Invitation to tender

Date of publication Simap: 01.05.2019

1. Contracting authority

1.1 Official name and address of the contracting authority

Contracting authority/Authority of assignment: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office
Procurement authority/Organizer: Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office, Schwarzenburgstrasse 155,  3003  Bern,  Switzerland,  E-mail:  beschaffung.wto@bbl.admin.ch

1.2 Offers should be sent to the following address

Federal Office for Buildings and Logistics FOBL
Public Tender Service,  attn Project (19048) 341 Research project on Legionella control in buildings, Fellerstrasse 21,  3003  Bern,  Switzerland,  Fax:  +41 58 463 26 98,  E-mail:  beschaffung.wto@bbl.admin.ch

1.3 Desired deadline for questions in written form

15.05.2019

Remarks: Any questions concerning this call for tenders can be submitted anonymously on the questions forum at www.simap.ch.
Any questions submitted after this deadline cannot be answered.
Tenderers will be notified by e-mail as soon as the answers have been posted on www.simap.ch.

1.4 Deadline for submitting offers

Date: 01.07.2019 Time of day: 23:59, Specific deadlines and formal requirements:  Comment on the submission of tenders: place of submission see 1.2 above.
a)
If handed over to the FOBL goods acceptance unit (by the tenderer or a courier): the tender must be submitted no later than the above-mentioned submission date during the goods acceptance unit's opening hours (08:00-12:00 and 13:00-16:00) in return for issue of a confirmation of receipt from the FOBL.
b)
When submitting by post: the date used to determine the timeliness of submission is the postmark date or barcode issued by a Swiss post office or a state-recognised postal operator in another country (private or corporate postmarks are not accepted as official postmarks).
c)
When submitting the tender to a Swiss diplomatic or consular mission abroad:
tenderers based in another country may submit their tender, by the above deadline and during the opening hours, to a Swiss diplomatic or consular mission in their own country in return for issue of a confirmation receipt. The tenderer must then fax this confirmation of receipt to the procuring entity by the submission deadline (fax number in section 1.2 above).
In all cases, the tenderer must ensure that it receives proof that the tender was submitted on time.
Any tenders submitted after the deadline will not be considered and will be returned to the tenderer.

1.5 Date of the opening of bids:

08.07.2019, Remarks:  The opening of the bids and the opening protocol are not public.

1.6 Type of contracting authority

Confederation (Central federal administration)

1.7 Type of procedure

Open procedure

1.8 Type of order

Order for services

1.9 Scope of international treaties

Yes

2. Objects of procurement

2.1 Service category CPC:

[8] Research and development

2.2 Project title of the acquisition

(19048) 341 Research project on Legionella control in buildings

2.3 Reference / project no.

(19048) 341

2.4 Division into lots?

No

2.5 Common Procurement Vocabulary

CPV:	71600000 - Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services,
	71610000 - Composition and purity testing and analysis services,
	71620000 - Analysis services,
	71621000 - Technical analysis or consultancy services,
	73000000 - Research and development services and related consultancy services,
	73100000 - Research and experimental development services,
	73110000 - Research services,
	73111000 - Research laboratory services,
	73120000 - Experimental development services,
	73430000 - Test and evaluation

2.6 Subject and scope of the contract

The final product will consist of a report in which the above aspects will be taken into account.
1. Determination of the minimum concentration of Legionella in the buildings responsible for Legionnaires' disease
2. A suggested analytical method for the rapid detection of Legionella
3. A suggested use of the NGS methods for identifying the causes of contamination
4. Specification of the minimum conditions to be observed in a building to guarantee the absence of Legionella
5. Identification of the microorganisms capable of inhibiting the growth of Legionella
6. Procedure for validating the means of disinfection for controlling the growth of Legionella
This report may be published and will serve as a basis for evaluating and managing the risk by the FSVO in connection with its legislative powers.

2.7 Location where service is to be delivered

Bern

2.8 Duration of the contract, framework agreement or dynamic purchasing system

48 months after contract was signed

This contract is subject to renewal: No

2.9 Options

No

2.10 Award criteria

AC 1 Price  Weighting 250 points 
AC 2 Publications  Weighting 100 points 
AC 3 Project management experience  Weighting 100 points 
AC 4 Quality of the concept for implementing the mandate  Weighting 550 points 
Comments:  The detailed award criteria can be found in appendices 1 and 2 to the tender documentation.

2.11 Will variants be accepted?

No

2.12 Are partial offers permitted?

No

2.13 Implementation date

Remarks: Start: 01.01.2020, end: no later than 31.12.2023

3. Conditions

3.1 General conditions of participation

none

3.2 Deposits/guarantees

none

3.3 Conditions of payment

Within 30 days of receipt of the invoice, net in CHF, plus VAT, provided that the invoice is correctly submitted via e-billing.
Federal Administration information on e-billing can be found on the following website: http://www.e-rechnung.admin.ch/e/index.php

3.4 Costs to be included

All prices are to be stated in Swiss francs (CHF), net of VAT. The price net of VAT includes insurance, expenses, social security contributions, etc.

3.5 Consortium of bidders

Permitted. If the tenderer is taking part in the procedure as a consortium, a company that will assume leadership (substitution, coordination) must be designated. The tenderer must list all participants, together with their assigned roles.

3.6 Subcontractor

Subcontracting is permitted. If the tenderer employs subcontractors for contract performance, the tender will assume overall responsible for the project. The tenderer must list all subcontractors involved, together with their assigned roles.

3.7 Eligibility criteria

based on the criteria given below:
All companies with sufficient economic capacity that can prove their suitability or meet the suitability criteria as set out in section 3.8 are invited to submit their tenders in CHF.

3.8 Evidence required

based on the evidence given below:
The following proof of suitability must be confirmed or enclosed and met in full and without any reservation or modification along with the tender itself; otherwise, the tender will not be considered.

EC01 Economic/financial resources
The tenderer possesses the economic/financial resources required to carry out the mandate.
Supporting documents:
Extract from the debt enforcement register no older than three months when this is requested by the contracting authority. For foreign tenderers, recently prepared equivalent official foreign document.
N.B.: the contracting authority verifies the extracts from the Central Business Names Index (www.zefix.ch) in electronic form.
For foreign tenderers, extract from the commercial register or equivalent official foreign document.
These supporting documents only need to be supplied if requested, after the tender has been submitted and before the contract is awarded.

EC02 a) Compliance with the procedural principles
The tenderer declares that the tenderer and its subcontractors will comply with the principles mentioned in the Federal Procurement Conference (FPC) "Tenderer's declaration" form.
b) Additional supporting documents concerning compliance with the principle of equal pay for men and women
Tenderers that employ more than 50 people must prove compliance with the principle of equal pay for men and women not just by signing the "Tenderer's declaration" form, but also by proving that their pay practices have been verified.
Supporting documents:
a) Inclusion of a legally valid signature on the FPC "Tenderer's declaration" form (Appendix no. 3).
All tenderers must submit this proof (a) with the tender.
b) Proof that the compliance with the principle of equal pay for men and women has been verified by one of the following means:
- Equal pay self-test tool: Logib
(https://www.ebg.admin.ch/ebg/en/home/services/equal-pay-self-test-tool--logib.html ). The "Fazit (rtp_fazit)" results sheet, duly signed, must be submitted;
or
- checks by a state agency. The confirmation or certificate proving the check must be supplied;
or
- analyses of equal pay compliance by third parties, provided that the Confederation's standard analysis model (https://www.ebg.admin.ch/ebg/en/home/topics/work/equal-pay/government-controls-in-public-procurement.html) is used.
The FOGE keeps a list of companies and organisations offering employers an independent and unbiased equal pay analysis with the Confederation's standard model (https://www.ebg.admin.ch/ebg/en/home/topics/work/equal-pay/equal-pay-reviews/third-party-analysis.html).
The document or certificate proving the analysis must be supplied.
This proof (b) only needs to be supplied on request, within 10 calendar days of the request, after the tender has been submitted and before the contract is awarded.

EC03 Experience in project management
The tenderer (or subcontractors) has sufficient experience in the implementation of projects comparable with this mandate in terms of the scope and complexity of the services. A comparable project is understood to refer to participation in a project addressing the subject of Legionnaires' disease.
It confirms this experience by supplying 1 reference/s relating to a project implemented during the past 5 years. References relating to projects implemented for the Confederation are accepted only if the specified contact persons agree in writing to supply information about these projects.
Supporting documents:
It confirms this capability by providing proof (reference to projects implemented by itself or its subcontractors). The contracting authority reserves the right to contact the person(s) named. This (these) person(s) or its (their) deputy(deputies) must be contactable. The holiday periods of the contact person(s) must be stated.

EC04 Experience in the analysis of Legionella in water
The tenderer (or its subcontractors) has sufficient experience in the field of water analysis.
Supporting documents:
It confirms this capability by supplying proof (reference to projects or/and certification and/or accreditation) that it (or its subcontractors) has expertise in at least two different methods for analysing Legionella in water and the NGS technique.

EC05 Experience in the development of analytical methods
The tenderer (or its subcontractors) has sufficient experience in the development of analytical methods.
Supporting documents:
Reference to at least one project, certification or accreditation confirming this experience.

EC06 Human resources
The tenderer has the personnel needed to provide the services described in the specifications.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation accompanied by clear details concerning the personnel made available to carry out the mandate.

EC07 Single point of contact
The tenderer shall make available a single point of contact responsible for dealing with problems connected with the mandate and authorised to take decisions.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation mentioning the surnames, first names, contact details and functions of the single point of contact and his/her deputy.

EC08 Language skills of the key people
The tenderer undertakes to call on the services of key people who are capable of communicating (orally and in writing) in French, German or English and of preparing the required documents in French, German or English.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation accompanied by clear details concerning the language skills of the key people.

EC09 Personnel security screening
The tenderer guarantees that it will provide the contracting authority, when first requested, with the names of the individuals designated to provide the services and that, after the conclusion of the contract, these individuals will undergo security screening as specified in the Ordinance on Personnel Security Screening (PSSO; SR 120.4). For further information see the website www.aios.ch.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation.

EC10 Replacement of personnel made available
The tenderer undertakes to replace the personnel made available for the project if required for legitimate reasons.
The contracting authority will evaluate the services of the personnel made available by the tenderer. If these do not meet the requirements stated in the specifications and its appendices, the tenderer will have to explain this situation. The contracting authority will then decide whether it will have to require the tenderer to replace the people concerned with personnel that meet the requirements within two weeks.
During the execution of the mandate, other facts may emerge that constitute legitimate reasons for replacing personnel (unfavourable result of the personnel security screening, termination of the employment contract, prolonged holiday, accident, illness, etc.). In this case, the tenderer will be required to replace the employee concerned with a person possessing equivalent qualifications. The involvement in other projects of the tenderer is not considered to be a legitimate reason.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation.

EC11 Acceptance of the general terms and conditions of the Swiss Confederation
The tenderer accepts the Swiss Confederation's general terms and conditions (GTC):
GTC relating to research contracts, June 2010, as at December 2013
The aforementioned GTC apply to the contract that forms the subject of this call for tenders. Tenderers that make amendments (additions, adaptations) will be excluded from the procedure.
Supporting documents:
Written confirmation.

EC12 Understanding of the specifications Supporting documents:
The tenderer shall prepare a max. two-page (A4) document (max. 3000 characters) summarising its concept for carrying out the mandate. The summary should:
- demonstrate an understanding of the tasks to be performed;
- demonstrate an understanding of the problems posed;
- include its initial conclusions.

EC13 Infrastructure and equipment
The tenderer (or its subcontractors) possesses the infrastructure that enables it to simulate different experimental conditions.
Supporting documents:
Description of the infrastructure.

3.9 Conditions for obtaining the tendering documentation

Costs: none

3.10 Languages

Languages for offers: German, French, English

3.11 Validity of offers

180 days after deadline for receipt of offers

3.12 Supplying source of the tendering documentation

at www.simap.ch
Documents of the invitation to tender are available from: 01.05.2019
Languages of documents: German, French, English
Further information for obtaining the tendering documentation: Further information on obtaining the tender documentation: you can download the documents online from the electronic platform at www.simap.ch, section "Public procurements, Confederation tenders". To do so, you have to register in the project and can then download the desired documents using the login and password sent to you by email. A questions forum is also available.

4. Other information

4.1 Conditions for tenderers from Non-Member States of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement

none

4.2 Terms of business

Processing in accordance with the following Swiss Confederation's general terms and conditions (GTC) relating to research contracts, June 2010, as at December 2013.
Available at: https://www.beschaffung.admin.ch/bpl/fr/home/auftraege-bund/agb.html.

4.3 On-site visit

Negotiations are reserved. The requesting office will enter into price negotiations only if required by special circumstances, particularly if the requirements need to be clarified or specified or if the office considers that the price is unusual.

4.4 Essential requirements

The contracting authority awards public contracts for goods and services provided in Switzerland only to tenderers guaranteeing compliance with workplace health and safety regulations and employee working conditions, as well as equal pay for men and women.
If the place of performance is abroad, the tenderer must guarantee compliance with at least the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organization in accordance with Annex 2a of the PPO.
The Federal Procurement Conference (FPC) "Tenderer's declaration" form concerning compliance with minimum social requirements is to be signed and enclosed with the tender.

4.6 Additional information

Subject to the procurement maturity of the project for the purchase and the availability of the credits.

The contracting authority reserves the right to have the awarded services provided also to other offices requiring these services in the Federal Administration.

4.7 Official organ of publication

www.simap.ch

4.8 Procedures for appeal

Pursuant to Art. 30 of the Federal Act on Public Procurement, an appeal against this publication may be filed within 20 days since notification in writing in an official language of Switzerland to the Federal Administrative Court, Postfach, 9023 St.Gallen. The appeal petition must be submitted in duplicate and must contain the application, the grounds of appeal with details of the evidence and the signature of the appellant or his agent; a copy of the present publication and documents cited as evidence must be attached, provided they are in the appellant’s possession.