In general, ‘tender’ means a process to invite bids (i.e. offers or proposals) for a definite work. Likewise, ‘Government tender’ is also a process through which government invite submissions/ bids for a specific project or work to be carried out in a definite time. The government offers vide number of tenders in the form of infrastructure; cleaning; health and many more sectors.
Under government tenders, the tenderer is likely to face a healthy competition. The government tenders offer good quantum of work, the certainty of payment and timely payment. Henceforth more and more bidders are expected to bid for the Government tender, which results in a healthy competition between the bidder.
As we all know, India is heading towards complete digitization. Nowadays, even the Government tenders are offered and uploaded electronically through Central Public Procurement Portal. From 2012, it is mandatory for all the Central Government, Central Public Sector and Autonomous bodies to publish (offer) their tenders on Central Public Procurement Portal.
Central Public Procurement Portal has two modules, namely, e-publishing module and e-procurement module. Let us briefly understand hereunder the two modules and use of the same –
1. E-publishing module – This module enables the Central Government and State Government organizations to publish their tender enquiries; Corrigenda and announce awards of contract details using https://eprocure.gov.in/epublish/app
2. E-procurement module – This module enables the tenderers to download the Tender Schedule (free of cost) and submit the bid online using https://eprocure.gov.in/eprocure/app
Eligibility criteria to be fulfilled –
It is imperative to note here that each tender has its specific eligibility criteria, however, the essential and general criteria to be satisfied by the tenderer are prescribed below –
1. Obtaining registration under e-procurement module –
The basic need for going for any government tender is obtaining registration under e-procurement website or e-tenders website since through this site the tenderer can file (i.e. bid) their tenders. The bidder needs to follow the below steps for obtaining registration under e-procurement or e-tender website –
- Visit site https://eprocure.gov.in/eprocure/app or https://etenders.gov.in/eprocure/app.
- Click on ‘Online Bidder Enrollment’ provided on the right-hand side of the site;
- ‘Online Bidder Enrollment’ form would be displayed. Wherein, you need to provide the following details –
- E-mail id and Mobile number
- Company details like Name; Registration Number; Registered Address; PAN/TAN Number etc.
- Contact person details like Title; contact name; Date of Birth; Designation etc.
Please note the e-mail id and the mobile number should be accurate and the same needs to be verified.
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- Enter the Captcha and click on submit.
2. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) requirement –
The tenderer is required to obtain a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) [both signing as well as encryption] of Class III DSCs. DSCs requirement is mandatorily for carrying out e-procurement.
3. Apart from the specific tender-wise criteria, in general, the tenderer is required to fulfil the following requirements –
- Technical criteria –
Under technical measures, various aspects like turnover; credentials; manufacturing capacity (if applicable); machinery and equipment; past performance; quality control system; after-sales services; the financial background is needed to be satisfied by the tenderer.
- Monetary criteria –
Under monetary criteria, the tenderer is required to quote the amount within which the tender can be completed. The financial criteria are the essential criteria the tenderer need to satisfy. The tenderer which would submit the lowest quote would obviously be preferred over others.
- Other criteria –
In general, the tenderer is required to submit the following documents/ fulfill specific criteria –
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- The tenderer is required to obtain registration under various applicable laws like income tax; goods and service tax; ESI; EPF etc. The tenderer needs to provide copy of all such registration certificate at the time of filing of the Government tender.
- The tenderer also needs to submit a solvency certificate, generally, from its banker or as specified in the bid.
- The bidder should submit documents reflecting the work experience or past allocated tender details/ documents.
4. The tenderer is required to pay a specific tender cost (generally non-refundable).
Conclusion –
Even though for getting Government tenders and doing the work, the tenderer has to face various issues like fulfilling the procedural aspects at each level; involvement of corruption at all stages; timely completion of work and many other. The Government tender still is most preferred since it offers a good quantum of work along with timely payment. During the current economic recession being faced in the country, it acts as a helping hand for the business to some extent.
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VERY GOOD ARTICLE. THANKS FOR SHARING