ITB - Establishment of Long Term Agreements (LTAs) for the supply of Solar Home Systems (DC/AC Kits) for UN Web Buy Plus

New clarification added: Question: Could you share the applicable FORM A  - for joint venture's  Answer: Please note that bidders can find FORM A in the Section III - Returnable bidding forms attached to this tender. Question:I am reaching out to seek clarification regarding the bid security percentage or amount to be provided as a bid bond. Despite reviewing the bidding documents thoroughly, I have been unable to locate any specific section outlining this requirement.Could you kindly confirm the exact percentage or fixed amount expected for the bid bond, along with any additional conditions or documentation needed for submission?Answer: Bid security is not required for this ITB for the establishment of Long Term Agreements, as stated in the ITB particularsQuestion:Regarding the mounting brackets for the solar panels, please confirm the assembly type for each lot, whether they are roof-mounted or ground-mounted structures.Answer: Please note that it should be applicable to both ground-mounted and roof-mounted installations, giving the end user the flexibility to choose the most suitable option.Question: we kindly request an extension of the submission deadline to allow us to receive complete and compliant offers in accordance with the tender requirements.Answer: ITB deadline has been extended for an additional period. Question: 1) Do you accept FCA or CFR incoterm?Answer: As per ITB instructions, please submit your bid in FCA terms. Question:Do you accept external registered companies outside your country to participate and to be equally evaluated with local registered companies?Answer: The tender is open globally to companies from any country of the world.Question: Will importing and customs clearance be done under UNOPS name in your country?Answer: Country of destination and end user will be provided at the moment of call-off-orders against the Long Term Agreements. Under FCA, import custom clearance is conducted by the buyer, not the seller. Question:We are distributor 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?Answer: Bidders must comply with after sales requirements stated in the ITB Section II and Annex I. Question: 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?Answer: Under FCA the seller does not conduct import customs clearance. Question: Would you please accept offered items made in India or China or any other country?Answer: There is no country of origin restriction, provided that the items are compliant with the minimum requirements stated in Annex I, and if the bidder is not the manufacturer is duly authorized on the From E - Manufacturer´s authorization form. Question: Do you accept quality certificates to be provided by manufacterer only as we are just distributor? Answer: Quality certificates of the products must be provided from the manufacturer, in compliance with qualification and technical criteria.Question: Is there any installation or maintenance required?Answer: No, as these are plug and play items. Mandatory spare parts package in compliance with Annex I must be quoted for each lot, and after sales requirements must be copmpliant. Question: Do you accept partial quoting, or must two items be quoted?Answer: Bidders may quote for one lot, combination of lots or all the lots. Question: Will you accept signing the contract and PO in our company name? Plus, will payment be made to our bank account in another country?Answer: Please note this process is for the establishment of Long Term Agreements (i.e framework agreements). There is no PO signature at this stage.  

New amendment added #1: Deadline extension

New clarification added: Question: Reference Document: Annex II - Form C-Financial Bid Form_ITB_2026_61819In the Financial Bid Form, Column L, Rows 2-3 shows" (I) Financial Evaluation Price=D+E+F". While in Column L, Row 4, the formula entered in the cell is " =I4+K4", which means the the financial evaluation price=D+F, while E is missing. The text description does not match the formula in the cell. The same issue occurs in Column L, Row 5. Could you please kindly clarify whether we should insert price following the text description in Column L, Rows 2-3 or the formula in the cell ?Answer: As instructed in the ITB particulars, Financial evaluation price per lot = average base price (A+B+C)/3 + both mandatory options (spare parts + PAYGO). Bidders must consider it so when filling Annex II -Form C-Financial bid form 

New clarification added: Question: For AC Kits (Lot 3 and Lot 4), can bidders propose their own system configuration (number of solar panels, battery arrangement, and charge controller size), as long as the total system meets the minimum required capacity (500Wp/2kWh and 1kWp/4kWh)?Answer: Yes, provided bidders meet the minimum requirement for each criteria stated in Annex I-Technical specifications, in particular minimum requirements of capacity and efficiency.Question: Is there any specific requirement for the number of components (e.g., number of solar panels, batteries, LED lights, and accessories) in each kit, or is it acceptable for bidders to define the configuration?Answer: Bidders must provide their technical offers for each lot in compliance with the minimum requirements clearly stated in Annex I - Technical specifications. Question: For DC Kits (Lot 1 and Lot 2), should the kits be supplied as integrated plug-and-play systems, or can they be assembled from separate components?Answer: Solar kits must be supplied as plug-and-play systems. Question: Is there any preferred or required charge controller type (PWM or MPPT), or can bidders propose based on system design?Answer: As per minimum requirements, both types (PWM or MPPT) are accepted for lot 1 and 2. Question: Reference Document: Form D: Technical Bid Form & ITB_Section II Schedule of RequirementsQuestion: In Form D: Technical Bid Form, it is required that bidder shall complete and submit the Comparative Data Table included in Section II: Schedule of Requirements AND Annex I: Technical Specifications to demonstrate compliance with UNOPS requirements. Does this mean that bidders should complete the Comparative Data Table in Section II: Schedule of Requirements and upload the completed file "Section II: Schedule of Requirements " when bidders submit their bid ?Answer: As per ITB instructions, both documents must be completed. It is very important that bidders upload Annex I - Form D Technical specifications stating how they comply with the minimum requirements for each of the lots being bid upon, together with the supporting documents, and Section II Schedule of requirements.Question: We kindly request you to extend the bid submission at least 10 more days to enable us provide a competitive techincal and commercial offer that comply all your requirements. Answer: There are no ITB deadlines extensions planned at this stage. Bidders should plan accordingly. Question: We would like to inquire whether it is permissible to participate and submit our offer limited to specific countries, rather than covering all countries included in the tender.Answer: Please note that the intended outcome of this ITB is the establishment of Long Term Agreements (Framework agreements) with prices on FCA basis. The specific country of destination will be known on a case by case basis at call-off-order stage. For this ITB, when submitting an offer for each specific lots, bidders must ensure compliance with the minimum After-Sales Coverage per Region: "Bidder must demonstrate presence of service points , authorized service agents or regional partners in at least 2 regions (Africa, Middle East, Asia, Latin America, Europe) OR provide regional service plan how to provide after-sales coverage worldwide. Bidders must share contact details of the regional partners per region." 

New clarification added: Question: Are UNOPS these purchases and delivery each countries customs duties, national taxes exempt please confirm. Answer: As per UNOPS General Conditions of contract, please note the following: Article II, Section 7, of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of UNOPS provides, inter alia, that the United Nations, including UNOPS as a subsidiary organ, is exempt from all direct taxes, except charges for public utility services, and is exempt from customs restrictions, duties, and charges of a similar nature in respect of articles imported or exported for its official use. In the event any governmental authority refuses to recognize the exemptions of UNOPS from such taxes, restrictions, duties, or charges, the Contractor shall immediately consult with UNOPS to determine a mutually acceptable procedure. 

New clarification added: Question:Technical Specifications QueriesReference document: Annex I_Form D - Technical Specifications and Compliance SheetRequirement: PV Solar Array Voltage: Vmpp ~18.5V (Lot 1 & Lot 2)Through technical optimization, we propose using PV modules with Vmp=16V instead of the standard 18V modules. This specification better matches the 12.8V system voltage and offers higher charging efficiency. We consider this a positive deviation that does not affect system compatibility. Please confirm if this is acceptable.Answer: The approach might not work for hot regions, since voltage reduces when temperatures are high, resulting in a low voltage potential to push the current required to charge the battery. Please stick to 18V as per the specifications.Question:Reference document: Annex I_Form D - Technical Specifications and Compliance SheetRequirement: PAYGO Functionality: Optional; modular hardware/software-based lock/unlockIn Lot 1, Lot 2, and Lot 3, PAYGO is listed as optional under mandatory optional equipment. Please confirm whether the PAGO function is a mandatory requirement or an optional feature.Answer: PAYGO functionality is an additional optional feature to the kit, but as per ITB requirements it is mandatory to be offered in your bid for bidders to be considered technically compliant. Therefore it is a "mandatory optional equipment". 

New clarification added: Question: We wish to submit bid in partnership, or joint venture with PV manufacturer... would such submission be eligible and considerable?Answer: Yes, Joint Ventures are allowed to submit a bid as stated in the ITB particulars. Please kindly submit "FORM A Joint Venture partner information form" duly filled and stamped. Please be reminded that is Bidder's responsibility to submit all the documents to establish compliance with the evaluation criteria. In the case of joint ventures, at least one of the joint venture members must meet the criteria.