Request For Quotation (RFQ) for provision of teleradiology services in Eastern Mediterranean Region for Stop TB Partnership, UNOPS - new

New clarification added: Question: Dear UNOPSGreetingsWe would like to clarify about the followingRegarding the PO issuance mentioned in Section 3.3, could you please clarify if the CXR images will be transmitted directly through a centralized UNOPS/STBP system or via various third-party health centers and hospitals?Answer: Chest X-ray DICOM images will be shared directly by Stop TB Partnership via a secure shared drive with access granted to the selected vendor(s). Images will not be transmitted through third-party health centres or hospitals. Stop TB Partnership will maintain the master copy of all DICOMs on a secure server and will provide vendors with access to each batch at the point of order placement.Following the KPI requirement in Section 3.4 for "delivery of the final report within one month," please clarify if this refers to the completion of all cases in a batch or a separate monthly consolidated summary, including its required content.Answer:  The one-month turnaround refers to the completion and submission of the full consolidated MS Excel report for all cases within a given batch, from the date of order placement. It does not refer to a separate monthly summary report. Each batch is treated as a single order, and the KPI is met when the completed report for that entire batch has been submitted and approved by Stop TB Partnership. For very large batches, the turnaround time may be adjusted by agreement, as noted in the previous clarifications. In reference to the last activity in Section 3.1 regarding providing "other specific radiological reports upon request," could you please clarify the nature and scope of these reports, and whether they should follow the same output format defined in Section 3.2?Answer: This refers to ad hoc reporting tasks that may be requested by Stop TB Partnership outside of the standard batch workflow — for example, re-reads of specific cases, targeted analysis of a subset of images, or additional clinical annotations. The nature and scope of such requests will be defined at the time of request. Unless otherwise specified, vendors should follow the same MS Excel output format as defined in Section 3.2. If a different format is required, this will be communicated by Stop TB Partnership at the time of the request.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: thank you for your answers on our inquiries, please confirm if leader of joint venture can sign all other forms like forms (A, C,E,....) or all submitted dcouemnts should be signed from both parties of JV Answer: Please have the forms signed and submitted by the leding organisation.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New amendment added #3: Adition of UNOPS Joint Venture Form to list of documents. This document is not mandatory for all bidders, only to be used by bidders who wish to submit a JV submission. 

New clarification added: Question: please provide us with answer on below question alos:Answer: this was already answered and is a duplication requestBest,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: 1. what do you mean by "equivalent national board certification in the region", as for example if radiologist have Specialist radiology board Certificate from Russia /is it be equivelant to the arab board ? or / the equivelant should be from the same regions like Jordanian radiology board or Suadi radiology board?  Answer:By "equivalent national board certification in the region" we mean a formal postgraduate radiology qualification awarded by a nationally or regionally recognised medical body within the same WHO region. For example, the Jordanian Board of Radiology or Saudi Board of Radiology would be considered equivalent for the Eastern Mediterranean region. A qualification from outside the region — such as a Russian radiology board — would not be considered equivalent for the Eastern Mediterranean region, but would be accepted for the Europe region, as Russia falls within the WHO European region. The purpose of the regional structure is to ensure that radiologists are qualified within the same WHO region for which they are reporting, and equivalency should be interpreted on that basis.2. please clarify if the qualifications listed below (board certifications and specialty qualifications) sufficient, or is it still required for the doctor to hold a valid license to practice in one of the countries within the region they are applying for?  as all below qualifications are related to education not to license fo practiceThe following qualifications are considered acceptable per region:Europe: EDiR (European Diploma in Radiology), FRCR (Royal College of Radiologists, UK), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAmericas: ABR (American Board of Radiology) or FRCPC (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada), or equivalent national board certification in the regionSouth East Asia: MD Radiodiagnosis or DNB Radiodiagnosis (India), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAfrica: Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons – Radiology (FWACS) or Fellowship of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa – Radiology (FC Rad), or equivalent national board certification in the regionEastern Mediterranean: Arab Board of Radiology or Egyptian Fellowship in Radiology, or equivalent national board certification in the regionWestern Pacific: FRANZCR (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAnswer:  Given that these services are fully remote, involve de-identified imaging data, and are being used for research purposes, either a board certification/equivalent postgraduate specialty qualification or a valid licence to practise in a country within the relevant region is sufficient for participation. Please ensure the relevant qualifications are clearly specified in your submission.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: based on your previous repliers: (Form E (Previous Experience Form): Highlight the relevant corporate experience. If relying heavily on the subcontractor's corporate history to meet the 3-year threshold, it is highly advisable to clearly document this relationship or consider the Joint Venture route mentioned in the instructions.)and as we rely on our subcontractor for experiance, so that we prefer to particpate as JV based on your recommendations in this case please advise needed dcouemnts from each part to prove all qualifications required /and please advise regarding sign and stamp if it needed to be from both parties or from JV leader only?  Answer: In order to facilitate the submission as a Joint Venture, kindly use the "Form Joint Venture" which will be uploaded to the RFQ documenta sections. We will perform an amendment to the RFQ so you can access the UNOPS form for JV and in there you can submit the needed information. Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: kindly note that, there is no form of Joint Venture in this tender as other UNOPS tenders in Returnable bidding formsplease advise if we can proceed with JV form from ourside, and advise if there is any spceial requirment should be submitted in JV participation Answer: Dear bidder, we just answered your questions regarding the subcontractor. If you intend on submitting an offer with a subcontractor, that information should be provided in Form B, Secion III Returnable Bidding Forms. In this case, your company will be the one who needs to fill in the DRiVE questionaire and will be the one to enter in potential contracting relationship with UNOPS.Now you send a request regarding information as a Joint Venture. In case of Joint Venture, both suppliers will need to fill in the forms and be checked for ineligibility, and fill in the DRiVE questionaire etc. Kindly confirm if you intend to submit an offer as a Joint Venture or by subcontracting so we understand correctly and adviced if needed on the JV form.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: is it approved to share with UNOPS in submission signed and stamped letter from the subcontractor for supporting dcouemnts (like commitment and sustainability ...), or all docuemnts should be signed and stamped by main bidder only?Answer:  The bid submission form and most returnable bidding forms/schedules must be signed by the bidder. If a document is inherently a commitment from the subcontractor (e.g., a subcontractor's commitment letter, a sustainability declaration by the subcontractor about their own operations), it should need to bear the subcontractor's signature and stamp, as it represents their commitment. However, the overall bid and the main returnable bidding forms should still be signed by the main bidder.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: kindly note that there is missing in Form A at the last point (o), we think it need to be completed, please clarifyAnswer: Form A is located on page 2 of the document "Section III - Returnable Bidding Forms"Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: 1.1 What at are terms of subcontacting in these tenders , what is the form requested to be submitted in this case? 1.2. Also, what are the qualifications required to be submitted for each part (as the subcontractor will be the service provider), so that can't apply same qualifications for both bidder and subcontaractor Answer: 1.1 Yes, subcontracting is allowed under this solicitation, but it is subject to strict rules and oversight by UNOPS. Here are the terms and conditions regarding subcontracting based on the provided documents:Approval and OversightPrior Written Approval: If the contractor requires subcontractors to perform any obligations, they must obtain prior written approval from UNOPS.Right to Review and Reject: UNOPS has the right, at its sole discretion, to review the qualifications of any proposed subcontractor and can reject any they consider unqualified for the contract's obligations.No Excuses for Delay: If UNOPS rejects a subcontractor or requests their removal, this does not entitle the main contractor to claim delays or assert excuses for non-performance of their contractual obligations.Liability and TermsSole Responsibility: The primary contractor remains solely responsible for all services and obligations performed by their subcontractors.Alignment of Terms: The terms of any subcontract must be fully in accordance with, and subject to, all the terms and conditions of the main UNOPS contract.Eligibility and Bidding RulesSubcontractor Eligibility: Subcontractors are subject to the exact same eligibility conditions as the primary bidders. This means subcontractors cannot be on the suspended or ineligibility lists of UNOPS, the UN/PD, other UN Agencies, the UN Security Council, or the World Bank.Conflict of Interest: Subcontractors must not have been involved, directly or indirectly, in preparing the design, terms of reference, or other documents used in this solicitation.Multiple Bids: While a firm cannot submit their own bid and also be a subcontractor on another bid (as this would disqualify both bids), a firm is allowed to be included as a subcontractor on more than one bid.Disclosure During Bidding: Bidders must explicitly identify the names of all subcontractors or suppliers and outline the type of work being subcontracted within their Price Schedule Form (Form B) when submitting their quotation.Answer 1.2: Based on the provided solicitation documents, while the primary contractor (the Bidder) and the Subcontractor perform different roles, the Bidder remains strictly responsible to UNOPS for all services provided.The Bidder must submit a unified proposal that demonstrates the combined capability to fulfill all requirements. UNOPS also reserves the right to review the qualifications of any proposed subcontractors to ensure they are fit for the contract.Here is how the qualifications break down based on the requirements for the company versus the actual service providers:1. Shared Eligibility RequirementsBoth the Bidder and the Subcontractor are strictly bound by the same base eligibility rules. Neither entity can:Have conflicts of interest.Be included on any UNOPS, UN, or World Bank suspended or ineligibility lists.2. Qualifications Submitted for the Bidder (Primary Contractor)As the entity legally holding the contract, the Bidder must prove corporate capability and compliance, even if the execution is subcontracted. The Bidder must provide:Company Registration: Proof that the Bidder is registered as a medical/healthcare service provider. (Note: If the Bidder does not have this expertise or registration natively, the RFQ suggests submitting a bid as a joint venture, consortium, or association to meet these requirements collectively ).Corporate Experience: Proof of experience providing teleradiology services for at least three years, submitted via Form E.IT Capability: Confirmation that their systems will support DICOM modalities.Sustainability & Gender Mainstreaming: Completion of the DRiVE Supplier Sustainability Questionnaire , alongside documentation proving environmental/sustainability commitments (e.g., ISO 14001, CSR reports) and internal gender mainstreaming policies.3. Qualifications Submitted for the Subcontractor (The Service Providers)Since the subcontractor's staff will be executing the actual medical readings, their personnel must be presented to fulfill the "Key Personnel" requirements. The Bidder must submit full CVs in English for the subcontractor's team, demonstrating they meet the following:Team Size: A team of at least 3 trained professional radiologists.Certifications: Valid Radiologist Certifications relevant to their specific country of practice/geographic region.Education: A Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree from an accredited academic institution with a completed residency in radiology.Specific Experience: * A minimum of 5 years of experience in diagnostic radiology.Strong chest X-ray diagnostic skills and excellent knowledge of the radiological presentation of tuberculosis.Proficiency in IT regarding PACS/RIS and remote reporting access.How to Structure the SubmissionTo clearly delineate the roles to UNOPS in your proposal:Form B (Price Schedule Form): You must clearly identify the legal name, address, and the specific type of work being subcontracted (e.g., "Teleradiology reading services") in the designated "List of subcontractors or suppliers" section.Form D (Proposed Key Personnel): Use this form to attach the CVs of the subcontractor's radiologists.Form E (Previous Experience Form): Highlight the relevant corporate experience. If relying heavily on the subcontractor's corporate history to meet the 3-year threshold, it is highly advisable to clearly document this relationship or consider the Joint Venture route mentioned in the instructions.Best,UNOPS Procurement

New amendment added #2: The bidding and clarifications deadline is extended with 10 days. International certifications relevant to the region are allowed, as per the additional listed details in the General conditions of the tender 

New clarification added: Question: Dear UNOPS Procurement Team,Given that the services are fully remote, involve de-identified data, and do not require patient interaction, we would like to kindly seek clarification on the following:Whether radiologists with recognized international qualifications (e.g., MD Radiodiagnosis, FRCR or equivalent), but not necessarily registered within the specific geographic region, could be considered.Whether it is mandatory to maintain or store teleradiology data within the respective geographic region, or if secure processing and temporary storage outside the region would be acceptable.Whether any region-specific software certifications or compliance requirements (if applicable) need to be considered for the teleradiology platform used.Allowing flexibility on the above may help broaden the pool of qualified experts, enhance competition, and support efficient delivery of high-volume reporting while maintaining quality standards.Answer: Thank you for your question. Following consideration, we are willing to accept radiologists who hold recognised international qualifications in place of regional registration, provided the qualification is relevant to the region in which they are applying. Vendors are encouraged to apply for all regions in which their radiologists hold applicable licences, and vendors may be awarded contracts for multiple regions.The following qualifications are considered acceptable per region:Europe: EDiR (European Diploma in Radiology), FRCR (Royal College of Radiologists, UK), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAmericas: ABR (American Board of Radiology) or FRCPC (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada), or equivalent national board certification in the regionSouth East Asia: MD Radiodiagnosis or DNB Radiodiagnosis (India), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAfrica: Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons – Radiology (FWACS) or Fellowship of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa – Radiology (FC Rad), or equivalent national board certification in the regionEastern Mediterranean: Arab Board of Radiology or Egyptian Fellowship in Radiology, or equivalent national board certification in the regionWestern Pacific: FRANZCR (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists), or equivalent national board certification in the regionPlease ensure the qualifications, registration details, and relevant experience of all proposed radiologists are clearly specified in your submission.This will be reflected in an amendment to the RFQ conditions. Best,UNOPS Procurement

New clarification added: Question: Dear UNOPS Procurement Team,We would like to seek further clarification regarding the requirement for radiologists to be registered within specific geographic regions.Given that the scope of work involves fully remote teleradiology services, with:De-identified imaging data,No patient interaction,No country-specific data residency requirements, andCentralized batch-based reporting workflows,We would like to kindly inquire whether UNOPS would consider allowing radiologists who are appropriately qualified, experienced, and internationally licensed (e.g., MD Radiodiagnosis, FRCR, or equivalent), but not necessarily registered within the specific geographic region, to participate in the delivery of services.This approach could:Enhance competition and broaden the pool of qualified experts,Improve scalability for high-volume reporting (up to 15,000 CXRs annually),Maintain quality and compliance through standardized WHO-aligned reporting protocols.We fully understand and respect the importance of regulatory compliance and are happy to ensure that all proposed personnel meet high professional and ethical standards.We would appreciate your guidance on whether this requirement could be considered flexible, or if alternative compliance approaches (e.g., supervision by regionally registered radiologists) would be acceptable.Answer: Thank you for your question. Following consideration, we are willing to accept radiologists who hold recognised international qualifications in place of regional registration, provided the qualification is relevant to the region in which they are applying. Vendors are encouraged to apply for all regions in which their radiologists hold applicable licences, and vendors may be awarded contracts for multiple regions.The following qualifications are considered acceptable per region:Europe: EDiR (European Diploma in Radiology), FRCR (Royal College of Radiologists, UK), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAmericas: ABR (American Board of Radiology) or FRCPC (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada), or equivalent national board certification in the regionSouth East Asia: MD Radiodiagnosis or DNB Radiodiagnosis (India), or equivalent national board certification in the regionAfrica: Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons – Radiology (FWACS) or Fellowship of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa – Radiology (FC Rad), or equivalent national board certification in the regionEastern Mediterranean: Arab Board of Radiology or Egyptian Fellowship in Radiology, or equivalent national board certification in the regionWestern Pacific: FRANZCR (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists), or equivalent national board certification in the regionPlease ensure the qualifications, registration details, and relevant experience of all proposed radiologists are clearly specified in your submission.This will be reflected in an amendment to the RFQ conditions. Best,UNOPS Procurement

New amendment added #1: Extension of the clarifications deadline from 21st to 28th of April. 

New clarification added: Question: request for deadline extension with at least a monthAnswer: The current 23-day quoting period is considered sufficient and exceeds the procurement policy requirement of 5 days for RFQ postings. As this is a re-posting of a process originally opened in mid-March, technical experts have determined that qualified suppliers should have the capacity to submit a bid within the allotted timeframe.Best,UNOPS Procurement