Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), a government of India enterprise, has issued an expression of interest (EoI) to select back-end partners on a rate contract basis for the supply, installation, and maintenance of solar high masts, solar trees, solar streetlights, across India.

The scope of work includes the supply, testing, and commissioning of solar LED mini high mast, solar trees with a bike and mobile charging facility, solar streetlights, and a 1 KW off-grid solar power pack.

All the equipment and solutions supplied under this EoI must have five years comprehensive on-site warranty with spares and labor.

The rate contract is for three years and can be extended upon mutual consent. Before executing the work scope for the end client, TCIL will sign a memorandum of understanding with the selected bidder as per the agreed rate contract.

The last date to submit the bids is April 26, 2022, and the bids will be opened on April 27.

Bidders will be suspended from bidding for any contracts with TCIL for five years if they withdraw or modify their bids or fail to sign the agreement on time.

The successful bidder must deposit a back-to-back performance bank guarantee, as submitted by TCIL to the end client if the contract is awarded to TCIL by the end client.

The purchase preference is given to only ‘Made in India’ components. Only Class-I local suppliers are eligible to bid if sufficient local capacity exists. If sufficient local capacity doesn’t exist, both Class-I and Class-II Local suppliers are eligible to bid

Bidders must have completed at least one similar work or supply, costing not less than ₹20 million (~$262,633) excluding taxes, or two similar works, each costing not less than ₹10.5 million (~$137,882) excluding taxes. These projects must be completed during the last seven years.

For Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and startups, this amount is ₹10.75 (~$141,171) million in the case of one similar work and ₹10.25 (~$134,605) million each for two similar works.

During the last three years, bidders must have had an average annual turnover of at least ₹10.5 million (~$137,882), ending March 31 of the previous financial year. For MSEs and startups, this amount is ₹10 million (~$131,342) excluding GST. Bidders must have a positive net worth as of the last financial year and have recorded a profit before tax in two out of the last three financial years.

If the successful bidder fails to deliver the required equipment or install and commission the projects on time, they will be liable to pay liquidated damages equivalent to 0.5% of the value of delayed supply or purchase order for each week of delay for up to eight weeks. For any further delay, they will be charged at 1% of the value of delayed supply or purchase order for each week for up to seven weeks for supply delays and eight weeks for commissioning delays.

Last year, TCIL floated an EoI to select partners to set up 5 GW of grid-connected solar projects under the Central Public Sector Undertaking program by IREDA.

It also issued a tender for engineering and consultancy services to set up solar projects in Assam.

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