ITB Short Form Construction Contract for the Installation Works for the mini-grid network distribution infrastructure (low and medium voltage) in Sierra Leone

New clarification added: Q17. The Rotifunk map still does not have the quantities for poles, etc listed in the table on pg4 of the map file.A18. The quantities for the site layout for 82 – Rotifunk are:Quantities for the poles: 7.5m – light: 196 pieces 7.5m standard: 100 pieces9m: 37 pieces10.5m: 0 pieces​Quantities for others: Earthing: 67 sets Staywire: 33 sets

New clarification added: Q16 - It seems that the Preliminary grid layout map for Alikalia for Lot #3 is not added to the document while  Preliminary grid layout map for Rotifunk for lot #4 map is missing some information such as pole, stay and earthing quantities.A16. The Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout map for Alikalia for Lot #3 and Rotifunk for lot #4 map have beed added to the document section of the eSourcing portal as follow:Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout map Lot_3_4_AlikaliaAnnex 6 - Preliminary grid layout map Lot_4_4_Rotifunk_82Kindly see Amendment 2 to the ITB for the details. 

New amendment added #2: Amendment #2The purpose of this amendment is to add the following document to the Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout mapAnnex 6 - Preliminary grid layout map Lot_3_4_AlikaliaAnnex 6 - Preliminary grid layout map Lot_4_4_Rotifunk_82All other terms and conditions of the ITB remain the same.

New clarification added: 10.a. Kindly provide clarification related to the payment currency and rate as payment currency appears to be in SLL?A4.a). Please note the bid price will be in USD and contract will be made in USD but UNOPS reserve the right to make payment in local currency according to Government law using the prevailing UN Operational rates of exchange (UNORE), which can be accessed at: https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.php. Kindly see Amendment 1 to the ITB for details.Q10.b).If in SLL explain the exchange rate as Treasury rate is not clear. As an example the Bank Of Sierra Leone website lists three rates, buy, sell and midrate.A10.b). UNOPS will use the prevailing UN Operational rates of exchange (UNORE), which can be accessed at: https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.php.  Kindly see amendment 1 of the ITB for details.Q10.c).Will the exchange be based on the day of invoice or payment? A10.c). The rate at the time of invoice will be used.Q11. Are there preliminary grid layout maps available for the sites?  As this will help in the preparation of the tender. A11. The preliminary grid layout maps is added as Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout maps_Lot #1 and included in the Documents section of the UNOPS eSourcing Portal. Kindly see Amendment 1 of the ITB for details.Q12. The delay damages rate of $6 per was it in error or that is the correct rate?A12. The delay damages rate of $6 per was it in error. The correct delay damages for Whole or partial of the Works is USD1,500 per day. Kindly see amendment 1 for details

New amendment added #1: Amendment 1The purpose of the amendment is to:A.      Amend the noticed Deadline to: 24 September 2019 at 12:00 UTC and Deadline for clarifications to 19 September at 12:00 UTCB.      Add Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout maps_Lot #1 and Clarification Questions and Answers_ITB_2019_11443, which are included in the Documents section of the UNOPS eSourcing PortalC. To amend e-Sourcing Particular under Additional information to partly read “using the prevailing UN Operational rates of exchange (UNORE), which can be accessed at: https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.php D.      To amend the following section of the eSourcing Criteria under Qualification and Technical: a. Revised the qualification criteria, “Returnable Bid Schedule 7.1 -Experience: Bidder should Successfully complete at least three (3) of the same works as a prime or sub-contractor during the last three [3] years within the West Africa Region or similar context with at least one of the three (3) works worth a minimum of USD150,000”. b. To revised and move the following criteria from qualification to technical:  i.  “Returnable Bid Schedule  7.2 The minimum annual turnover" ii. “Returnable Bid Schedule 7.3 - The minimum amount of cash at Bank ”E. The following sections of the ITB Section II Returnable Bids Forms_Short_Form under  Returnable Bid Schedule 7 - Capacities, Experience, Work in Hand and Work Completed are amended:a. “1. The bidder should successfully completed at least three (3) of the same works as a prime or sub-contractor during the last three [3] years within the West Africa Region or similar context with at least one of the three (3) works worth a minimum of USD150,000”. b. “2. The minimum annual turnover of the company in any of the 1 year within the last 3 years shall be at least USD250,000”. c.  “3. The minimum amount of cash at Bank of not less than USD50,000.00 with additional credit facilities net of USD100,000 other contractual commitments”. d. “4. Key assets that the bidder shall demonstrate adequate ownership of, or access to list is revised and attached to the Amendment 1_ ITB Section II Returnable Bids Forms_Short_Form  under Returnable Bid Schedule 7 .4”. F. The following sections of ITB Section III Short_Form_Construction_Contract under are Amended to read: a.  SCHEDULE 1 - SCHEDULE OF DETAILS i.  Delay Damages for failure to complete the Works within the Times for Completion (Sub-Clause 7.4) revised from “Whole or partial of the Works USD6 per day” to “Whole or partial of the Works USD1,500 per day”. ii. Currencies of payment (Sub-Clause 11.8) – Payments will be made in USD (The contract is in USD, UNOPS will use the prevailing UN Operational rates of exchange (UNORE) (which can be accessed at: https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.phpto)  pay the contractors in local currency, if need be) b.  SCHEDULE 5 - SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTi. Monthly Progress Payments on the 25 of each month (or as otherwise agreed by the Parties) the Contractor must submit an invoice to the Employer’s Representative.” The contract is in USD, UNOPS will use the prevailing UN Operational rates of exchange (UNORE) (which can be accessed at: https://treasury.un.org/operationalrates/OperationalRates.php ) to pay the contractors in local currency, following Government Sierra Leone DirectiveG. The Annex 3 BoQ is revised to remove sheet for all lotsThe following document:·       ITB Section III Short_Form_Construction_Contract·       ITB Section II Returnable Bids Forms_Short_Form.       Annex 3 BoQ lot#2Are amended to read as following and included in the Documents section of the UNOPS eSourcing Portal:· Amendment 1_ITB Section III Short_Form_Construction_Contract· Amendment 1_ ITB Section II Returnable Bids Forms_Short_Form​. Amendment 1_Annex 3 BoQ lot#2

New clarification added: Q15. Each document has two worksheets, a summary of all four lots as the first worksheet and then a second worksheet with only that specific lot with different items and quantitiesA15. The bidders are to use the Annex 3 BOQ for specfic lots. The document is Amended to read "Amendment 1_Annex 3 BoQ" Kindly see Amendment 1 to the ITB for further details. 

New clarification added:  Q14a. The total project completion time allocated of 6 months is too short to complete the project, could you revisit the timeline.A14a. As at now there is no plan to change the project timeline. Bidders are required to submit bids according to the ITB requirement.Q14b. In the Annex 1 - SOW, Section 4. Scope of Works, 4.1 Overview - it is stated: "All poles, ABC cables and associated materials related to this project have been procured separately and will be provided to the Contractor." Does this also include all concrete making materials like Cement, Agreegate, Sand, Water, Reinforcement? Please clarify.A14b. Material already procured and to be delivered to the sites are the poles, ABC power lines and accessories to the power lines. All other material are the responsibility of the bidder and should be considered as such. Bidders are encourage to review all the document submitted under the document section of the tender.

New clarification added: Q13a. Are there prliminary grid layout maps available for the sites?A13a.The preliminary grid layout maps is added as Annex 6 - Preliminary grid layout maps_Lot #1 and included in the Documents section of the UNOPS eSourcing Portal. Kindly see Amendment 1 of the ITB for detailsQ13b. Will the site testing require UNOPS engineers to be present OR can this be done indepdendantly by the Contractor?A12b. The Contractor shall do the testing independently and submit details reports. Kindly refer to the SoW section 5.12 - test and inspectionQ13c. Will the testing be done immediately after that site has been completed OR at the end of the entire lot works? A13c. Each sites will be tested once fully completed with no other pending worksQ13d. There was no cost line item for this activity, should the bidder incorporate these costs elsewhere?A13d. Please refer to item 1.1 of the BoQ which includes tests and measurements 

New clarification added: Q5. Please clarify the turnover requirements. Is the requirement a minimum of USD500,000 in any one of the last three years or an average of 500k over the last three yearsA5. As stated under the Returnable Bid Schedule 7 –“7.2 The minimum average annual turnover of the company in any 1 year within the last 3 years shall be at least USD500,000” The company should have at least average turnover of USD500,000 in a year, in any of the last 3 Q6. How many UNOPS on site/electrical engineers will be assigned to each lot?A6. UNOPS have sufficient team to undertake all the planned Works execution across the project and ensure delivery of the expected quality products is met. Therefore Contractors are required to provide detailed Work Plan according to the requirement under SCHEDULE 4 - Bidder Preliminary Programmes and Outline Statement of Proposed MethodsQ7. What are the weights of each of the four pole types (in kg)?A7. The weights are:7.5m long light pole - 69kg7.5m long standard pole - 72kg 9m long pole - 109kg10.5m long pole - 165kgQ8. Can you provide clarification on the amount of additional credit facility that is required considering the Bank finance challengrs in Sierra Leone, can the comfort letter be from any verifiable lending source?A8. As stated under the Returnable Bid Schedule 7 “7.3 The minimum amount of cash at Bank of not less than the amount USD150,000.00 with additional credit facilities net of other contractual commitments” Bidders are required to confirm availability of cash at bank with certified supporting document such the company's bank balance, a Comfort Letter from a reputable Bank.Q9. Please confirm the delay damages is $6/day.A9. Yes, the delay damages for Whole or partial of the Works is USD6 per day​ as stated in the ITB Section III Short Form Contract, schedule 1, Delay Damages for failure to complete the Works within the Times for Completion (Sub-Clause 7.4), 

New clarification added: Q3. Will there be a site visit for this process?A3. Yes, there will be non-mandatory site visit but bidders are highly recommended to attend the site visit as stated under particulars of the UNOPS esourcing portal. The site visit  will happen between 4 September 2019 to 6 September.Below are the schedules for the site visit per lot:​Lot # 4 – Kambia, Moyamba and Port Loko Districts Installation Works​​Date and Time: 4 September 2019; Time: 9:00am to 11:00am (Sierra Leone Time)Site number and name: #64 - MasiakaChiefdom: KoyaCordinates: 8.4921 / -12.74990556 Lot # 2 -  Bo, Bonthe,  Pujehun and Kenema Districts Installation Works​Date and Time: 4 September 2019; Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm (Sierra Leone Time)Site number and name: #52 -TikonkoChiefdom: TikonkoCordinates:7.878263888 /11.78147222 Lot # 1 -  Kailahun District Installation WorksDate and Time: 5 September 2019; Time: 11am to 1pm (Sierra Leone Time)Site UNOPS REF # and name: #93 - DaruChiefdom: JawieCordinates: 7.990525/-10.84402222 Lot # 3 – Bombali, Koinadugu and Tonkolili Districts Installation Works​ Date and Time: 6 September 2019; Time: 9:00am to 11pm (Sierra Leone Time)Site number and name: #149 - BenduguChiefdom: MongoCordinates: 9.532058333 / -10.95991111Bidders should send an email to confirm participation in the site visit at least 24 hrs before the site visit and provide details of bidder's representatives to attend the site visit  to this email id: kingsleym@unops.org.Also please note there will be clarification meeting on Tuesday 10 September, 2019 at 10:00 (GMT) at UNOPS-Freetown Office located at 58 Sir Samuel Lewis Road, Aberdeen, Freetown. Opposite Seacoach terminal on the Aberdeen Road. See further instruction under the eSourcing portal under particulars.

New clarification added: Q2. Does the invitation to bid includes sypply of network infrastructure (poles and cables)?A2. NO, the ITB is Installation Works for the mini-grid network distribution infractructure (poles, cables and accesoroes) as further described in the document titled Section III: UNOPS Short Form  Construction Contract, included in the Documents section. The materials will be provided by UNOPS.

New clarification added: Q1.Is it possible to consider wood poles instead of steel poles?A1. No, alternative offers are not acceptable. Is it possible to consider wood poles instead of steel poles?