ITI Limited, a public sector undertaking under the Department of Telecommunication, has invited expression of interest (EoI) to select business associates for the design, installation, and commissioning of 1,000 off-grid solar projects of 3.5 kW capacity each on panchayat ghars under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).

The contract will include five years of comprehensive maintenance and two years of an extended maintenance contract, including imparting vocational training at the J&K panchayat ghars.

The scope of work also covers implementing the complete project on a back-to-back basis, including liaison with program implementing agencies, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, identification of the site, bill realization, statutory clearance, addressing the grievances of the customer, and implementing agencies.

The last date to submit the bids is July 19, 2021, and bids will be opened on July 20. The estimated cost of the project is ₹500 million (~$6.71 million).

Interested bidders will have to submit an amount of ₹200,000 (~$2,681) as an earnest money deposit.

To participate in the bidding process, the bidder should be an original manufacturer of indigenous solar modules, an off-grid and on-grid power conditioning unit manufacturer, or a system integrator.

The bidder should have experience in completing one similar work (off-grid or grid-connected), costing 80% or more of the estimated cost of the project during the last seven years.

Alternatively, the bidder should have experience of completing two similar works (off-grid or grid-connected) costing 50% or more of the estimated cost of the project during the last seven years or three similar works (off-grid or grid-connected) costing not less than 40% of the estimated cost of the project during the last seven years.

The bidder’s cumulative annual turnover should be a minimum of ₹250 million (~$3.35 million) in the last three financial years. The net worth of the bidder should be positive in the last financial year.

The material or system should be warranted for five years from the completion date of the project or the handover (whichever is later).

The bidder who is a micro and small enterprise should enclose a copy of the valid certificate issued by a body specified by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to avail the benefits under the ‘Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order, 2012’ and its amendments.

In November last year, ITI Limited invited bids to develop a 1.5 MW grid-connected solar power project at its manufacturing facility in the Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh. The scope of work included the survey, design, fabrication, supply, testing, and commissioning of a 1.5 MW rooftop (with net metering) or ground-mounted solar power project at its premises in Raebareli.

Earlier, ITI Limited had issued a tender for procuring solar energy from the off-site, ground-mounted project through the group captive open access model.

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