The Federative Republic of Brazil, through the Ministry of Health, has received a loan in various currencies from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) toward the cost of the Health Sector Reform Project (REFORSUS). It is intended that part of the loan proceeds be applied to eligible payments under the contract for the acquisition of medical and hospital equipment.

The Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cruzeiro now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders to supply the medical and hospital equipment listed in Section VI B Schedule of Requirements of the bidding documents.

Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from and inspect the bidding documents at the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cruzeiro (address below).

A complete set of bidding documents may be purchased by interested bidders on the submission of a written application to the same address and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee in the amount equivalent to US$ 50, in the form of a bank deposit in favor of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cruzeiro, at ABanco do Brasil@, agency No. 0449-9, account No. 3476-2 in the City of Cruzeiro, São Paulo State, Brazil.

The provisions in the instructions to bidders and in the general conditions of contract are the provisions of the IDB.

Bids must be accompanied by a security as specified in Section VI (Schedule of Requirements) and be delivered to the Special Bidding Committee by 1430 hours on 2 April 2001. They will be opened immediately thereafter in the presence of the bidders= representatives who choose to attend at the office below.

Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Cruzeiro

Ave. Major Novaes, 715, Centro

CEP 12701-906. Cruzeiro, SP, Brazil

Tel: (55-12) 3184-7000

Fax: (55-12) 543-5464