Odiaha’s global tender for Covid vaccine gets good response

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has received good response from Covid vaccine manufacturers world over in response to its global tender.

The State chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, while briefing the media about the State cabinet decision held under the chairmanship of chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday, said that many Indian and international firms have participated in the pre-bid discussion. According to him, the government has decided to further relax the bidding documents on the basis of pre-bid dicussions. He said the revision of the terms and condition of the tender terms and conditions, more companies would be able to participate in the bidding.

The Cabinet on Friday approved the terms of global tender documents in respect of procurement of vaccines for Covid-19 pandemic.

The government of Odisha has announced vaccination policy initiative under which the population of within the age group of 18-44 years will be provided with the free vaccines at the cost of the State exchequer.

It has been decided to procure the vaccines from the open market through global tender by Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd,(OSMCL).

The global tender was floated on 14.05.2021. Pre-bid meeting was held on 19.05.2021.

Basing on the queries of bidders and to make the participation of bidders more flexible, amendments have been incorporated as suggested by the designated committee of OSMCL.

Keeping the overall view of vaccinating the targeted population within a period of 4 months and limited suppler of vaccines in the world market, the bid document has been prepared in a manner that it will send a positive signal to the sellers. Relaxation in EMD, Bid security and Liquidated Damage has been provided to attract the bidders.

To facilitate the participation of manufacturer of vaccines to be stored in supercool temperature, the storage condition has been revised up to (-)20 degrer Celsius subject to condition that the vaccines will remain stable and maintain its potency at 2 degree Celcius to 8 degrer Celsius for at least 12 hours.