Invitation to Bid (ITB) Supply and Delivery of Submersible Pump and Rising Pipe to the Ministry of Irrigation and Low land Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

New clarification added: Vendor Request for clarificationPlease extend deadline for 20 days more as we need more time to prepare best offer for you UNOPS ResponseThis bid has been open for considerable time. We have made minor changes on the technical specification and accordinlgy we has given adequate time for vendors bid preparation. Extending it again would affect our project implementation as we have short time frame. 

New clarification added: Request for clarification from VendorSee below our manufacturer comment and confirm if the well can be made 12inch?Our pump that meeting your required rated flow,rated head is 72-350-140KW.it is rated flow 72M2/h,rated head 350m,power 140KW.pump max diameter is 233mm,to install the pump,the well inner diameter should be minimum 12inch.But in the provided document,it said well casing size is 10inch.when our pump max diameter is 233mm,and your well is only 10inch,our pump is impossible to fit into the well.(if client casing size is only 10 inch,as given in the document,then you have to install 8inch pump,which is pump diameter 184mm)Kindly confirm us if the well can be made 12inch or not. as our pump is bigger for 10 inch well,and can not put inside 10inch well.(72-350-140KW,our pump is rated flow 72M2/h,rated head 350m,power 140KW.pump max diameter is 233mm)UNOPS Response Dear Vendor,Thank you for your clarification request. Kindly adher to the given minimum technical requirements to prepare your bid submition. Regards, 

New amendment added #2: Dear Bidders,Please note that we have made two amendments to the pump specification as outlined below. Kindly ensure that you use the revised technical document when preparing your submission. Note that the changes are highlighted in green in Form D.In light of these changes, the bid submission deadline is extended, from Wednesday, April 29, 2026, to Friday, May 8, 2026; Request for clarification window is also extended until Saturday May 2, 2026.1. Motor ratign ≥ 110 changed to Power rating:≥ 130 kW2. Flanges certified to EN 1092-1_ Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity is inseted as an additional requirment.Regards,

New clarification added: 20)  Nominal Pipe Size The requirement is written as “Pipe size, >5" SCH 80 compatible to the selected 6" submersible pump size”. This phrasing is vague. For the specified flow of 20 l/s (72 m³/h):A 5-inch Schedule 80 pipe typically results in a flow velocity of approximately 2.8–3.2 m/s.A 6-inch Schedule 80 pipe gives a lower velocity of approximately 2.0–2.3 m/s but significantly increases the total weight of the water-filled column (important for a 350–380 m deep, retrievable installation).Both sizes can be technically suitable, but they affect cost, handling, friction losses, and installation safety differently.Request: Please specify the preferred nominal pipe size (5 inch Schedule 80 or 6 inch Schedule 80), or confirm that bidders may propose either size provided:Flow velocity remains acceptable (preferably ≤ 3.0–3.5 m/s),Full compatibility with the offered pump discharge, andSupporting hydraulic calculations and total hanging weight are submitted.UNOPS responseAs per UNOPS requirement pipe size is ≥ 5" Schedule 80. 21)  Manufacturing Type The specification requires “Type, Seamless”. ASTM A53 Grade B allows both seamless and ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) pipes. ERW Schedule 80 pipes in 5–6 inch sizes are standard, widely available, fully compliant with the standard, and commonly used in borehole applications. Requiring seamless only would substantially increase cost and limit supplier options.Request: Please confirm whether Seamless or ERW pipes manufactured to ASTM A53 Grade B are acceptable.UNOPS response Seamless or Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) pipe22) Galvanizing and Zinc Coating Requirements (Rows 120–126)The specification calls for:Hot-Dip Galvanizing per ASTM A123,Zinc coating ≥ 500 g/m² (>70 µm thickness),Uniformity tested by the Preece Test for 5 full one-minute cycles with no red copper deposits.According to ASTM A53 and ASTM A123 standards for galvanized pipe and tubing:The minimum average zinc coating weight is typically 550 g/m² (0.55 kg/m² or 1.8 oz/ft²), corresponding to approximately 75–85 µm average thickness.Individual surface minimum is often 490 g/m² (0.49 kg/m²).The extreme 5-cycle Preece test requirement is not standard for long threaded pipes and is difficult for many manufacturers to guarantee uniformly after threading and galvanizing.Request: Please confirm whether compliance with ASTM A123 (or equivalent) hot-dip galvanizing with a minimum average zinc coating of 550 g/m² (approx. 75–85 µm) and standard adhesion/uniformity tests (per ASTM A90 or ISO 2178) is acceptable. We suggest making the mandatory 5-cycle Preece test non-mandatory or replacing it with standard coating inspection requirements.UNOPS responseVendors shall refer to the given UNOPS minimum requirement. 23) General Notes on Suitability for Deep Retrievable InstallationGiven the borehole depth (>350 m), temporary/retrievable nature of the installation, and potential corrosive groundwater (pH 5–9), the total weight of a galvanized steel rising column (pipe + water) becomes very high at 380 m length. Some experienced suppliers recommend considering stainless steel (AISI 304/316) rising pipe as a technically justified alternative for reduced weight, better corrosion resistance, and easier multiple installations/removals.Request: Please advise whether alternative riser materials (e.g., stainless steel with equivalent pressure rating and thread compatibility) will be considered and evaluated if the bidder provides full justification, calculations, and compliance with pressure/head requirements.UNOPS ResponseVendors shall refer to the given UNOPS minimum requirement.  

New amendment added #1: Dear Bidders,1. Please be informed that amendments have been made to the technical requirements which are highlighted in green for your review. Kindly refer to "Form D – Technical Requirement" and "Section II – Schedule of Requirements" for full details.2. In light of these amendments, the submission deadline has been extended from Monday, April 20, 2026 to Wednesday, April 29, 2026.We encourage all interested bidders to review the updated documents carefully and adjust your submissions accordingly.HAMCO, Ethiopia Procurement UnitRegards,

New clarification added: 16)  Pump Size and Outer Diameter / Clearance (Rows 36–44)The pump is described as “6" Submersible Multistage centrifugal pump”.Casing Size: “Max OD for 6"-8" well casings: 138–195 mm.”Pump OD shall be at least 10–15 mm smaller than borehole casing internal diameter with clearance ≥10–15 mm.This creates ambiguity whether a strict 6-inch pump (typical max OD ~140–150 mm) is required, or whether an 8-inch pump (larger OD up to 195 mm) is acceptable.Request: Please clarify the nominal borehole casing size and minimum internal diameter of the well in which the pump will be installed. This will allow bidders to propose the correct pump diameter with adequate clearance.UNOPS response Casing size is amended as per the following; please refer to the amended document. Pump OD (including motor and cable): 168–195 mm for 8-inch boreholes, 212–240 mm for 10-inch boreholes, with required clearance maintained. However; the pump size will remain 6”.17)  Minor Inconsistencies / TyposRow 42: The sentence on material is incomplete (“Material : Stainless steel (AISI 304 or316”).Row 108 (Rising pipe section, but affects compatibility): “Wall thickness, Schedule 79” — this appears to be a typo and should read Schedule 80.UNOPS responseYes. This is a typo error. Please take note that the correct spec is Schedule 80. Bid documents will be amended accordingly and will be shared on e-sourcing.18)  PT100 temperature sensors: Mentioned for motors ≥150 HP in one place and for ≥37 kW in the control panel section. Please confirm the consistent requirement.UNOPS response Please refer to the amended Form D. 150HP is a typo error and was supposed to be 50 HP which is equivalent to 37kW19)  We are preparing our bid for the supply of 4 complete Submersible Pump sets including rising pipes as per the technical specifications in the file “Submersible pump and Rising pipe.xlsx”.Several leading manufacturers have expressed confusion regarding certain requirements in the Rising Pipes section (Item II). These points include typographical errors, ambiguous wording, and specifications that appear stricter than standard industry practice for ASTM A53 Schedule 80 galvanized steel pipes. Clarification on these matters will help us (and other bidders) submit accurate, compliant, and competitive offers without unnecessary cost escalation.We kindly request your official clarification on the following specific points:1. Wall Thickness Requirement (Row 108)The specification states “Wall thickness, Schedule 79”. There is no standard pipe schedule known as Schedule 79 in any international standard (ASTM, EN, or ISO). The heavy-duty schedule normally used for high-pressure borehole rising mains is Schedule 80.Request: Please confirm that this is a typographical error and the correct requirement is Schedule 80.UNOPS responseYes. This is a typo error, the correct spec is Schedule 80. Please refer to the amended document.  

New clarification added:   12)  For the impellers, are there any preferences between bronze and stainless steel according to your knowledge?UNOPS responseAs per UNOPS requirement, the specification remains the same.13)  We noted that the pump requires to be 6" diameter in the document, which is impossible based on client's actual pump power.Is it acceptable when our quoted pump diameter is different from the diameter requirement in the document? UNOPS responseSubmersible pump size is 6”   14)  Regarding Item 2 - Rising PipesYou wrote - Pipe size >5" SCH 80 compatible to the selected 6" submersible pump size What material and what size do you need?UNOPS responsePlease refer to UNOPS Minimum requirement for both material and pipe size ≥ 5" Schedule 80 15)  We are in the process of preparing our bid for the supply of 4 sets of Electric Submersible Pumps (Q=20 l/s, H=350m) complete with motor, control panel, power cable, and accessories, as per the attached technical specifications.Several manufacturers have expressed confusion on certain requirements in the pump section, which may limit competition or lead to non-compliant offers. We kindly request official clarification on the following points so that we (and other bidders) can submit accurate and competitive proposals:1. Motor Rating (Row 60)The specification requires a motor rating ≥ 130 kW.Hydraulic power at duty point (20 l/s at 350 m) is approximately 68.7 kW.With the specified pump efficiency ≥72% and typical motor efficiency of 90–93%, the required shaft power is around 95 kW and electrical input power is approximately 103–110 kW (including safety margin).A ≥130 kW motor appears significantly oversized for this duty point. Oversizing can result in lower operating efficiency, higher starting current, increased costs, and potential issues with the control panel and power supply.Request: Please confirm whether the minimum motor rating can be revised to ≥ 110 kW (or allow bidders to propose the optimally sized motor, provided the offered pump set fully meets the duty point of 20 l/s ±8% at 350 m head with efficiency ≥72%).UNOPS response This line is amended as per the following the motor rating is  ≥ 110 kW. Please refer to the amended document. 

New clarification added: Dear Bidders,This is kindly to remind you that as estipulated in the Tender Particulars interested bidders could participate in the Virtual Pre-bid /Bid Clarification meeting which will take place as per the following Schedule:  Invitation Pre-bid meeting for the Supply and Delivery of Submersible Pump and Rising Pipe to the Ministry of Irrigation and Low land Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Thursday, April 16 · 11:00am – 12:00pmTime zone: Africa/NairobiGoogle Meet joining infoVideo call link: https://meet.google.com/src-trce-tnwKind regards,HAMCO Ethiopia Office, Procurement Unit

New clarification added: Request for clarification from Vendors and UNOPS subsequent responses 1) Do you accept FCA or CFR incoterm?UNOPS responseWe accept FCA incoterm 2020.2) Do you accept external registered companies outside your country to participate and to be equally evaluated with local registered companies?UNOPS responseYes, this is an open competition where all interested international bidders can participate and where by equally evaluated against the stipulated evaluation criteria on the bid document.3) Will importing and customs clearance be done under UNOPS name in your country?UNOPS responseIt will be done under the consignee’s name 4) We are distributors of many manufacturers but those vendors have no local representatives in your country. So would you accept shipping you the items and full process of customs clearance to be done under your name?We will be working with the allocated freight forwarder to expedite the process. 5) Customs clearance for importing will be done from A-Z by the you and there will be 100% VAT except and customs fees except 100%. So nothing will be paid by the supplier?UNOPS responseYes, this will be applied to international bidders. 6) Would you please accept offered items made in India or China or any other country?UNOPS responseYes, we accept products sourced from all regions globally 7) Do you accept quality certificates to be provided by manufacturer only as we are just distributor? UNOPS responseAs long as the certificates are valid and legitimate we accept them whether submitted by the manufacturer or by the supplier.8) Is there any installation or maintenance required?UNOPS responseNo, installation and maintenance are not required for this specific bid.9) Is any mandatory periodic maintenance required for this project?UNOPS responseNo.10) Do you accept partial quoting, or must two items be quoted?UNOPS responseTo avoid any issues of compatibility, we do not accept any partial offer. 11) Will you accept signing the contract and PO in our company name? Plus, will payment be made to our bank account in another country?UNOPS responsePayment will be processed based on your company’s registration details. Accordingly, if your bank account registered with UNOPS is located in a different country, payment can be made to the associated bank regardless of its location.