The REC Power Distribution Company Limited (RECPDCL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of REC Limited, has invited bids for the empanelment of owner’s engineer for solar power projects across India. The tender includes ground-mounted, rooftop solar, floating solar, hybrid, and storage projects.

The empanelment will be valid for two years from the date of the empanelment notification.

The owner’s engineers generally work as representatives of the project developers of a construction or engineering project. They help protect the owner’s interests by ensuring that the technical and building contractors are adhering to the project specification.

The scope of work includes the preparation of project cost estimates, financial analysis of the project, layout for the project, design, engineering, and preparation of technical specifications of all components of the solar project. Preparation of bid documents, assistance in finalizing and award of contract, procurement, supervision of the execution, and quality assurance are also part of the scope of work.

The last date to submit the bids is October 27, 2020, and the pre-bid meeting will take place on October 20, 2020.

To participate in the competitive bidding process, the bidder should have prior experience in design, engineering, consultancy, installing, and commissioning a single project of 10 MW in the previous three financial years. The bidder should have experience installing solar projects of a total capacity of 100 MW in the last three years.

Regarding the financial criteria, the bidder’s average financial turnover during the last four years should not be less than 70% of the tender’s estimated cost.

As per the tender document, the bidder should have the desired experience in handling similar contracts as the main contractor during the last four financial years of either 80% value of services in a single work order or two work orders, with each of 50% value.

RECPDCL is exploring several opportunities for the development of renewable energy projects, distribution licensee, distribution franchisee, smart metering, and prospects outside India in the distribution space. To streamline its efforts, RECPDCL is engaging the services of design, engineering, and project management consultants and professional consulting organizations to provide support on portfolio and program management.

According to Mercom’s India Solar Tender Tracker, RECPDCL has so far floated nearly 14.55 MW of solar tenders.

The company has issued a 10 MW of rooftop solar tender on behalf of Assam Power Distribution Company as far back as 2017. Recently it also won the bid for setting up 10 MW of solar projects at Bagru in the Jaipur district of Rajasthan quoting a tariff of ₹2.58 ($0.035)/kWh.