The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has issued a notice to empanel solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors and operation and maintenance (O&M) service providers.

The last date to submit bids is October 5, 2021.

The successful bidders would be empaneled for three years. The prospective bidders need not pay any earnest money deposit.

Category A: 100 to 200 MW (AC)

Under ‘Category A,’ bidders should have experience designing, engineering, supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning grid-connected solar projects with a total installed capacity of 75 MW (AC) or above in the last seven years on a lump-sum turnkey or EPC basis. Of this, one project should be over 30 MW (AC) capacity at a single location and must be operational for at least six months.

In addition, bidders must have completed O&M of at least one grid-connected solar project with over 10 MW (AC) capacity for at least one year in the last seven years.

The bidders should also have a minimum annual turnover of ₹3 billion (~$40.7 million) in any of the previous three financial years coupled with a minimum working capital of ₹600 million (~$8.14 million).

If the bidder’s working capital is negative or inadequate, then the bidder must submit a letter from their bank confirming the availability of a line of credit equal to or over ₹600 million (~$8.14 million).

Category B: 201 to 300 MW (AC)

Bidders should have experience designing, engineering, supplying, installing, testing, and commissioning at least 125 MW (AC) of grid-connected solar projects in the last seven years on a lump-sum turnkey or EPC basis. Of this, one project should be over 50 MW (AC) capacity at a single location and must be operational for at least six months.

In addition, bidders should also have completed O&M of at least one grid-connected solar project with a capacity of over 20 MW for a minimum of one year in the last seven years.

The bidders must have a minimum annual turnover of ₹5 billion (~$67.8 million) in any of the last three previous three financial years. In addition, they should have a minimum working capital of ₹1 billion (~$13.5 million). If the bidder’s working capital is negative or inadequate, the bidder needs to submit a letter from their bank confirming the availability of a line of credit for equal to or over ₹1 billion (~$13.5 million).

In July 2021, GAIL invited an expression of interest to acquire operational projects in solar parks. GAIL was exploring opportunities in the renewable energy sector with a target of 1 GW capacity.

GAIL had also invited bids for installing, erection, testing, and commissioning of grid-connected rooftop solar projects of a cumulative capacity of 2.64 MW (DC) on a turnkey basis at its premises in Auraiya district of Uttar Pradesh.

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