Odisha Renewable Energy Development Agency (OREDA) has invited bids for the selection of vendors for the design, manufacture, supply, transport, installation, testing, and commissioning of off-grid solar photovoltaic water pumping systems of 1 HP -7.5 HP capacities.

The last date for the submission of bids is October 12, 2023. Bids will be opened on the next day.

The winning bidder will also have to look after the complete system warranty and its repair and maintenance for five years under component B of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) program.

Additionally, vendors are required to provide a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) for all solar pumps installed under the program.

Bidders have to submit a bid processing fee of ₹12,390 (~$148.74) including GST.

They must also furnish an Earnest Money Deposit (EMD) in the form of a bank guarantee for ₹1,500,000 (~$18,001). The bank guarantee should be valid for 27 months from the last date of bid submission.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are not required to submit a bid processing fee or an EMD.

The selected bidders must provide a performance guarantee valued at 10% of the total allocated amount.

The use of domestically produced solar panels containing native solar cells and modules will be obligatory. Additionally, the motor pump set, controller, and all other system components must also be locally manufactured.

To guarantee the prompt maintenance of solar pumps, in addition to training a local individual and providing essential spare parts and tools in every district, the vendor must establish an accredited service center in each operational district and establish a helpline in the local language (Odia).

The helpline number should be prominently displayed on the pump/controller for easy visibility and accessibility to users.

MNRE, OREDA, or designated agencies can inspect systems during installation or operation. Non-compliance with standards, poor maintenance, or guideline violations may result in a three-year vendor blacklist or contract performance guarantee encashment.

The selected vendor is responsible for maintaining a minimum operational rate of 95% for all installed solar pumps at any given time. The RMS should be integrated with the solar pump controllers.

Additionally, the selected vendor must obtain monthly consent from beneficiaries, which will be forwarded to OREDA. Upon receiving this notice to proceed, the selected vendor must complete the installation and commissioning of allocated solar pumps within 120 days.

The tender prioritizes the promotion of commercially proven and operational technologies to minimize technological risks and ensure timely project commissioning.

Bidders must either be manufacturers of solar module, solar pump, or solar pump controller using indigenous technology.

Alternatively, they can be Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) entities with experience in similar works in collaboration with a solar module manufacturer, solar pump manufacturer, or manufacturer of solar pump controller using indigenous technology.

Similar works refers to the design, supply, erection, testing, and commissioning of standalone (off-grid) solar PV-based water pump sets or rooftop solar systems in the state.

Bidders should also demonstrate experience with a minimum of 400 solar pumps of various capacities over the past seven years from the bid submission date, or they should have experience in executing a 2 MW rooftop solar system in the state through a joint venture with a module manufacturer.

Alternatively, they should have experience supplying modules for solar pumping projects over the last seven years.

Bidders should have achieved an annual turnover of at least ₹70 million (~$840,201) in the last three years. They must demonstrate profitability in at least two of the last four years.

The net worth of the bidders should be equal to or greater than the paid-up capital in the last financial year, which is 2022-23.

Recently, OREDA invited bids to provide electric vehicle fleet services for 300 vehicles on an own, operate, and maintain basis.

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