BMC rejects nine vaccine supply bids; in talks with Dr Reddy's for Sputnik V

All nine proposals received for the supply of Covid-19 vaccines for Mumbai have been rejected for lack of necessary documents, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Friday.

The civic body is now in talks with Dr Reddy's Laboratories, the distributor of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, and the firm has agreed to supply some doses on an experimental basis before June-end, it said in a statement.

On May 12, the civic body had invited global `Expression of Interest' for supplying one crore vaccine doses.

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The deadline was extended twice, on May 18 and May 25, before 10 suppliers submitted proposals. But one of them withdrew from the race before the deadline of June 1, 2021.

After a scrutiny of documents, the civic body disqualified other nine potential suppliers.

"None of the suppliers could qualify due to lack of complete documents," the BMC said.

"It is important to examine the business relationship between suppliers who are willing to supply vaccines and companies that actually produce vaccines," it added.

The scrutiny focused on four points -- assurance about timely supply, the period needed to deliver doses, the quantity, and terms and conditions about rates and payment.

Civic officials held a meeting with Dr Reddy's Laboratories, and the pharma major agreed to supply some doses of Sputnik V on an experimental basis before month-end, it said.

"Criteria for cold storage of Sputnik vaccine are different. Therefore, after receiving this stock, its cold storage (needs) will be tested," the statement said.

The next round of talks with the company is expected to be held in 8-10 days, it said.