The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) has issued an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) tender for a 5 MW (AC) grid-connected solar project at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Trust (VOCPT) in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

The project was tendered by SECI last year and later canceled.

The last date to submit bids for the fresh tender is February 11, 2022. Bids will be opened on the same day. The pre-bid meeting will take place on January 11, 2022.

Bidders must submit ₹5 million (~$66,774) as an earnest money deposit (EMD). In the previous tender, bidders were expected to furnish an earnest money deposit (EMD) of ₹4.48 million. They must also furnish 4% of the contract value as performance security.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, supply, construction, erection, testing, and commissioning of the 5 MW solar project. The successful bidder must also provide comprehensive operations and maintenance services for ten years.

To be eligible to participate in the competitive bidding process, bidders must have experience as a solar developer or EPC contractor. They should have installed and commissioned ground-mount solar projects with a capacity not less than 3 MW in the last seven financial years. The projects must be in operation for at least six months before the last date of bid submission.

Alternatively, bidders should have installed and commissioned at least two grid-connected solar projects with capacities not less than 500 kW as a developer or EPC contractor in the last seven financial years. These projects must be in operation for at least six months before the last date of bid submission.

The bidders’ minimum average annual turnover should be ₹100.4 million (~$1.34 million) in the last three financial years. They must also have a minimum working capital of ₹62.74 million (~$838,462). Their net worth for the last financial year must be positive. In the previous tender, bidders, with a minimum average annual turnover of ₹89.6 million (~$1.2 million) in the last three financial years, were eligible to participate. They were required to have a minimum working capital of ₹56 million (~$753,621).

According to the tender document, the imposition of basic customs duty on solar modules and cells from April 1, 2022, will not be considered a ‘Change in Law’ event.

Solar cells and modules used in the project should be sourced only from the models and manufacturers approved by the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) order.

The successful bidder must commission the project within nine months from the letter of award. If the successful bidder fails to commission the project in time, liquidated damages at 1% of the contract value weekly, subject to a maximum of 10% of the contract value, will be added.

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Harsh Shukla is a staff reporter at Mercom India. Previously with Indian Express, he has covered general interest stories. He holds a Masters Degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune.

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