Supply of laboratory equipment (Part XI: Microscope fluorescent) for the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health (SES) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

New amendment added #1: The ITB has been amended in order to replace document titled "ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form.xlsx" with document titled "ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form_REV.05AUG24.xlsx". Amended requirement is indicated in red font in line #14 of the tab "Item #1" of the revised document. 

New clarification added: Q11:Please clarify if extension of bid submission deadline may be changed to 19 August 2024, as, due to holiday time, we expect great delays in the replies from the suppliers/forwarders and we would need additional time to complete the offer.  A11: Considering project timelines, only 1 lot and low quantity required, the bid submission dealine will remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q10:Reference is made to the technical requirement of ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form, stipulated in line #11 "LED fluorescent source.At least the excitement in blue and green light." There are several types of reflected light sources (for fluorescence) in the modern microscope market. Is it acceptable to include in this requirement the possibility of supplying a microscope not only with LED light source for fluorescence, but also with a mercury lamp? This is also widely used in microscopy and is available from most microscope manufacturers in the world.  A10:Requirement for LED fluorescent source was stipulated by the beneficiary as one of the essential requirements, therefore technical specifications will remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q9:Reference is made to the technical requirement of ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form, stipulated in line #9 "Chemically resistant ceramic coated stage with dimensions of approximately 140 x 140 mm and a movement range of at least 75 x 30 mm with slide holder and spring lever". The size of the stage is neither diagnostically nor functionally significant parameter. It is a design feature of each microscope manufacturer. Is it permissible to remove this classification parameter? The size of a standard stage glass is 76x25 mm. In this regard, for most microscope models this parameter is 76x25 mm. Is it possible to change the parameter value to 76x25 mm?  A9:The specified stage dimensions are intended to ensure compatibility with various accessories and to provide flexibility in sample handling and manipulation. While the standard slide size is 76 x 25 mm, the larger dimensions specified are aimed at accommodating a broader range of applications and improving user experience, therefore technical specifications will remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q8:Reference is made to the technical requirement of ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form, stipulated in line #6: "Interpupillary adjustment approximately 50-75 mm". Most microscope models in the world market have a range of 55-75 mm. This directly correlates with this parameter of the human eye. Would it be possible to change this specification to the range of  55-75 mm?  A8:As per the available information in the market, many microscopes have an interpupillary adjustment range of 55-75 mm. However, many advanced models of fluorescence microscopes in the market meet the specified parameter of 50-75 mm, ensuring that it aligns with contemporary technological standards and beneficiary request, therefore the technical specification will remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q7:Reference is made to the technical requirement line #16 of the ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid FormForm D: Technical Bid Form " A modern photo and video documentation system for obtaining high-quality images at high magnification, for working in luminescence light and bright field with the appropriate software and the necessary accessories for connection to a microscope." Regarding the camera accompanying the microscope, do you have requirements for the camera? Do you need a refrigerated fluorescent camera or a regular camera? Because the two types of camera have very large price difference, it directly affects the microscope’s price. A7:As per ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form, a regular high-resolution camera is requested, with all technical parameters provided in line #16. 

New clarification added: Q6:Reference is made to the technical requirement line #3 of the ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid FormForm D: Technical Bid Form, "Accommodates the following observation methods: darkfield, bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence and polarisation." Is it a requirement that the microscope provided can extend these functions (darkfield, bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence and polarisation)? Or that the product itself needs to have these functions? If all of the above functions are met, it need to add optional accessories. Could you kindly confirm if the accessories need to be added to achieve the functions of darkfield, bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence and polarisation?  A6:Technical requirement line #3 refers to functional capabilities of supporting all listed observation methods: darkfield, brightfield, phase contrast, fluorescence, and polarization. However, the required configuration must include accessories specifically for brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence methods.

New clarification added: Q5: Will the goods produced by manufacturers that are not MD or IVD manufacturers but do hold valid CE, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 certificates be eligible for this ITB.  A5:The IVD or MD manufacturer status is not a mandatory requirement for the manufacturer of the fluorescence microscope for this tender. Please refer to Section II, Schedule of requirements for details related to mandatory standards and certificates.

New clarification added: Q4: Reference is made to the technical requirement line #14 of the ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form “Condenser(s) with adjustable aperture diaphragm for at least the following observation methods: bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence” Condensers can not adjust fluorescence observation, which is used for transmission observation, and fluorescence is an epi-emission system. Therefore, the observation method of the condenser should not include fluorescence, it is suggested that the observation method of the condenser should be modified to bright field, phase contrast.  A4:ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated to address this point and will be uploaded in the Documents section of this ITB.

New clarification added: Q3:Reference is made to the technical requirement line #3 of the ITB_2024_53023_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid Form "Accommodates the following observation methods: darkfield, bright field, phase contrast, fluorescence and polarization”.Can we provide simple polarizing accessories? Do you need another set of polarizing objectives for polarizing observation or just use the fluorescent objectives for polarizing observation?  A3:Technical requirement line #3 refers to functional capabilities of supporting all listed observation methods: darkfield, brightfield, phase contrast, fluorescence, and polarization. However, the required configuration must include accessories specifically for brightfield, phase contrast, and fluorescence methods.

New clarification added: Q2: Could you please kindly clarify if ISO 14001 certificate or similar EMS certificate is mandatory for every item?  A2: Manufacturers of all the items shall possess a valid ISO14001 or similar EMS certificate. 

New clarification added: Q1: Please clarify if installation for the microscopes is needed or only the services.  A1. Please refer to Clause 4.Required services in ANNEX 3: Schedule of Requirements of the document titled "ITB_2024_53023_Section_IV_Draft_Contract_for_Goods"  for detailed requirements for services including installation.