Laboratory Testing of Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Approaches for POPs-Contaminated Soils from, Kyrgyzstan

New clarification added: Question : We would like to clarify the budget amount for our current application. At present, the proposed budget is USD XXXX, which exceeds the amount previously indicated in the Expression of Interest, specifically in Form C3 – Cost Estimate, where the upper limit was stated as USD XXXXX.Could you please confirm whether we may request the current amount of USD XXXXX in the full application, or whether the budget should be reduced to remain within the previously indicated upper limit of USD XXXXXAnswer : Please note that financial details MUST NOT be disclosed in public Q&A or communications. Bidders are permitted to submit a quotation in the full application that differs from the amount indicated in the Expression of Interest. However, to maintain commercial confidentiality, your final budget must be submitted exclusively within the official financial offer form.

New clarification added: Question :With reference to Form G, Section 4 where it is requested to list of sub-contractors/suppliers, will such list be binding in case the vendor is eventually awarded the tender? In other words, will the contracted vendor have the freedom to review and replace certain sub-contractors/suppliers before actual implementation based on further assessment?Answer : No, this list will not be biding in case vendor will be selected.  Please do not mistake it with the Joint ventture partners, who will be a binding in case of award.  Question : With reference to Section IV: Schedule of Requirements, Section 4 and Phase 2, access to Suzak A site can be limited during winter and early spring months due to weather and road conditions.Depending on the eventual award date, will there be any consideration and flexibility regarding this potential challenge and the timeline regarding deliverable 2?Answer : ToR Provision: The ToR notes that site access is via unpaved dirt tracks accessible only by 4-wheel drive vehicles, and Phase 2 explicitly places the responsibility of soil sample collection, transport, and permit acquisition on the contractor. Under Phase 2, the contractor is responsible for planning and executing sampling and transport while adhering to site conditions. However, if severe weather or road conditions physically prevent safe site access or sample transport, timeline adjustments for Deliverable 2 (Initial Characterization, due at 4 months) can be considered on a case-by-case basis through formal communication with the client, provided the overall 16-month contract duration is maintained.Question :  3) With reference to the same section above, what is the minimum requested quantity of each duplicate sample to be left on site in the Kyrgyz Republic.Are these samples requested to be delivered to the client or a government body? Answer :  TOR  specifies that "all samples should be taken in duplicate, with one set remaining on-site, in an enclosed box, in the Kyrgyz Republic" and that "the actual volume of soil needed for the scenarios is up to the discretion of the contractor". The exact volume/quantity of each soil sample is left to the discretion of the contractor based on their specific testing design and scenario requirements. As specified in Phase 2, duplicate samples must remain on-site in the Kyrgyz Republic in an enclosed box; detailed handover instructions or storage arrangements with local/government authorities will be coordinated upon contract award.Question : With reference to Site Investigation Report Suzak A, we could not locate the geographical coordinates of the sampling points covered in the report and some appendices (i.e. 7-9) seem to be missing. Could these coordinates be provided? Answer : Some Images in the uploaded document were indeed not visible. Please reffer to the Cite investigation report uploaded again :  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11blLb-MCK8zTBaAM8IQVuNOBlW4Zny8c/view?usp=sharingQuestion   Having reviewed the recently provided Site investigation report Suzak A., we kindly ask you to provide the appendices referenced in the report. In particular, we would appreciate receiving  Appendix 3 entitled “Analytical Certificates” and Appendix 9, “Sampling Points”. Thank you again for your assistance.Answer : Some Images in the uploaded document were indeed not visible. Please reffer to the Cite investigation report uploaded again :  https://drive.google.com/file/d/11blLb-MCK8zTBaAM8IQVuNOBlW4Zny8c/view?usp=sharing

New clarification added: Question :In form E Proposal Submission Form, there is a reference to Section I: RFP Particulars, Period of Validity of Proposals. However, this section does not appear to be included in the package of documents provided. Could you please send us the missing Section I: RFP Particulars or advise where we can find it?Answer:Section I: RFP Particulars is not a standalone document; all required information is integrated into the tender portal under the "Particulars" tab. For your convenience, please note that the Period of Validity for proposals is 90 days, as stated in that section.Question :Could you please clarify what should be entered under Form E: Proposal Submission Form “[Insert the number and issuing date of each amendment].”? Should we indicate “N/A” ?Answer :Please do not indicate "N/A." Instead, please reference the single amendment that was issued for this tender. You may enter the following: "Amendment No. 1, issued on August 26, 2026 (09:55 UTC)."

New clarification added: Question :Could you please confirm whether the application deadline on the portal has been extended to September 1, 2026?Could you please confirm whether we may include a salary of USD 200 per month for a Project Administrator in the project budget? A Project Administrator is essential for the successful implementation of the project and will be responsible for administrative tasks, procurement, hiring, coordination, and other project-related activities.Could you please confirm whether overhead costs of 20% may be included in the project budget?Answer : 1.  The Application deadline has been extended to 02-09-2026 13:00 UTC 2. The bidder is free to add  include aministative staff costs to their proposal. It should be duly presented in the Form F: Financial Proposal Form3. The bidder is free to include overhread costs in their proposal at their discretion.  

New amendment added #1: The purpose of this amendment is to:Include the Site Investigation Report for Suzak A.Add Form I (Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel).Extend the tender submission deadline to accommodate these changes.

New clarification added: Question 1 : During our review of the project documentation, we were unable to locate Appendix 1 (Investigation Report) referenced in Section IV. We would kindly request that this document be made available to us or, alternatively, that we be advised where it can be accessed for review.Answer : Please find the report here, Kindly note that the report will be added to the tender in the comming amendment:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/13R_ZwGNc1gOTPECVJ9Mnc-7Cpr093qK2/view?usp=sharingQuestion 2: Evaluation Criteria and Proposal Forms Interpretation of "International" References:The requirement for "international contaminated-site references" aims to demonstrate experience with projects involving international standards (e.g., Stockholm/Basel Conventions) or cross-border/multi-jurisdictional environmental remediation. Projects conducted by an EU-based supplier within their country of origin (or other EU countries) can qualify as "international" if they demonstrably adhere to the international conventions listed (e.g., Stockholm or Basel). For non-EU projects, the project country does not strictly need to be a signatory to these conventions, provided the project’s methodology and standards align with the international technical frameworks specified in the RFP. Ecotoxicological Analyses:The Qualification criteria in Section III requires bidders to verify that all relevant analyses—including chemical, microbiological, and ecotoxicological—can be performed in ISO/IEC 17025-accredited facilities (either directly or via subcontracting). While Section IV (Schedule of Requirements) outlines the primary tasks, bidders must demonstrate the capability and accreditation to perform ecotoxicological analyses to ensure the lab is fully equipped for the comprehensive remediation support required, should these analyses be triggered by the study results. Form G (Local Applicability, Practicality & Replication Strategy):This section refers to the potential for future scale-up (i.e., pilot and/or full-scale remediation). Bidders should address how the proposed laboratory methodologies can be simplified, adapted, and replicated by local teams and national stakeholders in a future, post-testing operational phase.Question 3: In the previous RFI it was mentioned that access to the site should be requested from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision. In the RFP however, the competent authority seems to be updated as the State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF).We understand that SAEPF was reorganised in December 2021 and its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision.We would appreciate if you can clarify which authority is the counterpart for site access and export permitting?Answer 3  :  the State Agency for Environment Protection and Forestry (SAEPF) underwent reorganization. The correct counterpart for site access, export permitting, and all official government interaction regarding this project is the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision.

New clarification added: Question 2 : We would appreciate your clarification on the following points regarding RFP/2026/63998:Where can we find Form I: Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel?Could you please clarify what document should be submitted under Company Profile?Answer 2 : 1. Form I: Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel is attached hereby, it will also be added to attached documents list of this tender via Amendment by early next week. 2. Bidders should submit a brief corporate presentation or brochure (in PDF format). This document should summarize your company's general overview, core expertise, organizational structure,  experience, etc.Question 3 :  There are references made to Form I: Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel in the documents, however the template is missing in Section V: Returnable Bidding Forms. Could you upload it as well? Answer 3 : 1. Form I: Format for Resume of Proposed Key Personnel is attached hereby, it will also be added to attached documents list of this tender via Amendment by early next week.

New clarification added: Question 1 : Regarding RFP/2026/63998 – Laboratory Testing of Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Approaches for POPs-Contaminated Soils from Kyrgyzstan, could you please clarify whether the technical proposal (Техническое задание) should be submitted only in Russian or also in English, and whether any additional documents are required as part of the application as well as legal registration documents, etc., or if the technical proposal alone is sufficient?  Answer 1 : Dear Supplier. Thank you for your interest in the tender.Please note that all offers must be submitted in English. For your convenience, we have also provided a Russian translation of the technical proposal (Техническое задание). If you have any specific questions about the technical proposal, please feel free to reach out to us.Below is the checklist of documents to submit. You can also find this list under the "Checklist" tab during submission.Conserning Required documents. You cand find the list of all requirede documents while submitting the tender under "Checklist" tab. I am copying it here for your refference as well : Checklist of documents to be submitted by vendorsCertificate of Incorporation/ Business License(Other - Document is mandatory )Company Profile(Company profile - Document is optional )Copies of Contracts or Purchase Orders (POs) / Recommendation letters from clients to prove experience(Company profile - Document is optional )Documents to Address Sustainability Criteria : ISO 45001 OR Detail OHS/EHS or Health and Safety Policy.(Technical proposal - Document is optional )Form C: Offeror Information Form(Company profile - Document is mandatory )Form D: Joint Venture Partner Information Form(Technical proposal - Document is optional )Form E: Proposal Submission Form(Bid submission form - Document is optional )Form G: Technical Proposal Form(Technical proposal - Document is mandatory )Form J: Performance Statement Form(Technical proposal - Document is mandatory )Form L: Self Disclosure Form(Bid submission form - Document is mandatory )Resume of Proposed Key Personnel(Key personnel CVs - Document is mandatory )Financial envelope documentsForm F: Financial Proposal Form - TO BE SUBMITTED SEPARATELY. (Financial envelope documents - Document is mandatory )Best Regards, UNOPS Procurement Team.