Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has invited bids for the operations and maintenance (O&M) of a 5 MW solar power project at its heavy electrical equipment plant (HEEP) in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

The estimated contract cost is ₹2.25 million (~$27,193) for one year.

The last date to submit the bids is January 6, 2023. Bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders are required to furnish an amount of ₹45,175 (~$545) as an earnest money deposit.

The successful bidder will have to submit an amount equivalent to 5% of the contract value as a security deposit.

According to the terms of the tender, at least 50% of the required security deposit, including the EMD, will be collected before the start of the work.

The security deposit balance will be collected by deducting 10% of the gross amount from each of the contractor’s running bills until the total amount is collected.

The successful bidder will be responsible for the daily operation of the power conditioning units (PCUs), HT panels, switchyard, and equipment breakdown. The O&M vendor will also have to monitor daily weather parameters, take care of street light maintenance, and conduct module table tightness checks.

Extension of the time for completion of work may be granted by BHEL, where the delay is not attributed to the contractor.

However, if the delay is on account of the contractor, they will be charged 0.5% of the contract value for every week of delay, subject to a maximum of 10% of the contract value.

BHEL floated the tender for the O&M of the same plant last year in December.

Recently, BHEL had invited bids for the operation and maintenance of 2.015 MW rooftop solar systems for 54 months in Surat.

In August this year, BHEL invited bids for the operation and maintenance of a 100 MW grid-connected solar power project for ten years at Raghanesda Solar Park (Phase-I) in Gujarat. The project’s estimated cost is ₹38.66 million (~$467,259).

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, BHEL has so far floated O&M tenders for 991.74 MW of solar power projects.