CLARIFICATIONS 1
 RELATED TO TENDER PROCEDURE (QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)

Programme	Interreg IPA CBC Romania – Serbia Programme	
Project title	Early Diagnosis – Living Well WithDementia	
Name of the Contracting Authority	Special hospital for psychiatric diseases “Dr. Slavoljub Bakalovic” Vrsac, Podvršanska 13, 26300 Vršac, Republic of Serbia	
Tender procedure	MRI device	
Reference No	RORS00013/SBPB Vrsac/TD3-2	
Datum, Mesto / Date, Place	20.06.2025, Vršac	

No	Question	Answer	
1	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specifications:

•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 40 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.7 ppm.
•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 30 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.18 ppm.
•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 20 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.07 ppm.

These requests are eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. Factory homogeneity of the MR system (requested here) is not relevant for the MR and imaging performance, because once patient is inside the bore, values requested in the technical specification are not valid anymore (magnet homogeneity is ruined). In such cases there are systems who can do advanced shimming of the magnetic field and adjust system homogeneity based on the current situation (with patient inside). In order to enable such producers to submit valid offer, and enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:

•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 40 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.75 ppm.
•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 30 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.25 ppm.
•	Guaranteed min. homogeneity of the magnetic field within the volume of a sphere with a diameter of 20 cm (according to the V-RMS method in min. 24 planes): max. 0.075 ppm.	The requested technical features of the homogeneity of the MR field are minimum defined requirements and are met by several models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices. The homogeneity of the MR field directly affects the quality of the obtained image as well as the possible appearance of artifacts in the image. Problems related to weaker MR field indicators are: shading, spatial distortion, blurring, intensity loss, curved slice profiles, various types of artifacts, etc. All manufacturers in their technical files define the factory indicators of the homogeneity of the MR field (without the patient inside the gantry) precisely for the reason of the comparability of MR devices, and these indicators are relevant because they precisely describe and provide a reference point of comparability between different models of MR systems from different manufacturers. With the technical specification, the contracting authority defined the minimum parameters of homogeneity that meet the request of the contracting authority for obtaining a quality image and an appropriate MR exam, taking care that requested indicators are met by various models of several leading manufacturers of MR devices. The contracting authority won’t change their request.	
2	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

•	Number of independent channels for RF reception: min. 128 or a system equipped with a fully digital RF reception path independent of the number of channels, i.e. with coils equipped with individual analog-to-digital converters (coil technology with optical output dStream, Breeze or "appropriate")

This request is eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. There is no single coil or combination of coils with 128 channels within one single field of view on the market. On the other side, the maximum number of coil channels you requested in technical specification is 40 (more then 3 times less then requested number of system channels). In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:

•	Number of independent channels (coil elements) that can be connected simultaneously: min. 64	The contracting authority defined their technical specification according to their own needs. The contracting authority has also requested Integrated coil technology that allows connecting coil elements from different coils in a single scan, so the request of the contracting authority defined by this point does not refer only to individual coils or solutions offered by a potential tenderer. Different manufacturers offer different solutions regarding the number of independent channels of the RF receiver, therefore the contracting authority accepted either "channel independent or even min. 128 independent channels. The higher number of channels affects the better and greater image quality-wise of the MR exam as well as the higher exam speed. Several different models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices meet the requested feature - the contracting authority won’t change their request.	
3	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

Additional MR compatibile table with max. table load min.227 kg, hight adjustable with coil connections
•	Table for parallel preparation of next patient for scan included in set.

Such defined request can be fulfilled by only one MR producer. The purpose of additional table is to prepare the patient outside the RF cabin. For that purpose, you need 2 tables which can be moved outside the RF cabin. Also, such configuration of the tables is not used in any facility/hospital in Serbia (University hospitals), even with the highest throughput. The reasonable use for 2 detachable tables could be for radiotheraphy purpose, which is not the case here, because required MR system is for diagnostic purpose. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to remove this request?	The contracting authority defined their technical specification according to their own needs. The demands of the workflow and the nature of the patients themselves are exactly what put the request before the contracting authority for obtaining an additional table with defined features. The contracting authority often has uncooperative and disabled patients whose preparation and positioning are performed outside the RF cabin. In both worldwide and Serbian institutions, this method of preparation exists, and it is extremely practical and useful in terms of diagnostics. All the leading manufacturers of MR devices have in their portfolio additional tables with better features than those requested. The contracting authority won’t change their request.	
4	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:
•	Image reconstruction speed in square matrix 256 x 256, min. 64,000 reconstructed images per second at 100% FOV.
This request is eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:
•	Image reconstruction speed in square matrix 256 x 256, min. 16,500 reconstructed images per second at 100% FOV.	The speed of reconstruction is a significant feature that directly affects the speed of obtaining an appropriate MR study. Due to the technological progress of computer technology, modern MR systems have a reconstruction speed that is significantly higher than requested. When defining the requested feature, the contracting authority took into account the different models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices and defined a limit that meets the requirements of the contracting authority for the optimal speed of obtaining an MR study. Several models of leading manufacturers of MR devices meet the requested feature. The contracting authority won’t change the requested feature.	
5	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

•	CLEAR or Quiet prescan normalize  or PURE or PilotScan or “appropriate”
This request is eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to remove this request?	The contracting authority accepts the request of the potential tenderer and deletes the following request from the technical specification: Clear or Quiet prescan normalize or PURE or PilotScan or "appropriate"	
6	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

•	MobiTrak  or "Peripheral Vascular Runoff" or "Whole-Body Dot Engine"

In this request are mentioned commercial names of the options from different producers. All requested options should enable same functionality. In order to do that and to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:

•	MobiTrak  or "Peripheral Vascular Runoff" or "Tim Planning Suite"	1)	The contracting authority accepts the request of the potential tenderer and amends their request so that it now reads:

MobiTrak or “Peripheral Vascular Runoff” or Whole-Body Dot Engine” or Team Planning Suite” or “appropriate”	
7	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:
•	Balanced FFE or non-contrast MRA or 3D TOF or "appropriate"

This request is unique for one producer. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to remove this request?	The contracting authority accepts the request of the potential tenderer and deletes the following request from the technical specification: Balanced FFE or non-contrast MRA or 3D TOF or "appropriate"	
8	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:
•	Coil/Solution for spinal imaging with min. 40 elements/channel. Coil/Solution shall be compatible with parallel acquisition techniques.

This request is eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:
•	Coil/Solution for spinal imaging with min. 24 elements/channel. Coil/Solution shall be compatible with parallel acquisition techniques.	The contracting authority defined their technical specification according to their own needs. Better image quality and higher exam speed is precisely achieved thanks to the higher number of elements/channels of the requested coil/solution. When defining the requested feature, the contracting authority took into account the various models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices and defined the optimal number of channels/elements that meets the requirements of the contracting authority for optimal quality and speed of obtaining an MR study. Several models of leading manufacturers of MR devices meet the requested feature. The contracting authority won’t change the requested feature.	
9	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

•	Coil/Solution for the examination of abdomen, chest, pelvis, heart and vascular imaging with min. 20 elements/channel. Coil/Solution shall be compatible with parallel acquisition techniques.
This request is eliminating for one of the leading MR producer. In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change this request to following:

•	Coil/Solution for the examination of abdomen, chest, pelvis, heart and vascular imaging with min. 12 elements/channel. Coil/Solution shall be compatible with parallel acquisition techniques.	The contracting authority defined their technical specification according to their own needs. Better image quality and higher exam speed is precisely achieved thanks to the higher number of elements/channels of the requested coil/solution. When defining the requested feature, the contracting authority took into account the various models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices and defined the optimal number of channels/elements that meets the requirements of the contracting authority for optimal quality and speed of obtaining an MR study. Several models of leading manufacturers of MR devices meet the requested feature. The contracting authority won’t change the requested feature.	
10	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKSTATIONS (min. 2 pcs.)  
•	Manufacturer-validated diagnostic station and server computer with appropriate anti-virus software and connection to diagnostic modalities (min. CT and MR) allowed of the same and other manufacturers. (total 6 pcs.)
•	Could you please clarify, do you request 2 pcs or 6 pcs of workstations?	This is a technical error that occurred during the preparation of the minimum technical specification. The contracting authority requested a total of 6 diagnostic workstations with simultaneously available requested tools and appropriate/requested hardware. In this regard, the contracting authority adjusts the technical specification and defines six diagnostic workstations instead of two.	
11	1.	In the Annex II+III: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS + TECHNICAL OFFER it is requested following specification:

AUTOMATIC MR INJECTOR
•	Min. dual head MR injector for the injection of contrast media and saline, compatible with up to 3T magnets
•	Delivery allowed of a test saline injection to check the patency of the patient's vein. Use allowed of syringes with min. volume 50 ml
•	Flow rate in the range of min. 0.5 to 10 ml per second
•	Drip injection or Keep the Vein Open injection allowed
•	The storage of min. 40 protocols allowed
A battery-free system, i.e. a system using AC (alternating voltage/current)

MR COMPATIBLE ANESTHESIA DEVICE
•	Anesthesia device for use in a magnetic field tested up to 1000 Gauss
•	It needs to be on a mobile stand, with individual brakes on each wheel
•	The device shall not have a hidden storage, such as drawers
•	Tidal volume - 20-1500 ml and more
•	Min. 60-minute battery operation allowed
MR COMPATIBLE PATIENT MONITOR
•	Patient monitor with remote control, for use in a magnetic field
•	Patient monitor for adults, pediatric and neonatal patients with color TFT touch-sensitive screen, min. size 10 in. For use in an MRI environment.
•	The device shall have a battery for use in a MR environment 
•	Vital parametars: Min. ECG, SPO2, NIBP, CO2
MR COMPATIBLE SINGLE CHANNEL INFUSION PUMP
•	Infusion pump, compatible with a magnetic resonance imaging device
•	Intended for use in a MRI environment patient transport 
•	For use in a 1.5T and 3T MRI environment 
•	Infusion pump shall have a built-in battery with a capacity of more than 12 hours
METAL DETECTOR
The device shall consist of a wall-mounted lever/rod, self-adhesive label with instructions for the floor and shall meet ACR recommendations for min. Zone 2 screening.

Such defined requests of additional equipment is eliminated for all leading MR accessories producers on the market and hence do not enable fair competition (e.g. MR injector is locked for one producer- distributor of that MR injector producer is the same distributor of one MR producer). In order to enable fair competition in this tender procedure, could you please consider to change all above mentioned text of this request to following:

o	AUTOMATIC MR INJECTOR
o	MR COMPATIBLE ANESTHESIA DEVICE
o	MR COMPATIBLE PATIENT MONITOR (Vital parametars: Min. ECG, SPO2, NIBP, CO2)
o	MR COMPATIBLE SINGLE CHANNEL INFUSION PUMP
o	METAL DETECTOR

The subject of this procurement is MRI device. Such defined request would enable fair competition and would not affect the requested purpose and functionality of the device.	The contracting authority does not accept the potential tenderer's request because the potential tenderer suggests that the requested functionalities of the additional equipment are completely removed, which puts the contracting authority at risk of receiving inadequate and inappropriate equipment that will make it impossible to obtain adequate MR exams. Regarding the MR injector, the contracting authority has carefully defined the minimum functionalities necessary for adequate work and operational use, requested features are met by several renowned manufacturers of MR injectors. Same is applied for other additional equipment.  The contracting authority won’t change their defined requests.	
12	Document c4b INSTRUCTIONS TO TENDERERS on page 2 of the section 2 Timetable states the following:
Deadline for submission of tenders    02.12.2025    12.00 Local time

Taking into account that other documents state that the tender submission deadline is July 2, 2025, please confirm the exact date and time of the deadline for tender documentation submission.	This is a technical error. The contracting authority will correct the document and certifies that the tender submission deadline is July 2, 2025. until 12.00 Local time	
13	By document  c4f_annexiitechspeciiitechoffer_en,  in document  Annex II+III : Technical specifications + Technical offer on page 12, you defined the following as an item
DIAGNOSTIC WORKSTATIONS (min. 2 pcs.) . Taking into account that the description of the requested item requires features and functionalities for a total of 6 diagnostic workstations, which is contradictory to the defined item, please confirm the total number of diagnostic workstations with simultaneously available requested tools that shall be offered in the subject procurement?
	This is a technical error that occurred during the preparation of the minimum technical specification. The contracting authority requested a total of 6 diagnostic workstations with simultaneously available requested tools and appropriate/requested hardware. In this regard, the contracting authority adjusts the technical specification and defines six diagnostic workstations instead of two.	
14	By document  c4f_annexiitechspeciiitechoffer_en, in document  Annex II+III : Technical specifications + Technical offer on page 4, you defined the following as the item Max. speed of longitudinal movement of the table top: min. 200 mm / s or more
Taking into account that all potential bidders have a speed of the patient table exceeding 275 mm/s, for easier and faster positioning of the patient, we suggest that you change the requested item so that it reads:  Max. speed of longitudinal movement of the table top: min. 275 mm / s or more	The contracting authority does not accept the proposal of the potential tenderer because the contracting authority does not want to restrict competition in the subject procedure. When defining the requested feature, the contracting authority took into account the various models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices and defined the requested feature against optimal values ​​that allow the contracting authority to perform MR procedures quickly and efficiently. The contracting authority won’t change the requested feature.	
15	By document  c4f_annexiitechspeciiitechoffer_en,  in document  Annex II+III : Technical specifications + Technical offer on page 5 and 6 you defined the following item: Image reconstruction speed in square matrix 256 x 256, min. 64,000 reconstructed images per second at 100% FOV. Taking into account that all modern systems have better versions of hardware solutions that enable faster reconstruction, which especially affects the speed of obtaining a complete study, please consider changing your request to: Image reconstruction speed in square matrix 256 x 256, min. 100,000 reconstructed images per second at 100% FOV.
Thank you in advance for your answers,	The speed of reconstruction is a significant feature that directly affects the speed of obtaining an appropriate MR study. When defining the requested feature, the contracting authority took into account the different models of the leading manufacturers of MR devices and defined a limit that meets the requirements of the contracting authority for the optimal speed of obtaining an MR study. Several models of leading manufacturers of MR devices meet the requested feature. The contracting authority won’t change the requested feature.	

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Jelana Đokić, Director