The Madhya Pradesh Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (MPUVNL) has invited Request for Proposal (RfP) for standardization of rates for the supply, installation, and commissioning of spares for solar surface water pumping systems for irrigation and drinking water purpose.

The scope of work also includes the annual maintenance contract for existing solar pumps installed at various locations in the state of Madhya Pradesh.  The document states that 2,792 solar pumps will be allotted under this tender.

A solar water pumping system consists of a PV array, a DC submersible or floating motor pump set, electronics, interconnect cables, and a switch. PV array is mounted on a suitable structure with a provision of tracking. Electronics could include maximum power point tracker (MPPT), inverter, and controls /protections. Storage batteries will not constitute a part of the SPV water pumping system, the tender noted. Components and parts used in the SPV water pumping system, including PV modules, pumps, metallic structures, cables, a junction box, switch, should conform to the quality standards. A solar pumping system includes the complete turnkey solution for supply, installation, commissioning, and an annual maintenance contract for five years, the tender added.

The last date for the submission of bids online is February 29, 2020, while hard copies can be submitted by March 03, 2020. A pre-bid meeting will be held on February 18, 2020.  Interested bidders are expected to pay a bid security fee of ₹50,000 (~$697.584) to take part in the bidding process.

Regarding the technical criteria, the bidders should have prior experience in the manufacturing, supply, installation, commissioning, and system integration for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supported programs, or any government organization, agency, or public sector unit in India.

The bidders should have a cumulative experience of three years in executing contracts of off-grid solar projects or a cumulative experience of three years in manufacturing and supply of motor pump sets, solar pump controllers, inverters, and SPV modules. The bidder should have a cumulative experience of three years in the annual maintenance of a minimum number of 300 solar PV pumping systems is also eligible to take part in the bidding process. Any Akshay Urja Shop registered with MPUVNL having a minimum of three years of experience of procurement, supply, and commissioning of renewable energy or energy conservation system or devices can also take part in the bidding process.

Further, the bidder should have installed and commissioned a minimum of 100 solar PV water pumping systems of any size on or before the submission of the bid.

The average annual turnover during the last three financial years should be at least ₹ 7.5 million (~$104,638) for eligible bidders.

Recently, the Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency (HAREDA) invited bidders for a pre-bid meeting for the solarization of 466 grid-connected solar pump sets on two selected feeders at Biana in Karnal district and Marupur in Yamunanagar district. The installation is under a pilot project that falls under the component-C of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.

Earlier, the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) invited bids for off-grid solar water pump systems across India under the Pradhan Mantri Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyaan (PM KUSUM) program that is targeted towards promoting solar in agriculture.

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