Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Limited (REIL), a joint venture between the state and central government, has invited bids for the supply of 100,000 monocrystalline passivated emitter and rear cell (PERC) solar cells of 5.80 wattage output capacity.

The last date to submit the bids is January 29, 2022. Bids will be opened on January 31.

The cells must be 158.75 × 158.75 ± 0.25 mm in dimensions and five busbars in length. The thickness of the cell should be 200 +/- 30 µm.

The cells must be vacuum packed in an export-worthy manner to avoid damage during transit in lots of 100 and must be secured tightly in shock-proof thermocol boxes. The cell manufacturer should provide a module of 60 cells and 72 cells with test reports from the lab.

The vendors who have not supplied these cells earlier should submit a sample of 140 cells free of cost to REIL for evaluation and acceptance before the due date of the tender.

Authorized dealers and distributors are also eligible to participate in this tender.

The total quantity of cells is to be supplied within two weeks from the delivery clearance by REIL.

If the supplied cells are defective, the supplier will be responsible for replacing them.

REIL has stated that a test report and qualification certificate must accompany all consignments from the product manufacturer, indicating compliance with the required specification.

If the manufacturer fails to deliver the required quantity by the stipulated date, he will have to pay liquidated damages at 1% of the value of items per week, subject to a maximum of 10% of the price of each unit so delayed.

REIL has said that 25% of the tendered quantity has been earmarked for micro and small enterprise (MSE) suppliers. Of this 25% earmarked quantity, 20% has been allocated for procurement from MSEs owned by Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe entrepreneurs.

Last October, REIL invited bids to procure 7,000 solar modules with a wattage output of 380 W to 390 W made from 72 monocrystalline or mono PERC solar cells.

Earlier, REIL had invited bids to procure 40,000 solar cells of mono PERC category of 5.64 W capacity.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, REIL has so far floated tenders for 8.24 million solar cells.