The government has received three quotations for the supply of a total 3,500 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO), against its global tender for procurement of 50,000 MT imported LMO amid the surge in Covid-19 cases, The Indian Express has learnt.
Sources said while two of the companies that have sent quotations are foreign, one is domestic, and they have offered to deliver the medical oxygen over three months, rather than the government's hope of three weeks.
Among the two overseas suppliers, while Singapore-based SSB Cryogenic Equipment Pte Ltd offered to supply 200 MT oxygen, Abu Dhabi-based M/s Gulf Industrial Gases has said it can supply 1,800 MT. The third company, Gujarat-based Ultra Pure Gases Ltd, has offered 1,500 MT.
In fact, a source said, the offer from Ultra Pure Gases Ltd is the only “successful quotation” as the company has agreed to deliver 500 MT of medical oxygen this month itself.
The government had asked for suppliers who could provide LMO as well as had tankers/containers. “These were the only suppliers who had both. Others said they didn't have containers,” the source pointed out.
The government had floated the global tender on April 16 for procurement of LMO in 20-MT ISO containers for various hospitals of central and state governments. The government said at the time that it expected the supply of LMO to start within a few weeks.
In an expedited process, quotations were obtained on April 21. Announcing the same,…
