The Agency for New and Renewable Energy Research and Technology (ANERT) has issued a tender for the rate contract of 2.5 MW of grid-connected rooftop solar systems. The capacity of the projects would vary between 2 kW and 50 kW and be installed under ANERT programs across the state.

The last date to submit the bids is July 28, 2021. Interested bidders will have to submit an earnest money deposit of ₹500 (~$6.69)/kW for the bidding quantity subject to a maximum amount of ₹500,000 (~$6,689).

As per the tender document, the rate quoted by the bidders must be all-inclusive, including costs and delivery of materials, labor for the civil works, installation, and commission of projects, five-year warranty, remote monitoring facility, insurance, GST, and all other expenses. The finalized rate will be valid for a year and must be used for all installations made through the ANERT program across the state.

To participate in the bidding process, bidders should have installed and maintained grid-connected or off-grid solar projects of 2 MW capacity during the last five financial years across the country or installed solar projects with a capacity of at least 500 kW in Kerala.

Bidders must have a positive net worth in two years out of the previous five financial years. In addition, the bidders’ minimum average annual turnover should be over ₹10 million (~$133,793) in at least two years out of the last five financial years.

The successful bidder must also provide a performance security deposit of ₹1,500 (~$20.06)/kW for the quoted capacity subject to a maximum of ₹2.5 million (~$33,443) as bank guarantee for a year from the date of the agreement.

The scope of work includes supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of rooftop solar systems. The successful bidders must commission the project within two months from the date of issuance of the work order and provide a five-year warranty for the projects.

The bidding document also specifies that faulty systems or components will have to be replaced or repaired within ten days of the defects being reported. It further mentions that the servicing should be carried out at the installation site.

The bidding document states that at any time before the deadline for submission of the tender, ANERT may, for any reason, modify the tender document.

The successful bidder should sign the contract agreement within seven days of the issue of the work order. The successful bidder should start the services as defined in the scope of work within 15 days of the work order being issued.

Each bidder should submit only one bid. Any bidder who submits/participates in more than one bid for the work would be disqualified.

According to the tender document, bidders should have authorized service centers or service providers in all the state’s districts. Bidders who do not have such facilities should agree to set up such facilities and provide an undertaking for the same.

In addition, bidders could also form separate agreements with Urja Mithra service centers supported by ANERT.

In October 2020, ANERT invited bids from empaneled agencies for the rate contract of 10 MW of solar projects. It had also issued a request for selection for 6 MW of grid-connected ground-mounted solar systems in Palakkad, Kerala, in July 2020.

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