BMC wants thermometers with a range of -30 degrees C to 500 degrees C
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Opposition says this is a cost-escalation ploy as thermometers of such a range is not required for humans.
TheBMC ’s recent tender floatation for much-needed infrared thermometers and pulse oximeters has come under criticism from opposition leaders and experts, with claims that the corporation is willing to pay vastly inflated prices for equipment that are too advanced and, in some cases, not available in the market.
The tender’s technical specifications state that the winning bidder will be required to supplynon-contact digital infrared temperature guns – or infrared thermometers – with a range of approximately -30 degree Celsius to 500 degree Celsius; and pulse oximeters with adjustable brightness and dual colour OLED display with six display modes.
The opposition parties say the advanced features are not required, and will only lead to cost escalations with very little to show for the extra expenditure. Opposition parties and experts also allege that the tender conditions are designed to favour certain select contractors and keep the competition out. The BMC wants to place orders for 100 thermometers and 800 pulse oximeters and expects to pay around Rs 6,500 and Rs 1,500, respectively, per piece. The critics, however, claim that these prices are 30% above the current market rates.
“I just don’t understand how the BMC drafts its tenders. The tender conditions are such that no one can supply important equipment. The market rate for these equipment is much less than what the BMC estimates,” said Ameet Satam, the BJP’s legislator from Andheri (West).
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Satam said he had discussed the issue with Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi. “Even the timings are suspect. The tenders were floated at 2 pm on April 22 and were closed 24 hours later. But the online system shows that tenders were being accepted till 4 pm. I will take up the issue with the Chief Minister [Uddhav Thackeray] if they don’t scrap the tenders,” he said.
Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu said he would look into the matter. “Sometimes the costs are high because of supply shortages. But tender conditions should be such that there can be more participation from contractors,” he said.
“I will look into the matter on Monday and we will ensure that tender conditions are relaxed and they are not restrictive.”
TheCovid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in demand for infrared thermometers and oximeters around the world. An infrared thermometer detects temperature from a portion of the thermal radiation emitted by the object being measured. This thermometer, also called laser thermometer, does not need to physically touch but only scan the surface of the object whose temperature is being measured. It takes less than a second to read and report the temperature.
A pulse oximeter is a small, lightweight device used to monitor the amount of oxygen carried in the body. This noninvasive tool attaches painlessly to the fingertip, sending two wavelengths of light through the finger to measure the pulse rate and how much oxygen is in the system. Once the oximeter finishes its assessment, its screen displays the percentage of oxygen in the blood coming from the heart — as well as the current pulse rate.
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The
The tender’s technical specifications state that the winning bidder will be required to supply
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The opposition parties say the advanced features are not required, and will only lead to cost escalations with very little to show for the extra expenditure. Opposition parties and experts also allege that the tender conditions are designed to favour certain select contractors and keep the competition out. The BMC wants to place orders for 100 thermometers and 800 pulse oximeters and expects to pay around Rs 6,500 and Rs 1,500, respectively, per piece. The critics, however, claim that these prices are 30% above the current market rates.
“I just don’t understand how the BMC drafts its tenders. The tender conditions are such that no one can supply important equipment. The market rate for these equipment is much less than what the BMC estimates,” said Ameet Satam, the BJP’s legislator from Andheri (West).
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in demand for infrared thermometers and oximeters around the world.
Satam said he had discussed the issue with Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi. “Even the timings are suspect. The tenders were floated at 2 pm on April 22 and were closed 24 hours later. But the online system shows that tenders were being accepted till 4 pm. I will take up the issue with the Chief Minister [Uddhav Thackeray] if they don’t scrap the tenders,” he said.
Additional Municipal Commissioner P Velrasu said he would look into the matter. “Sometimes the costs are high because of supply shortages. But tender conditions should be such that there can be more participation from contractors,” he said.
“I will look into the matter on Monday and we will ensure that tender conditions are relaxed and they are not restrictive.”
The
A pulse oximeter is a small, lightweight device used to monitor the amount of oxygen carried in the body. This noninvasive tool attaches painlessly to the fingertip, sending two wavelengths of light through the finger to measure the pulse rate and how much oxygen is in the system. Once the oximeter finishes its assessment, its screen displays the percentage of oxygen in the blood coming from the heart — as well as the current pulse rate.
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