• Working Hours - Mon - Thu: 8:00 - 17:00; Fri: 8:00 - 14:00
What are you looking for?

Blog

US Lauds Institute’s Public Health Services Efforts

Picture above: L-R IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr Charles Olalekan Mensah; IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum; Representative of IHVN Board Chair, Prof Emeritus Umaru Shehu, his son, Mr. Mahumud Shehu; IHVN Co-Founder, Prof William Blattner; Board Director Sir Steve Omojafor; US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr. Ralph Olson; USCDC Country Director, Dr Mary Boyd and Executive Director International Research Center of Excellence, Prof Alash’le Abimiku cutting the commissioning cake.

The United States Acting Deputy Chief of Mission, Rolf Olson, has commended the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) for its years of commitment in improving the health of Nigerians.
Mr Olson said this during the official commissioning of the IHVN Campus consisting of a seven- story twin tower in Abuja. “The work you do here not only protects the health of the people of Nigeria but people around the region,” he said.

He re-iterated the US government’s commitment towards impacting the health of Nigerians in a positive way, strengthening health security and establishing Nigeria as a leader in public health science.

“The US government’s current sub-Saharan Africa strategy reiterates our commitment to health security in the region, and through our agencies like CDC, we are able to work toward the vision of a world where people live healthier, safer, and longer lives. CDC’s mission is to protect and improve health globally through science, policy, partnership, and evidence based public health action. These actions, driven by science and data, are a core component of the US government’s global health diplomacy efforts in Nigeria,” he added.

Picture above: Board Director Sir Steve Omojafor, officially opening the IHVN Campus, a seven story twin tower in Abuja; he is flanked to the left by USCDC Country Director, Dr. Mary Boyd, IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku and Board Director Ms Josephine Tapgun; to the right are, Board Director, Dr. Umaru Mutallab, IHVN Co-founder and His Wife Prof William Blattner & Mrs Diane Blattner, Board Director, Mr. Foluso Phillips and IHVN CEO, Dr. Patrick Dakum.

Also at the event, IHVN Board Chair, Prof Emeritus Umaru Shehu, said that the commissioning of the IHVN Campus gives hope that, “we can curb today’s emerging diseases of public health concern.
The Board Chair whose speech was delivered by Board Director, Sir Steve Omojafor, said that the campus facilities would inspire young scientists to develop and execute research projects under the mentorship of more experienced investigators.

“I predict that with facilities such as the ones you find on this campus, Nigeria will soon become the destination for medical tourism, clinical diagnostics, treatment and care for people with infectious and non-infectious diseases.”

The campus has a biorepository with liquid nitrogen facilities, a genomic resource center, clinical pathology, molecular diagnostics, chemistry &hematology, and microbiology laboratories as well as a Clinical Trials Unit
According to IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr Patrick Dakum, these facilities ”will be a home for conducting clinical trials that specifically state how vaccines or drugs work in our population and the adverse effects observed.”

The event was witnessed by guests from the University of Maryland Baltimore, Co-founder of IHVN, Prof. William Blattner, representatives of government agencies, implementing partners, beneficiaries of projects, the private sector, public health experts, media amongst others.

IHVN Campus to Promote Partnerships for Healthy Communities

Picture above: IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum, addressing journalists flanked by Executive Director of the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku and IHVN Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah.

The Chief Executive Officer of Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), Dr. Patrick Dakum, has said that the Institute’s seven story towers in Abuja will provide a platform for global and local partnerships to combat diseases.
Dr Dakum stated this at a press briefing in Abuja to announce the commissioning of the IHVN Campus scheduled to hold on June 5th and 6th, 2023.
“For over 19 years since our establishment as a non-governmental organization, we have addressed the HIV crisis in Nigeria by developing infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. We have over time expanded our services to cover other communicable and non-communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, cancer, COVID-19 and other emerging diseases. In 2015, we established the International Research Center of Excellence to promote public/private partnerships for quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa.”
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Institute’s International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, said that IRCE has conducted targeted research relevant to the challenges faced locally.
“The research we do must inform better management of diseases in the populations we serve. First of all, we have to understand the peculiarities of these diseases within the population. Through our Clinical Trial Unit, we can conduct clinical trials that specifically state how vaccines or drugs work in our population and the adverse effects observed. That information goes to policy makers and the government,” she said.
She added that IRCE is also supporting the government in the areas of epidemic preparedness. “Some of the research that we have done and are still doing just like in Long-COVID is to understand how we react to pandemics so that we are better prepared for the next pandemic.”
The IHVN Campus hosts laboratories including a bio-repository to collect, process and store samples for research.
IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr. Charles Olalekan Mensah added that with the first phase of the campus completed, the Institute is working towards completion of the second and third phase, which includes a multi-level car park, conference center and residential hotel.

IHVN Takes Tuberculosis Screening to Schools, Orphanages & Destitute Homes

To mark the 2023 Childhood Tuberculosis National Testing Week, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has provided free integrated health screening in schools, orphanages, destitute homes and correctional centers in Ogun, Osun, Oyo and Lagos States.
The awareness and screening activity was held in communities as well as immunization and nutrition clinics in both public and private health facilities. More than 40,000 children were screened, out of which 105 children with tuberculosis were identified and linked to care.
IHVN Chief of Party, USAID TB-LON 3 project, Dr. Aderonke Agbaje, said that the focus on children during the testing week is because, “Children are change agents and should be engaged in the fight against tuberculosis.”
In preparation for the week, the Institute had partnered with Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria to educate health reporters about tuberculosis and the need for improved awareness about the disease.
Low index of suspicion amongst mothers and child caregivers remains a major risk factor to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood TB. The TB-LON 3 School Health Club launch is one of the Institute’s responses to increase TB awareness amongst this cohort. Students, teachers and parents were decorated as TB ambassadors and charged with a duty to further drive the message of TB to their families and in the community at large.
The USAID TB-LON 3 project is a five-year project being implemented by IHVN with funding from the United States Agency for International Development. The goal of the Project is to innovatively engage all stakeholders in finding missing Tuberculosis (TB) cases by rapidly scaling up tuberculosis services, whilst strengthening resilient and sustainable systems for tuberculosis control.

Supply of Diesel (AGO) under ASPIRE grant

BackgroundThe Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN) was established in 2004 as a local organization to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria through the development of infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support for people living with and that affected by HIV/AIDS but has now expanded its services to other infectious diseases of TB and malaria, including cancers. IHVN is structured to develop and maintain linkages with local and international organizations in collaborative ways that support the Government of Nigeria’s health sector strategic plans. IHVN key technical and funding partners are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
BID Title:• Supply of Diesel (AGO) under ASPIRE grant.
Scope of Bid• Bidders are invited to submit a Bid for the goods and/or services specified above: Schedule of Requirements, in accordance with this bid.
Interpretation of the Bid• This RFB is an invitation to treat and shall not be construed as an offer capable of being accepted or as creating any contractual, other legal or restitutionary rights.
• This RFB is conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of IHVN Procurement Manual (latest version of which can be accessed at: www.ihvnigeria.org and other relevant Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions that are referred to in the Procurement Manual.
Language• The Bid, as well as all correspondence and documents relating to the Bid shall be written in the English language, unless specified otherwise in the bid advert. Supporting documents and printed literature furnished by the Bidder may be in another language provided they are accompanied by an accurate translation of the relevant passages into the English language, in which case, for purposes of interpretation of the Bid, such translation shall govern.
• The Bidder shall bear all costs of translation to the governing language and all risks of the accuracy of such translation.
Bid EligibilityBidders may be a private, public or government-owned legal entity or any association with legal capacity to enter into a binding Contract with IHVN.
A Bidder, and all parties constituting the bidder, may have the nationality of any country with the exception of the nationalities, if any, listed in United State Government Debarment List. A Bidder shall be deemed to have the nationality of a country if the Bidder is a citizen or is constituted, incorporated, or registered and operates in conformity with the provisions of the laws of that country.
A Bidder shall not have a conflict of interest. A bidder shall be considered to have a conflict of interest if:
● A Bidder has a close business or family relationship with a IHVN personnel who: (i) are directly or indirectly involved in the preparation of the bidding documents or specifications of the contract, and/or the bid evaluation process of such contract; or (ii) would be involved in the implementation or supervision of such contract;
● A Bidder is associated, or has been associated in the past, directly or indirectly, with a firm or any of its affiliates which have been engaged by IHVN to provide consulting services for the preparation of the design, specifications, and other documents to be used for the procurement of the goods, services or works required in the present procurement process;
● A Bidder has an interest in other bidders, including when they have common ownership and/or management. Bidders shall not submit more than one bid, except for alternative offers, if permitted. This will result in the disqualification of all bids in which the Bidder is involved. This includes situations where a firm is the Bidder in one bid and a sub-contractor on another; however, this does not limit the inclusion of a firm as a sub-contractor in more than one bid.
Bidders must disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest in the Bid Submission and they shall be deemed ineligible for this procurement process unless such conflict of interest is resolved in a manner acceptable to IHVN. Failure to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest may lead to the Bidder being sanctioned.
A Bidder shall not be eligible to submit a quotation if and when at the time of quotation submission, the Bidder:
● Is included in any other Ineligibility List from a IHVN partner and if so listed in United State Government Debarment List.
● Is currently suspended from doing business with IHVN and removed from its vendor database(s), for reasons other than engaging in proscribed practices as defined in the IHVN Procurement Policy.
Fraud & Corruption, Gifts and HospitalityIHVN strictly enforces a policy of zero tolerance on proscribed practices, including fraud, corruption, collusion, unethical or unprofessional practices, and obstruction of IHVN vendors and requires all bidders/vendors to observe the highest standard of ethics during the procurement process and contract implementation.
IHVN’s Anti-Fraud email: [email protected] can be reached at all times to report any foul play at any level.
Bidders/vendors shall not offer gifts or hospitality of any kind to IHVN staff members including recreational trips to sporting or cultural events, theme parks or offers of holidays, transportation, or invitations to extravagant lunches or dinners.
In pursuance of this policy, IHVN:
a. Shall reject a bid if it determines that the selected bidder has engaged in any corrupt or fraudulent practices in competing for the contract in question.
b. Shall declare a vendor ineligible, either indefinitely or for a stated period, to be awarded a contract if at any time it determines that the vendor has engaged in any corrupt or fraudulent practices in competing for, or in executing an IHVN contract.
  Clarification of the BidBidders may request clarification in relation to the RFB by submitting a written request to the contact stated in the Bid advert, until the time stated as deadline on the RFB. Explanations or interpretations provided by personnel other than the named contact person will not be considered binding or official.
Bid CurrencyThe bid shall be made in Naira. If applicable, for comparison and evaluation purposes, IHVN will convert the quotations into USD at the official IHVN rate of exchange in force at the time of the deadline for Bid Submission.
IHVN reserves the right not to reject any bid submitted in a currency other than the mandatory bidding currency. IHVN may accept bid submitted in another currency than stated above if the Bidder confirms during clarification of quotations in writing that it will accept a Contract issued in the mandatory bid currency and that for conversion the official IHVN operational rate of exchange of the day of RFB deadline as stated in Section I: RFB Particulars shall apply. Regardless of the currency of quotations received, the Contract will always be issued and subsequent payments will be made in the mandatory bidding currency above.
Rates in bids shall be fixed. Bids with adjustable rates shall be disqualified.
TaxesContract sum shall be subjected to deduction of 5% withholding tax
Payment TermsIHVN will ordinarily effect payment within 2 to 3 weeks after receipt of the goods/services and on submission of payment documentation.
AuditIHVN may conduct an audit of the contract awarded to determine its completeness, efficacy as well as the performance of the supplier which will be used as a basis for the engagement of the vendors for future procurements.
RequirementsAbility to meet delivery targets within IHVN’s specified time period.
Bid ProtestAny Bidder that believes to have been unjustly treated in connection with this RFB process or any Contract that may be awarded as a result of such RFB process may submit a complaint to IHVN Management through postal service using the address provided on IHVN website www.ihvnigeria.org
Responsiveness of BidIHVN’s determination of a Bid’s responsiveness will be based on the contents of the Bid itself.
A substantially responsive Bid is one that conforms to all the terms, conditions, and specifications of the bid advert without material deviation, reservation, or omission.
If a Bid is not substantially responsive, it shall be rejected by IHVN and may not subsequently be made responsive by the Bidder by correction of the material deviation, reservation, or omission.
Evaluation of BidThe evaluation team shall review and evaluate the Bids on the basis of their responsiveness to the Schedule of Requirements and Technical Specifications and other documentation provided, applying the procedure indicated in the bid advert. Absolutely no changes may be made by IHVN in the criteria after all Bids have been received.
IHVN reserves the right to undertake a post-qualification exercise, aimed at determining, to its satisfaction the validity of the information provided by the Bidder. Such post-qualification shall be fully documented and, among those that may be listed in the bid advert, may include, but need not be limited to, all or any combination of the following : (a)Verification of accuracy, correctness and authenticity of the information provided by the bidder on the legal, technical and financial documents submitted; (b)Validation of extent of compliance to the IHVN requirements and evaluation criteria based on what has so far been found by the evaluation team; (c)Inquiry and reference checking with Government entities with jurisdiction on the bidder, or any other entity that may have done business with the bidder; (d)Inquiry and reference checking with other previous clients on the quality of performance on on-going or previous contracts completed; (e)Physical inspection of the bidder’s plant, factory, branches or other places where business transpires, with or without notice to the bidder; (f)Testing and sampling of completed goods similar to the requirements of IHVN, where available; and (g)Other means that IHVN may deem appropriate, at any stage within the selection process, prior to awarding the contract.
Qualification CriteriaGeneral Criteria:
The Bidder shall possess the necessary professional and technical qualifications and competence, financial resources, production capability with equipment and other physical facilities, including after-sales service where appropriate, managerial capability, specific experience, reputation, and the personnel to perform the contract.
To qualify for a multiple number of lots in a package for which Bids are invited in the Invitation for Bids, The Bidder shall demonstrate having resources and experience sufficient to meet the aggregate of the qualifying criteria for the individual lots
Experience Criteria:
(a) a minimum number of years of overall experience in the supply of goods and related services;
(b) a minimum production capacity or availability of equipment; and in case of a Bidder offering to supply goods which the Bidder did not manufacture or otherwise produce, the Bidder has been duly authorized by the goods’ Manufacturer or producer to supply the goods.
Financial Criteria:
• Evidence of satisfactory completion of supply of similar goods of value
Award CriteriaPrior to expiration of the period of Bid validity, IHVN shall award the contract to the qualified and eligible Bidder that is found to be responsive to the requirements of the Schedule of Requirements and Technical Specification, and has offered the lowest price or the most reasonable price..
Bank Guarantee for Advanced PaymentAll contractor shall produce a banker’s guarantee or insurance bond prior to request for advance payment from the sum of N2.5m and above. Advance payment request below N2.5m will not be honored by the Institute.
Supplier Code of Conduct  IHVN is committed to working in partnership with our suppliers to realize the full value of our relationships and to positively contribute to our stakeholder communities and the environment. Therefore, the following conducts are expected from our suppliers:
• In keeping with our commitment to exercising appropriate standards of professionalism and ethical conduct in all business activities, IHVN will not tolerate bribery or corruption in any form, or any breach of its Anti-Bribery Policy.
• Fraud & Corruption, Gift and Hospitality: IHVN strictly enforces a policy of zero tolerance on proscribed practices, including fraud, corruption, collusion, unethical or unprofessional practices, and obstruction of IHVN vendors and requires all bidders/vendors to observe the highest standard of ethics during the procurement process and contract implementation. IHVN’s Anti-Fraud email: [email protected] can be reached at all times to report any foul play at any level.
• Suppliers are expected to maintain accurate records of their activities and performance that clearly demonstrate compliance with all applicable standards, regulations and IHVN requirements.
• Suppliers must disclose any personal relationships, economic interest or other ties to their business held by an employee or contractor with IHVN.
• Suppliers shall provide IHVN with high-quality products and services that meet all applicable quality and demonstrate that they have robust Standard Organization of Nigeria requirements in place. We expect suppliers to immediately report to IHVN of any concerns about product safety.
• Suppliers shall take appropriate measures to secure and protect all confidential information related to its relationship with IHVN and use it only for the purpose authorized under contractual agreement. This obligation shall remain in force regardless of the status of the business relationship.
• Suppliers to IHVN shall carry out operations with care for the environment and at a minimum will comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
• Suppliers shall also comply with any additional category specific requirements regarding the goods or services provided to IHVN, for example our requirements in respect of specification.
  Instructions to Bidding/Requirements• All bids must be in ink or type written; submission in pencil will not be accepted.
• All enquiries regarding the proposed application for the above should be addressed to the Deputy Director Procurement/HOD SCM of IHV-Nigeria.
• Bids must be properly sealed.
• All bidders not registered with IHVN must include company profile.
• All bidders must include copies of tax clearance certificates for the past three years.
• All bids must provide evidence of at least two similar Jobs made in the past for IHVN/other organizations etc.
• The bidders must specialize in the supply of diesel with proof
• Bidders not registered with IHVN must provide proof of registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
• Bidders not registered with IHVN must show proof of DUNS certification.
• Bidders not registered with IHVN must provide proof of audited financial statement in the last three years.
• Bids should be submitted to the head office on or before the date below specified as deadline.
• Bids will be opened at the expiration of the bid advert.
• Any quote with percentage/calculation error will be disqualified at the tender meeting.
• All bidders must indicate their bid validity period as 90 days from the date of this bid’s expiration.
• As time is of the essence, delivery of service shall be within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of receipt of L.P.O by contractor. 
Note*Bids which must reach us within ten (10) working days from the date of this publication should have the title of the BID written on the “Top Left-Hand Corner” of the envelope.
Please find the Detailed Specifications under annex 1 below.
Funding AgencyASPIRE Grant
Bid Start Date/ Time07/06/2023         8:00 am
Bid Deadline Date/ Time20/06/2023         10:00 am
  ContactThe Deputy Director Procurement/HOD SCM
SCM Department
Supply Chain Management Department
Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria
Cadastral Zone COO Plot 62, after BAZE University, off CITEC Road, Abuja-NIGERIA
Tel: +234 (0) 9 4610342, 4610341, Fax: +234 Ext. 4025
Email: [email protected]

Annex 1

S/NDescriptionUOMQTO
1Supply of Diesel (AGO):
The diesel density: 850kg/m3 at temperature of 20 degree Celsius
The diesel must be pure.
Dark/Black colors are not acceptable
Liters 33,000

IHVN Set to Launch a Campus of Excellence in Public Health Implementation in Nigeria

Picture above: IHVN campus in Abuja.

The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is to officially launch its state-of-the-art multi-campus of excellence in public healthcare, treatment training, and research to bring quality health services within the reach of millions of Nigerians.

The IHVN Campus, located on Plot 62, Emeritus Umaru Shehu Avenue, Cadastral Zone, COO, Abuja, is a combination of leasable office buildings, clinical laboratories for diagnosis, research, and training, functional clinic spaces for patient care and clinical trials, bio-specimen repositories for storage and management of bio-specimens, multi-media lecture auditoriums and meeting rooms and offices.

The event, which will take place on June 6, will be preceded by a scientific seminar on addressing local health challenges through quality research and partnership. The seminar will bring together key scientists and public-private stakeholders in the health sector with Professor Robert Gallo, Director, Institute of Human Virology, Baltimore USA; Professor Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director, International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), and Dr. Ifedayo Morayo Adetifa, Director General of Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) as the main speakers.

As an internationally recognized local and nonprofit organization, IHVN is structured to develop and maintain linkages with other local and international organizations, in collaborative ways that support the Government of Nigeria’s health sector strategic plans. IHVN focuses on the prevention, treatment, and management of diseases such as HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, COVID-19, Cancer, and other infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Speaking about the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria, Dr. Patrick Dakum, says “The commissioning of the IHVN Campus demonstrates the Institute’s commitment as a leader in providing health service implementation, capacity building, research and ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare services through innovative and evidence-based strategies.” Dr. Dakum also says that with its two centers now on campus: the Program Implementation Center (PIC) and the International Research Center of Excellence, the Institute will continue to develop training and expertise for the sustainability of HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, and Cancer programs.

The commissioning of the IHVN Campus is expected to revolutionize the fight against emerging infectious and non-infectious diseases in Nigeria and the African Continent.