Vaccine through global tender: After Punjab and Delhi, it’s a no-show for Maharashtra too

BMC will scrutinise business relationship between potential suppliers and vaccine makers to ensure hassle-free delivery. Pic/Ashish Raje

Even as the state's efforts to procure vaccines through a global tender turns out to be a non-starter, the BMC has again extended its deadline to receive proposals by a week citing the need for proper documentation. BMC has got 8 proposals, including one each for Sputnik V and Sputnik Light. Amid a crippling vax shortage, state health minister has asked the Centre to sort out supply.

It doesn't look like the city is getting foreign vaccines anytime soon as the BMC has yet again extended the deadline for the Expression of Interest, issued two weeks back, by another week.

Civic chief Iqbal Singh Chahal said, "In response to BMC's Global Expression of Interest for procurement of 1 crore vaccine doses, I wish to inform that 8 bids have been received till date. One bid is for Pfizer/AstraZeneca and the remaining 7 bids are for Sputnik. The time period has been extended by one week to enable the various bidders to submit a complete set of documents in support of the bids as prescribed under MCGM's Global Expression of Interest. Any additional bid shall also be entertained."

Of proposals received by BMC, one is for supply of Sputnik Light.

Also Read: Mumbai: BMC extends global Expression of Interest for Covid-19 vaccines till June 1

The civic body had floated an expression of interest globally on May 12. Until May 18, it got proposals from 5 potential supplier proposals. However, it extended it to May 25 over paperwork. The BMC received three more proposals on Tuesday.

The corporation has decided to give the new potential suppliers some more time to meet its documentation requirement.

In the meanwhile, the BMC will be scrutinising the business relationship between those who have shown interest to supply the doses and the vaccine makers to ensure hassle-free delivery. The civic body is now gearing up for negotiations, said officials. It held a virtual meeting with a potential supplier on Monday and another four on Tuesday.

6
No. of proposals received by BMC for AstraZeneca vax

1 Crore
No. of doses BMC wants to buy