Frequently Asked Questions

Meaning of Tender

A tender is a formal and structured invitation issued by a government department, public sector unit, or private organization to invite bids from eligible contractors or suppliers for providing goods, services, or executing specific works. It ensures transparency, fairness, and competitive pricing in awarding contracts.

Types of Tenders

1. Open Tender: Open to all eligible bidders. It is publicly advertised, allowing maximum participation and competition.
2. Limited Tender: Issued to a limited number of selected or registered contractors or suppliers.
3. Selective Tender: Invitations are sent only to pre-qualified or shortlisted bidders with specific expertise.
4. Single Tender (Nomination Tender): Issued to only one contractor, usually in cases of urgency, proprietary items, or specialized services.
5. E-Tender: Conducted online through government or private e-procurement portals for digital submission and evaluation of bids.
6. Global Tender: Invited internationally, allowing foreign companies to participate.

The required documents may vary depending on the department and type of tender, but generally the following basic documents are needed:

1. Company Registration Certificate (Proprietorship / Partnership / LLP / Pvt. Ltd.)
2. PAN Card of the firm/company
3. GST Registration Certificate
4. MSME / Udyam Registration (if applicable)
5. Income Tax Returns (last 2-3 years)
6. Audited Financial Statements (Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account)
7. Bank Solvency Certificate
8. Experience Certificates / Work Completion Certificates
9. Turnover Certificate from Chartered Accountant
10. EMD (Earnest Money Deposit) receipt or exemption certificate
11. Tender Fee Payment Receipt (if applicable)
12. Affidavit / Declaration of Non-Blacklisting
13. Authorization Letter / Power of Attorney
14. Technical Bid Documents as per tender requirement
15. Price Bid / BOQ (Bill of Quantities)

Meaning of EMD, EPBG and SD in Tender Process

EMD (Earnest Money Deposit): A refundable security amount submitted along with the tender to show the bidder's seriousness and commitment. It is returned after the tender process, except in cases of withdrawal or disqualification.

EPBG (Earnest / Performance Bank Guarantee): A bank guarantee submitted by the successful bidder to ensure proper execution and performance of the contract as per tender terms. It protects the buyer against non-performance.

SD (Security Deposit): An amount deposited by the contractor after award of the contract to secure fulfillment of contractual obligations. It may be deducted from bills or submitted separately and is refundable after successful completion of work.

MSE Preference refers to benefits given to Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in government tenders under the Public Procurement Policy. Under this policy:

• MSEs may get exemption from EMD (Earnest Money Deposit).
• Eligible MSEs can receive purchase preference, where they are allowed to match the lowest quoted price (L1) if they fall within a specified percentage range.
• A certain percentage of total procurement is reserved for MSEs.

The objective of MSE Preference is to promote and support small businesses by providing fair opportunities in government procurement.

A reverse auction is a bidding process used in tenders where multiple suppliers compete by continuously lowering their prices to win the contract. Unlike a normal auction (where buyers bid higher), in a reverse auction the lowest bidder (L1) wins the contract, provided they meet all technical and eligibility requirements. Reverse auctions are commonly conducted online through e-procurement portals to ensure transparency and competitive pricing.

A Bid Security Declaration is a written undertaking submitted by a bidder instead of an EMD (Earnest Money Deposit), declaring that they will not withdraw or modify their bid during the validity period of the tender. If the bidder fails to honor the declaration - such as withdrawing the bid or refusing to sign the contract - they may face penalties like suspension or blacklisting as per tender rules. It is commonly used in government e-tenders where EMD exemption is allowed.

A corrigendum is an official correction or modification issued by a tendering authority to amend errors, clarify terms, or update conditions in a previously published tender document. It may include changes in eligibility criteria, technical specifications, dates (such as bid submission deadline), or other important details. Bidders are required to consider the corrigendum before submitting their bids.

Geographical Presence means proof that a company or firm has a physical office, branch, or operational setup in a specific city, district, or state as required in a tender or GeM bid.

Common Documentary Evidence:

1. GST Registration Certificate (showing business address)
2. Shop and Establishment License
3. Udyam / MSME Registration Certificate (with address)
4. Trade License issued by Local Authority
5. Electricity Bill / Water Bill / Property Tax Receipt (latest)
6. Registered Rent Agreement / Lease Deed (if rented premises)
7. Property Ownership Documents (if owned office)
8. Company Incorporation Certificate (showing registered office address)
9. Bank Statement with Local Branch Address
10. Office Photograph with Name Board (if specifically required)

These documents help prove that the bidder has an operational presence in the required geographical area.

Yes, DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) is compulsory on most government and e-tender portals for bid submission, document signing, and secure authentication. However, for basic registration on some portals, DSC may not be mandatory-but it is generally required at the time of tender participation and contract signing.

Which Type of DSC is Required?

1. Class 3 DSC: This is mandatory for e-tendering and e-procurement portals. It provides a high level of security and is widely accepted on government portals.
2. Signing DSC: Used for digitally signing documents and bid submissions.
3. Encryption DSC: Used for encrypting bid documents in e-tender portals.
4. Combo DSC (Signing + Encryption): Most commonly required for tender participation.