Supply and delivery of Search and Rescue (SAR) Vessels in Tunis, Tunisia (Incoterm 2020 : CPT, Port of La Goulette, Tunis, Tunisia).

New clarification added: Q25 - Could you please consider the possible extension of 3 months for the delivery of the vessels to Tunisia, i.e. 21 months after the signature of the contract instead of 18?. The reason is due to the long lead time for delivery of main equipment such as engines, waterjets and electronics.A25 - In accordance with the Section II - schedule of requirement (point G), The delivery requirement is 18 months from contract signature (Incoterm 2020: CPT, La Goulette Port, Tunis, Tunisia), plus one (1) for testing and commissioning in Tunis. An extension of the delivery time cannot be considered.Q26 - Please confirm the warranty period, after the delivery of the vessel, is 1 (one) year, 2000 running hours of the main engines whatever comes first.A26 - Yes, we confirm that the warranty period after the delivery testing and commissioning of the vessels is one (1) year or 2000 running hours of the main engines which comes first.

New clarification added: Q20 - We hereby request for the design of this search and rescue vessel if available.A20 - Please refer to the Section II - Schedule of requirements of the bidding process.Q21 - We want to have clarification about filling of those “insert details” boxes for some items in the technical specification comparison table as mentioned below:1- On the technical specification for goods and comparative data table, the make-model and type is exactly specified for some equipment like Radar, Thermal system, HF/SSB receiver, VHF/FM receiver, INMARSAT, VHF mobile radio. For the others, only the technical specifications/descriptions have been defined with no make-model-type requirement. For filling the "insert details boxes'' for those, we will give only a written confirmation for all the equipment on the table that they will be provided, except for the main engines, gearboxes, propulsion system waterjets and diesel generators where details of make-model-type will be provided. Would this approach be okay?A21.1 - Standardized Items: Provide both the exact specs and written confirmation for brand/model of these items (Radar, Thermal System, etc.) in your bid using the “insert details” boxes.Other Items: Use the "insert details boxes" to specify the make, model, and type of each item you will provide, ensuring they meet the tender's technical requirements.2- On the same document, for the items described/listed on sections 8.1 Vessel drawings , 8.2 manuals and reports,16 diagnostic equipment, 26 Maintenance Plan, 26.3 spare parts list for onboard storage will be provided at a later stage such as during or after the construction of the vessels. However, for all these items, we will provide a written confirmation in insert details boxes that they will be provided. Would this approach be okay?A21.2 - A written confirmation will be accepted. However for the item 16 diagnostic equipment, the list of the equipment that will be provided shall be communicated for information purposes during the solicitation process.Q22 - We refer to your Q19/A19 clarification issued on 2024-05-21.In order to avoid any misunderstanding that might lead to disqualifying the bidder could you be so kind as to confirm whether an Insurance Company with a Financial Strength Rating equal or better than the one required as Long Term Credit for a bank would be acceptable?For example Zurich Insurance has a Financial Strength Rating AA/Stable from Standard & Poor's: refer to the link https://www.zurich.com/en/investor-relations/ratingsIs a bond issued by Zurich Insurance (or similar) acceptable?A22 - We want to avoid providing a personalized response. Please ensure that the company issuing the bid bond is a BANK or a FINANCIAL INSTITUTION with a CREDIT RATING equal to or higher than those mentioned in the tender particulars. Q23 - Could you please be so kind as to confirm the beneficiary of the bid security, and any other further security, will be the following?A23 - The Beneficiary of the bid bond shall be:UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR PROJECTS SERVICES (UNOPS Tunisia)7, Impasse No.1, Rue Sofiane CHAARICentre Urbain Nord, Cité El Khadra,Tunis, TunisiaQ24 - If one of the parties in a j/v is missing one of the required ISO certificates, but the other ones has, what would be the position of the review committee about it? A24 - The entire offer will be evaluated as non-compliant.

New amendment added #2: Amendment No.2This ITB is being amended for the following reasons:1. To clarify the evaluation methodology with regard to the financial capability (Form F) in the event of joint venture and to adjust the related evaluation criteria and the returnable Form F;2. To adjust the tender particulars in order to accept bid security in USD or  in EUR;3. To accept a declaration/statement from the bidders in relation to the exigency of the Euro Norm Certificate and Boat Class certificate that will be provide at the delivery of the Boat;4. To extend the dealine for sumission of clarifications and bids respectively until May 29 th, 2024 17:00 Tunis Time/16:00 UTC and June 10th, 2024 14:00 Tunis Time/13:00 UTC;5. To share the prebid meeting minutes.All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q17 - As it was mentioned at the Q & A session of the pre-bid meeting on Friday, is the deadline extension still on the table?A17 - We are considering an extension of the deadline until 10 of June 2024 14:00 (Tunis Time) 13:00 UTC. Q18 - We are thinking about forming a joint venture (j/v) with another shipyard from another country and split the production between the parties. Same boats will be built according to the same plans, material and equipment under a central project management unit. Would this be acceptable?A18 - A joint venture with shipyards from different countries will be accepted given the same boats will be built according to the same plans, material and equipment under a central project management unit. This will be clarified through the next amendment of the tender documents.Q19 - The bid security and the performance security are requested to be issued by a bank.Is it acceptable to submit bonds issued by highly reputable insurances enrolled in special lists of financial institutions authorized to issue bonds/guarantees? The authorization is issued by the Bank of Italy in our case but, as a general, by the National Central Bank according to rules and laws in force in each EU country harmonized with the EU directives.A19 - To minimize Credit Risk, UNOPS will only accept Bank Guarantees from Banks or other Financial Institutions with a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of BBB- with Standard and Poor’s, a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of Baa3 with Moody Investor Services, or a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of BBB- with Fitch Ratings. 

New clarification added: Q16 - We understand an advance payment of 25% of the contract value or 500,000 USD, whichever is less, is granted against a bank guarantee. The bidder, if requests a higher advance payment, must apply for it justifying the reasons in its proposal: such a request is not granted to be approved.The cost of the money, at least in the EU area, is 4.5% and adding costs for managing loans we have a total cost around 6-7%: having payments postponed of 18 months (500,000 USD of advance payment is a neglectable amount when compared to the value of the 3 or 4 boats 20 meters long) this means a 10% of extra cost to be charged on each boat.As a higher advance payment is not granted even upon justified request, it’s clear that any bidder, conservatively, will add such extra cost of 10% at its offer: What if the requested higher advance payment will be granted after the award? The price of each boat will be reduced or the bidder will get an extra profit?Can be then considered a downpayment of 25% granted by a bank/insurance bond and next payments by installment as, for example, per the following scheme?    EVENT                             Work Progress       Payment        Perform. bond     Adv. payment bond     Revolving bond                                                            %                     %                        %                      %                               %Signature of contract                           0                     25                        5                        25                               0Cutting of the first plate                      30                   22.5                      5                       17.5                           22.5Engines and gensets arrival               30                   22.5                     5                        10                              22.5Launch of the boat                             30                    22.5                     5                        2.5                            22.5Delivery                                              10                    7.5                       5                          0                                01 Year after delivery/warranty                                                                0In the above scheme of payments we have:- The advance payment bond is proportionally reduced at each payment and will be null at the delivery;- The performance bond remains in force for 1 year after the delivery at a value of 5% granting the execution of the warranty works; - A so-called “revolving bond” will be issued at each installment covering the current payment until the next installment. Of course at the delivery it will be null;- Each installment will be assessed by the Classification Society which will assist the client;This scheme of payment will grant the builder from excessive financial costs and, at the same time the client is protected by the sum of the performance bond and the revolving bond at each installment. It could be even considered a transfer of property from the builder to the client by a notary act at each installment in place of the revolving bond: this way is very common in the shipbuilding contracts.A16 - We appreciate your understanding of the current advance payment policy outlined in the tender documents.UNOPS Risk Management:While we recognize the potential financial burden associated with the current payment terms, UNOPS has a responsibility to manage risks effectively. The current structure minimizes the financial exposure for UNOPS in case of non-performance by the awarded bidder. In such a scenario, taking possession of partially completed boats and finding another shipyard to complete the project could be complex and costly. As such UNOPS/We invites you to review the structure proposed.Alternative Payment Option:To address your concerns about financing costs, we can offer the following alternative:1. Increased Advance Payment with Justification: You can still submit a proposal requesting a higher advance payment within your bid. Please provide a detailed justification explaining the necessity of the additional amount and a clear timeline for its utilization. UNOPS will carefully evaluate this request alongside your overall proposal.2. Phased Payment Schedule with Guarantees: If preferred, you can propose a payment schedule with installments linked to specific milestones achieved during construction. This proposal must be included in your financial bid. UNOPS Financial Group will assess the feasibility of this plan. However, any approved installment payments must be supported by a bank guarantee that shall remain valid until delivery of the boats.We encourage you and all other bidders to consider these options within the framework of your proposal and submit them with your bid for revision.

New clarification added: Q15 - The question about the bank was actually seeking your validation. Please let us know how to obtain your validation on working with a bank with subBBB- rating.A15 - Please note that it is impossible to address the clarifications on a case-by-case basis at the solicitation stage. Please refer to tender particulars regarding the bid security requirements. If you are considering to submit a bid security issued by a bank with a credit rating below the BBB- from Fitch, an financial assessment will be made prior accepting the bid security. In the event that this assessment is inconclusive, this may lead to rejection of your bid.

New clarification added: Q12 - It is requested a bid security equal to 30,000 USD. Being accepted either EURO or USD as currency is it acceptable a bid security equal to 30,000 EURO instead of USD which will likely simplify procedures with the financial insitutions bidders from EU?A12 - Bid securities issued in EURO are acceptable. Q13 - In the compliance documents to be submitted, amongst the others, are mentioned:a) Copy of Euro Norm and CE certification of the boatsb) Copy of the boat Class CertificationPlease consider the followinga) Euro norms and CE certification are applicable to recreational boats only.Such SAR vessels will be built according to the rules of the chosen Classification Society which are very similar each other (belonging to IACS, the International Association of Classification Societies) but not identical.We can declare which rules will be applied for the construction of these SAR vessels.b) The Class Certification of the boat is not available at this stage being released by the Classification Society at the end of the construction before the deliveryWe can declare the class notation that the vessel will obtain at the end of the constructionA13 - At this stage, a declaration (statement) from the shipyard confirming that the equipment to be installed on the boats will comply with European standards and confirming the class certification of boats proposed.Q14 - Corrective maintenance plan up to 1 year and the list of spare parts to be used during the warranty period.Is it to be meant as PREVENTIVE maintenance plan up to 1 year?A14 - It was a typo mistake, Please consider "PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE".This will be ajusted through the next amendment.​

New clarification added: Q11 - The bank we work with has "B" rating from Fitch. Would this be acceptable since you seeking a minimum of BBB-? A11 - To minimize Credit Risk, UNOPS will only accept Bank Guarantees from Banks or other Financial Institutions with a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of BBB- with Standard and Poor’s, a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of Baa3 with Moody Investor Services, or a minimum Long Term Credit Rating of BBB- with Fitch Ratings.Any Bank Guarantee issued by a financial institution with a credit rating below the outlined credit ratings will require prior validation from UNOPS.

New clarification added: Q7 - Bidder should have executed at least one contract in the amount of USD 5,000,000.00 during the last 05 years prior to bid opening for the manufacture of Boats/Vessels".One contract in the amount of USD 5,000,000.00 during the last 05 years seems prohibitively high. Can you please confirm that prospective bidders can qualify in experience if they can demonstrate at least 2 contracts from the past 5 years, amounting cumulatively to USD 5M?A7 - In accordance with the qualification criteria, a Bidder should have executed at least one contract for the manufacture of Boats/Vessels in the amount of USD 5,000,000.00 during the last 05 years prior to bid opening. Q8 - Regarding the FORM F, we would like to know if this criteria is excluding the manufacturer in case of not comply with in terms of minimum turnover amount. FORM F - Financial capability _ Turnover: The bidder shall demonstrate a minimum average turnover of USD 10,000,000.00 over the last 2 years (2021/2022 & 2022/2023). Bidders must include in their Bid an audited balance sheet covering the last 2 exercises.A8 - All the tender requirements including (Eligibility, Qualification and Technical criteria) are mandatory and will be evaluated PASS/FAIL. Q9 - Would like to Know if it is possible to make a Bid with a Joint Venture of 2 Companies from the builder country, in order to comply with the 10 M USD minimum average turn over. The 2 Companies forming the JV will be the builder of the vessel itself and 1 subcontractor which will be in charge of the construction of the full aluminum structures for this project.A9 - If a bidder does not meet all the qualification requirements under the tender, such bidder may submit an offer in association with other entities, particularly with an entity in the country where the goods and/or services are to be provided. In the case of a joint venture, consortium or association:All parties of such joint venture, consortium or association shall be jointly and severally liable to UNOPS for any obligations arising from their offer and the contract that may be awarded to them as a result of the solicitation process;The offer shall clearly identify the designated entity to act as the contact point to deal with UNOPS, as detailed in Form A. Such entity shall have the authority to make decisions binding upon the joint venture, association or consortium during the bidding process and, in the event that a contract is awarded, during the duration of the contract; andThe composition or the constitution of the joint venture, consortium or association shall not be altered without the prior consent of UNOPS.​Each joint venture member must meet the eligibility criteria and the  joint venture members combined (together) must meet the qualification criteria. This will be clarified through the next amendment of the tender documents.Q10 - In the form F some data from last 2 years balances are required specifically mentioning 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 years.Please be informed that in our case deposited balance sheets are available for fiscal/financial years 2021 and 2022 only.As a matter of fact in Italy the financial years correspond to the calendar year (from 1st January to 31st December) and their approval/deposit is allowed by law to be at 30th June or even later. A10 - Bidders shall submit the balance sheet for the last 2 years (2021/2022 and 2022/2023) in accordance with the qualification criteria.However, bidders with fiscal/financial year ending on December 31st for which the audited balance sheet of 2023 is not yet available, the interim balance sheet of 2023 will be accepted. This aspect will be clarified through the next amendment of the tender documents.

New clarification added: Q6 - Section G delivery time, Service 2 require a delivery time for all four vessels within 18 months from contract signing. Is this an absolutte requirement? or is it possible to quote with longer delivery time and still be evaluated as compliant?A6 - In accordance with the Section II - schedule of requirement (point G), The delivery requirement is 18 months from contract signature (Incorterm 2020: CPT, La Goulette Port, Tunis, Tunisia). Any delivery chronogram that exceeds this timeframe will be evaluated as non-compliant.

New clarification added: Q5.1 - Please clarify measurement of the beam, is it with fenders or without fenders?A5.1 - The mesurement of the beam must include thefenders.Q5.2 - Please clarify the meaning of "cross section" for the fixed D-shape fender. We think the requested 750mm would be too large for this vessel if we define "cross-section" in a conventional way (assuming both vertical and horizontal side of the "D" will be 750mm each).A5.2 - The cross section of 750 mm means the diameter mesurement of the "D" fender.

New clarification added: Q4.1 - Please clarify the number of crew: 4 beds in two cabins, mess room for 6 crew members; what is the number of crew that we should take into account?A4.1 - The minimum number of crew must be 4 and the maximum is 6. You should take into account that we are asking for 4 beds and a messroom for 6 peoples.Q4.2 - Please clarify if the access to flybridge will be conducted via external ladder or internal staircase from the wheelhouse?A4.2 - The access will be conducted from the wheelhouse via an internal staircase and a watertight door secured from inside.

New clarification added: Q3.1 - Will not be enough deck space to place 40 seated and up 120 survivors in a vessel of this length and breadth.A3.1 - We understand that it may pose challenges, but we are asking for a vessel able to accomodate this number of survivors and ensuring compliance with safety regulations and standards.Q3.2 - You are asking for open flybridge type vessel – two helm stations – be interesting for a self-righting boat.A3.2 - We are asking for two helm stations. 1 main helm station and a second helm station as an open station (as described flybridge). The equipment in the flybridge must be waterproof against water even in selfrighting operations.Q3.3 - Qty 2 x WC’s – one for crew and one for survivors?A3.3 - Yes 2 WC's, 1 for crews and 1 for survivors.Q3.4 - 125 Kw Arpa X band radar on a 20.0M boat is quite large.A3.4 - It was a typo mistake, already rectified in amendment no.1. (Should be read: 25 kw ....)Q3.5 - Accommodation seems to be for one officer and 2 bunks but crew are 4 to 6.A3.5 - Yes, we ask for two spaces, 1 space for officers and 1 space for Crews, each space must have two beds.Q3.6 - 750mm cross section fender is normal for a RIB but not on a 20 to 23M vessel.A3.6 - The cross section must be designed to protect the vessel from potentiel collision with other vessels.Q3.7 - Asking for manuals and all labelling in French. Can we provide manuals in English or must these be translated into French? A3.7 - All manuals must be provided in both French and English in electronic and paper formats.Q3.8 - Only asked for 2 x 25 Man liferafts?A3.8 - Yes, we are asking for 2 liferafts with a capacity of 25 peoples each.Q3.9 - Class approved back up system on the controls (13.2). can you please advise on this point? A3.9 - ALL the on-board systems including the  backup system must be designed, built and structured in order to guarantee satisfaction and safety in manoeuvring the vessel.Q3.10 - Acceptance in Tunisia and only after the warranty period (12 months).A3.10 - The final acceptance will be 12 months after the provisional acceptance in Tunisia. Please refer to point 9 of the section II - Schedule of requirements for details. 

New amendment added #1: Amendment No. 1This ITB is being amended for the following reasons:1. Revising the qualification criteria related to past performance Form E. Should be read "Bidder should have executed at least one contract in the amount of USD 5,000,000.00 during the last 05 years prior to bid opening for the manufacture of Boats/Vessels".2. Revising the Section II_Schedule of requirements in order to:     - adjust item 6 related to navigation and communication Equipment for typo mistake. Should be read "25 KW ARPA IMO X-band with IMO-approved 19" screen (Furuno 1528)";     - add item 28 related to ISMARIS equipment;3. Revising the Form M_Bid Technical Form (excel sheet) for the same reason as per point 2 above.The modifications are highlighted in green color for ease of reference.Al other terms and condistions remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q2 - Is it possible to have a deadline extension?A2 - At this stage, an extension of the dealine for submission of bids is not envisageable. 

New clarification added: Q1 - Is it possible to submit a partial bid consists of fewer number of vessels and a level of financial capacity proportionate to the number of units? Or would it be considered as incomplete application and dismissed automatically?A1 -  According to the tender particulars, partial bids shall not be allowed. Bidders must quote prices for the total goods and services for the total requirement. Evaluation will be done for the total requirement.