Establishment of Long Term Agreements for the Supply of Containerised Solar Mini-Grids for UN Web Buy Plus

New amendment added #1: The tender is hereby amended as follow:- Deadline for submissions has been extended by 8 days, to 22 March 2024 at 11:00 hrs UTC

New clarification added: Question 14:Please clarify the following.As an established business entity with established collaborators internationally who typically provide PV system installation and :O&M services, we seek your guidance as to whether these collaborators (national level business entities) should be registered as JV/Consortium/Associates for this LTA submission, or whether they should simply be identified as in country representatives in countries where we supply product with assured service support. If there is a. requirment for collaborating national  entities to be JV/Consortium or Associates, this will require a multiple partner JV.  Answer 14: Local representatives for after-sales don't need to be part of a JV. However, they need to be listed with their contact details in the bid.  

New clarification added: Question 13:Dear UNOPS Team,1. Could you please confirm if high-voltage solutions are acceptable, particularly for Lot 5 & 6.2. Local weather information are mentioned in the RFQ. Does this mean, a weather station has to be included and do these informations need to be displayed on the solar portal?We look forward to reading your reply. Answer 13:1. Please refer to Question 11.2. Yes, a weather station has to be included and its generated information shown on the solar portal. 

New clarification added: Question 12:Dear UNOPS team,regarding the clarification to Question 8 about AC output power of inverters and assuming 0,8 power factor, please confirm if the following AC output power for each system is correct:5 kWp  >> 6,25 KVA10 kWp  >> 12,5 KVA15 kWp  >> 18,75 KVA  30 kWp  >> 37,5 KVA50 kWp  >> 62,5 KVA100 kWp  >> 125 KVAThanksAnswer 12:Correct.  

New clarification added: Question 11:Dear UNOPS team,please, confirm following points:1.- In the technical specifications document (Annex I) the maximum solar PV panel open circuit voltage is 230V for all Lots from 5kWp to 100kWp. Is it accepted to consider higher voltages for systems in the range of 10kWp to 100kWp?2.- In the technical specifications document (Annex I), concerning the battery package, the required operational voltage range per module is 25-55VDC (nominal customizable). Is it accepted to connect battery modules in serie to achieve higher voltages usually needed by inverters over 10kVA?3.- Is it accepted to connect inverters in parallel in order to obtain the required output AC power?Thanks and best regardsAnswer 11:1. Low AC voltage (220 for single phase distribution and 380V for three phase distribution) will be accepted. If higher voltages were wanted, then a transformer to drop the voltage back down would have to be added, which represents an additional cost, though it could be acceptable if included in the bidder proposal.2. Yes, it is acceptable as long as the connected batteries are of the same voltage, chemistry, age and capacity and the battery manufacturer specifications do not prevent their series connection. When connecting them in series then voltage will increase while the capacity will remain the same, while the wire section and the charge controller cost will be reduced.3. ‘Parallel capacity’ of the inverters is acceptable as long as you use the same brand and model of inverter for this to work; the control approach provided will have to prove efficient. This feature allows for scalability and flexibility in off-grid solar power systems, as it enables users to expand their system's capacity as their energy needs grow. By connecting inverters in parallel, the total power output of the system can be increased, providing more energy for off-grid applications and increasing the system reliability, monitoring and management. 

New clarification added: Question 10:1. Lots 4, and 5 are likely to require a container of more that 20ft, to house all components during shipment including the DG Set.  In this eventuality, should we propose a container of 40ft or multiple containers of 20ft.2.  Lot 6 requires 2 DG sets are included in the supply, each containerised and each with a fuel tank.  a) Should the PV control system manage and synchronise both DG sets to optimise fuel consumption, through load switching. b). Can more than one  container  (40ft plus other) be considered  for LOT 6 supply.3.   Minimum Battery Capacity (kWh) is indicated in Annex 1 for each Lot. Is this the nominal capacity or usable capacity taking into consideration max DOD? 4. Annex 1, (All Lots) Indicates battery cycle life to be >4000 at 100% DOD. Is iit permissible, for example, to propose a battery model with cycle life of 6000 or more and 90% DOD, so that this 4000/100% requirement is achieved. Or may we propose the the required cycle life DOD be reduced to 90%.  5  Annex 1 (All Lots) Indicates a charging efficiiency of batteries tof  99%. is required.  May we propose that the required charge efficiency be reduced to 97% in the specification. 6. Annex 2 : A commisioning development and report is  required as mentioned in the commisioning program.  Is this requested as part of this submission or upon award as LTA supplier. The same question applies to Maintenance Training (1B-6B) and Workshop Manual (1F to 6F)7.  Section !!!: Form•A: Joint-Venture Partner Information Form requires the signature of each particating partner. It is clearly understood that the consortium information table needs to reflect the entire JV/consortium/Association team.  Can the signature of each partner be furnished on spearate sheets,Answer 10:1. The shipment arrangement is up to the manufacturer. In UN Web Buy, when an end user will place a PO for a solar mini-grid, the shipment details entered by the supplier will be shared with our Freight Forwarders, who will calculate the freight rates depending on the specified number of containers.In the technical requirements, the system needs to fit in one container at destination. This can differ from the shipment arrangement. 2. In the tender, we require from the suppliers to submit bids for 100 kVA and 200 kVA, so both options for DG set are available. These will be displayed in UN Web Buy as optional equipments. It is then going to be up to the end user to select if they would like to add a DG set to their order, and which capacity (100 ou 200kVA). There are very little chances that an end-user selects both DC sets when ordering the extended mini-grid. 3. It refers to the usable capacity taking into consideration max DOD.4. >4000 at 100% DoD should be complied. Any supposedly higher specification (such as 6000 at 90% DoD) would have to justify technically (or through tests) that this specification is complied.5. No.6. Commissionning report is to be delivered right after installation, so upon LTA award and potential PO placed through UN Web Buy. Maintenance training and workshop manual as well. In the requirements, we ask the bidders to state if they comply with delivering these. 7. Yes, it can be furnished on separate sheets. ​ 

New clarification added: Question 9:Dear team,We are prepared to supply the goods, however, we are unable to provide services. Please confirm if you can proceed with the supply only or if service is mandatory.Thank you.Answer 9:Carefully read the schedule of requirements and the technical specifications. We seek for turnkey solutions. Installation, warranty and after-sales requirements are detailed. 

New clarification added: Question 8:Dear UNOPS team,regarding the AC output power of inverters, please confirm it for each system and if is correct to consider as follows:5 kWp  >> 5 KVA10 kWp  >> 10 KVA15 kWp  >> 15 KVA  30 kWp  >> 30 KVA50 kWp  >> 50 KVA100 kWp  >> 100 KVAThanks and best resgardsAnswer 8:Since the equivalency between the inverter capacity (kVA) and their power supplied (kW) depends on the power factor (which depends on the final system supplied by it) a conservative assumption will have to be done to size the inverter (e.g. assuming a 0,8 power factor will mean an equivalency of 1 kW -> 1,25 kVA). Higher power factors (above 0,8 and close to 1) will not be acceptable unless the bidder proposal includes a compensating load which can warrant the assumed higher power factor. 

New clarification added: Question 7a:Dear Sir/Sirs,1)      In case of JV/Consortium/ Association shall all partners reach the references of previous experiences cumulatively? 2)      In case of JV/Consortium/Association while submitting the final bid shall all partners fill and sign the Forms or does just the leading company have to do? Question 7b:Dear sir,Please kindly confirm how many joint ventures partners are allowed for this tenderRegards Answer 7a:1) In case of JV/Consortium/Association, all the parties should meet the eligibility and qualification criteria. "Being in continuous business of manufacturing/supplying similar products during the last 3 years" is a Qualification criteria as per the tender. 2) The parties should submit the JV form, and the main partner can submit the bid. Answer 7b:Two or more parties pool together and submit the bid 

New clarification added: Question 6: Dear Claryfication Team,I hope this email finds you well. We are writing to seek some clarifications regarding the procurement process.Firstly, we would like to understand the scope of the procurement. Specifically, does it involve the installation and supply of the solar station, or is it limited to supply only?Secondly, we need to prepare our company’s legal documents in Arabic. Could you please specify which documents you require to be translated? Furthermore, we would like to know if these translations need to be certified. If certification is necessary, would it be acceptable if the translations are done by an office certified by the American Embassy?Additionally, we would like to inquire about the consultancy services. Does your office provide its own consultants for design and consultancy, or is this something that we need to arrange on our end?Your guidance on these matters would be greatly appreciated as it will help us ensure compliance with your policies.Looking forward to your response.Best regards, Answer 6:- Kindly refer to the technical specification in Annex 1, under "installation" for each item. - Company legal documents must be provided in their original versions. Certified english translations are accepted. The language of the bid is english, therefore all the bid related documents should be in English (forms to be completed, brochures, etc). - No consultancy services are required. We are seeking for turn-key solutions to be displayed on UN Web Buy e-catalogue. Governments, UN agencies and NGOs will then be able to place POs for the available systems for their own future potential projects.  

New clarification added: Question 5:Dear Sir/Madam,I am seeking clarification regarding the eligibility criteria concerning after-sales services provision in the regions of Africa Region, Asia & Middle East Region, and the Americas Region. Specifically, if the organization can provide after-sales services in one or two regions, is it still considered eligible? Or is it required to provide after-sale services in all three regions? 2. What if the company chooses to focus solely on one region, such as the African Region or the Americas Region, Is it still eligible? I appreciate your attention to this matter.3. Concerning forms A, B, C, and D, should I create new documents for each form with the same information, or do I only have to fill in the information on both form sections within the same document?4. How should I respond to the yes or no question on the form document? Should I differentiate them with different colors? Best Regards,Answer 5:1. Bidders must meet the after-sales requirements across a minimum number of countries in every region, as outlined in the Schedule of Requirements. 2. No. 3. It is up to the bidder. The completed forms must be easy to read and correctly completed. The bidder can create separate documents for each form only if keeping the original UNOPS format. 4. Bidders can use different colors to highlight their answers. 

New clarification added: Question 4:Is there any data or information regarding past sales records of similar products? Answer 4:Kindly refer to "Form F: Performance Statement Form" available in "Section III Returnable Bidding Forms" in the Documents section, which is to be completed with all the other forms.  

New clarification added: Question 3:Dear Partner,Would be kind to share with us the coordinates of the locations where these solutions will be deployed as we would like to propose a solar systems which track the sun, also proposed the right panels to be deployed to take the full advantage of the sun in each specific location.Kind regardsAnswer 3:For this tender, global Long Term Agreements (3 years renewable 1+1 years) will be awarded. We expect the provided systems shall be suitable for any location, in the frame of future Purchase Orders depending on different projects of our clients (UN agencies, governments and NGOs).  

New clarification added: Question 2:Dear Sirs,we kindly ask some questions for clarification1. Previous experience.Should the bidder be in continuous business of manufacturing/supply of similar products required in the tender as the sole condition? Or in case the bidder is not the manufacturer, may it be accepted that proof of this previous experience of at least three years prior the bid opening is given by the manufacturers who provide the letter of authorization to the bidder?2. After sale service.The tender states that shall be able to provide after sale service in the stated minimum number of countried in the regions. One of these regions is America, Are you already able to say if it will North or Middle or South America?3. Warranty of batteries.You ask for a 5 years warranty,But how many cycles and which DoD?4. Predictive Maintenance The tender states Predictive Maintenance (prepaid package to buy with the equipment): 1 year periodMay you explain what do you mean/what do you refer to?Thanks in advance for your cooperationBest RegardsAnswer 2:1. The bidder (future UNOPS supplier) should be in continuous business of manufacturing AND/OR supplying similar products during at least the last three years prior to to bid opening (complete Form F, Performance Statement). 2. For the Americas region, we can be more specific by saying Latin America and the Caribbean. 3. As specified in the Annex I_ Technical Specifications and Compliance Sheet_ITB_2023_50059, in the "Battery package" section, the requested battery cycle life shall be, as a minimum, Cycle life @25ºC: >=4000 at 100% DoD so, as a minimum, the battery will have to be capable to run 4000 cycles at a 100% DoD. 4. Predictive maintenance prepaid package includes the identification of asset anomalies, assisted by AI, using real-time operational data to predict when an asset or piece of machinery needs repairs before breaking down completely, so maintenance priorities can be set and optimized, and offering prescriptive advice, such as actions to remediate problems. To do so, the system shall get information from IoT sensors placed all over the production plant, which will generate the operational data and details such as vibrations, temperature, production, etc, so the system can quickly pick up warning signs of potentially faulty machinery and inform the floor manager that it needs maintenance sufficient time in advance to its failure. 

New clarification added: Question 1:Dear UNOPS team,Concerning evaluation criteria on the ISO 9001 certification : if all equipment (inverters, PV modules, batteries, etc.) used is from ISO 9001 certified manufacturers, does the requirement still apply to the vendor who integrates the solution?Kind Regards Answer 1: The vendor quality requirements apply to the vendor and its suppliers: Clause 8.4 of the ISO 9001 standard deals with the “Control of processes, products and services supplied externally”. The products and services provided by third parties must meet the requirements established by the company. Therefore, it is the receiving company that determines the type and extent of controls and information it needs to provide to external companies to ensure that the delivery matches its needs. The receiving company is to fulfil ISO 9001 and its suppliers too.