Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has issued a notice inviting tender (NIT) for the operation and maintenance (O&M) of NTPC’s 22 MW floating solar power project at Kayamkulam in Kerala for three years.

The project’s estimated cost is ₹58.13 million (~$752,673).

The last day to submit the bids is May 23, 2022. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders must furnish an earnest money deposit of ₹500,000 (~$6,473). The successful bidder must remit 5% of the project cost as a security deposit.

The scope of work includes O&M for the floating solar array on the reservoir, the central monitoring control station (CMCS), inverter platform cum transformer yards, 33 kV power cables laid from inverter stations along the reservoir, and terminated at CMCS of NTPC close to switchyard. The scope includes O&M for all floating systems and electrical, civil, and mechanical installations.

Bidders must have executed three similar works, each costing not less than ₹23.25 million (~$301,169), or two similar completed works, each costing not less than ₹29.07 million (~$376,600), or one similar completed work costing not less than ₹46.51 million (~$602,535).

They can bid if they have three similar completed works, each not less than 40% of the total project capacity for one year. Bidders can participate in the tender if they have completed two similar works, each with not less than 50% of the total plant capacity or one similar completed work with not less than 80% of the total project capacity.

Bidders must have an average annual financial turnover of at least 30% of the project cost during the last three financial years ending March 31, 2021. They must enclose the audited balance sheet and profit and loss account or turnover certificate from a chartered accountant for the last three financial years ending March 31, 2021.

If the vendor fails to start the O&M work within two weeks, a penalty of 0.5% per week of delay on the value of the work order will be levied.

BHEL had invited an expression of interest from original equipment manufacturers to supply and install photovoltaic modules, floaters, anchoring and mooring systems, and an annual maintenance contract for three 100 MW floating solar power projects in Madhya Pradesh.

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