KEMSA: Supply of ARVS Adult Medicines I (GF ATM HIV GC…

What is being bought

Supply of ARVS adult HIV medicines (pharmaceuticals) to Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) under a single-lot open international tender, delivered DAP to KEMSA Warehouse, Nairobi. Quantities are in the Schedule of Requirements, which was not provided.

What could disqualify you

Late bids, portions of bids or electronic bids will NOT be accepted for evaluation under any circumstances. D2 p.4
Failure to comply with any mandatory preliminary examination requirement leads to disqualification. D2 p.38
A sample that is not consistent with the required technical specifications (for reasons other than the labelling requirements) means the offer for that item is rejected. D2 p.29
Non-responsive tenders: a major arithmetical deviation (miscalculated unit price, quantity, subtotal or total) leads to disqualification. Standard rule D2 p.22
Tenderers found engaged in collusive conduct are disqualified. Standard rule D2 p.7

Key facts

Closing: Tue 27 Oct 2026, 10:00 am
Tender closes on 27 October 2026 at 10:00 (10.00 a.m. local time). No addenda reviewed changed this. D2 p.30
Bid / tender security: Original bid security of USD 300,000.00 or KES 39,000,000.00 (or equivalent freely convertible currency), valid 240 days from tender opening. Electronic tender securities are acceptable, authenticated by QR scanner. Mandatory. D2 p.39
Tender fee: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated P
Site visit: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated P
Pre-bid meeting: Optional
Pre-bid conference at KEMSA's Tender Opening Hall, Embakasi, Nairobi, on 13 October 2026 at 10:00am. Attendance is not stated as compulsory. D2 p.5
Reserved for: Not reserved. The Tender Data Sheet does not reserve this tender to any group; open to all interested tenderers under international competitive tendering. D2 p.22
Contract value: Not stated in the documents we reviewed Not stated P
Tender opening: Tenders opened in public immediately after the deadline, at KEMSA's Tender Opening Hall, Embakasi, Nairobi. D2 p.5
Tender validity: Tender validity is 210 days from the tender closing date. D2 p.31

Who can apply

Open tender; the Tender Data Sheet states the tender is a single lot and joint ventures are allowed with a maximum of 3 members. The Schedule of Requirements, which may set further eligibility, was not reviewed. D2 p.30
Goods must be registered with the Pharmacy & Poisons Board in Kenya. D2 p.30
Reservation: the tender is open to international competitive tendering and is not reserved to any specific group (SME, women, youth, persons with disability). Standard rule D2 p.22

Application checklist

Tick items off as you prepare. Your ticks stay on this device only.

Required from every bidder

Required only in some situations

Valid and current Tax Compliance Certificate (mandatory for local bidders). D2 p.39
Manufacturer's Authorization on manufacturer's letterhead, addressed to KEMSA, tender and item specific, signed by an authorised signatory (for bidders who are not manufacturers). D2 p.38
Current wholesale dealer's licence with QR codes from Pharmacy and Poisons Board (applicable to local bidders). D2 p.40
Current superintendent pharmacist practising licence with QR codes from Pharmacy and Poisons Board (applicable to local bidders). D2 p.40
Power of Attorney confirming authority to sign on behalf of the tenderer. D2 p.30

Experience, licences and financial capacity

Technical

Products must be WHO prequalified and/or authorised by a Stringent Regulatory Authority per the Global Fund Quality Assurance Policy. D2 p.29
Product evaluation of the sample is Yes/No on physical properties, packaging and labelling against the technical specifications in the tender. D2 p.39
Past experience: at least 3 similar supply contracts completed within the last three years (comparable products). D2 p.37
Post-qualification: maximum 3 supply contracts for health products within past 3 years equivalent to the contract sum; one contract at least 60% of the tender sum. D2 p.39
Annual production capacity statement from manufacturer, at least three times the quantities specified under the contract. D2 p.41

Financial

Average annual turnover in the last three years equal to the tender sum, with certified financial statements for the past three years. D2 p.41
Tender prices quoted in Kenya Shillings for evaluation; prices shall not be subject to adjustment and are quoted to a maximum of two decimal points. D2 p.30

How and where to submit

Physical hard-copy bid only, deposited in Tender Box No.2 marked Global Fund at the reception on the Ground floor of KEMSA National Supply Chain Centre, Embakasi Off Airport North Road, Nairobi. Electronic submission is not allowed. D2 p.5
Addressed to The Chief Executive Officer, KEMSA, National Supply Chain Centre, P.O. Box 47715-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. D2 p.30
Number of copies: original plus 1 (one) copy. D2 p.31
Tender opening is public, at KEMSA's Tender Opening Hall, Ground Floor, National Supply Chain Centre, Embakasi Off Airport North Road, Nairobi, immediately after the deadline. D2 p.5

Lots and categories

Lot 1: Single lot: the ITT comprises 1 item/lot (contract). D2 p.30

What the addenda changed

No addenda were provided for review. Not stated P

Points to confirm with the procuring entity

The documents do not agree with each other on these points. Ask the procuring entity for a written clarification before you submit.

Bid security validity: The cover notice says bid security validity is 240 days from tender closing date, while the evaluation criteria say 240 days from date of tender opening. The bidder should confirm which base date applies. (D2 p.5 (notice note) vs D2 p.39 (Preliminary Examination item 5))
Pre-bid conference attendance: The notice calls it a pre-bid conference but does not say whether attendance is compulsory; no mandatory site visit or pre-bid requirement is confirmed. (D2 p.5)

Not covered in the documents we reviewed

Schedule of Requirements (quantities, product list, specifications, delivery dates) - Section V
Tender sum / estimated contract value
Addenda (A1, A2...) if any, and any changes to dates
Section VI/VIII Special Conditions and contract forms, payment terms
Bid security forms (Form of Tender Security, Tender-Securing Declaration) and their detailed wording
Whether pre-bid conference attendance is compulsory
Eligibility details in Confidential Business Questionnaire and tender fee information, if any

Terms explained

TDS: Tender Data Sheet: tender-specific values that override the standard Instructions to Tenderers.
ITT: Instructions to Tenderers, the standard procedural rules.
Tender security (bid security): Money or guarantee lodged with the bid to show good faith; forfeited if the bidder withdraws or refuses award.
Responsive: Tender that meets all mandatory requirements; non-responsive tenders are rejected.
DAP: Delivered at Place (Incoterms 2020): seller delivers to named place, buyer unloads and handles import clearance as per terms.
WHO prequalification / WLA: World Health Organization prequalification or listing by a WHO-listed authority confirming medicine quality.
JV: Joint venture: several firms bidding together.
Power of Attorney: Written authority allowing a person to sign for the company.
GMP: Good Manufacturing Practice certificate for the production facility.

KEMSA: Supply of ARVS Adult Medicines I (GF ATM HIV GC7/OIT 02/2026-2027), open tender, closes 27 Oct 2026