Construction of buildings at the Centre for Vocational Excellence in Renewable Energy at Mzuzu Technical College in Malawi

New clarification added: Clarification Request 1We are writing to follow up on our attempts to join the mandatory Virtual Pre-bid Meeting, which was scheduled for December 1st, 2025.We sincerely regret that we missed the meeting. This absence was not intentional; unfortunately, we were unable to obtain the necessary meeting room details despite sending multiple emails to the address provided in the advertisement. Despite this technical difficulty and communication breakdown, we remain highly interested in bidding for the Construction Works at the Centre for Vocational Excellence in Renewable Energy at Mzuzu Technical College.Response to clarification request 1This is an open tender advertised through UNGM. Emails sent to bidders were not invitations to a limited competition. It was just an outreach to suppliers identified from the NCIC online list of registered contractors or contractors registered on UNGM. This tender was also widely advertised in Malawi local newspapers. Attendance to the Prebid meeting remains a mandatory requirement. A bid from a bidder who did not attend the meeting will not be considered for evaluation.Clarification Request 2We are kindly requesting for an extension of time to the closing date of the above tender since most subcontractors and suppliers in the region are on annual shutdown which began on the 12th of December and ends on 12 January. We hope our request will meet with your considerationResponse to clarification request 2While we acknowledge that the tender period falls within a holiday season, sufficient time has been allowed for contractors to plan, coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers, and prepare responsive bids, while also accommodating the year-end break.A full one-month shutdown period from 12 December to 12 January is not considered consistent with general business practice within the construction industry, where planning, tender preparation, and procurement activities typically continue during this period. In light of the project delivery schedule and the need to maintain implementation momentum, an extension of the tender closing date is therefore not foreseen at this time.Clarification Request 3Please clarify what "Financial offer details" entail. Specifically, what documentation or information are you requesting from the bidder?Response to clarification request 3This question can be interpreted in two ways, and the response is provided accordingly:1. If the reference is to the Financial Offer (price proposal):The Financial Offer must be submitted using the Bills of Quantities (BoQs) provided as part of this tender. Contractors are required to complete and price the BoQs in accordance with the structure and instructions provided. A detailed explanation on how the BoQs are organised and how financial offers should be prepared and submitted was provided during the pre-bid meeting, and bidders are expected to follow that guidance.2. If the reference is to the Financial Capacity of the contractor:In this case, bidders are referred to the Returnable Schedules and the Instructions to Bidders, which clearly specify the financial documentation required to demonstrate financial capacity. Contractors must submit the required information and supporting documents exactly as outlined in the tender documents.Bidders are advised to carefully review the tender documentation to ensure full compliance with the applicable requirements.All the other terms and conditions remain unchanged

New amendment added #1: Amendment 1This amendment is to Upload the minutes of the mandatory pre-bid clarification meeting held virtually on 01 December 2025 at 14:00hoursUpload a copy of the presentation done during the mandatory prebid clarification meetingThe minutes include responses to clarifications made during the prebid meetings and those received through eSourcing.Therefore the following documents are now uploaded to the Documents section of the ITBITB/2025/60091 - Pre-Bid Clarification Meeting Minutes_ Construction of buildings at the Centre for Vocational Excellence in Mechanised Agriculture at Lilongwe Technical College in MalawiITB 2025 60091 - Presentation for Pre-Bid Clarification Meeting - MTCAll the other terms and conditions remain unchanged

New clarification added: CLARIFICATION 1We anticipate needing to engage specialist subcontractors for specific components of the works, such as HVAC, lifts, and electrical installations. Since the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) specifies prices in USD, we plan to pay these subcontractors in USD to enable them to import necessary goods.However, we understand that the Reserve Bank of Malawi restricts local USD-to-USD currency transactions between domestic accounts. This regulation poses a significant challenge: if the main contractor receives payment in local currency (Malawi Kwacha) and then attempts to exchange it to pay subcontractors, the subcontractors may be unable to access the required foreign exchange from local commercial banks to facilitate their imports.We seek clarification on potential payment solutions from UNOPS:Can UNOPS provide a waiver to facilitate these USD payments locally?Alternatively, could UNOPS make direct payments to the specialist subcontractors?A third option would be for the main contractor to receive payment outside of Malawi (e.g., in South Africa or Zambia) to circumvent local currency use restrictions.Your clarification on this matter is essential for us to finalize and agree upon our subcontracting arrangements.RESPONSE TO CLARIFICATION 1As this is an international tender, the contract will be issued in USD, and all payments from UNOPS will likewise be disbursed in USD. In accordance with Government of Malawi regulations and the Foreign Exchange (Forex) Act, payments to locally registered contractors must be made into their foreign currency accounts held within Malawi. These USD payments cannot be transferred to accounts outside Malawi, and UNOPS will not, under any circumstances, make payments directly to subcontractors. All contractual and financial arrangements with subcontractors remain solely the responsibility of the main contractor.Regarding the concern on payments to subcontractors requiring USD for imported materials (e.g., HVAC, lifts, electrical systems), please note the following:UNOPS will deposit all payments in USD into the main contractor’s Malawi-based foreign currency account, as permitted for internationally tendered works funded from external sources.Once the funds are received, the contractor is responsible for managing those USD resources for eligible contract expenditures, including payments to subcontractors, in line with Reserve Bank of Malawi regulations.It is the contractor’s obligation to consult its commercial bank to confirm the applicable modalities for settling subcontractor invoices using funds credited to the foreign currency account.CLARIFICATION 2For contracts involving non-public-private works, which are routinely inspected by a registered Project Architect or Engineer, may we submit completion certificates signed by these supervisors?RESPONSE TO CLARIFICATION 2Please ensure that you thoroughly review the technical qualification requirements (Schedule II, Part 1: Bidders Capacity and Experience) of  document ITB_2025_60091 - Small Works - Sections II, III, IV, V.Mzuzu Technical College, as these requirements clearly define the acceptable evidence for previous experience and contract completion.