Supply of Laboratory Equipment (Part XXXI: Filtration manifold incl vacuum pump)for the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health (SES) of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

New amendment added #1: The ITB is amended as follows:To reflect changes, the document titled Section_IV_Contract_Forms is replaced with the updated document titled Section_IV_Contract_Forms_Rev1_01May2025.To reflect changes, the document titled Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid is replaced with the updated document titled Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_Technical Bid_Rev1_01May2025.Please note that all amendments are highlighted in red within the revised documents.

New clarification added: Q10: Regarding Answer 4 (A4, clarification page), requirement for receiver with a stopper (cap). Can you please confirm whether a system with a sequential connection (manifold → pump → receiver for collection of filtered liquids) will be accepted?A10: A system utilizing a sequential connection—comprising a filtration manifold connected to a vacuum pump, followed by a receiver vessel for the collection of filtered liquid—will be accepted, provided that all components (manifold, pump, and receiver) are fully compatible with each other in this configuration, in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance.

New clarification added: Q9: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold including vacuum pump S/N 18, the specification mentions “One (1) pack of standard microbiological testing filters.” Kindly confirm the following: the material of the filter membrane, the pore size (aperture), and whether the filters are sterile or non-sterile.  A9: The filter membranes should be made of cellulose nitrate (CN) or mixed cellulose ester (MCE). The required pore size is 0.45 µm. The filters must be sterile. Diameter should be 47-50mm compatible with the filter holder supplied with the device. One pack should contain not less than 100 filters. ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated to address this point and will be uploaded to the current ITB.

New clarification added: Q8: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 4, the requirement states: "Maximum flow rate, not less than 3.5 l/min." Please note that a vacuum pump with a flow rate of 3.5 l/min is not suitable for a three-position filter unit. Kindly confirm whether the required specification should be 3.5 l/min or 35 l/min.  A8:  Please note that the specified flow rate of at least 3.5 l/min in Section III – Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1, refers to the liquid flow rate, not the air flow rate (air displacement capacity) of the vacuum pump. To ensure greater clarity, the document ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D: Technical Bid Form will be updated and re-uploaded to the current ITB. The requirement in line 4 will be revised as follows:“The kit includes a vacuum manifold and a compatible, chemically resistant, oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump with the following parameters:– Maximum liquid flow rate: not less than 3.5 l/min, or maximum air flow rate (air displacement capacity): not less than 30 l/min;– Maximum vacuum pressure (abs): not less than 150 mbar;– Power supply: 220V, 50Hz;– Noise level: <55 dB.”

New clarification added: Q7: In case a filtration manifold is offered from one manufacturer and a vacuum pump from another, and all required certificates are provided for the filtration manifold, could you kindly confirm whether ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 9001 (Quality Management), and ISO 13485 (Medical Devices – Quality Management) certifications are mandatory for the vacuum pump manufacturer as well? Or are these certifications required only for the main device or its primary components?   A7: Offering the filtration manifold and vacuum pump from different manufacturers is acceptable, provided that both components are fully compatible and comply with the performance specifications outlined in Form D. As the vacuum pump is not classified as a medical device, ISO 13485 certification is not strictly required. However, ISO 9001 certification is mandatory, and ISO 14001 certification is highly preferred.

New clarification added: Q6: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 18: 'One (1) pack of standard microbiological testing filters.' Please confirm the material of the filter membrane, the aperture size, and whether the filters are normal or sterile.  A6: The filter membranes should be made of cellulose nitrate (CN) or mixed cellulose ester (MCE). The required pore size is 0.45 µm. The filters must be sterile. Diameter should be 47-50mm compatible with the filter holder supplied with the device. One pack should contain not less than 100 filters. ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated to address this point and will be uploaded to the current ITB.

New clarification added: Q5: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 4: 'Maximum flow rate, not less than 3.5 l/min,' please note that the 3.5 L/min pump is not suitable for the Three-position filter unit. Please confirm whether it should be 3.5 L/min or 35 L/min.   A5: Please note that the specified flow rate of at least 3.5 l/min in Section III - Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Application Form, Item 1, refers to the liquid flow rate, not the air flow rate (air displacement capacity) of the vacuum pump. For better clarity the ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated and uploaded to the current ITB. The requirement specified in line 4 will be revised as follows: "The kit includes a vacuum manifold and a compatible chemically resistant oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump with the following parameters:- Maximum liquid flow rate, not less than 3.5 l/min or Maximum air flow rate (air displacement capacity) of the vacuum pump not less than 30 l/min ;- Maximum vacuum pressure (abs): not less than 150 mbar;- Power supply 220V, 50Hz;- Noise level <55 dB."

New clarification added: Q4: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 12, “Including receiver with a stopper”, listed in Form D: Technical Bid Form, it is noted that the inclusion of collection flasks between the manifold and pump can complicate the workflow, increase contamination risks, and require constant maintenance due to the risk of breakage from air/liquid pressure. Additionally, such systems are typically paired with outdated pumps that are heavier, noisier, and occupy more space. Modern filtration systems, on the other hand, use a direct connection between the manifold and pump, which is more efficient, complies with current regulatory standards (including ISO, EP/USP/JP, etc.), and is widely adopted in laboratory environments. It is therefore requested that this specification be revised to align with modern filtration technologies.   A4: The technical requirements for the filtration manifold with vacuum pump, as specified in Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D, do not preclude the proposals of modern, compact, and quiet vacuum pumps, nor do they mandate outdated designs.  Bidders may propose systems that use a direct connection between the manifold and the pump, provided that a receiver with a stopper (cap) is included, which can be connected to the pump, and serve as a collection vessel for the filtered liquid.

New clarification added: Q3: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 18: "One (1) pack of standard microbiological testing filters." Please confirm the material of the filter membrane? What is the aperture? Normal or sterile?   A3: The filter membranes should be made of cellulose nitrate (CN) or mixed cellulose ester (MCE). The required pore size is 0.45 µm. The filters must be sterile. Diameter should be 47-50mm compatible with the filter holder supplied with the device. Pack should contain not less than 100 filters. ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated to address this point and will be uploaded to the current ITB.

New clarification added: Q2: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump S/N 14: "Maximum flow rate, not less than 3.5 l/min",  Please noted that the 3.5L/MIN pump is not suitable for the Three-position filter unit. So Please confirm whether it is 3.5L/MIN or 35L/MIN?    A2: Please note that the specified flow rate of at least 3.5 l/min in Section III - Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Application Form, Item 1, refers to the liquid flow rate, not the air displacement capacity of the vacuum pump. For better clarity the ITB_2025_57039_Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form will be updated and will be uploaded to the current ITB. The requirement specified in line 4 will be revised as follows: "The kit includes a vacuum manifold and a compatible chemically resistant oil-free diaphragm vacuum pump with the following parameters:- Maximum liquid flow rate, not less than 3.5 l/min or Maximum air flow rate (air displacement capacity) of the vacuum pump not less than 30 l/min ;- Maximum vacuum pressure (abs): not less than 150 mbar;- Power supply 220V, 50Hz;- Noise level <55 dB."

New clarification added: Q1: According to Section III — Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form, Item 1: Filtration manifold incl. vacuum pump — could you please clarify the quantity required? In Form C: Price Schedule Form, the quantity is indicated as 269 pcs, while in Section IV: Contract Forms, it is shown as 164 pcs.Could you confirm which quantity is correct?  A1: The accurate quantity is 269 pieces. Section IV: Contract Forms will be revised and uploaded in the documents.