PROCUREMENT

Procurement Services Centre Telephone: +(45) 35 27 35 27

UNICEF Supply Division E-mail: psid@unicef.org
UNICEF Plads, Freeport
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark

SERVICES

COMMODITIES
& SUPPLY SERVICES

April 2004 www.unicef.org/supply

CONTENTS

MORE SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN ............... 3

SUPPLY SERVICES ................................... 4
MOSQUITO NETS, INSECTICIDES AND
MALARIA MEDICINES .............................. 5
VACCINES AND SAFE INJECTION
MATERIALS ............................................ 7
COLD-CHAIN EQUIPMENT ........................ 9
MEDICAL DEVICES - CONSUMABLES AND
EQUIPMENT .......................................... 10
PHARMACEUTICALS AND
MICRONUTRIENTS ................................. 12
WATER, ENVIRONMENT AND
SANITATION ......................................... 14
EDUCATION EQUIPMENT ....................... 16
PACKING, SHIPPING AND DELIVERY........ 18
UNICEF SUPPLY CATALOGUE ................. 19
CONTACT US........................................ 20
 MORE SUPPLIES FOR CHILDREN
Procurement Services is an integral part of UNICEF.
We work with governments and other partners to help
them in their own efforts to procure supplies and relat-
ed services for children and their communities, enabling
them to benefit from the organization’s considerable
experience in procurement.
The central objective of UNICEF Procurement Services
is to assist partners in the procurement of quality,
good value supplies for children, from reliable manufac-
turers. This work supports the UNICEF mandate and
five organizational priorities: girls’ education, early
childhood, immunization ‘plus’, HIV/AIDS, and child
protection. Furthermore, the supplementary supply
services we offer can strengthen national capacities in
service provision for children.
The Procurement Services Centre, an integral part of
UNICEF Supply Division, is an effective team of multi-
disciplinary professionals. We offer you 50 years of
UNICEF experience and a network of offices in 158
countries and territories. Procurement Services is avail-
© UNICEF/HQ02-0580/Jim Holmes
able to governments, non-governmental organizations,
United Nations agencies, international financial institu-
tions, philanthropic organizations and universities.
Procurement Services goes beyond the process of acquir-
ing equipment and supplies. It is part of a broad approach
to supply management. We offer our partners support
throughout the procurement cycle, building on national
capacities to make countries increasingly self-reliant.
Assistance in the following areas is available:
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
Including:
• Product needs assessment,
• Product planning services, including identification
of sources and product availability,
• Assurance of product quality and sources,
• Arrangements for purchasing,
• Pre-shipment inspection,
• Product assembly/installation,
• Maintenance arrangements,
• Product-use analysis,
•· Product monitoring services,
• Training on product issues,
• Institutional capacity building.
Supply Division has teams of specialists for a wide-
range of commodity groups, including vaccines, cold
chain and immunization devices, micronutrients and
pharmaceuticals including HIV/AIDS and malaria treat-
ments, medical equipment, educational supplies, and
water, environment and sanitation commodities.
UNICEF assistance can be as comprehensive as you
require and range from consulting, technical advice,
provision of expertise, transfer of know-how or technical
data, instruction and training.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Thanks to 50 years of procurement activities, UNICEF
has considerable experience in the efficient and effec-
tive management of supplies. Assistance to partners
can include:
• Warehouse management,
• Project management,
• Contracts management.
In January 2002 in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, a
boy from an ethnic minority community bathes with water
collected at a handpump, in the remote north-western province
of Luang Namtha. The handpump, installed at a health centre,
is now also being used by the community. UNICEF supports
national water supply and sanitation activities, including
expansion of rural water and sanitation facilities.
3
SUPPLY SERVICES

IN-COUNTRY LOGISTICS
In-country logistics is an essential, although often under-
estimated, part of the local supply-chain management
process. It focuses on the planning, implementation and
control of an efficient, effective flow and storage of supplies
and services from the port of entry to the final destination
in the receiving country. Services offered can relate to
the planning and establishment of a new logistics system
or to the support, improvement or securing of an existing
logistics system.
It can cover:
• In-country receipt,
• Pre-clearance inspection,
• Customs clearance,
• Warehousing,
• Local distribution,
• Transport and delivery,
• Establishing support arrangements for the supply-
chain process,
• Review of the existing logistics system.
The exact scope and content of supply services de-
pends on each specific case and is at the customer’s
request. Details are discussed between UNICEF and the
Procurement Services partner and are set out in a cost
estimate or quotation provided by UNICEF Supply Division.
UNICEF SUPPLIES
You can find the detailed specifications of over 1,700
items in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue, available by click-
ing the Supply Catalogue icon at www.unicef.org/supply.
If you are interested in items that are not in the
catalogue, an agreement concerning availability must
be reached with Supply Division. The decision to provide
a non-catalogue product is based on the relevance and
importance of the item concerned and its availability
from UNICEF’s suppliers. This ensures that the product
requested is the most appropriate for the particular
situation.

© UNICEF/HQ 99-0087/Cedric Galbe

Workers at an airstrip in Lokichoggio, Kenya, load large coolers containing polio vaccine, part of the vaccine cold chain, from a
truck into an airplane that will take them to villages in southern Sudan.Keeping vaccines at a regular temperature to ensure that
they remain effective is one of the many challenges facing logistics operations.

4
MOSQUITO NETS, INSECTICIDES AND
MALARIA MEDICINES
Malaria causes an estimated one million deaths each year,
predominantly among young children. There is now strong
evidence that the use of insecticide treated mosquito nets
(ITNs) in malaria endemic areas reduces child mortality
and morbidity. Additionally, providing pregnant women
with antimalaria tablets at specific times during their
pregnancy (called intermittent preventive treatment or
IPT) greatly reduces their risk of infection and of having
low birth-weight babies.
I. INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS
UNICEF is an active member of the Roll Back Malaria
partnership, and the world’s largest buyer of mosquito
nets. Bulk orders and long-term arrangements with
manufacturers of ITNs and insecticide treatment kits
have reduced the price level considerately – giving
greater value and contributing to the sustainability of
malaria programmes. Supply Division works with man-
ufacturers, promoting initiatives to secure the supply of
malaria medicines and quality nets in the future, and
encourage technology-sharing.
UNICEF endorses the use of long-lasting insecticidal
nets. All UNICEF-procured nets must comply with
WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) approved
standards.
For the efficient procurement of mosquito net treat-
ments, comprehensive forecasting is essential. We
recommend the development of a long-term plan to
enable timely delivery.
TYPES OF MOSQUITO NET TREATMENT
A full list of items can be found in Technical Bulletin
no. 7, in the online UNICEF Supply Catalogue.
1. INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS
Insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) consist of an untreated
net and an insecticide treatment kit. The importance
of regular use and regular re-treatment must be
stressed.
ITNs are a powerful public health tool in the fight
against malaria. Regular use by young children can re-
duce their overall risk of mortality by 20 per cent and
the number of clinical malaria episodes by 50 per cent.
a) Nets
Standard specifications exist primarily to protect and
benefit users. To make the procurement of ITNs as ef-
ficient as possible and minimize lead times, UNICEF
procures a range of these nets in the most popular sizes,
shapes and colours.
Standards are essential for quality control, and UNICEF
follows WHO specifications for netting materials strictly.
The quality of yarn is important as it affects the net’s ability
to absorb sufficient insecticide during re-treatment.
b) Insecticides
Insecticide-treated nets should be regularly treated
with one of the insecticides currently recommended by
WHO. Insecticide can be ordered in bulk, as a single
dose presentation or in a treatment kit. The most popu-
lar and efficient method is to use treatment kits.
A treatment kit consists of a single dose of insecticide,
sufficient for the treatment of one net, together with
protective gloves, a measuring bag, and instructions in
French and English. Instructions in other languages can
be produced, upon request.
2. LONG-LASTING INSECTICIDAL NETS
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have been developed
in response to the low re-treatment rates of conventional
insecticide-treated nets, especially in Africa. A long-
lasting net is a ready-to-use pre-treated mosquito net,
which requires no further treatment during its expected
life span. This is the preferred choice of mosquito net
for UNICEF-supported programmes.
Long-lasting nets are now becoming available in large
numbers, and global production capacity and accessi-
bility to them is expected to increase even more in the
near future. Information on the availability of long-lasting
insecticidal nets from WHOPES-approved suppliers is
available from UNICEF Supply Division.
3. PRE-TREATED NETS
The use of pre-treated nets is NOT recommended. This
is because:
• Concentrations of insecticide in the nets are ex-
tremely variable and would be rejected under normal
quality controls.
• Users do not recognize the need for re-treatment.
• It is almost impossible to ascertain if re-treatment
has been undertaken with an insecticide that meets
WHO specifications.
5

NOTE:
• In all cases, national governments must approve the
use of insecticides prior to importing them into the
country.
• ITNs, LLINs and insecticide treatment kits are for
domestic use and can be handled by family mem-
bers.
• It is advisable to order untreated nets set-packed
with an insecticide treatment kit so that the net
can be treated prior to use. It is also important
that the user is made aware from the beginning
that the net needs re-treatment.
• Each insecticide treatment kit is for the treatment
of one ITN and consists of a measured dose of
insecticide, a measuring bag, protective gloves
and instructions on how to impregnate one net.
II. ANTIMALARIAL MEDICINES
As a member of the Roll Back Malaria partnership,
UNICEF advocates four approaches to reducing the
malaria burden. These effective and low-cost interven-
tions reduce mortality and morbidity through improved
prevention and treatment:
1. Prompt access to treatment (using national clinical
guidelines), especially for young children.
2. Prevention and control in pregnant women.
3. Vector control.
4. Prediction and containment of epidemics.
P.falciparum (brain) malaria is widespread, particularly in
Africa, and causes nearly all malaria-related deaths. For
over two decades, resistance to commonly-used drugs
for this type of malaria has been an evolving public
health challenge to malaria control in Africa. Many
countries are shifting emphasis from chloroquine and
its replacements such as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine to
artemisinin-based combination therapies. Ongoing col-
laboration with manufacturers and partners ensures that
UNICEF keeps at the forefront of market developments
and that future country requirements are forecasted
accurately.
Supply Division procures a range of antimalaria medi-
cines. However, as our standard list of antimalaria
medicines is currently being revised, we suggest you
contact us directly for details of the products we
stock.
6
QUALITY ASSURANCE
UNICEF applies strict quality assurance criteria to the
producers of insecticide-treated nets, long-lasting insecti-
cidal nets, insecticides and antimalarial medicines. All the
products procured meet UNICEF quality requirements.
In order to ensure that producers continuously adhere
to the stringent standards set, UNICEF:
• Performs periodic assessments of the manufac-
turing quality of products, and follows up with
producers.
• Undertakes pre-shipment inspections.
• Reviews worker safety, environmental considera-
tions and the manufacturer’s social accountabilities.
• Only purchases from suppliers with a proven
record of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Procures mosquito nets that meet WHO specifica-
tions and the insecticides are WHOPES approved.
• Makes technical specifications available for stand-
ard products, including packaging/labelling.
• Requests and tests samples as part of the bid adju-
dication process.
• Randomly tests samples of products delivered to
its warehouses.
• Places products shipped directly from suppliers
subject to random inspection by UNICEF or desig-
nated representatives.
• Only procures antimalaria medicines from WHO
pre-qualified manufacturers.
• Only purchases antimalaria medicines from manufac-
turers conforming to current good manufacturing
practice standards.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This can include:
• Assessing and analysing national needs for mosqui-
to nets, insecticides and medicines in the context
of malaria control programmes.
• Assessing logistics and advising on distribution
components.
• Specifying and procuring the most suitable nets,
insecticides and medicines for malaria control
programmes.
• Training in forecasting.
VACCINES AND SAFE INJECTION
MATERIALS
Vaccines save millions of lives every year. They are
affordable, cost-effective, strengthen primary health
care systems and can control disease outbreaks. Im-
munization ‘plus’ is a UNICEF priority. Supply Division
procures approximately 40 per cent of vaccines for
children in developing countries, the equivalent of 2.5
billion doses annually. The Division is responsible for
procuring vaccines for the Global Alliance for Vaccines
and Immunization (GAVI).
Because of market conditions unique to the vaccine
industry, Supply Division and partners have implemented
several mechanisms to ensure that vaccine security – the
sustained, uninterrupted supply of affordable vaccines,
especially for the poorest countries – is maximized. This
is reflected in the strict guidelines determining which
countries can procure vaccines through UNICEF.
UNICEF procures a range of primarily basic vaccines,
including, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus,
tuberculosis, hepatitis B, HiB and polio in single and
multi-dose vials.
Short item description
– BCG vaccine, vial of 20 doses
– Measles vaccine, vial of 10 doses
– DTP vaccine, adsorbed, vial of 20 doses
– Oral Polio Vaccine, vial of 10 doses
– TT vaccine, adsorbed, vial of 10 doses
– DTP+Hib vaccine, lyophilized, vial of 10 doses
Note! This list is not exhaustive – Please refer to
the Supply Catalogue for further items.
VACCINE SAFETY
UNICEF is committed to safe injection. The organization
promotes the use of auto-disable syringes, or single-
dose pre-filled auto-disable devices, and also offers
safety disposal boxes for used syringes.
Short item description
– Syringe, auto-disable, 0.10 ml, blister packed, in
box of 100
– Safety Box for used Syringes/Needles, 5 litre,
box of 25
Note! This list is not exhaustive – Please refer to
the Supply Catalogue for further items.
VACCINE SECURITY
The global vaccine market is severely constrained by
the potential risk of vaccine shortages. Supply Division
balances its procurement decisions between securing
affordable vaccines and maintaining a healthy and
competitive vaccine industry. In this way, companies will
remain in the vaccine market, leading to enhanced invest-
ment and production of existing and new vaccines.
All UNICEF vaccine procurement must comply with the
tenets of vaccine security, based on:
• Accurate and long-term country forecasts of vaccine
demand,
• Ensuring multi-year funding to cover vaccine
needs,
• Appropriate contracts with manufacturers for set
quantities of vaccines.
It is therefore essential for all those interested in pro-
curing vaccines through UNICEF to make themselves
familiar with vaccine security, through the UNICEF
document E/ICEF/2002/6, and the recent publication
“Vaccine for Children: Supply at Risk” available on the
internet at www.unicef.org, under ‘Publications’.
The primary market for UNICEF vaccines covers the
world’s poorest 74 countries (up to $1000 GNP/capita).
The UNICEF secondary market covers middle-income
countries (above $1000 Gross National Product/capi-
ta), which are usually tendered separately from the
primary market.
UNICEF recognizes that vaccine security is becoming an
issue in an increasing number of middle-income coun-
tries that have traditionally bought their own vaccines.
© UNICEF/HQ 02-0243/Thierry Geenen
A woman deposits an auto-disable syringe into one of several
safety boxes for the disposal of used syringes, at an outdoor
immunization site at the health centre in the village of Loruk,
some 20 km north of the town of Marigat in the province of
Rift Valley, Sudan.
7
In these countries, Supply Division may assist with
vaccine security through:
• Market analysis,
• Advice on procurement options, and
• Procurement, where necessary.
Unfortunately, due to market constraints, Supply Division
is unable to procure vaccines on behalf of partners if it:
• infringes on contracts governments already have
in place with manufacturers for the supply of
vaccines,
• takes over procurement that is already effectively
handled by governments,
• is simply a source of cheaper vaccines.
Requests for vaccines destined for countries in the sec-
ondary market require provision of specific reasons jus-
tifying procurement through UNICEF. The following
questions must be answered:
• What has been the government’s mechanism for
procurement?
• What is the specific basis for the government to
change its procurement mechanism?
• What are the government’s long-term plans for
achieving vaccine security?
VACCINE FORECASTING
Long-term planning is the key to effective vaccine pro-
curement. UNICEF has introduced a tool for countries
to plan, forecast and fund vaccines. This includes pro-
curement on behalf of Procurement Services partners.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
• All UNICEF vaccines come from WHO pre-qualified
producers, following Good Manufacturing Practices.
We only purchase from suppliers with a proven
record of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Manufacturing sites are subject to periodic inspec-
tion by WHO.
• Technical specifications are available for standard
products, including packaging/labelling.
• Products shipped directly from suppliers are subject
to random inspection by UNICEF or designated
representatives.
• The Vaccine Arrival Report system supports the
safe receipt of vaccines in-country.
• Due to market constraints, UNICEF cannot guarantee
that vaccines will be purchased from any specific
producer or country of origin.
8
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
An Immunization Team of technical and procurement
experts reviews every Procurement Services request for
vaccine procurement to ensure that it is consistent with
vaccine security tenets. Assuming the request is accepted,
this team can offer a range of technical services.
Forecasting and finance:
Support in processing forecasts and funding, through
the provision of historical data and other procurement
information.
Injection safety and waste management:
Support in the procurement of medical devices such as
auto-disable syringes, safety boxes and the promotion
of injection safety.
Support in addressing the management of waste aris-
ing from immunization.
Vaccine security missions:
Undertaking vaccine security missions that address the
two key areas of forecasting management and funds
acquisition for vaccine procurement.
Capacity building:
Support in establishing full vaccine management capacity
on programmes, through assistance and skills transfer
leading to good in-country vaccine management (pro-
curement practices, logistics, etc.) underpinned by the
vaccine security principles.
Additional information on a range of immunization-
related subjects, including vaccine quantity and price
projections, GAVI, auto-disable syringes including a
price list, can be found on the UNICEF website,
www.unicef.org/supply, under ‘Immunization’.
© UNICEF/SD/Deirdre O’Shea
These vials of polio vaccine contain a in-built cold-chain
monitor card that changes colour if the vaccine is exposed to
temperatures outside a specific range.
COLD-CHAIN EQUIPMENT
Vaccines are delicate products that can easily lose
their potency if handled incorrectly. UNICEF has been
part of immunization and disease-control campaigns
since the foundation of the organization in 1946. Today,
the organization is one of the world’s largest purchas-
ers of vaccines and related devices.
UNICEF has developed unparalleled market experience
and knowledge in the procurement and supply of
vaccines and related products, such as cold-chain
equipment and spare parts. Equipment is only one ele-
ment of an effective cold-chain system. Competent
personnel and efficient procedures are also vital.
Supply Division has a specialized team of immuniza-
tion and cold-chain staff that can provide comprehensive
technical and procurement support, including selecting
the most appropriate supplies.
UNICEF has identified a number of standard cold-chain
products that are the most appropriate for a range of
situations. These items include: cold/freezer rooms,
compression refrigerators/freezers, absorption refrigerators/
freezers, solar refrigerators/freezers, refrigerator spare
parts, cold boxes/carriers, icepacks, thermometers/
indicators, and accessories. In addition UNICEF can
provide vaccine cold-chain monitor cards used to monitor
the temperature of vaccines in transit through the cold-
chain system.
Popular items include:
Short item description
– Freezer, Vestfrost, MF114, PIS E3/96-M, storage
capacity 72L
– Vaccine carrier, storage capacity1.5-3L
– Vaccine cold box, large, long range, storage ca-
pacity 15-27L
– Icepack, 0.4 litre capacity
– Icepack, 0.6 litre capacity/BOX-24
– Vaccine cold-chain monitor cards, English
Note! This list is not exhaustive – Please refer to
the Supply Catalogue for further items.
Further information including detailed product specifi-
cations can be found in the unicef supply catalogue,
available online at www.unicef.org/supply. The print
version of the Supply Catalogue also contains a com-
prehensive technical note.
Additionally, UNICEF Supply Division can also procure
more specific items that are not listed in our Supply
Catalogue. These include, for example, refrigerated
trucks, data loggers for cold stores, etc.
Polio vaccines for a National Immunization Day in India are
transferred to cold boxes, a step further towards protecting
children.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
• We only purchase from suppliers with a proven
record of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Products meet WHO Performance Specifications
for cold chain.
• Manufacturing sites are subject to inspection by
UNICEF.
• Technical specifications are available for standard
products, including packaging/labelling.
• Supply Division requests and tests samples as part
of the bid adjudication process.
• We randomly test samples of products delivered to
our warehouse.
• Products shipped directly from suppliers are subject
to random inspection by UNICEF or designated
representatives.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This can include:
• Assessing customer needs and developing long-
term investment plans for cold-chain equipment
and in-country logistics.
• Assessing vaccine management practices and
developing long-term plans for improvement.
• Assessing vaccine forecasting, funding and
planning practices, and developing practices in
these areas that ensure vaccine security.
• Assessing immunization injection safety practices
and developing long-term plans for improvement.
• Conducting pre-feasibility surveys of solar-powered
refrigeration systems for the storage of vaccines.
• Specifying and procuring the most appropriate
cold-chain equipment and products for the imple-
mentation of immunization programmes.
• Facilitating training for cold-chain and vaccine
management.
• Undertaking special assessments of specific issues
such as the freezing of vaccines, cold-chain inven-
tories, or the local manufacture of cold-chain
equipment.
© UNICEF/SD/Deirdre O’Shea
9
MEDICAL DEVICES - CONSUMABLES
AND EQUIPMENT
UNICEF procures medical devices (including laboratory
items) as part of its priority to support early childhood
development. The provision of safe, good quality medical
devices at reasonable prices is essential to the delivery
of quality healthcare to mothers and children.
UNICEF’s comprehensive range of essential medical
devices is detailed in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue.
Most of these items are stocked in the Supply Division
warehouse in Copenhagen, ready for rapid delivery.
Pre-packed kits are available and customized set pack-
ing undertaken upon request from the customer.
In addition, a report providing assistance in the design
and product specifications of an “essential supplies list”
for primary health centres and a first referral level hospi-
tal in a health district, is available from Supply Division,
upon request. The list is organized on a ‘room by
room’ basis.
PRE-PACKED MEDICAL KITS
UNICEF has researched, developed and extensively
field tested a series of medical kits to meet a variety of
needs. The list of medical kits includes: the new emer-
gency health kit, midwifery kit, obstetric surgical kit,
sterilization kit, resuscitation kit, surgical instrument
sets and a first aid kit. The kits are modular, so some
‘complete’ kits have several components, each with a
separate catalogue number, allowing partners to cus-
tomize them to meet their specific needs. Full details of
the contents of each kit, in addition to special notes
(technical bulletins) on the background and purpose
of certain kits can be found in the UNICEF Supply
Catalogue at www.unicef.org/supply. A printed version
of the catalogue is also available from Procurement
Services, upon request.
New Emergency Health Kit – Complete
New Emergency Health Kits are an integral part of
UNICEF’s immediate response to most emergencies.
The kit is designed principally to meet the initial primary
health care needs of a displaced population without
medical facilities. It contains drugs, medical supplies,
and basic medical equipment for a population of
10,000 persons for three months. Basic steam sterili-
zation equipment is also included to ensure foolproof
sterilization facilities in all types of environment. How-
ever it does not include resuscitation and major surgi-
cal supplies and equipment, nor hospital equipment
and hospital furniture. It has been designed for general
medicine under primitive conditions. More serious cases
10
should be referred to the nearest hospital. For more in-
formation, please refer to Technical Bulletin no. 3, in the
online UNICEF Supply Catalogue.
New Emergency Health Kit, complete
Quantity and short item description
10 x New Emergency Health Kit–Basic unit
1 x New Emergency Health Kit–Supplement 1-Drugs
1 x New Emergency Health Kit–Supplement 1a–Drugs
1 x New Emergency Health Kit–Supplement 2–
Equipment
1 x New Emergency Health Kit – Supplement 3 -
Renewable
Midwifery Kit – Complete
The midwifery kit is designed to improve maternal and
neo-natal care in situations of development and emer-
gency. It is based on UNICEF/WHO policies such as
the Integrated Management of Pregnancy and Child-
birth, the Mother-Baby Package, Implementing Safe
Motherhood in Countries, Programming for Maternal
Survival and the Emergency Relief Items. Complete,
the midwifery kit contains basic drugs, renewable medical
supplies, medical equipment and basic sterilization and
resuscitation equipment for health facilities to perform
an average of 50 normal deliveries. For more information,
please refer to Technical Bulletin no. 4, in the online
UNICEF Supply Catalogue.
Midwifery Kit, complete
Quantity and short item description
1 x Midwifery Kit, 1 - Drugs
1 x Midwifery Kit, Supplement 1a – Drugs
1 x Midwifery Kit, 2 – Equipment
1 x Midwifery Kit, 3 – Renewable
1 x Sterilization Kit C
1 x Resuscitation Kit, basic
Obstetric, Surgical Kit – Complete
The Obstetric, Surgical Kit has been designed to improve
maternal and neonatal care in situations of develop-
ment and emergency. It is based on the same UNICEF/
WHO policies as the Midwifery Kit. Complete, the
Obstetric, Surgical Kit comprises one midwifery kit
plus supplementary units. It contains basic drugs, renew-
able medical supplies, medical equipment, surgical
instruments, and basic sterilization and resuscitation
equipment for health facilities to handle an average of
100 deliveries, including 50 with complications and
surgery (with an average of 25 caesarean sections).
For more information, please refer to Technical Bulle-
tin no. 5, available from the online UNICEF Supply
Catalogue.
Obstetric, Surgical Kit, complete
Quantity and short description
1 x Midwifery Kit, 1-Drugs
1 x Midwifery Kit, Supplement 1a–Drugs
1 x Midwifery Kit, 2 – Equipment
1 x Midwifery Kit, 3 – Renewable
1 x Obstetric, Surgical kit, Supplement 1–Drugs
1 x Obstetric, Surgical kit, Supplement 1a–Drugs
1 x Obstetric, Surgical kit, Supplement 2–Equipment
1 x Obstetric, Surgical kit, Supplement 3–Renewable
2 x Sterilization Kit C
2 x Resuscitation Kit, basic
Note! The list of kits is not exhaustive – Please refer to
the UNICEF Supply Catalogue for further items.
SERVICES
Supply Division has a specialized medical team of tech-
nical and procurement experts to assist in developing
project and product specifications.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Products procured by UNICEF must comply with the
strictest international quality standards.
• We only purchase from suppliers with a proven
record of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Manufacturers of medical devices must meet es-
sential requirements in conformity with quality
systems standards, recommended by the Global
Harmonization Task Force (GHTF), www.ghtf.org.
• Manufacturing sites are subject to inspection by
UNICEF.
• Products must meet the Essential Principle of
Safety and Performance of Medical Devices require-
ments, described in the Global Harmonization Task
Force document SG1/N041R6, available at
www.ghtf.org.
• Technical specifications are available for standard
products, including packaging/labelling.
• Supply Division requests and tests samples as part
of the bid adjudication process.
• We randomly test samples of products delivered to
our warehouse.
• Products shipped directly from suppliers are subject
to random inspection by UNICEF or designated
representatives.
• Suppliers of hospital equipment must guarantee
that the items under contract are manufactured for
at least five years after the contract is awarded,
and that spare parts are available for ten years.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This can include:
• Assessing and analysing national needs in the con-
text of health systems, policy and regulation and
the supply system.
• Assessing the supply planning capacity of national
health structures.
• Defining customer needs for products, in the context
of utilization, policy and legislation, international
norms and regulations.
• The development of protocols for the evaluation of
product use, replenishment, maintenance and quality.
• Assessing and analysing sourcing options vis-à-vis
UNICEF standard and non-standard products.
• Assessing the supply chain and identifying needs
to optimize the supply function.
• Identifying priorities/constraints to addressing
customer needs effectively in coordination with
implementation partners.
© UNICEF/HQ 99-0655/Giacomo PIROZZI
Assistant Doctor Arasto uses a UNICEF-supplied microscope to
examine a blood sample at a health centre in Kanibee village, in
the northern governerate of Erbil, Iraq.
11
PHARMACEUTICALS AND
MICRONUTRIENTS
Essential medicines provide safe, effective treatment
for all the most common infectious and chronic diseases.
Essential medicines programmes reduce morbidity and
mortality by ensuring the accessibility, rational use, and
quality of medicines. The products available in the
UNICEF Supply Catalogue have been selected from the
WHO Model List of Essential Drugs, published in the Tech-
nical Report Series 882. Most of these are stocked in
Copenhagen - ready for set packing and/or rapid delivery.
UNICEF’s Supply Division has a specialized Pharmaceu-
ticals and Micronutrients Team to assist in project and
product specifications. Suppliers must have current
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licences, and
Supply Division itself has a Good Distribution Practice
(GDP) licence from the Danish Medicines Agency. The
Supply Division warehouse in Copenhagen is the only
United Nations warehouse licensed to hold wholesale
pharmaceutical products in accordance with the Euro-
pean Community Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice
of Medicinal Products for Human Use.
Supply Division arranges regular meetings between
leading development agencies and pharmaceutical
manufacturers in order to keep fully up-to-date on
Cecilia holds her sleeping granddaughter, Florine, 6, in a suburb of town of Mvuri in Mazowe District, 120 km north of Harare, the
capital, of Zimbabwe. Florine is the youngest of six grandchildren whom Cecilia cares for, following the deaths of both of her
daughters from AIDS.
12
market developments, provide accurate forecasting of
future needs and secure the supply of products to
resource-limited countries.
Many Long Term Arrangements (LTAs) have been
established with reliable pharmaceutical suppliers,
meaning that once an order has been received and
accepted, procurement is rapid.
Guidelines on the procurement of pharmaceuticals,
including antiretrovirals, are currently being reviewed.
Please contact UNICEF Supply Division for an update.
INTERNATIONAL NON-PROPRIETARY
NAMES (INN)
UNICEF and WHO recommend the use of generic INN
names for each drug - the shortened scientific name
based on the active ingredient. Most essential drugs
are no longer under patent and can be manufactured
freely under their generic names. They can be bought
at much lower prices, but offer the same efficacy, bio-
availability, safety and quality.
© UNICEF/HQ 02-0318/Giacomo Pirozzi
HIV/AIDS ANTIRETROVIRAL (ARV)
MEDICINES FOR OPPORTUNISTIC
INFECTIONS, AND TEST KITS
UNICEF follows technical guidance from WHO for the
selection of medicines and diagnostics related to HIV/
AIDS. The guidelines can be found on the WHO website
at www.who.int/3by5.
Recent lessons learned procuring ARVs for countries
severely affected by HIV/AIDS indicate that for UNICEF
to be able to respond in the best way to requests from
partners, including governments, there is a need to:
1. Review the drug regulatory and patent status of all
the ARVs requested for purchase, and provide
UNICEF with information as to the use of the
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPS) safeguards when a country
or customer requests procurement assistance.
2. Assess and address in-country impediments, in-
cluding issues of stock security, appropriate pack-
aging for home use and patent adherence to regi-
men, etc.
Additional information on the use of antiretroviral medi-
cines can be found in the print version of the UNICEF
Supply Catalogue.
MISCELLANEOUS PHARMACEUTICAL
PRODUCTS
Supply Division also has the capacity and expertise to
procure when appropriate, other specialized pharma-
ceuticals and related supplies. It is advisable to involve
Supply Division at an early project planning stage.
MICRONUTRIENTS
UNICEF’s many years of work in the area of maternal
and child health and nutrition has led to capacity and
experience in the procurement of nutrition-related
products, especially micronutrients, e.g. vitamin A,
iodized oil, multiple micronutrient tablets, and supplies
for therapeutic feeding.
DIAGNOSTICS (TEST KITS)
UNICEF has considerable experience in the procurement
of test kits for a number of diseases, including HIV/
AIDS, malaria, and Sexually Transmitted Infections
(STIs). UNICEF only procures test kits that have been
pre-qualified by WHO.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Pharmaceutical products procured by UNICEF must
meet stringent international quality standards.
• UNICEF Supply Division is Good Distribution Practices
(GDP) licensed by the Danish Medicines Agency.
• We only purchase from WHO pre-qualified manu-
facturers with a proven record of competence,
knowledge and experience.
• Manufacturers must conform to current Good
Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards, as estab-
lished by WHO (WHO Technical Report Series No.
863, 1996), and be regularly inspected by national
regulatory authorities.
• Every manufacturer is subject to GMP assessment
either by a Supply Division medicines inspector or
by an independent third party before UNICEF will
purchase.
• A Marketing Authorisation for the product, in the
country of origin, is generally required for medicines
purchased by UNICEF.
• UNICEF Supply Division conforms to all requirements
of the WHO Certification Scheme on the Quality of
Pharmaceutical Products Moving in International
Commerce.
• A Certificate of Analysis can accompany all medi-
cines for each batch supplied.
• An independent laboratory analysis is made of ran-
domly-picked samples of medicines delivered to the
warehouse in Copenhagen.
• The suitability of packing and labelling is subject to
both technical and quality checks before purchasing.
• Medicines shipped from Copenhagen must have a
minimum shelf life of 13 months remaining. For
products with a shelf life of two years or less,
there must be one third of the shelf life remaining.
• UNICEF has a medicine recall/returns policy in
place.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
• UNICEF can provide guidance on current best prac-
tices in the procurement of pharmaceuticals and
micronutrients. UNICEF also offers technical as-
sistance to governments in analysing the supply
environment and helping develop efficient and
effective supply systems.
• Procurement requests are routinely checked for con-
formance with WHO-recommended programme
guidelines and, where necessary, advice is provided.
• Information on internationally pre-qualified suppliers
and products is available, sometimes in the form of
regularly updated reports such as “Sources and
Prices of HIV/AIDS Medicines and Diagnostics”.
• UNICEF can offer either full or partial procurement
of essential medicines for specific activities, with or
without technical and local logistics support.
• We can also provide technical and logistics support
as a separate service with the customer handling
all the processing and payment transactions for the
supplies purchased.
13
WATER, ENVIRONMENT AND
SANITATION
Providing children, their families and communities with
safe water and sanitation is essential to several UNICEF
priorities, including early childhood development and
girls’ education. UNICEF is working towards reducing
the proportion of households that do not have access to
affordable, safe drinking water and hygiene - by at least
one third by the year 2010. Achieving this goal depends
upon the procurement and delivery of appropriate and
affordable supplies, and an awareness of the scarcity of
available resources.
UNICEF Supply Division has a team of highly qualified
and experienced Water, Environment and Sanitation
(WES) staff to provide technical and project assistance
upon request.
ESSENTIAL WES PRODUCTS
UNICEF has the capacity to provide most of the services
and/or commodities required for full water cycle cover-
age. This includes, but is not limited to the following
activities.
The scope of these facilities ranges from water treat-
ment for an individual household to a large-scale project
serving either a temporary camp or an established com-
munity. All these activities include both the appropriate
tools and equipment needed for proper implementation,
as well as the power-source equipment and consuma-
bles needed for proper operation.
UNICEF can assist with the following activities:
• Reconnaissance: To locate appropriate sources of wa-
ter including surveying, hydro-geological, geophysical
studies, water quality and quantity determination
and monitoring.
• Water collection: Covering the range of options
available to make use of ground water, including
the drilling and digging of various types of wells,
and well development. This also includes the piping,
fittings and all types of pumps (both hand pumps
and power driven pumps using either conventional
fuel engines or renewable energy such as solar or
wind power).

© UNICEF/HQ 03-0193/Roger LeMoyne

A smiling girl holding a large pot of water stands amidst women and other children during a UNICEF water distribution in Saddam
City, a large suburban slum in Baghdad, the capital. UNICEF contracted firemen to deliver safe water in their trucks to parts of
the city that were without water and electricity for several weeks.

14
 Water collection also includes intakes for surface
water (rivers and lakes). Related equipment includes
pumps, pipes, fittings and structures.
Rain water harvesting is increasingly popular as a
source of clean water in many countries. This
method requires proper collection and storage
equipment.
• Water treatment: Covering a range of treatments to
remove suspended solids, living organisms and
high concentrations of salt. The steps, depending
on the existing water quality, could include pre-
treatment, coagulation, sedimentation, filtration,
reverse osmosis, activated carbon and disinfection
(by chlorination, ozonation or ultraviolet means).
The treatment units range from small, mobile sets
suitable for small camps, to full-range water treat-
ment plants serving an established community.
Household treatment is very important, with broad-
ranging benefits, particularly in rural districts.
UNICEF has developed a basic family water kit to
address emergency needs.
• Water distribution and storage: Including all perma-
nent network requirements (pipes, fittings, pumps,
boosters, storage tanks and water towers. Distri-
bution can also be for temporary needs (tankers,
collapsible tanks, mobile pumps, family storage and
distribution stands). Water metering is important to
control and encourage the responsible use of water.
• Sanitation: This is a vital step in the water supply.
UNICEF provides various forms of sanitation sup-
plies, including latrines, school sanitation, camp
sanitation, sewerage and equipment for waste
treatment and disposal.
• Testing: In all water cycle processes, testing and
monitoring is an essential activity. UNICEF has
identified a number of field test kits to suit a range
of needs. Supply Division ensures that the most
appropriate test kit for the local conditions is pro-
vided. Permanent, central laboratories are also
needed to check and verify the results of field test-
ing. UNICEF Supply Division is also able to supply
a full range of water testing laboratories.
The UNICEF Supply Catalogue, available online at
www.unicef.org/supply contains detailed specifications
for a wide range of WES items.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
• We only procure from suppliers with known
records of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Most of our suppliers are ISO 9001/EN46001 or
ISO 9002/EN 46002 certified.
• Manufacturing sites are subject to inspection by
UNICEF or designated representatives.
• Technical specifications are available for all stand-
ard products, including labelling and packaging.
• We randomly test samples of products delivered to
our warehouse in Copenhagen.
• Products that are shipped directly from suppliers
are subject to random inspection by UNICEF or
designated representatives.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This can include:
• Assessing customer needs to establish baseline in-
formation in relation to WES requirements.
• Establishing monitoring and control systems for
water quality at national and/or regional levels.
• Assessing and analysing national needs in provid-
ing safe drinking water and hygiene.
• Assessing supply plans based on the resources
available and project implementation plans.
• Specifying and procuring the most appropriate
equipment and products for the implementation of
WES plans.
• The procurement of equipment and products for
temporary needs such as refugee camps or for the
permanent needs of existing or newly-developed
communities.
• Assessing the local production of WES equipment
and products that could be used in national or re-
gional programmes.
© UNICEF/HQ 99-0348/Jeremy Horner
While a girl washes cooking pots nearby, standing beside
laundry hanging to dry from a clothes-line, a boy holds the
door of a portable toilet, provided by UNICEF and bearing the
UNICEF logo, in an encampment for those displaced by the
January earthquake in Armenia, capital of the western
department of Quindio, Columbia.
15
EDUCATION EQUIPMENT
Access to appropriate educational supplies is essential
to the fulfilment of children’s right to education. For
many decades UNICEF has worked with governments
to provide appropriate learning materials for children.
Girls’ education is a UNICEF priority.
Supply Division provides a range of supply services for
education, through its team of procurement and techni-
cal staff and by utilizing the professional expertise of
subject specialists from the education sector. These
services include basic procurement, developing product
specifications, sourcing suppliers, giving guidance in
ethical procurement, offering complete supply solutions,
printing services, and emergency assistance. UNICEF
stocks a significant inventory of educational items at
its Copenhagen warehouse, and keeps abreast of market
developments. UNICEF communicates regularly with
suppliers in order to follow educational developments, and
can offer advice on new educational products. Non-ware-
house items can always be procured, if appropriate.
Beyond the scope of the traditional classroom teaching
environment, UNICEF has found solutions to the prob-
lem of teaching children in extraordinary situations.
During an emergency and in its aftermath, providing
children with educational opportunities offers them a
sense of normality and is also a positive focus for the
local community. Educational kits often form part of
UNICEF’s emergency response. In special circumstances
these kits can be tailored to the needs of the receiving
country, with locally-appropriate materials included.
Mine awareness leaflets were printed and included in
kits distributed in Iraq, for example. For Afghanistan,
UNICEF supplied educational kits with specialised sta-
tionary that were shipped directly from regional suppliers.
TEACHING AND RECREATION MATERIALS
UNICEF has developed two kits for educational and
recreational purposes, which are particularly suited to
emergency situations but can also be used in develop-
ment contexts.
The school-in-a-box kit contains supplies and materials
for a teacher and up to 80 students. The supplies include
pencils, exercise books, a wooden teaching clock, plas-
tic cubes for counting, and a set of three laminated
posters (alphabet, multiplication and number tables). A
stock of 5,000 kits is always available in Copenhagen
for immediate shipment, and 500 kits are stocked at
the UNICEF warehouse in South Africa.
The recreation kit is a recent development, containing a
range of physical education items for up to 40 children.
This kit was developed after recognizing that sport is
16
an effective trauma therapy for children affected by
war and natural disasters. Specific items include balls
for several types of games, coloured tunics for different
teams, chalk and a measuring tape for marking bound-
aries and a whistle and scoring slate. The kit also takes
account of regional and cultural differences in children’s
sports activities and gender difference. A total of 200
kits are always ready for dispatch from Copenhagen,
and a further 100 are stocked in South Africa.
UNICEF also has considerable experience procuring
playground and sports equipment. In addition to sup-
plying these items, Supply Division staff can offer ad-
vice on safety standards and the placing of individual
structures.
Recent projects have called for the provision of science
teaching equipment at the secondary school level, no-
tably science teaching kits. Microscale kits are enjoying
increasing success. These kits are small in size, contain
all the equipment needed to carry out up to 15 different
experiments, and have a shelf-life of four to five years.
Because they are self-contained, no additional laborato-
ry equipment is required, and children can gain hands-
on experience in a variety of experiments.
Supply Division can provide anatomical models and
charts for health education. Culturally-specific products
can also be produced. For example, UNICEF procured maps
printed in the Dari and Pashtu languages for Afghanistan.
THE SCHOOL FABRIC
UNICEF is also concerned with ensuring that children
have a safe and effective environment in which to
study and play. In emergencies, UNICEF can ship
classroom tents to affected areas, as was undertaken
in Kosovo, Mozambique and Afghanistan. Supply Division
also has expertise in the procurement of classroom fur-
niture, and can find the most appropriate items to suit
local conditions, such as double desks and individual
chairs for interactive learning, or double desks with a
bench attached to avoid pilferage.
As safe water and suitable sanitation facilities are vital
to encourage children, particularly girls, to enrol and
remain in school for as long as possible, educational
procurement often goes hand-in-hand with water and
sanitation provision. Supply Division offers assistance
in planning and building the physical structure of a
school, including safe water supply and latrines, and
has been instrumental in rehabilitating educational
establishments affected by disaster in both Kosovo
and Afghanistan.
© UNICEF/Kent Page
With minimal equipment, the UNICEF school-in-a-box provides a ready-made educational solution for children in
emergencies, such as here in Monrovia, Liberia.
A COMPLETE EDUCATIONAL SOLUTION
Upon request, Supply Division can provide a complete
educational supply package: identifying, sourcing, pro-
curing, and shipping an inventory of items. In the past,
these items have ranged from sports equipment, dor-
mitory furniture, canteen equipment, and laboratory
apparatus for several schools. On occasions, UNICEF
assistance has also included installing some of the
bulky items such as built-in stoves, training staff in how
to use the equipment, such as science kits, and building
in-country capacity by involving government staff in
the procurement process.
SET PACKING
Set packing enables items to be grouped and packed in
sets according to the customer’s instructions. This is
particularly useful when items are to be distributed to a
variety of schools or other establishments on arrival in-
country. UNICEF can assist further by colour-coding
and labelling supplies for multiple destinations with
individual addresses.
QUALITY ASSURANCE
• We only procure from suppliers with known
records of competence, knowledge and experience.
• Products must comply with the European Commu-
nity Toy Safety Standard EN71 and packaging
should bear the CE symbol or equivalent international-
ly-recognized toy safety standard. Suppliers from re-
gions with other safety standards must prove that
their products are not potentially harmful to children.
• Manufacturing sites are subject to inspection by
UNICEF or designated representatives.
• Technical specifications are available for all standard
products, including labelling and packaging.
• We randomly test samples of products delivered to
our warehouse in Copenhagen.
• Products that are shipped directly from suppliers
are subject to random inspection by UNICEF or
designated representatives.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This can include:
• Providing advice and information on regional sourcing
of educational materials, including classroom equip-
ment, items for physical education, and imaginative
play materials for young children.
• Providing assistance in selecting the most appropriate
supplies for the age group of children targeted and
the local environment.
• Offering comprehensive assistance in printing, from
providing guidelines to outsourcing printing
projects to pre-selected suppliers.
• Training staff in product usage (e.g. science kits).
17
 PACKING, SHIPPING AND DELIVERY

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING SHIPPING

There are four principal modes of transportation that can
be used in delivering goods: road, rail, air, and maritime
transport (coastal, inter-island, river). The volume and
weight that can be transported, the speed at which that
happens, and the cost of transportation are all interrelated
and should be kept in mind when making decisions on
which mode(s) to select. The comparative advantages of
each are as follows:
Supply Division has established global freight forwarding
arrangements with reliable freight forwarders, shipping
companies and airlines, all offering a high level of service at
competitive rates. As a part of this service, Supply Division
has been given access to the freight forwarders “Track &
Trace Systems” enabling UNICEF to locate any shipment
at any time and provide partners with updated shipping
details.

Mode Cargo Capacity Cost per Kg Speed

Maritime ++++ + + RECEIVING SUPPLIES
Rail +++ ++ ++
Road ++ +++ +++ Clearing shipments
Air + ++++ ++++ To avoid pilferage, port storage, container demurrage
etc., it is important that shipments are cleared and
Sea and air are the most common modes of transpor- removed from point of entry (ports/airports as quickly
tation. as possible. The following documents will be distribut-
ed to the consignee or the local UNICEF office prior to
PACKING the arrival of the vessel.
Items supplied by UNICEF Supply Division are always
packed in material suitable for transportation by air, • Sea freight shipments:
sea, rail and/or road, and all packages are clearly Cover page/pre-advise, original Bill of Lading (B/L),
marked. copy B/L, supply invoice/packing list will be sent by
courier service after departure.
Special requirements for packing, labelling etc. must be
provided together with the initial request form. • Air freight shipments:
Cover page/pre-advise, original Air Way Bill (AWB),
UNICEF Supply Division produces a range of pre- copy AWB and supplier invoice/packing list will
packed kits. We also offer a “set packing” service for accompany the shipments. Copies of all accompa-
items stocked in the Copenhagen warehouse. Set nying documents will also be faxed or emailed to
packing allows you to group the supplies and equipment the consignee or the local UNICEF office upon
you procure in pre-determined sets. This is often useful agreement after departure.
in cases where items are to be distributed further upon
arrival in country. For example, a set pack could com-
prise a two-month supply of essential medicines for a
health centre or village dispensary. ©UNICEF/HQ 03-0429/John R. Nielsen
©UNICEF/SD03

During busy periods the Copenhagen warehouse establishes
additional production lines to ensure that delivery deadlines
are met.
18
On 28 December 2003, workers load UNICEF emergency relief
supplies onto a transport plane bound for Iran at the airport in
Copenhagen, Denmark.This is the second shipment of UNICEF
supplies destined for the tens of thousands of children and
women made homeless by the earthquake in the
Iranian city of Bam.
UNICEF SUPPLY CATALOGUE

The UNICEF Supply Catalogue contains the specifica-

tions for 1,700 items. It is designed to assist in supply
planning, delivery and monitoring, and is available both
online and in print/CD versions. Please visit
www.unicef.org/supply, and click on the supply cata-
logue icon for online information. Alternatively, contact
Procurement Services directly by sending an email to
psid@unicef.org to request a printed copy.

19
CONTACT US

Other useful publications available include a leaflet For additional queries, please phone us on
containing general information about Procurement (+45) 35 27 35 27, fax (+45) 35 26 94 21
Services, and ‘How to Order’, a practical guide to or- or email us at psid@unicef.org
dering from Procurement Services. Please contact us
for your free copy. For written enquiries, our postal address is:
Procurement Services Centre,
Further information on Procurement Services, including UNICEF Supply Division,
online registration and a cost estimate, is available on UNICEF Plads, Freeport,
our website at: www.unicef.org/supply DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø,
Denmark.

We look forward to working together.

Additional information about UNICEF, including the latest news, Procurement Services pages and downloadable forms,
is available at www.unicef.org/supply

20
 PROCUREMENT
Procurement Services Centre Telephone: +(45) 35 27 35 27
UNICEF Supply Division E-mail: psid@unicef.org
UNICEF Plads, Freeport
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark

SERVICES

COMMODITIES
& SUPPLY SERVICES

April 2004 www.unicef.org/supply