The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), India, has issued tender for operation & maintenance (O&M) of a 12 MW solar project at a heavy water plant in Manuguru, Telangana.

The last date for online submission of tender is June 8, 2021. The e-tendering will be conducted through a two-bid system.

Bids are expected from approved contractors of the appropriate class of Central Public Works Department (CPWD) and authorized by other Central Government organizations. Non-registered contractors who meet the eligibility criteria mentioned in the notice inviting tender can also apply.

The duration of the project is 24 months.

The estimated cost of the tender is ₹19.98 million (~$271,645). The tender processing fee of ₹5,900 (~$80.24) including GST@18% has to be paid online.

Prospective bidders are expected to pay 3% of the tendered amount as a performance bank guarantee and 2.5% of the tendered amount towards security deposit.

According to the tender, a contractor should have undertaken similar works with a minimum of three years of experience in O&M of a solar project (6 MW and above). In a long-term O&M contract, the contractor should have documentary evidence of completing three years of O&M of solar projects (6 MW and above).

Bidders should have proof of registration with government/semi-government organizations like DAE/ Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, CPWD, Military Engineer Services, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), Indian Railways, among others, in the appropriate class or with experience in executing works.

The tender document further states that the bidder should have satisfactorily completed the following works in the last seven years ending April 30, 2021.

The bidder’s annual turnover as per the Income Tax Clearance Certificate or profit and loss statement for the last five years or the average annual turnover for the last three consecutive financial years should be at least 50% of the estimated value put to tender.

The bidder should not have incurred any loss for more than two years during the last five years, ending March 31, 2020.

According to the tender notice, the bidder should also produce the latest bank solvency certificate from any scheduled bank for a minimum value of 40% of the estimated cost put to tender, or a net worth certificate of a minimum of 10% of the estimated cost to tender issued by a certified chartered accountant.

The latest solvency certificate should be issued within one year from the tender opening date.

To qualify in the bidding process, interested parties must also produce a list of similar works currently underway and similar works carried in the last seven years, indicating the agency for whom the project was executed, the value of work, and completion time as specified and actual or present position of the work.

The bidders should also list the construction plant, machinery, equipment, accessories, and infrastructure facilities possessed by them to complete the work on time.

In 2017, The Department of Atomic Energy, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, had tendered a 600 kW grid-connected rooftop solar project to be developed on buildings in Trombay, Mumbai.

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Rahul is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Before entering the world of renewables, Rahul was head of the Gujarat bureau for The Quint. He has also worked for DNA Ahmedabad and Ahmedabad Mirror. Hailing from a banking and finance background, Rahul has also worked for JP Morgan Chase and State Bank of India. More articles from Rahul Nair.