pack is the version used for this procurement. Many thanks.Dear BidderThank you for your request.We confirm that the version of the LTA template attached as Section IV: Contract Forms included with the RFQ documents pack is the version used for this procurement.Thank you.