Supply of Laboratory Equipment (Part XXXII: Mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ICP – MS, Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatography MS System ) for SES of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

New amendment added #2: The ITB has been further amended in order to: 1) extend the deadline for bid submission from 11-June-2025 till 16-June-2025; 2) replace document titled "Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form" with the document titled "Section_III_Returnable_Bidding_Forms_Form D_ Technical Bid Form Rev1_05JUN2025" that introduces amendments made to technical and delivery rquirements (in red font); 3) replace document titled "Section_IV_Contract_forms" with the document titled "Section_IV_Contract_forms Rev 1_05JUN2025" that introduces amendments made to goods and services delivery timelines (in red font).

New clarification added: Q52: Reference is made to Lot 1, technical requirement line # 45. Dynamic range: a linear dynamic range of >11 orders of magnitude (0,1 cps to 5x10＾11 cps). This must be achieved with a fixed set of analytical parameters using a single isotop. The requirement for a dynamic range of 11 orders of magnitude, especially with a maximum value of up to 5 × 10¹¹ counts/s, is mainly marketing in nature. Such performance is typical of triple quadrupole systems (TQ) or specialized configurations from Analytik Jena and Agilent (TQ). Thus, this requirement limits the participation of other manufacturers such as Shimadzu, PerkinElmer and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Therefore, please change these specifications to “ Dynamic range: a linear dynamic range of >10 orders of magnitude (0.1 cps to 10＾9 cps). This must be achieved with a fixed set of analytical parameters using a single isotope.” In case of changes in the requirements, the following manufacturers will comply Shimadzu, Agilent, PerkinElmer, Analytik Jena, Thermo Fisher Scientific.  A52:1.Technical Justification for Dynamic Range >11 Orders of Magnitude. In inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), the dynamic range refers to the range of signal intensities over which the detector can provide a linear response. A dynamic range greater than 11 orders of magnitude (from 0.1 cps to 5×10¹¹ cps) is necessary in advanced applications where both ultra-trace and high-concentration elements must be measured in a single analytical run without the need for sample dilution or multiple re-runs. This capability is particularly critical in the following scenarios:- Analysis of environmental, biological, or semiconductor samples where trace-level analytes exist alongside matrix elements.- Geochemical or metallurgical applications requiring detection from parts-per-trillion (ppt) to percent levels.- Regulatory compliance testing that demands highly accurate quantification across a wide concentration spectrum.- Time-sensitive workflows where re-measurement is impractical.Maintaining fixed analytical parameters and using a single isotope ensures analytical consistency and reduces operator-dependent variability, improving the reproducibility and robustness of results.2. List of Equipment Meeting >11 Orders of Magnitude Dynamic Range Requirement. Agilent 7900 ICP-MS - Up to 11 orders Electron Multiplier; Agilent 8900 ICP-QQQ (Advanced/Semiconductor) - 11 orders Triple Quadrupole with fast EM; Analytik Jena PlasmaQuant MS - 11 orders, Pulse Counting System; Thermo Fisher Scientific ELEMENT XR - >12 orders Triple-mode (SEM, Analog, Faraday).

New clarification added: Q51: Reference is made to Lot 1, technical requirement line #16. Generator power: range is not narrower than 400-1600 W , with stability no worse than 0.3% within at least 20 hours. Plasma stability must be achieved without altering the plasma-forming system's configuration or installing additional elements on the inductor, torch, or plasma interface cone. The requirement of a power range of 400-1600 W at 0.3% stability, within at least 20 hours, while technically ambitious, seems to be aimed primarily at Thermo Fisher Scientific systems. Most other manufacturers do not support such low power levels, and such parameters are very rarely used in real analytical practice. This requirement thus limits the participation of other manufacturers such as Shimadzu, Agilent, PerkinElmer and Analytik Jena. In view of the above, please change this requirement to “Generator power: range is not narrower than 600-1600 W , with stability no worse than 1% within at least 24 hours. Plasma stability must be achieved without altering the plasma-forming system's configuration or installing additional elements on the inductor, torch, or plasma interface cone” In case of this change the following manufacturers will be able to pass this requirement, such as Shimadzu, Agilent, PerkinElmer and Analytik Jena, Thermo Fisher Scientific.  A51: For high-end ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) systems, the generator power stability is a critical parameter that ensures plasma robustness, reproducibility, and sensitivity, especially in long analytical runs. Common stability range for high-end ICP-MS systems is: ±0.1% to ±0.5%. Stability ≤1% is generally acceptable for routine analysis. It refers to the consistency of the RF power output during long operations (e.g., 8–24 hours). High-end models typically maintain <0.5% drift, which is more than sufficient for quantitative trace elemental analysis.The requirement "Generator power: range is not narrower than 400–1600 W" for an ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometer) is important because it directly affects the plasma robustness, analytical flexibility, and suitability for a wide range of sample matrices. Low power (~400 W): Allows analysis of volatile, organic-rich, or temperature-sensitive samples. These samples can be damaged or produce unwanted interferences at high power.The specified RF generator power range of 400–1600 W is critical for ensuring the analytical flexibility, robustness, and reliability of an ICP-MS system. This wide power range provides the necessary capability to adapt the plasma conditions to suit a broad spectrum of sample matrices, which is essential in multi-purpose laboratories that analyze environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and industrial samples.Low-end power (~400 W): Allows stable plasma conditions for volatile, organic-rich, or light matrix samples, which are sensitive to high-energy plasma and may otherwise cause excessive carbon loading or plasma instability.High-end power (up to 1600 W): Provides the energy needed to maintain robust plasma in the presence of complex matrices, such as digested biological samples, seawater, or heavy industrial materials, ensuring minimal matrix effects and high signal stability. This power range also aligns with the requirements of several international regulatory standards (e.g., US EPA, ISO 17294, ICH Q3D, USP <232>/<233>) that demand consistent and reproducible plasma conditions during extended runs for trace element quantification. Additionally, the requirement that plasma stability be achieved without altering the plasma-forming system's configuration or adding external components (e.g., to the torch, inductor, or interface cones) ensures ease of maintenance, method reproducibility, and uncomplicated instrument validation. The 400–1600 W power range, combined with long-term power stability, is a technically justified and necessary parameter to ensure that the ICP-MS system delivers high-performance analytical results across a wide variety of applications, without limiting vendor competition to a single manufacturer. Since requested technical parameters are available in the portfolio of ANALITIC JENA, PERKIN ELMER, Thermo Fisher Scientific, etc, requested technical reqirement remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q50:Reference is made to Lot #1, technical requirement #92:Polypropylene test tubes with screw caps and graduation, 50 ml (500 pcs/pack) - at least 2 packs. The manufacturer supplies this accessory in 50-piece packs rather than the specified 500-piece packs, but can still meet the total quantity required. As the pack size limitation does not impact usage, we propose removing the requirement "500 pcs/pack".  A50:If total quantity required can be fully met by supplying the necessary number of 50-piece packs, the difference in pack size will be accepted due to no impact on the accessory’s function, quality, or compatibility.

New clarification added: Q49:Reference is made to Lot #1, technical requirement #91: Set of 250 polypropylene tubes (13x100 mm, 15 ml capacity) 700pcs/pack - at least 2 packs. The manufacturer offers this accessory in a specification of 500 pieces per pack, not 700 pieces per pack as stated. However, the total quantity required can still be fulfilled. Since the pack size restriction is not functionally significant, we suggest removing the requirement"700pcs/pack".  A49:Since the pack size is a matter of packaging configuration and does not impact the functional performance, quality, or compatibility of the accessory, we will accept standard 500-piece packaging, total number of minimum 1400 pcs still remain as a requirement. 

New clarification added: Q48:Reference is made to Lot #1, technical requirement # 35: Plasma interface cones made of high-purity nickel, with inlet hole diameters: sampler not more than 1.1 mm, skimmer - in the range of 0.35- 0.5 mm. A potential should be able to be applied to the skimmer cone to enable high matrix or high sensitivity measurements.The manufacturer’s system features a sample orifice diameter of 0.65 mm for the skimmer cone and applies voltage to the extraction lens instead of the skimmer cone, due to design differences. This does not impact normal operation. We thus propose modifying the specification to: "Plasma interface cones made of high-purity nickel, with inlet hole diameters: sampler not more than 1.1 mm, skimmer - in the range of 0.35- 0.65 mm. A potential should be able to be applied to the skimmer cone or the extraction len to enable high matrix or high sensitivity measurements.".  A48:In an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS), the plasma interface cones (sampler and skimmer) are critical components that govern the following:- The efficient transfer of ions from the plasma into the high-vacuum region of the mass spectrometer.- The minimization of neutral particles and matrix interference, directly influencing detection limits and long-term system stability. - Sampler cone orifice ≤ 1.1 mm ensures robust introduction of ions while minimizing plasma disturbances and signal drift.- Skimmer cone orifice 0.35–0.5 mm: smaller orifices are optimal for high-resolution ion beam formation, providing sharper peaks and improved signal-to-noise ratio. Critical for trace-level quantification in high-sensitivity applications (e.g., toxic metal analysis in food, environmental testing).- High-purity nickel: offers excellent thermal stability and resistance to corrosive matrices; ensures long operational life and consistent ion transmission across extended runs.                Increasing orifice diameter of 0.65 mm to  0.65 mm will lead to the decreased sensitivity; larger orifice can lead to greater transmission of neutral species and plasma background, which may: increase background noise; reduce signal-to-noise ratio (S/N); especially critical for trace or ultra-trace element analysis (e.g., in food safety, pharmaceuticals, cleanroom applications).Lower Ion Beam Focus - larger orifices produce a less collimated ion beam, which may impact resolution and require more tuning for consistent performance.Higher Risk of Interferences - wider openings increase the likelihood of isobaric/molecular interferences, requiring better performance from collision/reaction cells or advanced software correction.Voltage on the skimmer cone allows for better control of space-charge effects, reduces ion scattering, and enables higher sensitivity, especially in high-matrix or ultra-trace environments.Voltage on the extraction lens can still offer good performance, but may let more neutral species pass through, increasing background work and reduce analytical precision in difficult matrices.Provided specifications do not favor a single manufacturer. Requirements are technically justifieble and can be met by multiple globally recognized systems, including: Thermo Fisher Scientific iCAP series, Agilent Technologies 7900/8900 series, PerkinElmer NexION 2000, Shimadzu ICPMS-2030 (with appropriate configuration). Therefore proposed changes are not acceptable and technical requirements remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q47:Reference is made to Lot #1, technical requirement # 41:The cell must be maintenance-free.The unit should have a 90 degree ion deflection, positioned before the collision cell.The manufacturer's equipment utilizes 180°off-axis ion deflection, rather than 90°ion deflection, which is a patented technology of Thermo Fisher Scientific, and therefore inclusion of this specification implies a brand-specific requirement. Moreover, this difference pertains only to the product's design principle, as the required functionality can still be achieved in practice. Therefore, it is recommended to revise the requirement to: "The cell must be maintenance-free. The unit should have a ion deflection".​  A47:To ensure both technical performance and broad supplier compatibility, we support revising the requirement to allow multiple industry-proven ion deflection solutions, including 90° and 180° off-axis configurations, as long as the system meets the necessary analytical performance standards.  Therefore our technical specifications will be changed as follows: 'The cell must be maintenance-free.The unit should have a 90 degree or 180 degree ion deflection, positioned before the collision cell' 

New clarification added: Q46:Reference is made to Lot #1, technical requirement # 40: Interference-suppressing reaction-collision cell to eliminate molecular, isobaric and 2-charge background and must offer a low mass cut off feature.The manufacturer has indicated that the "low mass cut-off feature" is a patented technology of Thermo Fisher Scientific, and therefore inclusion of this specification implies a brand-specific requirement. Additionally, only quadrupole or octopole collision reaction cells possess mass filtering functionality, whereas most Chinese products typically use hexapole collision reaction cells, which lack this capability. Accordingly, we kindly propose removing the requirement: "must offer a low mass cut off feature".  A46:Thermo Fisher Scientific uses a patented "QCell" or “Q2 low-mass cut-off” technology in its collision/reaction cell (CRC) that enables selective transmission of ions above a set low mass threshold. However, “low-mass cut-off” (LMCO) as a principle is not unique to Thermo — it’s also employed by other manufacturers using quadrupole-based CRCs, such as Agilent and Bruker, though the exact implementation and terminology may differ. Requiring a reaction/collision cell with mass filtering and LMCO functionality ensures that the ICP-MS system:- Can reliably eliminate critical spectral interferences- Is suitable for ultra-trace analysis in complex or high-background matrices- Provides superior analytical accuracy and reproducibility.This is especially important in applications like: Food safety (e.g., arsenic, cadmium in rice); Environmental testing (e.g., trace metals in water); Clinical diagnostics; Pharmaceutical impurity profiling. Therefore we can not accept proposed changes and technical requirements remain unchanged.  

New clarification added: Q45:Reference is made to Lot #3, technical requirement #45: When scanning (SRM or MRM) mode using helium as the carrier gas and an autosampler for liquid sample injection, eight consecutive splitless injections of 10 fg of octafluoronaphthalene (OFN) for the m/z 272 -> 222 u transition should yield an instrumental detection limit (IDL) calculated from the chromatographic peak area with a 99% confidence interval of no more than 1 fg. The manufacturer’s system can achieve an Instrument Detection Limit (IDL) calculated from chromatographic peak area of no more than 10 fg at a 99% confidence interval. IDL of 10 fg is sufficient to meet the needs of over 98% of applications. In complex matrices such as plasma, serum, urine, and tissue extracts, the Method Detection Limit (MDL) is more critical than IDL for practical use. For example, our LC-MS system achieves MDL levels of 0.xx ppb when detecting toxic substances such as paraquat, barbiturates, diquat, and alkaloids in blood, which exceeds standard requirements and proves the system is fully capable of meeting routine analytical needs. Therefore, we kindly suggest amending the requirement to:"...the Instrument Detection Limit (IDL), calculated from chromatographic peak area, shall not exceed 10 fg at a 99% confidence interval."  A45: On GC-MS/MS systems  IDL ≤1 fg is technically required for the following:1. Ultra-Trace Level Detection - Many analytes of concern—such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dioxins, environmental contaminants, and residues in food and water—are regulated at sub-ppt or fg/mL levels. An IDL of ≤1 fg ensures the instrument is capable of reliably detecting such extremely low-abundance compounds with the required confidence.2. Regulatory Compliance - Guidelines from SANTE, EPA, EU Commission, and USP increasingly demand methods that demonstrate ultra-low quantitation limits. Systems achieving IDL ≤1 fg have the necessary sensitivity and robustness to support full compliance with such regulations.3. High Signal-to-Noise Assurance - Achieving an IDL ≤1 fg with eight replicate injections reflects: excellent ion source design; low system background noise; stable detector performance.These performance metric assures laboratories of long-term reliability and confidence in results at trace levels. Therefore our technical specifications remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q44:Reference is made to Lot #3, technical requirement #26: It shall be possible to use hydrogen as a carrier instead of helium. The manufacturer’s system is designed to use helium as the carrier gas. In practical applications, helium provides higher sensitivity than hydrogen and avoids the explosion hazards associated with hydrogen. Therefore, using hydrogen as a carrier gas is unnecessary. We propose revising the specification to:"The system shall support the use of helium as the carrier gas; alternative gases are not required."   A44: Most modern GC-MS/MS systems are designed for use with both helium and hydrogen — either interchangeably or selectively — with full software, hardware, and safety support.This flexibility ensures maximum uptime, reduced gas dependency, and adaptability to future supply and cost challenges. Dual compatibility allows labs to:- Switch between helium and hydrogen depending on availability and cost;- Validate methods with both gases, ensuring flexibility for audits and future adaptation;- Continue operations during helium shortages or procurement delays.;Usage of Hydrogen has higher diffusivity and lower viscosity compared to helium. This results in:- Shorter run times;- Narrower peaks;- Improved resolution.Particularly beneficial for high-throughput labs, where run time reduction translates directly into higher productivity. Therefore technical specifications remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q43:Reference is made to Lot #3, technical requirement #25: The instrument must be equipped with an electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) ionization system. The ionization sourse shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) sourse without the use of special tools and without venting the detector. The manufacturer’s system requires venting the vacuum when replacing the ion source with a Chemical Ionization (CI) source. It is not possible to perform this replacement without special tools and without venting the detector. This is due to differences in product design and does not affect functionality. Therefore, we suggest removing the requirement: " The ionization sourse shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) sourse without the use of special tools and without venting the detector."  A43: The requirement — that “The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) source without the use of special tools and without venting the detector” — reflects a critical operational advantage in modern analytical laboratories. This specification ensures faster maintenance, reduced downtime, and improved safety, especially in high-throughput or time-sensitive environments such as food safety, environmental, and forensic laboratories. The ability to change the ionization source without venting the vacuum system or using tools significantly improves instrument uptime and reduces risks associated with re-establishing vacuum conditions. Limiting this requirement would compromise performance efficiency and could lead to unnecessary operational delays. Venting the vacuum to change the ion source significantly increases instrument downtime, often by 30 minutes to several hours, due to:- Cooling of the system- Venting and repressurizing- Stabilization before resuming analysisThis directly reduces lab productivity and increases operational costs, especially in high-throughput or time-sensitive workflows.  Therefore technical specification remain unchanged.  

New clarification added: Q42:Reference is made to Lot #3, technical requirement #10:Programming speed: Maximum temperature change rate 120°C/min, with different speeds and isotherm times. Cooling from 450°C to 50°C should take a maximum of 4 minutes (at ambient temperature 22°C).The manufacturer is capable of achieving a cooling time from 450°C to 50°C within 5–6 minutes (at ambient temperature of 22°C), but not within 4 minutes. This does not affect normal usage. Therefore, we kindly suggest revising the specification to: "...cooling from 450°C to 50°C shall not exceed 6 minutes (at ambient temperature of 22°C)."  A42:Faster cooling directly reduces downtime between analytical runs, especially when high-temperature methods (e.g., pesticide or PAH analysis) are used. This is critical for labs running high number of samples per day. Consistent oven cooling ensures repeatability of temperature programs, especially when re-running sequences or methods requiring low starting temperatures (e.g., 50–70°C). In routine or automated operations (e.g., using autosamplers), slow cooling leads to longer total run times, which may affect batch integrity, workflow scheduling, and sample hold times. Controlled and efficient cooling helps maintain system thermal stability and reduces stress on oven components over time, without increasing the thermal load significantly. In fast-cycling GC-MS/MS methods that begin at low oven temperatures (e.g., 40–50°C), a slower cooling system can introduce thermal instability at the start of runs, leading to variability in retention time and baseline noise — especially in multi-method screening or trace analysis. There for technical specification stay uncanged.

New clarification added: Q41:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line #118: NIST Library, Wiley. The manufacturer's equipment does not include the NIST library, as this database is proprietary to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and is not available for integration into products from other countries. Therefore, we kindly propose removing the requirement for "NIST Library."  A41:The proposed system can  be supplied with a manufacturer-provided compound library that includes retention times (RTs) and MRM transitions for at least 500 compounds relevant to food safety and environmental analysis.The library must include, at minimum, the following categories of substances:•  Mycotoxins•  Antibiotics•  Dyes•  PesticidesThe library must be:•        Fully compatible with the data acquisition and processing software provided with the system.•        Searchable and editable to allow for user expansion or refinement.•        Pre-validated by the manufacturer to ensure retention time and transition accuracy.

New clarification added: Q40:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line #81:Must include active pre-column heaters - not less than 1 pcs.The manufacturer's equipment employs passive heating, where the pre-column is heated via heat transfer from the column oven temperature. This difference in design principle does not affect analytical results. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: "Must include active or passive pre-column heaters - not less than 1 pcs."​  A40:Active pre-column heater in the configuration of the Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system, as it provides significant technical advantages compared to systems that rely solely on passive heat transfer from the column oven. Active Pre-Column Heating Is Most Important in analyzing volatile or temperature-sensitive analytes such as small polar pesticides, pharmaceuticals, or metabolites. An active pre-column heater ensures that the mobile phase and sample are preheated to a stable and precise temperature before entering the analytical column, which offers the following benefits:- Improved reproducibility of retention times, particularly for early-eluting compounds.- Elimination of thermal mismatches, reducing peak fronting or tailing and enhancing chromatographic quality.- Faster equilibration and run stability, even in fast-gradient UHPLC methods.- Greater method robustness and transferability, especially in regulated or multi-site environments.- Optimized performance for LC-MS/MS, where temperature consistency supports ionization efficiency and sensitivity.In contrast, systems using passive heat transfer can experience inconsistent heating, slower stabilization, and less reliable performance for sensitive methods.  Therefore tehnical specifications remain unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q39:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line # 70:Possibility of expanding the capacity of the autosampler to at least 700 vials of 1.5 (2) ml.The manufacturer can achieve "Possibility of expanding the capacity of the autosampler to at least 96 vials of 1.5 (2) ml." with a maximum capacity of 96 positions, which adequately meets routine testing requirements. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: "Possibility of expanding the capacity of the autosampler to at least 96 vials of 1.5 (2) ml."​  A39:A capacity of 700 vials allows for extended unattended operation — including overnight and weekend runs — which is not feasible with standard 96-vial systems. Also  capacity of 700 vials allows the following: - Enables batch processing of large sample sets, critical for time-sensitive or regulatory-driven testing environments.- Larger vial capacity is compatible with automated sample preparation and tracking systems, improving traceability and reducing human error.- Supports fully automated analytical workflows, a growing need in certified and accredited laboratories.- Laboratories can queue multiple methods and sample types across different projects within a single run, improving scheduling and efficiency.- Enhances the utility of the LC-MS/MS system in multi-method screening workflows, such as multi-residue pesticide or veterinary drug analysis. Therefore there is no change in technical specifications for only 96-vial systems.

New clarification added: Q38:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line # 48:Flow Rate Range: At least 0.001-5 ml/min with 0.001 ml/min increments.The manufacturer can achieve "Flow Rate Range: At least 0.001-2 ml/min with 0.001 ml/min increments." Considering the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) application requirements, this flow rate range of 0.001-2 ml/min fully meets operational needs. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: "Flow Rate Range: At least 0.001-2 ml/min with 0.001 ml/min increments."  A38:Liquid chromatography systems that offer a flow rate range of 0.001–5.000 mL/min with 0.001 mL/min increments, as this provides a broader scope of analytical flexibility, scalability, and future-proofing.The extended flow range enables support for both low-flow UHPLC methods and higher-flow conventional HPLC or semi-preparative applications, all within a single system. This avoids the need for multiple instruments when switching between different method types or column formats (e.g., from 2.1 mm to 10 mm ID).With a maximum flow of 5.000 mL/min, laboratories can scale up analytical methods for increased throughput or transfer methods to larger columns for pilot or preparative work. This is especially useful in pharmaceutical, environmental, and food testing laboratories where method development may evolve into higher-volume workflows. Higher flow rates enable faster elution and shorter run times when paired with larger columns, increasing sample throughput without compromising chromatographic resolution or reproducibility.A system supporting up to 5 mL/min provides long-term value, allowing laboratories to adapt to new applications or analytical challenges without the need for additional equipment. This supports strategic flexibility in multi-purpose analytical labs. Therefore technical specifications remains unchanged.

New clarification added: Q37:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line #34: Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.2 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time​". The manufacturer can achieve "Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.3 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time." However, there is no significant practical difference, and this does not affect normal operation. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: "Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.3 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time."​  A37:A resolution of 0.3 Da FWHM across the mass range provides sufficient selectivity for most applications, including complex matrices where background interferences may be present.Modern LC-MS/MS  deliver excellent results at 0.3 Da resolution, with no compromise in analytical performance for the intended use, such as food safety, pharmaceutical, or environmental testing. Therefore technical specifications for line #34  will be changed into the following: "Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.3 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time"

New clarification added: Q36:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line #25: Ionization Polarity Switching Time: Not more than 5 ms.The manufacturer can achieve "Ionization Polarity Switching Time: Not more than 20 ms." which fully complies with normal operational requirements and does not affect routine analysis. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: "Ionization Polarity Switching Time: Not more than 20 ms."​  A36:The difference between Ionization Polarity Switching Time of 5 ms versus 20 ms in a Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS system is significant in high-throughput, multi-polarity workflows, particularly when both positive and negative ions must be detected in the same chromatographic run. A switching time of 20 ms is significantly slower and may lead to:- Loss of data points during fast eluting peaks- Reduced quantitation accuracy- Incomplete peak integration for narrow peaks- Lower reproducibility in multi-polarity methodsModern LC-MS/MS systems from leading manufacturers are already capable of polarity switching in 1–5 ms, ensuring:- Minimal cycle time delays- More data points per peak- Compatibility with high-throughput methods and multi-residue analyses.Therefore, keeping the threshold at ≤5 ms ensures the instrument can fully support current and future analytical demands, while also aligning with industry standards. Accordingly, technical requirements remain uncahanged.

New clarification added: Q35:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical requirement line # 23:MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 selective reactions per second. The manufacturer can achieve "MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 500 selective reactions per second" which fully meets routine usage requirements. Therefore, we kindly propose revising the requirement to: ​​"MRM mode scanning speed: at least 500 selected reactions per second."​  A35:A scanning speed of ≥600 MRMs/sec with appropriate dwell and interscan delay settings is crucial in high-throughput, high-complexity workflows, especially in food safety, environmental, or pharmaceutical testing, laboratory often needs to monitor hundreds of analytes (e.g., pesticides, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs) in a single run. A high MRM speed ensures monitoring of higher number of  transitions per compound, even when multiple compounds coelute, without losing sensitivity or resolution. Therefore the specified parameter remains unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q34:Reference is made to Lot 3: Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatography MS System (GC – MS/MS), technical requirement line #60:Ability to adjust the injected sample volume in the range from 0.1 µl to 10 ml, depending on the syringe. Please check this item for errors, as the maximum limit is 10 mL of liquid sample is not entered into any GC-MS/MS.  A34:Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS instruments are designed for precise injection of very small volumes of liquid samples, typically in the range of: 0.1 µL to 5.0 µL (standard range for split/splitless injections), and up to 10 µL for manual or specialized large-volume injection (LVI) techniques. Therefore technical requirement line #60 will be revised to reflect technically accurate and industry-standard injection volumes for Triple Quadrupole GC-MS/MS systems into '0.1 µL to 10 µL'. The originally stated upper limit of 10 mL is not compatible with the design or operational range of any commercial GC-MS/MS instrument. Typically, GC autosamplers and injectors operate reliably within the range of 0.1 µL to 10 µL, depending on the syringe and injection method (e.g., split/splitless or large-volume injection with dedicated hardware). 

New clarification added: Q33:Reference is made to Lot 3: Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatography MS System (GC – MS/MS), technical requirement line #25:The instrument shall be equipped with an electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) ionization system. The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) source without the use of special tools and without venting the detector. Only Thermo fisher scientific ion sources are replaced without the use of tools and without switching off the vacuum.thus limiting the passage of the following manufacturers such as Bruker, Shimadzu, Agilent. Therefore, please change this paragraph to “The instrument shall be equipped with an electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) ionization system. The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) source”. In case of making changes to this paragraph such manufacturers as Bruker, Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo fisher scientific will be able to pass this item.  A33:The requirement — that “The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) source without the use of special tools and without venting the detector” — reflects a critical operational advantage in modern analytical laboratories. This specification ensures faster maintenance, reduced downtime, and improved safety, especially in high-throughput or time-sensitive environments such as food safety, environmental, and forensic laboratories. The ability to change the ionization source without venting the vacuum system or using tools significantly improves instrument uptime and reduces risks associated with re-establishing vacuum conditions. Limiting this requirement would compromise performance efficiency and could lead to unnecessary operational delays. This system of changing ionization source is integrated  as a different technology  by some of below mentioned manufacturers, therefore proposed changes remain: Shimadzu  http://www.shimadzu.com/an/sites/shimadzu.com.an/files/pim/pim_document_file/brochures/24252/c146-e363.pdf.  Agilent 7000 and 7010 Series Triple Quadrupole GC-MS systems are designed with modular ion sources, allowing for the replacement of the EI source with a CI source. While the process is straightforward, it involves specific steps and considerations detailed in the system's operating manual. It's important to note that while the design facilitates source changes, certain precautions and procedures must be followed to ensure system integrity  http:// www.agilent.com/cs/library/brochures/7010d-triple-quadrupole-gc-ms-5994-7389en-agilent.pdf. Thermo Scientific TSQ 9610 GC-MS/MS system features NeverVent™ technology, which enables the exchange of ion sources, including switching between Electron Ionization (EI) and Chemical Ionization (CI), without venting the mass spectrometer. This is facilitated by the Vacuum Probe Interlock (VPI) and V-Lock source plug, allowing for maintenance and source changes without disrupting the vacuum system https://www.thermofisher.com/rs/en/home/products-and-services/promotions/industrial/unstoppable-gc-ms-analysis.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com . 

New clarification added: Q32: Referece is made to Lot 2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical line #34: Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.2 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time. According to this technical requirement passes only the manufacturer Thermo fisher scientific, which thereby limits the passage of the following manufacturers such as Waters, Shimadzu, Agilent. In this connection we ask you to change this item to “Selective reaction monitoring with high resolution (0.5 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time” In case of change on this item, manufacturers such as Waters, Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo fisher scientific will be able to pass.  A32:Thank you for your comment and your interest in ensuring open competition among manufacturers. However, we must respectfully decline the proposed change to the resolution specification from 0.2 Da FWHM to 0.5 Da FWHM. The current requirement for Selective Reaction Monitoring with high resolution (0.2 Da FWHM across the entire mass range, with automatic software) and SRM based on time has been deliberately set to meet the analytical needs of highly specific and complex workflows, such as the detection of closely eluting or isobaric compounds (e.g., in food safety, environmental analysis, etc). Reducing the resolution to 0.5 Da would compromise selectivity and increase the likelihood of ion interferences, potentially undermining the reliability of results in critical quantitative analyses. It is important to note that the requirement does not intend to favor any specific manufacturer, but rather to ensure that the selected system meets the scientific rigor and precision demanded by the application. While not all vendors may currently offer 0.2 Da FWHM as standard, the requirement remains technically justifiable based on performance needs. We would like to emphasize that equivalent or superior solutions that can demonstrably meet performance characteristics defined in the technical specifications are welcome and will be considered as compliant with procurement principles. This ensures a fair and competitive process while maintaining the analytical quality required for the project.Therefore, the specifications remain unchanged, while remaining open to equivalent solutions that meet performance criteria.

New clarification added: Q31: Referece is made to Lot 2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical line #23 : MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 selective reactions per second. According to this technical requirement passes only the manufacturer Thermo fisher scientific, which thereby limits the passage of the following manufacturers such as Waters, Shimadzu, Agilent. In this connection we ask you to change this item to “MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 500 selective reactions per second (dwell time not less than 0.8 msec, interscan delay not less than 1msec)” In case of change on this item, manufacturers such as Waters, Shimadzu, Agilent, Thermo fisher scientific will be able to pass.  A31:A scanning speed of ≥600 MRMs/sec with appropriate dwell and interscan delay settings is crucial in high-throughput, high-complexity workflows, especially in food safety, environmental, or pharmaceutical testing, there is often a requirement to monitor hundreds of analytes (e.g., pesticides, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs) in a single run.A high MRM speed ensures monitoring of higher number of  transitions per compound, even when multiple compounds coelute, without losing sensitivity or resolution. In line with your requirements please be informed that manufacturers of this analitical instruments can perform scanning speed higher than it is requested:        https://www.agilent.com/en/product/liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-lc-ms/lc-ms-instruments/triple-quadrupole-lc-ms/6495-triple-quadrupole-lc-ms#literature  , http://  https://sciex.com/products/mass-spectrometers/triple-quad-systems/triple-quad-7500-plus-system, https://www.bruker.com/en/products-and-solutions/mass-spectrometry/triple-quads/evoq-dart-tq-plus.html .Therefore the specified parameter remains unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q30: Reference is made to Lot #3, Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph, technical requirement line #25: “The instrument must be equipped with an electron impact (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) ionization system.  The ionization sourse shall be easily replaceable with a chemical ionization (CI) sourse without the use of special tools and without venting the detector”. We wish to point out that the use of a chemical ionization source is not typical for the detection of the traces of pesticides. One of the guiding documents for the detection and quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in food and feed, SANTE 11312/2021 v2, on page 12 of 51, “Table 3. Identification requirements for different MS techniques”, sets the minimum requirement for the identification of pesticides residues for the triple quadruple systems as scan of minimum 2 products ions. Chemical ionization is the so-called “soft” ionization, during which only one molecular ion is created as a rule. If used in the analysis of pesticides CI will produce 1 molecular ion of a pesticide or another compound. The resulting pair of ions can be resolved as a MS/MS spectrum, but such spectrum will not be usable in the library search because in this case (chemical ionization) the precursor ion will not be listed in the MS spectra library, it will further fragment into product ions which, too, are not be listed in the MS library. Automated MS spectra identification will not be possible. In order to detect anything with CI an analyst will have to essentially create his/her own library of pure (standard) pesticides MS spectra under the same conditions, i.e. using chemical ionization. Therefore, in our opinion, a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with electron ionization source is adequate for the full realization of the analysis of pesticides residues. Adding CI overly complicates the configuration and makes it more expensive. We ask you to consider changing technical requirement line #25 to the following definition: “The instrument must be equipped with an electron impact (EI) ionization system. The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with an optional chemical ionization (CI) sourse without the use of special tools and without venting the detector”.  A30: In the context of routine detection and quantification of pesticide residues using triple quadrupole GC-MS/MS systems, the inclusion of a chemical ionization (CI) source is not considered necessary, nor it is commonly used. The electron ionization (EI) source is universally recognized as the industry standard for this application, and is explicitly supported by leading regulatory and technical guidelines. Due to this we accept clarifications and we will change our requirement for LOT 3, technical requirement line #25 "The instrument must be equipped with an electron impact (EI) ionization system. The ionization source shall be easily replaceable with an optional chemical ionization (CI) sourse without the use of special tools and without venting the detector”.

New clarification added: Q30: Lot 2 technical requirements do not specify any substance libraries from the manufacturer, containing such important parameters as MRM transitions and retention times. Only third-party libraries from NIST and Wiley are specified without any clarifications, which means that the customer may stay without libraries at all. Thus, the technical documentation specifies a system that is not adapted for the identification of mycotoxins, antibiotics, and pesticides in food products. We ask you to add a specification line for the “availability of substance libraries with retention times and MRM transitions for at least 500 substances, including mycotoxins, antibiotics, dyes, and pesticides”.  A30:Thank you for your valuable comment and attention to the details of the technical specifications for Lot 2. We appreciate your observation regarding the absence of manufacturer-provided substance libraries containing critical analytical parameters such as MRM transitions and retention times. Your suggestion to include a requirement for substance libraries covering at least 500 compounds, including mycotoxins, antibiotics, dyes, and pesticides, is well-founded and contributes significantly to ensuring that the system is fully equipped for food safety analysis.We fully support the inclusion of this requirement, as it would enhance the system’s readiness for real-world applications and ensure that the end user has access to comprehensive and validated analytical data. This addition would help guarantee the adaptability and efficiency of the system in detecting a broad spectrum of contaminants in food products. THEREFORE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENT SHEET: Technical Requirement – Compound Libraries for Targeted Analysis;The proposed system must be supplied with a manufacturer-provided compound library that includes retention times (RTs) and MRM transitions for at least 500 compounds relevant to food safety and environmental analysis.The library must include, at minimum, the following categories of substances:• Mycotoxins• Antibiotics• Dyes• PesticidesThe library must be:• Fully compatible with the data acquisition and processing software provided with the system.• Searchable and editable to allow for user expansion or refinement.• Pre-validated by the manufacturer to ensure retention time and transition accuracy.

New clarification added: Q29:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical line range 45-83, that describe the technical parameters of HPLC Vanquish flex equipment manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific, which limits competition and does not allow models from other manufacturers to participate. At the same time, not even the most advanced model is offered (pressure is only 1000 bar), which you can see on this website:https://www.thermofisher.com/kz/en/home/products-and-services/promotions/industrial/vanquish-hplc-uhplc-systems.html?erpType=Global_E1. We ask you to completely change these paragraph’s C, Lines 45-83, allowing manufacturers of other UHPLC models with superior characteristics and more suitable for the customer's tasks to participate.  A29:We respectfully declare that the request to revise or completely change the technical specifications outlined in paragraph C, Lines 45–83 of the tender documentation can not be accepted. The current technical parameters were defined based on established analytical workflows and validated methods that the end-user laboratory has historically applied. These specifications were carefully selected to ensure compatibility, reproducibility, and regulatory alignment, which are critical for routine and high-throughput UHPLC analyses. The tender documentation is structured in accordance with public procurement rules, which permit the offer of functionally equivalent equipment if it can be demonstrated that it fully meets or exceeds the stated technical requirements. The current technical specifications represent a well-balanced and justifiable set of criteria that reflect the real operational needs of the customer and allow for fair participation under the framework of equivalency. At the same time, we inform you that some of listed model exceed our miniml technical requirements Agilent 1290 Infinity II and Shimadzu Nexera X3 both offer maximum operating pressures of 1300 bar, making them suitable for demanding UHPLC applications requiring high pressure and flow precision. Waters ACQUITY UPLC systems operate at a maximum pressure of 1034 bar (15,000 psi), which is slightly lower but still within the UHPLC range, supporting efficient separations with appropriate column selections. https://www.shimadzu.com/an/products/liquid-chromatography/hplcuhplc/nexera-series/spec.html,  http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.agilent.com/cs/library/usermanuals/Public/G4220-90301_1290InfinityLC-System_EN.pdf.  For the reasons stated above, technical requirement remains unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q28:Reference is made to Lot #2, technical line #24: Number of Selective Reaction Monitoring Transitions per Chromatographic Run: At least 30,000, which is a continuation of paragraph C, technical line # 23. The Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS) equipment of all manufacturers operates primarily in MRM mode, which allows obtaining more accurate information about substances in the sample, because it examines several ions per second, and not just one. Thus, this technical parameter uses an erroneous description, which worsens the technical parameters of the equipment. Please change this clause to the following version in paragraph C, Line 24: “Number of Multiple Reaction Monitoring Transitions per Chromatographic Run: At least 30,000”  A28:Replacing the clause with “Number of Multiple Reaction Monitoring Transitions per Chromatographic Run: At least 30,000” corrects the terminology, reflects real-world usage, and ensures the procured equipment is both high-performing and compatible with multi-analyte regulatory methods . We fully support the proposed change to paragraph C, Line # 24, to be read:'Number of Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) Transitions per Chromatographic Run: At least 30,000.

New clarification added: Q27:3.Reference is made to Lot #2, technical line 23:MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 selective reactions per second.. It contains an error — the characteristic of MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) is incorrectly described using the term Selective Reaction Monitoring (SRM), which refers to a single transition, not multiple ones. Obviously, this error was intentionally included in the documentation by representatives of the manufacturer Thermo Fisher Scientific, since their technologically outdated Thermo Atlis Plus model uses the single reaction method instead of multiple reactions, which gives worse results compared to other similar devices. Please change this parameter to the following version: “MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 MRM per second”, which will allow a large number of manufacturers to participate in the tender, for example, Agilent, Shimadzu, Bruker, Waters.  A27:MRM (Multiple Reaction Monitoring) and SRM (Selected Reaction Monitoring) both refer to targeted tandem mass spectrometry techniques where specific precursor-to-product ion transitions are monitored. Technically, SRM refers to monitoring a single transition, while MRM refers to monitoring multiple transitions. However, in practice, the terms are often used interchangeably, as modern LC-MS/MS instruments routinely monitor many transitions during a run. In MRM/SRM modes, tandem quadrupole systems scan multiple ion pairs rapidly and selectively, making them ideal for quantitative analysis of complex mixtures. Therefore we accept  proposed change to the parameter: 'MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 MRM per second'.

New clarification added: Q26: Reference is made to Lot #2, technical line #19: Sensitivity for 1×10^-12 chloramphenicol (m/z 321.0 > 125), electrospray ionization, registration of MRM transitions, negative ions, with a signal-to-noise ratio of not less than 1,500,000:1. The description of the sensitivity parameter is incorrect, namely, the value "1×10^-12" is used instead of the correct unit of measurement "1 pg". Also, please note that in paragraph C, Line 18, the written of this unit of measurement is used correctly. Please make changes to these paragraph clauses.  A26:The current wording omits the unit of mass, which may cause ambiguity and confusion. Moreover, in Paragraph C, Line 18, the unit is correctly written as “1 pg,” which highlights the need for consistent terminology. 1 x 10^-12 g equals to 1 pg. This revision ensures clarity, accuracy, and consistency with standard scientific terminology and aligns with best practices in analytical method documentation. Thank you for your attention to this important detail. The parameter will be changed to 1 pg. 

New clarification added: Q25: Reference is made to Lot #2, technical line #1: LC-MS/MS is an automated system used for the separation of compounds on a stationary phase column combined with tandem mass spectrometry. Planned application: to determine the content of mycotoxins, antibiotics, dyes, pesticides in food raw materials and food products. As we can see, the object of the study is mycotoxins, antibiotics, dyes and pesticides within the framework of food safety. In this regard, please pay attention to paragraph C , technical requirement line #16: Mass Range: At least 2-2000 Da, since this parameter contradicts paragraph A1: At the moment, there are no mycotoxins, antibiotics, dyes or pesticides in nature with a mass of less than 100 Da or more than 1000 Da. Moreover, the manufacturers of Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS) are unable to measure any substances in the 2 Da region, because there are only two elements in nature - hydrogen and helium, which have a mass of 1 and 2 Da, respectively. This technical parameter in such a formulation limits the participation of other suppliers of Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), working within the framework of fair competition and not attributing unverifiable parameters to themselves. In this regard, we ask you to change this parameter in paragraph C - Technical requirements, Line 16 to an acceptable one that does not limit competition, for example: “Mass Range: At least 50-1000 Da”. In this case, the maximum number of manufacturers pass this parameter: Shimadzu, Agilent, Waters, Bruker, FPI, etc.  A25: We appreciate your attention to the alignment between the planned application described in paragraph A1 – General Description and the technical parameter stated in paragraph C – Technical Requirements, Line #16: “Mass Range: At least 2–2000 Da.” In light of your valuable input, we agree that adjusting the mass range to a more appropriate and inclusive specification for example, “Mass Range: At least 50–2000 Da” — would better reflect the actual analytical needs. We will take the necessary steps to revise the technical specification accordingly - 'Mass Range: At least 50-2000 Da'

New clarification added: Q24: We would like to bring to your attention that the provided technical file — Section III: Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form — in Lot 2 contains a non-compliant format for submitting technical specifications. Specifically, it describes a particular model of the Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), namely "Thermo Altis Plus", manufactured by Thermo Fisher Scientific, which limits the principles of fair competition and violates the legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the principles of free trade and competition (FCPA, Competition Law).  A24:Dear bidder, we respectfully disagree with the assertion regarding the non-compliance of the technical file — Section III: Returnable Bidding Forms, Form D: Technical Bid Form — in Lot 2.Our minimal technical requirements does not prescribe or mandate a specific brand or model and does not restrict participation to a single manufacturer. Furthermore, the bidding process remains open to all suppliers offering functionally equivalent or superior equipment that meets the stated technical and performance requirements. As such, we believe the documentation complies with the principles of fair competition and is aligned with both the applicable legislation of the Republic of Uzbekistan and international standards promoting free trade and equal opportunity. 

New clarification added: Q23:Please further clarify on the answer given to the Question 12. It appears that the answer addressed the timeframe for related services, whereas our original question referred to the delivery period for the goods themselves.We would like to kindly clarify our request:Given that the requested equipment is subject to export control regulations in the countries of origin, we ask for confirmation that the delivery timeline stated in Annex III can be considered as starting from the date the necessary export licenses are obtained from the relevant authorities (such as BIS, ECJU, BAFA, SBDU, METI, etc.).The duration of the licensing process is beyond the bidder’s control and cannot be reliably predicted in advance.We kindly ask that this be reflected in the contract or otherwise taken into account during contract implementation.  A23: We acknowledge that the delivery of the requested equipment is subject to export control regulations in the countries of origin, and that the timeline for obtaining the necessary export licenses from authorities such as BIS, ECJU, BAFA, SBDU, METI, etc., is beyond the bidder’s control and may vary. We confirm that the delivery timeline specified in Annex III can be considered as commencing from the date on which all required export licenses are obtained from the relevant authorities. This consideration will be duly reflected in the contract or appropriately taken into account during contract implementation to ensure a fair and practical approach for all parties involved.

New clarification added: Q22: Installation is required to be completed within the specified timeframe. At the same time, Clause 1.4 of Annex III states that execution of pre-installation works is the responsibility of the recipient institution(s). How will delays in site readiness, due to reasons beyond the Contractor’s control, impact the installation schedule and contractual obligations? Please clarify how such situations will be managed.  A22:Please refer to Section_IV_Contract_forms Rev 1, Annex III: Schedule of Requirements clause 1.11.

New clarification added: Q21 Local companies that are residents of Uzbekistan have the right to trade for local currency, in this connection we ask you to clarify if a local bidder may provide a proposal in the national currency Uzbek sum and if  this project is subject to value added tax?  A21: Please refer to the subsections of the e-sourcing:a) bid currency and b)duties and taxes of the Particulars section of the ITB.

New clarification added:  Q20: Due to the current situation in the world, obtaining authorization from the manufacturer requires passing export control.Thus, it requires additional time for documentation. In connection with the above, we ask you to extend the deadline for submission of documentation until 20.06.2025.  A20: Considering limited timelines allocated for the tender process, bid submission deadline to be extended till 15-June-2025 only.

New clarification added: Q19: Reference is made to Lot 3: Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatography MS System (GC – MS/MS), technical line # 83: The Supplier shall provide training on the analytical method using this instrument in the Manufacturer's laboratories. How many people are required to be trained per piece of equipment in the manufacturer's laboratory?What methods are required to train employees? Is it possible to conduct training in the laboratory on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan in case of previous delivery of this equipment to the Republic of Uzbekistan?  A19:The LC-MSMS system is intended for the detection and quantitative analysis of residual amounts of pesticides and other organic contaminants in samples of food and feed, samples of plant and animal origin. Such samples have a lot of interfering components (contaminated matrix), greatly complicating identification and quantitative analysis of trace amounts of the target compounds in the sample. The mass resolution of quadrupole mass filters is of great importance for the elimination of false negatives and false positives - it directly affects the accuracy of precursor and product ions selection on quadrupole mass filters, which increases selectivity and provides for better signal to noise values and LODs. At the mass resolution of 0.2 Da in the above example, the mass spectrometer will capture all masses in the range of 609.1-609.5 Da with increment 0.2 Da. The more narrow and, thus, more accurate range of mass determination of the target compound allows to significantly eliminate the number of mass charge signals in the mass spectrum from non-target sample components and qualitatively improve the identification of the sample target compound, which is especially important when analyzing samples with a complex matrix. Therefore parameter remains unchanged.

New clarification added: Q18:Reference is made to: Lot 2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical line #23: MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 selective reactions per second (dwell time not less 0.5 msec, interscan delay not less 1msec). According to the current parameters, only Thermo Fisher Scientific will participate in the competition, which limits the possibility of participation of other world manufacturers, such as Shimadzu, Agilent, Waters. These manufacturers have MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 500 selective reactions per second (dwell time not less than 0.8 msec, interscan delay not less than 1msec).  A18:A scanning speed of ≥600 MRMs/sec with appropriate dwell and interscan delay settings is crucial in high-throughput, high-complexity workflows, especially in food safety, environmental or pharmaceutical testing, it is often required to monitor hundreds of analytes (e.g., pesticides, mycotoxins, veterinary drugs) in a single run. A high MRM speed ensures monitoring many transitions per compound, even when multiple compounds coelute, without losing sensitivity or resolution. In line with your requirements please be informed that manufacturers of this analitical instruments can perform scanning speed higher than it is requested:https://www.agilent.com/en/product/liquid-chromatography-mass-spectrometry-lc-ms/lc-ms-instruments/triple-quadrupole-lc-ms/6495-triple-quadrupole-lc-ms#literature , https://sciex.com/products/mass-spectrometers/triple-quad-systems/triple-quad-7500-plus-system , https://www.bruker.com/en/products-and-solutions/mass-spectrometry/triple-quads/evoq-dart-tq-plus.html .Therefore parameter remains unchanged.

New clarification added: Q17:Reference is made to:Lot 2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical line #21:Resolution: not more than 0.2 Da FWHM (full width at half maximum) across the entire mass range, with automatic software programming. According to the current parameters, only the manufacturer Thermo Fisher Scientific will take place, thus limiting the possibility of participation of other world manufacturers such as Shimadzu, Agilent, Waters. These manufacturers have Resolution: not more than 0.5 u FWHM.  A17:The requirement for high resolution of 0.2 Da full width at half maximum (FWHM) across the entire mass range is essential to ensure accurate separation and quantification of analytes, particularly in complex matrices such as food, feed, biological samples, or environmental contaminants. This level of resolution is critical for the following reasons:1. Accurate Quantification in Complex Mixtures:In applications such as the detection of pesticides, mycotoxins, antibiotics, and dyes, many compounds exhibit similar or overlapping nominal masses. A resolution of ≤0.2 Da ensures that co-eluting or isobaric compounds are accurately distinguished and do not interfere with each other's quantitation, especially in MRM mode.2. Resolving Isobaric Interferences:Isobars are compounds with the same nominal mass (e.g., 300 Da), but differing slightly in their exact mass. Instruments with 0.5 Da resolution or worse may not distinguish these, leading to false positives or inaccurate identifications. A resolution of 0.2 Da allows for clear differentiation of such species, increasing both selectivity and reliability.3. Compliance with Regulatory and Analytical Standards:Many international guidelines (e.g., SANTE/12682/2019, AOAC, FDA) emphasize the importance of specificity and resolution for MS-based quantification. High resolution is especially important in regulatory testing where the presence of trace contaminants must be verified against strict identification criteria.4. Support for Expanded Analytical Panels:When analyzing hundreds of compounds in a single run, especially with fast chromatography and short dwell times, high resolution minimizes peak overlap and ensures clear identification across the full mass range. This supports high-throughput labs and multi-residue screening protocols.5. Software Automation:Automatic software programming of resolution ensures consistency, reduces human error, and allows dynamic optimization depending on the compound class, improving workflow efficiency and analytical robustness.The requirement of not more than 0.2 Da FWHM resolution across the mass range, with software-controlled automation, is a technically justifiable parameter to guarantee high selectivity, precision, and reliability in the identification and quantification of structurally similar or isobaric compounds - especially in routine food safety, pharmaceutical, and environmental analysis.This parameter is not an arbitrary limitation, but a necessary technical criterion to ensure that the instrument meets the analytical performance required for modern, regulated testing environments. Therefore parameter remains unchanged.                                                                                                                      

New clarification added: Q16:Reference is made to:Lot 2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical line #126: The Supplier shall provide training on the analytical method using this instrument in the Manufacturer's laboratories. Include this item in your bid proposal. How many people are required to be trained per piece of equipment in the manufacturer's laboratory? What methods are required to train employees?Is it possible to conduct training in the laboratory on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan in case of previous delivery of this equipment to the Republic of Uzbekistan?  A16:Training Requirements for LC-MS/MS System (Item 126). a) Number of Personnel to be Trained:It is standard industry practice to train 2 to 3 qualified laboratory personnel per system to ensure redundancy, continuity, and operational flexibility in analytical laboratories. This allows for efficient rotation of staff and mitigates disruptions due to leave or personnel changes.b) Training Methods:Training in the Manufacturer’s laboratory shall include the following modules, conducted by certified application specialists:System Setup and Calibration.Introduction to LC-MS/MS hardware and software components, instrument startup, vacuum system handling, and calibration procedures.MRM Method Development.Development of multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) methods for specific classes of compounds including pesticides, antibiotics, dyes, and mycotoxins.Quantitative Analysis Workflow.Sample preparation protocols, tuning, optimization, quantitation techniques, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and data processing using manufacturer-specific software.Maintenance and Troubleshooting.Routine maintenance tasks, software diagnostics, source cleaning, and resolving common hardware/software errors.Library and Database Utilization. Use of compound libraries with MRM transitions and retention time alignment, including integration of third-party or manufacturer-supplied databases. c)Optional Local Training Provision. If identical equipment has been previously delivered to the Republic of Uzbekistan, it is possible to conduct training in-country through an authorized regional representative or service provider of the manufacturer. This local training should replicate the modules conducted at the manufacturer’s facility and may reduce logistics and travel costs. Therefore the specified parameter remains unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q15: Reference is made to: Lot 1: Mass spectrometer with inductively coupled plasma ICP – MS. Technical line # 101: The supplier shall arrange training in the analytical method using this device in the laboratories of the manufacturer. Include this item in your bid proposal. How many people are required to be trained per piece of equipment in the manufacturer's laboratory? What methods are required to train employees? Is it possible to conduct training in the laboratory on the territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan in case of previous delivery of this equipment to the Republic of Uzbekistan?  A15: a) Number of People to be Trained per EquipmentRecommendation: Training shall be provided for at least two (2) qualified end users per instrument, as it is standard for complex analytical equipment. This ensures proper knowledge transfer, operational continuity, and redundancy in case of staff turnover. b) Methods Required for Training.The training should be comprehensive, practical, and application-oriented, conducted by certified application specialists. It shall include both theoretical and hands-on modules, covering:- Instrument installation & system overview- Startup and shutdown procedures- Plasma ignition and tuning- Calibration and optimization (including internal standard setup)- Sample preparation techniques (as applicable)- Method development and quantitative analysis for trace metals- Operation of software and data acquisition system- Routine maintenance and troubleshooting- Compliance with relevant analytical standards and QA/QC proceduresTraining Duration: Not less than 5 full working days per group.c)Training on the Territory of the Republic of Uzbekistan Yes, it is possible to conduct training in authorized laboratories located in the Republic of Uzbekistan, provided that:- The same ICP-MS model has been previously installed and commissioned in a certified laboratory in Uzbekistan.- The laboratory is equipped and authorized for training purposes.- The training is conducted by qualified specialists either from the manufacturer or an officially certified local partner.   

New clarification added: Q14: In order to ensure accurate equipment configuration and compliance with analytical requirements, we kindly request detailed normative documents specifying the exact list of:Lot 1: heavy metal salts in food, macro- and microelements in water; Lot 2: pesticides, antibiotics, mycotoxins, and dyes;Lot 3: pesticides and PCBs. The current descriptions are too general; a more precise and complete list of target analytes is required.  A14:Please be informed that end user is part of National Laboratory System, which will provide compliances and controls in line with the following: Regulatory Documents for Contaminant Analysis using Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS 1. Heavy Metal Salts in Food• Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915:Establishes maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, including heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. This regulation repeals Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006.Link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM%3A4707404• Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006:Details methods of sampling and analysis for official control of mycotoxins, which also apply to certain heavy metal assessments.2. Macro- and Microelements in Water• Directive (EU) 2020/2184:Sets quality standards for water intended for human consumption, including macro- and microelement parameters.Link: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=LEGISSUM%3A4499769• ECHA Guidance on Drinking Water Directive:Offers detailed monitoring guidance.Link: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/2324906/dwd_guidance_vol3_en.pdf/c7ae1395-518d-3c49-58ea-2935ec93ed673. Pesticides, Antibiotics, Mycotoxins, and Dyes• Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009:Governs the placement of plant protection products on the market.• Regulation (EU) 2023/915:Sets maximum contaminant levels in food, including mycotoxins.• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2782:Specifies sampling and analysis for mycotoxins.• EU Pesticides Database:Details MRLs for food.Link: https://food.ec.europa.eu/plants/pesticides/eu-pesticides-database_en4. Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)• Regulation (EC) No 396/2005:Establishes MRLs for pesticides in food/feed.• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/741:Multiannual control programme for pesticide residues.• Regulation (EC) No 850/2004:Covers persistent organic pollutants, including PCBs.

New clarification added: Q13:According to Clause 1.11 of Annex III, in case the final destination is not ready and UNOPS instructs the Contractor to delay delivery or installation and arrange for temporary storage, it is not clear how this affects the payment schedule. Could you please clarify whether payment for the delivered goods will still be processed upon delivery to temporary storage, or only after final installation?  A13: Please refer to to Section_IV_Contract_forms Rev 1, ANNEX 1: Special Conditions, Part 2 " 80% of the amount of each Invoice for the Goods shall be paid on receipt of the Goods as per applicable INCOTERMS."

New amendment added #1: The ITB has been amended in order to extend the bid submission deadline form 04 June 2025 till 11 June 2025 

New clarification added: Q12:We would like to request an extension of the delivery period specified in Annex III of the Contract by an additional 30–60 days. The requested equipment is subject to export control regulations as high-tech and dual-use goods, in accordance with the laws of the manufacturing countries. Obtaining export licenses from relevant authorities — such as BIS (USA), ECJU (UK), BAFA (Germany), SBDU (France), and METI (Japan) — may require significant time and is beyond the control of the bidder.  A12:We confirm that an extension of the service completion timeframe from 30 to 60 days is acceptable, as outlined in Clause 1.10 of Annex III. However specific extensions can be granted on a case-by-case basis, particularly given the variations in regulations depending on the specific type of equipment involved after the contract is awarded.

New clarification added: Q11:We kindly request an amendment to Clause 1.10 of Annex III of the Contract: to extend the timeframe for completion of the related services from 30 to at least 60 days, starting from the confirmation that the final destination site is ready for installation, considering the volume and complexity of the analytical instruments. A11: We confirm that the timeframe for completing the related services can be extended from 30 to 90 days for the second batch, in accordance with Clause 1.10, Annex III. Please note that this extension does not apply to the first batch that is meant for delivery to Republican SES (Republic of Uzbekistan), which requires completion within the original 30-day timeframe.

New clarification added: Q10: Could UNOPS consider an extension of the bid submission deadline to ensure submission of a comprehensive and high-quality bid?  A10: Deadline for bid submission to be extended by 7 days.

New clarification added: Q9:Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #55:Biocompatibility of Pump Materials: pH range of 2-12; tolerance to mobile phase chlorides up to 1 mol/l. Many manufacturers do not provide information regarding tolerance to mobile phase chlorides, could you please remove this point in the technical specification of as most common MPs that are used for these classes of molecules don't contain chlorides?  A9: Specifying a biocompatible pump with a pH range of 2–12 and chloride tolerance up to 1 mol/L ensures: Compatibility with harsh or variable mobile phases, Protection against system corrosion and contamination, Suitability for bioanalytical and high-salt applications. Longevity and reliability of the LC system.  Biocompatibility in LC  means the system can handle aggressive mobile phases without degrading or interfering with your sample or results. It is especially important for:Bioanalytical methods (e.g., peptides, proteins, nucleotides); Pharmaceuticals, clinical, environmental, and metabolomics work; Long-term system durability when using salts or extreme pH. Based on above mentioned information the technical requirement will remain unchanged.

New clarification added: Q8: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #53:Gradient Formation Precision: No more than 0.15% RSD. Many manufacturers do not provide this specification, can we use flow rate precision instead?  A8:Flow rate  Precision can not directly substitute   gradient formation precision — they are related but not equivalent.You can mention flow rate precision in addition to gradient precision, but it should not replace it in gradient-critical applications like:LC-MS/MS with complex gradients Method, development requiring solvent programming, Quaternary gradient systems.In high-performance quaternary LC systems, both must be precise to ensure reproducibility. Manufacturers that do not report gradient precision often report flow precision per channel, which can serve as an indirect indicator. General Practical Equivalence: Flow Rate Precision (RSD)≤0.05% corresponding to Gradient Precision Excellent (approx. ≤0.10% gradient RSD).

New clarification added: A7*: Please disregard the reply given in Q7. Please consider this answer as a correct one. "UNOPS technical reqirements  indicates that the liquid chromatograph is expected to support at least four solvent lines, which corresponds to a quaternary gradient system"

New clarification added: Q7: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #47:Number of Channels: At least 4. Is it expected to be used for binary or quaternary gradient?  A7: Flow rate precision can not directly substitute gradient formation precision — they are related but not equivalent.You can mention flow rate precision in addition to gradient precision, but it should not replace it in gradient-critical applications like:LC-MS/MS with complex gradients Method, development requiring solvent programming, Quaternary gradient systems.In high-performance quaternary LC systems, both must be precise to ensure reproducibility. Manufacturers that do not report gradient precision often report flow precision per channel, which can serve as an indirect indicator. General Practical Equivalence: Flow Rate Precision (RSD)≤0.05% corresponding to Gradient Precision Excellent (approx. ≤0.10% gradient RSD).   

New clarification added: Q6:Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #30:Ion Transfer System: Should include a bending mechanism and a neutral particle stopper to reduce noise and protect ion optics from contamination. The model to be offered has its own mechanism of neutrals evacuation incliding orthogonal arrangement of spray capillary and MS inlet above the exhaust, where all neutralls go to the exhaust. Also curtain gas helps to reduce noise and protect ion optics. Could you please tell us if this technical specification meets the requirement and if not could you please make it less specific to allow system with other mechanisms of neutrals evacuation to participate?  A6: The orthogonal design is a widely used and validated method to achieve neutrals removal, noise reduction, and ion optics protection, and it satisfies the stated ion transfer system requirements. 

New clarification added: Q5: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #24:Number of Selective Reaction Monitoring Transitions per Chromatographic Run: At least 30,000. Could you please clarify the length of cromatographic run?  A5: The technical requirement means that  offered analitiacl instrument must  support at least 30,000 Selective Reaction Monitoring (SRM) transitions per chromatographic run in a Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS system.A chromatographic run is typically 5 to 30 minutes long, depending on your separation needs. Supporting 30,000 SRM transitions usually assumes a scheduled MRM method across a run of 10–30 minutes, ensuring enough time for accurate and sensitive detection of many analytes.30,000 SRM transitions per run means the system can reliably monitor tens of thousands of ion pairs, often spread across multiple compounds and retention times.

New clarification added: Q4: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #23 :MRM Mode Scanning Speed: At least 600 selective reactions per second. Could you consider decreasing scanning speed to 500 MRM per second as anyways it's too high rate for the groups of compounds that are planned to be analyzed. Even if you have 100 analytes per test (that is relevant for pesticides analysis) and you have 3 MRM per analyte, all together you have 300 MRMs and ususally they are separated by chromatographic column, so you will never need to collect 600 MRM at the same time.  A4: The scanning speed range of a Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) system is a critical performance parameter, especially for methods involving multiple analytes, complex matrices, or high-throughput workflows. Due to this information the technical reqirement will remain unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q3: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #19:Sensitivity for 1×10^-12 chloramphenicol (m/z 321.0 > 125), electrospray ionization, registration of MRM transitions, negative ions, with a signal-to-noise ratio of not less than 1,500,000:1. Could you consider adding one more transition "321>152" as most usable transition for that compound?  A3:This transition is highly specific and sensitive for detecting n complex biological or food matrices. The instrument is tuned to measure this mass transition, minimizing background noise and increasing selectivity in accordiance to technical requirements -Sensitivity for 1×10^-12 chloramphenicol (m/z 321.0 > 125), electrospray ionization, registration of MRM transitions, negative ions, with a signal-to-noise ratio of not less than 1,500,000:1. it is predicted that device have this transition explanation : m/z 321.0: This is the precursor ion (also called the parent ion). It represents the mass-to-charge ratio of the ionized molecule of chloramphenicol selected in the first quadrupole (Q1) for fragmentation. m/z 125: This is the product ion (also called the fragment ion). It is one of the fragment ions generated when the precursor ion is broken apart in the collision cell (Q2), and it is detected by the third quadrupole (Q3). The arrow ( >) signifies the transition from the precursor ion to the product ion — a specific MRM transition. Due to this information the technical reqirement.will remain unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q2: Reference is made to Lot #2:Triple Quadrupole Liquid Chromatography MS System (LC-MS/MS), technical requirement line #16: Mass Range: At least 2-2000. One of the potential models has mass range 5-2000 in triple quad configuration and 50-2000 in QTRAP configuration. Compounds that are planned to be analyzed using this system have masses above 50 and their fragments that are usable for MRM have masses above 50 as well. Could you please consider changing this requirement to "50-2000" ?  A2:The specified mass range of 2-2000 m/z is required to ensure broader analytical flexibility, including low mass fragment ions, small molecules such as environmental contaminants, metabolites, derivatized compounds, etc. Restricting the range to 5 or 50 m/z would limit the system's suitability for potential future applications. Therefore the specified parameter remains unchanged. 

New clarification added: Q1:We are a financing group of many companies ,the bid shall be submitted by ourselves jointly with our financing group company ,who is also a UNGM registered company, and on our both letterheads. Would that be acceptable?  A2: A group of companies may not partcipate as one bidder, it must be 1 (one) company/bidder that submits a bid and therefore must be registered at UNGM, although a bidder may have a joint venture if a bidder does not have all the expertise required for the provision of the goods/services to be provided under the Contract, for such cases we have provided with Form A: Joint Venture Partner Information Form in the document titled "Section III: Returnable Bidding Forms". More on joint ventures, associations and consortiums may be found in the section "4. BIDDER ELIGIBILITY" in the document titled "Section I: Instruction to Bidders".