Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services \u2014 Study Notes (Ch 1\u20133)<\/title>\n<style>\n.elementor-section.elementor-section-stretched,\n .elementor-section-full_width,\n .elementor-container,\n .elementor-column,\n .elementor-column-wrap,\n .elementor-widget-wrap,\n .elementor-element {\n padding: 0 !important;\n margin: 0 !important;\n gap: 0 !important;\n }\n\n *, *::before, *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n :root {\n --navy:#10243f; --blue:#1c5da6; --sky:#2d8ecf; --teal:#0e8f7a;\n --amber:#c97c10; --red:#c0392b; --gold:#c89b0a; --purple:#7e3eb5;\n --slate:#41617f;\n --text:#1c2b3a; --muted:#5a6d80; --border:#dde6ef;\n --blueprint:#0c3b6e;\n }\n html { scroll-behavior: smooth; }\n body { font-family:'DM Sans',-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',sans-serif; background:#fff; color:var(--text); font-size:15px; line-height:1.85; }\n a { text-decoration:none; color:inherit; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 HERO \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .hero { width:100%; background:linear-gradient(125deg,#0a1f3c 0%,#10243f 30%,#13507f 70%,#0e8f7a 100%); padding:60px 48px 56px; color:#fff; position:relative; overflow:hidden; }\n .hero::before { content:''; position:absolute; inset:0;\n background-image:linear-gradient(rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 1px,transparent 1px),linear-gradient(90deg,rgba(255,255,255,0.05) 1px,transparent 1px);\n background-size:34px 34px; pointer-events:none; }\n .hero::after { content:''; position:absolute; right:-90px; top:-110px; width:520px; height:520px; border-radius:50%; background:radial-gradient(circle,rgba(255,255,255,0.10) 0%,transparent 65%); pointer-events:none; }\n .hero-inner { max-width:1340px; margin:0 auto; position:relative; z-index:1; }\n .hero-grid { display:grid; grid-template-columns:1fr 340px; gap:36px; align-items:center; }\n .hero-text { min-width:0; }\n .hero-illustration { width:340px; max-width:100%; filter:drop-shadow(0 12px 24px rgba(0,0,0,0.28)); animation:heroFloat 6s ease-in-out infinite; }\n .hero-illustration svg { width:100%; height:auto; display:block; }\n @keyframes heroFloat { 0%,100%{transform:translateY(0);} 50%{transform:translateY(-7px);} }\n .hero-kicker { display:inline-block; background:rgba(255,255,255,0.16); color:#fff; font-size:11px; font-weight:700; padding:6px 14px; border-radius:20px; letter-spacing:0.14em; text-transform:uppercase; margin-bottom:18px; backdrop-filter:blur(4px); }\n .hero h1 { font-family:'Crimson Pro',Georgia,serif; font-size:clamp(28px,4.2vw,44px); font-weight:700; line-height:1.18; margin-bottom:14px; color:#fff; text-shadow:0 2px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.20); }\n .hero-sub { font-size:15px; opacity:0.93; margin-bottom:24px; max-width:740px; color:#fff; }\n .hero-pills { display:flex; flex-wrap:wrap; gap:8px; }\n .hero-pill { background:rgba(255,255,255,0.16); border:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.30); color:#fff; font-size:12px; font-weight:600; padding:6px 14px; border-radius:20px; backdrop-filter:blur(6px); }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 progress banner \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .scope-banner { background:#fff7ec; border-bottom:1px solid #f0dcb8; padding:10px 48px; }\n .scope-inner { max-width:1340px; margin:0 auto; font-size:13px; color:#8a5a10; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:8px; }\n .scope-inner strong { color:#6b4408; }\n\n .breadcrumb-bar { background:#fff; border-bottom:1px solid var(--border); padding:10px 48px; }\n .breadcrumb-inner { max-width:1340px; margin:0 auto; font-size:12.5px; color:#aaa; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:6px; }\n .breadcrumb-inner a { color:var(--blue); }\n .breadcrumb-inner a:hover { text-decoration:underline; }\n .breadcrumb-inner .sep { color:#ddd; }\n\n .layout { max-width:1340px; margin:0 auto; padding:44px 48px 88px; display:grid; grid-template-columns:248px 1fr; gap:44px; align-items:start; }\n\n .chapter-heading-block { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:14px; margin:52px 0 22px; padding-bottom:14px; border-bottom:2.5px solid var(--navy); }\n .chapter-heading-block:first-child { margin-top:0; }\n .chapter-badge { background:var(--navy); color:#fff; font-size:10px; font-weight:700; padding:5px 16px; border-radius:4px; letter-spacing:0.1em; text-transform:uppercase; white-space:nowrap; flex-shrink:0; }\n .chapter-heading-block h2 { font-family:'Crimson Pro',Georgia,serif; font-size:23px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); margin:0; }\n\n .section-heading-block { display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; margin:38px 0 14px; }\n .section-badge { background:var(--blue); color:#fff; font-size:9.5px; font-weight:700; padding:4px 12px; border-radius:3px; letter-spacing:0.08em; white-space:nowrap; flex-shrink:0; }\n .section-badge.amber{background:var(--amber);} .section-badge.teal{background:var(--teal);}\n .section-badge.purple{background:var(--purple);} .section-badge.red{background:var(--red);} .section-badge.gold{background:var(--gold);} .section-badge.slate{background:var(--slate);}\n .section-heading-block h3 { font-size:17px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); margin:0; }\n\n .article h4 { font-size:14.5px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); margin:22px 0 10px; }\n .article p { color:#2c3e50; margin-bottom:12px; text-align:justify; hyphens:auto; }\n .article strong { color:#111; }\n\n .icon-list { list-style:none; margin:0 0 14px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:8px; }\n .icon-list li { display:flex; align-items:flex-start; gap:10px; font-size:15px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.78; text-align:justify; }\n .icon-list li .ico { font-size:15px; flex-shrink:0; margin-top:4px; width:20px; text-align:center; }\n\n .def-card { background:linear-gradient(135deg,#f3f8fd 0%,#e9f2fb 100%); border:1.5px solid #b9d2ec; border-radius:12px; padding:22px 26px; margin:18px 0 26px; position:relative; }\n .def-card::before { content:'\\201C'; position:absolute; top:6px; left:14px; font-family:Georgia,serif; font-size:60px; color:rgba(28,93,166,0.18); line-height:1; }\n .def-card .def-label { font-size:10.5px; font-weight:700; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.14em; color:var(--blue); margin-bottom:8px; position:relative; z-index:1; }\n .def-card .def-text { font-size:15px; color:#1f3a55; line-height:1.78; position:relative; z-index:1; text-align:justify; }\n\n .compare-table { width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; margin:16px 0 24px; border-radius:8px; overflow:hidden; border:1px solid var(--border); table-layout:fixed; }\n .compare-table thead tr { background:var(--navy); color:#fff; }\n .compare-table th { padding:12px 16px; text-align:left; font-size:12.5px; font-weight:700; }\n .compare-table td { padding:11px 16px; font-size:14px; border-bottom:1px solid var(--border); color:#2c3e50; vertical-align:top; word-wrap:break-word; }\n .compare-table tr:nth-child(even) td { background:#f8fbfd; }\n .compare-table td.label-cell { font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); background:#eef4fa !important; }\n .compare-table td.code-cell { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-weight:700; color:var(--blue); background:#eef4fa !important; text-align:center; }\n\n .info-row { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(150px,1fr)); gap:14px; margin:18px 0 26px; }\n .info-card { background:#fff; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-top:4px solid var(--blue); border-radius:12px; padding:18px 16px; }\n .info-card.t-teal { border-top-color:var(--teal); }\n .info-card.t-amber { border-top-color:var(--amber); }\n .info-card.t-gold { border-top-color:var(--gold); }\n .info-card.t-red { border-top-color:var(--red); }\n .info-card.t-purple { border-top-color:var(--purple); }\n .info-card .ic-big { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-weight:800; font-size:20px; color:var(--navy); line-height:1.12; margin-bottom:5px; }\n .info-card .ic-cap { font-size:12.5px; color:#5a6b7d; line-height:1.5; }\n\n .parts-list { list-style:none; counter-reset:parts; margin:14px 0 22px; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:12px; }\n .parts-list > li { background:#fff; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:10px; padding:16px 18px 16px 60px; position:relative; font-size:14.5px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.72; counter-increment:parts; text-align:justify; }\n .parts-list > li::before { content:counter(parts,lower-alpha); position:absolute; left:16px; top:16px; width:32px; height:32px; background:var(--blue); color:#fff; border-radius:50%; display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:center; font-size:14px; font-weight:700; font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; }\n .parts-list.roman > li::before { content:counter(parts,lower-roman); font-size:12px; }\n .parts-list.decimal > li::before { content:counter(parts); font-size:13px; }\n .parts-list.teal > li::before{background:var(--teal);} .parts-list.amber > li::before{background:var(--amber);}\n .parts-list.purple > li::before{background:var(--purple);} .parts-list.red > li::before{background:var(--red);} .parts-list.gold > li::before{background:var(--gold);} .parts-list.slate > li::before{background:var(--slate);}\n .parts-list > li strong { color:var(--navy); }\n\n .highlight-box { background:linear-gradient(135deg,#eef6ff 0%,#e4eefb 100%); border-left:4px solid var(--blue); border-radius:0 10px 10px 0; padding:16px 20px; margin:16px 0 22px; }\n .highlight-box .hl-label { font-size:10px; font-weight:700; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.12em; color:var(--blue); margin-bottom:6px; }\n .highlight-box .hl-text { font-size:14.5px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.72; text-align:justify; }\n\n .cat-grid { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); gap:14px; margin:20px 0 28px; }\n .cat-grid.three{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);} .cat-grid.four{grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);}\n .cat-card { border-radius:10px; padding:18px 18px; border:1.5px solid var(--border); }\n .cat-card.a{border-color:#9dc3ec;background:#f0f7ff;} .cat-card.b{border-color:#7fd3c5;background:#f0fdf8;}\n .cat-card.c{border-color:#f0d58a;background:#fffbf0;} .cat-card.d{border-color:#f5a0a0;background:#fff5f5;} .cat-card.e{border-color:#d1baf0;background:#f9f5ff;}\n .cat-label { font-size:9.5px; font-weight:700; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.12em; color:var(--muted); margin-bottom:6px; }\n .cat-title { font-size:14.5px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); margin-bottom:8px; }\n .cat-card.a .cat-title{color:var(--blue);} .cat-card.b .cat-title{color:var(--teal);} .cat-card.c .cat-title{color:var(--amber);} .cat-card.d .cat-title{color:var(--red);} .cat-card.e .cat-title{color:var(--purple);}\n .cat-card p { font-size:13px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.7; text-align:justify; }\n .cat-badge { display:inline-block; font-size:22px; font-weight:900; margin-bottom:6px; font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; line-height:1; }\n .cat-card.a .cat-badge{color:var(--blue);} .cat-card.b .cat-badge{color:var(--teal);} .cat-card.c .cat-badge{color:var(--amber);} .cat-card.d .cat-badge{color:var(--red);} .cat-card.e .cat-badge{color:var(--purple);}\n\n .chapter-pane { display:none; animation:fadeIn 0.3s ease; }\n .chapter-pane.active { display:block; }\n @keyframes fadeIn { from{opacity:0;transform:translateY(4px);} to{opacity:1;transform:translateY(0);} }\n\n .sidebar { position:sticky; top:24px; max-height:calc(100vh - 48px); }\n .toc-card { background:#fff; border:1px solid var(--border); border-radius:12px; padding:16px 12px; max-height:calc(100vh - 48px); overflow-y:auto; }\n .toc-card-title { font-size:10px; font-weight:700; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.14em; color:var(--muted); margin:4px 0 14px; padding:0 4px; }\n .toc-chapter { margin-bottom:8px; }\n .toc-chapter-header { background:var(--navy); border-radius:10px; padding:12px; color:#fff; cursor:pointer; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px; list-style:none; transition:background 0.18s; }\n .toc-chapter-header::-webkit-details-marker { display:none; }\n .toc-chapter-header:hover { background:#163457; }\n .toc-ch-badge { background:#ffd95a; color:#10243f; font-size:10px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.06em; padding:4px 8px; border-radius:5px; flex-shrink:0; min-width:38px; text-align:center; line-height:1; }\n .toc-ch-title { flex:1; font-size:13.5px; font-weight:700; line-height:1.25; color:#fff; }\n .toc-ch-chev { font-size:10px; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8); transition:transform 0.22s ease; flex-shrink:0; }\n .toc-chapter[open] > .toc-chapter-header { background:#163457; }\n .toc-chapter[open] > .toc-chapter-header .toc-ch-chev { transform:rotate(90deg); }\n .toc-sub-wrap { position:relative; margin:6px 0 6px 18px; padding-left:14px; }\n .toc-sub-wrap::before { content:''; position:absolute; left:0; top:6px; bottom:8px; width:1px; background:repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom,#d0d8e2 0px,#d0d8e2 2px,transparent 2px,transparent 5px); }\n .toc-sub-list { list-style:none; }\n .toc-sub-list li { display:flex; align-items:flex-start; gap:6px; padding:5px 4px 5px 0; }\n .toc-sub-num { flex-shrink:0; font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-size:10.5px; color:var(--muted); font-weight:600; line-height:1.5; min-width:40px; padding-top:1px; }\n .toc-sub-list a { flex:1; font-size:13px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.45; padding:1px 4px; border-radius:3px; transition:color 0.15s; }\n .toc-sub-list a:hover { color:var(--blue); }\n .toc-sub-list a.active { color:var(--blue); font-weight:700; }\n .toc-sub-list .toc-app .toc-sub-num, .toc-sub-list .toc-app a { color:var(--purple); }\n .toc-sub-list .toc-app a:hover, .toc-sub-list .toc-app a.active { color:#5a2a8a; font-weight:700; }\n\n .recap { background:linear-gradient(135deg,#10243f 0%,#193b63 100%); border-radius:14px; padding:28px 30px; margin:44px 0 0; color:#fff; }\n .recap-title { font-family:'Crimson Pro',Georgia,serif; font-size:20px; font-weight:700; margin-bottom:18px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:10px; }\n .recap table { width:100%; border-collapse:collapse; }\n .recap th, .recap td { padding:10px 14px; text-align:left; border-bottom:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12); font-size:13.5px; }\n .recap th { font-size:11px; text-transform:uppercase; letter-spacing:0.1em; opacity:0.7; font-weight:700; }\n .recap td:first-child { font-weight:700; color:#ffd700; width:38%; }\n .recap td strong { color:#ffd95a; font-weight:700; }\n .recap td:first-child strong { color:inherit; }\n\n \/* quiz *\/\n .ix { border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:14px; margin:30px 0 28px; overflow:hidden; background:#fff; }\n .ix-head { background:linear-gradient(135deg,#10243f 0%,#193b63 100%); color:#fff; padding:14px 20px; display:flex; align-items:center; gap:12px; }\n .ix-head .ix-chip { background:#ffd95a; color:#10243f; font-size:9.5px; font-weight:800; letter-spacing:0.1em; padding:4px 10px; border-radius:20px; text-transform:uppercase; flex-shrink:0; }\n .ix-head h4 { font-size:14px; font-weight:700; color:#fff; margin:0; }\n .ix-body { padding:20px; }\n .ix-help { font-size:12.5px; color:var(--muted); margin:0 0 14px; }\n .quiz-q { font-size:14.5px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); margin-bottom:14px; display:flex; gap:8px; align-items:baseline; }\n .quiz-q .q-tag { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-size:24px; font-weight:700; color:var(--blue); flex-shrink:0; }\n .quiz-opts { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr); gap:10px; margin-bottom:6px; }\n .quiz-opt { border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:9px; padding:12px 14px; font-size:13.5px; font-weight:600; color:#2c3e50; cursor:pointer; transition:all 0.15s; text-align:left; background:#fff; }\n .quiz-opt:hover { border-color:var(--blue); background:#f0f7ff; }\n .quiz-opt.correct { border-color:var(--teal); background:#eafaf5; color:#0a6354; }\n .quiz-opt.wrong { border-color:var(--red); background:#fdf2f1; color:var(--red); }\n .quiz-opt.lock { pointer-events:none; opacity:0.55; }\n .quiz-opt.lock.correct, .quiz-opt.lock.wrong { opacity:1; }\n .quiz-fb { margin-top:12px; font-size:13px; line-height:1.6; color:var(--muted); padding:0 2px; min-height:18px; }\n .quiz-fb strong { color:var(--navy); }\n .quiz-foot { display:flex; align-items:center; justify-content:space-between; margin-top:16px; padding-top:14px; border-top:1px solid var(--border); }\n .quiz-score { font-size:12.5px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; }\n .quiz-btn { background:var(--blue); color:#fff; border:none; font-family:'DM Sans',sans-serif; font-size:12.5px; font-weight:700; padding:9px 18px; border-radius:8px; cursor:pointer; transition:background 0.15s; }\n .quiz-btn:hover { background:#16538f; }\n .quiz-btn:disabled { background:#b9c6d4; cursor:default; }\n\n \/* definitions index chips *\/\n .term-grid { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(150px,1fr)); gap:10px; margin:16px 0 24px; }\n .term-chip { background:#fff; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:10px; padding:11px 12px; transition:transform .15s, box-shadow .15s, border-color .15s; }\n .term-chip:hover { transform:translateY(-3px); box-shadow:0 8px 20px rgba(16,36,63,.10); border-color:var(--teal); }\n .term-chip .tc-num { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-weight:800; font-size:11px; color:var(--blue); }\n .term-chip .tc-name { font-size:12.5px; font-weight:700; color:var(--navy); line-height:1.35; margin-top:2px; }\n\n \/* note-list \u2014 dotted, tag-free *\/\n .note-list { list-style:none; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:10px; margin:14px 0 22px; }\n .note-list > li { position:relative; background:#fff; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-left:3px solid var(--blue); border-radius:0 9px 9px 0; padding:12px 18px 12px 36px; font-size:14px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.72; text-align:justify; }\n .note-list > li::before { content:''; position:absolute; left:16px; top:21px; width:7px; height:7px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--blue); }\n .note-list > li strong { color:var(--navy); }\n .note-list.amber > li { border-left-color:var(--amber); } .note-list.amber > li::before { background:var(--amber); }\n .note-list.red > li { border-left-color:var(--red); } .note-list.red > li::before { background:var(--red); }\n .note-list.teal > li { border-left-color:var(--teal); } .note-list.teal > li::before { background:var(--teal); }\n .note-list.purple > li { border-left-color:var(--purple); } .note-list.purple > li::before { background:var(--purple); }\n .note-list.gold > li { border-left-color:var(--gold); } .note-list.gold > li::before { background:#a8810f; }\n .note-list.slate > li { border-left-color:var(--slate); } .note-list.slate > li::before { background:var(--slate); }\n\n @media (max-width:880px) {\n .layout { grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:32px; padding:28px 24px 64px; }\n .sidebar { position:static; }\n .cat-grid, .cat-grid.three, .cat-grid.four { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }\n .hero { padding:48px 24px 44px; }\n .breadcrumb-bar, .scope-banner { padding:10px 24px; }\n .hero-grid { grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:24px; }\n .hero-illustration { width:250px; margin:0 auto; }\n }\n @media (max-width:520px) {\n .hero h1 { font-size:24px; }\n .cat-grid, .cat-grid.three, .cat-grid.four { grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .quiz-opts { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }\n .hero-illustration { display:none; }\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 figure \/ infographic block \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .fig { margin:30px -28px 34px; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:14px; background:linear-gradient(180deg,#fbfdff 0%,#f3f8fc 100%); padding:22px 24px 16px; }\n .fig-title { font-size:10px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.14em; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--blue); margin-bottom:14px; }\n .fig.teal .fig-title{color:var(--teal);} .fig.amber .fig-title{color:var(--amber);}\n .fig.purple .fig-title{color:var(--purple);} .fig.red .fig-title{color:var(--red);} .fig.gold .fig-title{color:#8a6a00;} .fig.slate .fig-title{color:var(--slate);}\n .fig-canvas { width:100%; }\n .fig svg { width:100%; height:auto; display:block; overflow:visible; }\n .fig-cap { margin-top:12px; padding-top:10px; border-top:1px dashed #d7e2ec; font-size:12px; line-height:1.6; color:var(--muted); }\n .fig-cap strong { color:var(--navy); }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 separator between unrelated blocks \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .sep { height:0; border-top:1px dashed #d7e2ec; margin:36px 0 30px; position:relative; }\n .sep::after { content:'\\25C6'; position:absolute; top:-9px; left:50%; transform:translateX(-50%); background:#fff; color:#cdd9e5; font-size:10px; padding:0 10px; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 stat strip \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .stat-strip { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr)); gap:0; margin:18px 0 24px; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:12px; overflow:hidden; }\n .stat-cell { padding:14px 12px; text-align:center; border-right:1px solid var(--border); background:#fff; }\n .stat-cell:last-child { border-right:none; }\n .stat-val { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-weight:800; font-size:17px; color:var(--navy); line-height:1.2; }\n .stat-key { font-size:11px; color:var(--muted); margin-top:4px; line-height:1.4; }\n\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 figures: keep them legible on every width \u2500\u2500 *\/\n @media (max-width:1240px) {\n .fig { margin-left:-16px; margin-right:-16px; }\n }\n @media (max-width:1000px) {\n .fig { margin-left:0; margin-right:0; }\n }\n @media (max-width:880px) {\n .fig { padding:18px 14px 12px; }\n .fig-canvas { overflow-x:auto; overflow-y:hidden; -webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch; padding-bottom:10px; }\n .fig-canvas svg { min-width:760px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar { height:6px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background:#c3d2e0; border-radius:3px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background:transparent; }\n .fig-title::after { content:\" \\2014 swipe to view\"; font-weight:600; opacity:0.55; letter-spacing:0.04em; text-transform:none; }\n }\n @media (max-width:520px) {\n .fig-canvas svg { min-width:700px; }\n }\n<\/style>\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Crimson+Pro:wght@400;600;700&family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;700&family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;700&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner hero-grid\">\n <div class=\"hero-text\">\n <span class=\"hero-kicker\">GFR updated to 31.01.2026<\/span>\n <h1>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services<\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-sub\">The Government of India's procedural rule-book for hiring <strong>consultants<\/strong> and outsourcing <strong>other (non-consultancy) services<\/strong>. All nine chapters, with every monetary value updated to the GFR as amended up to 31.01.2026.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"hero-illustration\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n <svg viewBox=\"0 0 340 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Contract document with pen, handshake and rupee coin\">\n <ellipse cx=\"170\" cy=\"262\" rx=\"130\" ry=\"12\" fill=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"34\" width=\"150\" height=\"186\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f7fbff\" stroke=\"#10243f\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"34\" width=\"150\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"58\" width=\"150\" height=\"10\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <text x=\"153\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"Georgia,serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">R f P<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\">\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"86\"\/><line x1=\"96\" y1=\"102\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"102\"\/>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"118\" x2=\"186\" y2=\"118\"\/><line x1=\"96\" y1=\"142\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"142\"\/>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"158\" x2=\"194\" y2=\"158\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"192\" x2=\"170\" y2=\"192\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <path d=\"M100 188 q8 -10 16 0 t16 0 t14 -2\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\n <g transform=\"rotate(38 196 196)\">\n <rect x=\"188\" y=\"150\" width=\"14\" height=\"64\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#c97c10\" stroke=\"#8a5a10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <path d=\"M188 214 L195 230 L202 214 Z\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"188\" y=\"150\" width=\"14\" height=\"12\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <circle cx=\"92\" cy=\"208\" r=\"30\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke=\"#0a6354\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <path d=\"M78 208 l9 -7 8 5 8 -6 9 7\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n <path d=\"M78 208 l9 8 M113 208 l-9 8\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"236\" cy=\"56\" r=\"26\" fill=\"#c89b0a\" stroke=\"#8a6a00\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <text x=\"236\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"Georgia,serif\" font-size=\"28\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fffaf0\">₹<\/text>\n <circle cx=\"250\" cy=\"170\" r=\"22\" fill=\"#1c5da6\" stroke=\"#13456f\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <path d=\"M240 170 l7 8 13 -16\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"scope-banner\">\n <div class=\"scope-inner\">\n <span>▶<\/span>\n <span><strong>The complete Manual \u2014 Chapters 1 to 9.<\/strong> Introduction · Consultants & Governance · Contracts & Selection · Preparing for Procurement · Shortlisting · Selection by Competitive Process · Special Engagements · Monitoring the Contract · Other (Non-consultancy) Services. All monetary values reflect the GFR as amended up to 31.01.2026.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumb-bar\">\n <div class=\"breadcrumb-inner\">\n <a href=\"#\">Home<\/a><span class=\"sep-c\">›<\/span>\n <a href=\"#\">Notes<\/a><span class=\"sep-c\">›<\/span>\n <span>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"layout\">\n <aside class=\"sidebar\">\n <div class=\"toc-card\">\n <div class=\"toc-card-title\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"1\" open>\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 1<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Introduction to Procurement<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.1<\/span><a href=\"#c1-11\">Rules, Regulations & this Manual<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.2<\/span><a href=\"#c1-12\">Statutes behind a Contract<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.3<\/span><a href=\"#c1-13\">Applicability & Definitions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.4<\/span><a href=\"#c1-14\">Competent Authorities & Powers<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.5<\/span><a href=\"#c1-15\">Five R's of Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.6<\/span><a href=\"#c1-16\">Principles of Public Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.7<\/span><a href=\"#c1-17\">Canons of Financial Propriety<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.8<\/span><a href=\"#c1-18\">Procurement Infrastructure<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.9<\/span><a href=\"#c1-19\">Preferential \/ Mandatory Purchase<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.10<\/span><a href=\"#c1-110\">When Procurement is Justified<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.12<\/span><a href=\"#c1-112\">Law of Agency & RTI Disclosure<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.14<\/span><a href=\"#c1-114\">Cycle & Concept Paper<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c1-recap\">Chapter 1 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"2\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 2<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Consultants & Governance<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.1<\/span><a href=\"#c2-21\">Types of Consultants \/ Providers<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22\">Code of Integrity (CIPP)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.3<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22c\">Conflict of Interest<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.6<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22p\">Punitive Provisions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.7<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22r\">Conduct Risks & Mitigations<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">§<\/span><a href=\"#c2-acts\">Statutes Invoked (Acts)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.3<\/span><a href=\"#c2-23\">Integrity Pact & IEMs<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.4<\/span><a href=\"#c2-24\">Debarment of Firms<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c2-recap\">Chapter 2 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"3\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 3<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Contracts & Selection<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.1<\/span><a href=\"#c3-31\">Types of Contracts<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.2<\/span><a href=\"#c3-32\">Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.3<\/span><a href=\"#c3-33\">Time-Based (Retainer-ship)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.4<\/span><a href=\"#c3-34\">Percentage & Retainer-cum-Fee<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.6<\/span><a href=\"#c3-36\">Indefinite Delivery<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.7<\/span><a href=\"#c3-37\">Systems of Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.8<\/span><a href=\"#c3-38\">Least Cost Selection (LCS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.9<\/span><a href=\"#c3-39\">Quality & Cost Based (QCBS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.10<\/span><a href=\"#c3-310\">Single Source Selection (SSS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.11<\/span><a href=\"#c3-311\">Fixed Budget Selection (FBS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c3-recap\">Chapter 3 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"4\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 4<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Preparing for Procurement<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.1<\/span><a href=\"#c4-tor\">Terms of Reference (ToR)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.1<\/span><a href=\"#c4-reports\">Deliverables & the Four Reports<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.2<\/span><a href=\"#c4-cost\">Costs, Budget & Approval<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.3<\/span><a href=\"#c4-final\">Finalising the ToR & the Plan<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.5<\/span><a href=\"#c4-eproc\">e-Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c4-recap\">Chapter 4 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"5\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 5<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Shortlisting Stage<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-eoi\">Why Shortlist \u2014 Two-Stage Logic<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-thresh\">Advertised EoI & Thresholds<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-reoi\">What the REoI Asks For<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-gte\">Global Tender Enquiry<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-below\">Long List & Empanelment<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.2<\/span><a href=\"#c5-shortlist\">Short List & Weightages<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.3<\/span><a href=\"#c5-risks\">Risks & Mitigation<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c5-recap\">Chapter 5 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"6\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 6<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Selection by Competitive Process<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.1<\/span><a href=\"#c6-steps\">The Nine Steps<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.2<\/span><a href=\"#c6-rfp\">Request for Proposals<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.2<\/span><a href=\"#c6-provisions\">PVC, Advances & Securities<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.3<\/span><a href=\"#c6-pre\">Pre-proposal Meeting & Receipt<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.5<\/span><a href=\"#c6-cec\">Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.6<\/span><a href=\"#c6-resp\">Responsiveness & Technical Eval<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.8<\/span><a href=\"#c6-cost\">Evaluation of Cost<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.9<\/span><a href=\"#c6-winner\">Selecting the Winner<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.10<\/span><a href=\"#c6-award\">Negotiations & Award<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c6-recap\">Chapter 6 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"7\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 7<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Special Types of Engagements<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.1<\/span><a href=\"#c7-sss\">Single Source Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.2<\/span><a href=\"#c7-individual\">Individual Consultants<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.3<\/span><a href=\"#c7-agencies\">Agencies, Institutions & NGOs<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.5<\/span><a href=\"#c7-pa\">Procurement & Inspection Agents<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.7<\/span><a href=\"#c7-fin\">Financial Advisors & Auditors<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.9<\/span><a href=\"#c7-logo\">Logo \/ Symbol Competitions<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c7-recap\">Chapter 7 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"8\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 8<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Monitoring the Contract<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.1<\/span><a href=\"#c8-monitor\">Monitoring & the CMC<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.10<\/span><a href=\"#c8-variations\">Variations & Substitution<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.13<\/span><a href=\"#c8-disputes\">Disputes & Arbitration<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.14<\/span><a href=\"#c8-fm\">Force Majeure & Closure<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c8-recap\">Chapter 8 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"9\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 9<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Other (Non-consultancy) Services<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.1<\/span><a href=\"#c9-applic\">Applicability & Classification<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.4<\/span><a href=\"#c9-period\">Activity Schedule & Period<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.6<\/span><a href=\"#c9-selection\">System of Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.7<\/span><a href=\"#c9-gem\">Government e-Marketplace<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.7<\/span><a href=\"#c9-pay\">GeM Payment \u2014 CRAC & PRC<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.18<\/span><a href=\"#c9-sla\">SLA & Monitoring<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c9-recap\">Chapter 9 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/aside>\n\n <main class=\"article\">\n <section class=\"chapter-pane active\" id=\"pane-ch1\" data-chapter=\"1\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c1-11\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 1 \u00b7 INTRODUCTION<\/span>\n <h2>Introduction to Procurement of Consultancy \/ Other Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Scope of this Manual<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministries or Departments have been delegated <strong>full powers<\/strong> to make their own arrangements for procurement of goods and services <strong>that are not available on GeM<\/strong>. Common-use goods and services available on GeM are required to be procured <strong>mandatorily through GeM<\/strong>, as per <strong>Rule 149<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>Comprehensive rules are contained in the <strong>GFR 2017<\/strong>, particularly its Chapter 6, the <strong>Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/strong>, the purchase-preference orders and the <strong>CVC guidelines<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>There is <strong>no single law exclusively governing public procurement<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n <li>The nodal authority for revision and clarification of this Manual is the <strong>Procurement Policy Division, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.1 \u00b7 Hierarchy of the procurement framework<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Pyramid from Constitution down to Schedule of Procurement Powers\">\n <polygon points=\"450,14 560,74 340,74\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Art. 299<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"337,80 563,80 596,134 304,134\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"105\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Statutes<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"123\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#dceaf8\">Contract Act 1872 \u00b7 Arbitration 1996 \u00b7 Competition 2002 \u00b7 IT 2000<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"301,140 599,140 632,194 268,194\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"165\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">GFR 2017<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">Chapter 6 \u2014 Procurement of Goods & Services<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"265,200 635,200 668,254 232,254\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"225\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">DFPR \u00b7 CVC Guidelines \u00b7 Preference Orders<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"243\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/text>\n <rect x=\"229\" y=\"260\" width=\"442\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">This Manual + Schedule of Procurement Powers (SoPP)<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 4\"><line x1=\"700\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"700\" y2=\"284\"\/><\/g>\n <path d=\"M700 284 l-5 -12 h10 z\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"120\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">Binding<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">force<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">decreases<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">downward<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\"><strong>Article 299<\/strong> sits at the apex \u2014 Government contracts must be in writing and executed by specifically authorised officers. <strong>Article 19(1)(g)<\/strong> (right to practise a profession) also has procurement implications.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:28%\"><col style=\"width:34%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Level<\/th><th>Instrument<\/th><th>What it lays down<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Constitution<\/td><td><strong>Article 299(1)<\/strong><\/td><td>All contracts shall be made by an authority empowered by or under the orders of the President, executed on his behalf, and expressed to be so made.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Constitution<\/td><td><strong>Article 19(1)(g)<\/strong><\/td><td>The right to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Statutes<\/td><td>Contract Act 1872 \u00b7 Arbitration & Conciliation 1996 \u00b7 Competition Act 2002 \u00b7 IT Act 2000<\/td><td>The general law on which a procurement contract, its disputes, its competition and its electronic conduct rest.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rules<\/td><td><strong>GFR 2017<\/strong>, Chapter 6<\/td><td>The general rules for procurement of goods and services by all Ministries or Departments.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Delegation<\/td><td>DFPR \u00b7 CVC guidelines \u00b7 preference orders<\/td><td>Who may sanction what, and which classes of bidder enjoy a mandatory or preferential purchase.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Guidance<\/td><td>This Manual \u00b7 Schedule of Procurement Powers<\/td><td>Procedure, and the entity's own delegation of powers at each stage of procurement.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-12\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.2<\/span>\n <h3>The statutes on which a Government contract rests<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.2 \u00b7 Six statutes, and exactly where each one bites<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 578\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Six statutes governing a government procurement contract\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"32\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"31\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">The GFR binds the officer \u2014 these Acts create the enforceable rights and liabilities<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"54\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"54\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"54\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Indian Contract<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"97\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 1872<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"75\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">The general law of contracts \u2014 offer,<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">acceptance, breach and remedies.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"66\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"118\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"75\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Sections 182\u2013238 are the LAW OF AGENCY:<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">the Govt is vicariously liable for its consultant.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"140\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"140\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"140\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Arbitration &<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Conciliation, 1996<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"161\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Settles disputes outside court; the<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">arbitral award binds like a decree.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"152\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"204\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"161\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Gives the arbitration clause its force.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Challenged award \u2192 75% paid vs BG (R.227A).<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"226\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"226\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"226\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"252\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Competition<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"269\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 2002<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"247\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c0392b\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Voids anti-competitive agreements;<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">creates the CCI to punish cartels.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"238\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"290\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"247\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c0392b\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">BID RIGGING is a prohibited practice.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">CCI reference filed by a JS-level officer.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"312\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"312\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"312\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"338\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Information<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"355\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Technology, 2000<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"333\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"352\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Gives legal validity to electronic<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"368\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">records and digital signatures.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"324\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"376\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"333\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"352\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">The legal basis of mandatory e-procurement<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"368\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">(R.160) and e-publishing (R.159) on GeM-CPPP.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"398\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"398\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"398\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"424\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">MSMED<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"441\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 2006<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"419\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c97c10\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"438\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Classifies micro & small enterprises<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"454\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">and protects payments due to them.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"410\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"462\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"419\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c97c10\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"438\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Section 11 \u2192 the MSE Policy.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"454\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Chapter V \u2192 the 45-DAY payment cap.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"484\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"484\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"484\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"510\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Right to<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"527\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Information, 2005<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"505\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#41617f\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"524\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Right of access to information held<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"540\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">by any public authority.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"496\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"548\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"505\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#41617f\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"524\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Section 4(1)(b) \u2192 suo-motu disclosure of tender<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"540\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">notices, corrigenda and bid-award details.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">A breach of the GFR is an <strong>administrative<\/strong> lapse attracting departmental action. A breach of the Prevention of Corruption Act or the penal law is a <strong>criminal<\/strong> offence and, on conviction, attracts debarment across every procuring entity.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal\">\n <li><strong>Indian Contract Act, 1872<\/strong> \u2014 the general law of contracts. Its <strong>Sections 182 to 238<\/strong> contain the law of agency: a consultant or service provider acts as the <strong>Agent<\/strong> of the Procuring Entity, which is the Principal, and the Principal is <strong>vicariously liable<\/strong> for the acts of its agent, such as violations of labour law by the staff deputed. Standard Bidding Documents must address this liability.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996<\/strong> \u2014 governs conciliation and arbitration of contractual disputes; the arbitral award is binding. Under <strong>Rule 227A<\/strong>, where the Ministry challenges an award, <strong>75% of the award<\/strong>, which may include interest up to the date of the award, is paid to the contractor <strong>against a Bank Guarantee<\/strong>, into a designated escrow account.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Competition Act, 2002<\/strong> \u2014 any collusion, bid rigging or anti-competitive behaviour that impairs the transparency, fairness and progress of the procurement process is a prohibited practice. Information for action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong> is filed under the signature of a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Information Technology Act, 2000<\/strong> \u2014 provides for the legal recognition of electronic records and digital signatures, on which <strong>e-publishing (Rule 159)<\/strong> and <strong>e-procurement (Rule 160)<\/strong> operate.<\/li>\n <li><strong>MSMED Act, 2006<\/strong> \u2014 the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has notified the procurement policy under its <strong>Section 11<\/strong> [Rule 153(ii)]. Under <strong>Chapter V<\/strong>, payment to an MSE supplier shall not exceed <strong>45 days<\/strong>, and delay attracts <strong>compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Right to Information Act, 2005<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>Section 4(1)(b)<\/strong> mandates suo-motu disclosure, and <strong>Sections 4(2) and 4(3)<\/strong> prescribe its dissemination. Procurement notices, tender enquiries, corrigenda, and details of the bid award \u2014 the vendor's name, the rate and the total value \u2014 are disclosed under Section 4.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988<\/strong> and the <strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/strong> \u2014 conviction under either, in the circumstances set out in <strong>Rule 151(i)<\/strong>, debars a bidder from the procurement process of <strong>any<\/strong> procuring entity.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-13\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 1.3<\/span>\n <h3>Applicability & key definitions<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 177, GFR 2017<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Consulting Service<\/div>\n <p>Any subject matter of procurement, other than goods or works except those incidental or consequential to the service, which involves primarily <strong>non-physical, project-specific, intellectual and procedural processes<\/strong> where outcomes or deliverables would vary from one consultant to another. It includes professional, intellectual, training and advisory services, but <strong>does not include direct engagement of a retired Government servant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 197, GFR 2017<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Non-Consulting Service<\/div>\n <p>Any subject matter of procurement which involves <strong>physical, measurable deliverables or outcomes<\/strong>, where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied. It includes maintenance, hiring of vehicles, outsourcing of building facilities management, security, photocopier service, janitor and office errand services, drilling, aerial photography, satellite imagery and mapping.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>Consulting services typically involve expert or strategic advice \u2014 management, policy and communications consultants; feasibility studies; project management; engineering services; finance, accounting and taxation services; training and development.<\/li>\n <li>The generic word <strong>\"Services\"<\/strong> covers Consultancy and Other services together, and excludes the appointment of an individual under any law.<\/li>\n <li>These guidelines do <strong>not<\/strong> apply to projects funded by the World Bank or other international agencies, which are covered under <strong>Rule 264<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.3 \u00b7 Which basket does the task fall in?<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 330\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Decision tree classifying a task as works, goods, consultancy or other services\">\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"10\" width=\"240\" height=\"42\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Subject of procurement<\/text>\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"52\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"76\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <line x1=\"130\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"770\" y2=\"76\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"130\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"130\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"343\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"343\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <line x1=\"557\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"557\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"770\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"770\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Civil asset?<\/text>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Construction \/ repair<\/text>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">\u2192 WORKS<\/text>\n <rect x=\"255\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf0\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Mech \/ elec \/ ICT?<\/text>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Repair \u00b7 AMC \u00b7 install<\/text>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">\u2192 GOODS<\/text>\n <rect x=\"469\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Intellect dominates?<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Physical part incidental<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">\u2192 CONSULTANCY<\/text>\n <rect x=\"682\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Physical, measurable?<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Routine, repetitive<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">\u2192 OTHER SERVICES<\/text>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"216\" width=\"816\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f9f5ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">IT projects \u2192 treated as CONSULTANCY<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"253\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">bespoke software \u00b7 cloud-based services \u00b7 composite IT system integration<\/text>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"274\" width=\"816\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"294\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">OUTSOURCING = sustained deployment of an outside agency for ONE YEAR OR MORE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"311\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">security \u00b7 horticulture \u00b7 catering \u00b7 housekeeping \u00b7 messenger services<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Example of intellect dominating: <strong>underwater dam-safety inspection<\/strong>, where the analysis is the crux and the diving is incidental.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:34%\"><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:46%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the task<\/th><th>Treated as<\/th><th>Illustration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Construction or repair of a civil asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">WORKS<\/td><td>Handled on the lines of procurement of works.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Repair, AMC or installation of a mechanical, electrical or ICT asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">GOODS<\/td><td>Handled on the lines of procurement of goods.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Intellectual or advisory content dominates; the physical part is incidental<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Underwater inspection of a dam for safety, where the analysis is the crux.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Physical, measurable deliverables against clear performance standards<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OTHER SERVICES<\/td><td>Transport, logistics, courier, upkeep of buildings, drilling, mapping.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bespoke software, cloud-based services, composite IT system integration<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Design, development, deployment, commissioning, hardware, bandwidth and post-go-live maintenance.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Outside agency engaged on a sustained basis for <strong>one year or more<\/strong> for work traditionally done in-house<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OUTSOURCING<\/td><td>Security, horticulture, catering, housekeeping, messenger services.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Procuring Entity<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Includes Ministries and Departments, <strong>CPSEs<\/strong>, and bodies substantially owned or controlled by, or substantially financed by, the Central Government. It does <strong>not<\/strong> include procurement for its own use from a subsidiary or joint venture in which a controlling share is held.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-14\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 1.4<\/span>\n <h3>Competent authorities & purchase powers<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman slate\">\n <li>An authority competent to incur expenditure may sanction the procurement of services in accordance with the <strong>Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 145<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li><strong>No separate sanction<\/strong> is required for services distinctly named in a work or project already sanctioned or approved.<\/li>\n <li>Each entity may issue a <strong>Schedule of Procurement Powers<\/strong>, adding detail to the DFPR delegations on the basis of the risk at each stage of procurement.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-15\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 1.5<\/span>\n <h3>Basic aims \u2014 the Five R's of Procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.4 \u00b7 The Five R's<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 190\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five R's of procurement\">\n <g><circle cx=\"90\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">R1<\/text>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quality<\/text>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">fit for purpose<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"270\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">R2<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quantity<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">no excess stock<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"450\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#fffbf0\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">R3<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Price<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">reasonable rate<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"630\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">R4<\/text>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Time & Place<\/text>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">when & where needed<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"810\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f9f5ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">R5<\/text>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Source<\/text>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">reliable supplier<\/text><\/g>\n <g stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 5\">\n <line x1=\"132\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"228\" y2=\"80\"\/><line x1=\"312\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"408\" y2=\"80\"\/>\n <line x1=\"492\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"588\" y2=\"80\"\/><line x1=\"672\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"768\" y2=\"80\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Each \"R\" is a <strong>balance point<\/strong>, not a maximum: the right quality is adequate quality, and the right price is a reasonable price consistent with that quality.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R1<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Quality<\/strong> \u2014 meets the basic need without superfluous or non-essential features.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R2<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Quantity<\/strong> \u2014 avoids purchase in excess of requirement and its inventory carrying cost.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R3<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Price<\/strong> \u2014 reasonable, and consistent with the quality required.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R4<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Time & Place<\/strong> \u2014 delivery when and where the requirement arises.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R5<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Source<\/strong> \u2014 a supplier reliable and competent to perform the contract.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">The word \"Right\"<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">In each of the five parameters \"Right\" means <strong>optimal<\/strong>. Every procurement seeks the right balance of cost and requirement across the five. The parameters are framed for goods, and apply equally to services.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-16\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 1.6<\/span>\n <h3>Five principles of public procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman purple\">\n <li>The <strong>transparency<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>professionalism<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>broader obligations<\/strong> principle, which includes the restrictions and prior registration imposed on bidders from a country sharing a land border with India [<strong>Rule 144(xi)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>extrinsic legal<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>public accountability<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-17\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 1.7<\/span>\n <h3>Standards of Financial Propriety \u2014 Rule 21, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman amber\">\n <li>Every officer shall exercise the same vigilance in respect of expenditure incurred from public moneys as a person of <strong>ordinary prudence<\/strong> would exercise in respect of the expenditure of his own money.<\/li>\n <li>The expenditure should not be <em>prima facie<\/em> more than the occasion demands.<\/li>\n <li>No authority should exercise its powers of sanctioning expenditure to pass an order which will be <strong>directly or indirectly to its own advantage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Expenditure from public moneys should not be incurred for the benefit of a particular person or a section of the people, unless the amount of expenditure involved is insignificant, or a claim for the amount could be <strong>enforced in a Court of Law<\/strong>, or the expenditure is in pursuance of a recognised policy or custom.<\/li>\n <li>The amount of <strong>allowances<\/strong>, such as travelling allowances, granted to meet expenditure of a particular type should be so regulated that the allowances are not, on the whole, a <strong>source of profit<\/strong> to the recipients.<\/li>\n <li>An authority giving financial concurrence should not later be drawn into a role that creates a <strong>conflict of interest<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-18\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 1.8<\/span>\n <h3>Public procurement infrastructure at the Centre<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Department of Expenditure, MoF<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Procurement Policy Division<\/div>\n <p>Promotes uniformity and harmonisation, disseminates best practices, gives guidance, exercises oversight, builds capacity, and issues the procurement manuals. It is <strong>not<\/strong> intended to centralise procurement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 159 \u00b7 e-publishing<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">GeM-CPPP<\/div>\n <p>Designed, developed and hosted by <strong>NIC (MeitY)<\/strong> with the Department of Expenditure. It is mandatory for all Ministries, their attached and subordinate offices and autonomous and statutory bodies to publish their <strong>tender enquiries, corrigenda and details of bid awards<\/strong> on it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li>The e-publishing instructions apply to all tender enquiries, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Expressions of Interest, and notices for pre-qualification or registration, whether advertised, issued to a limited number of parties, or to a single party.<\/li>\n <li>Individual cases where <strong>confidentiality is required for reasons of national security<\/strong> are exempted, on the approval of the Secretary of the Ministry with the concurrence of the Financial Adviser; statistics of such exemptions go to the Department of Expenditure <strong>quarterly<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-19\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.9<\/span>\n <h3>Preferential \/ Mandatory purchase from certain sources<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>The latest directives on the subject are to be checked before a preference is applied.<\/li>\n <li>The purchase-preference provision must be incorporated in the <strong>Notice Inviting Tender<\/strong> and in the <strong>Instructions to Bidders<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <h4>A \u00b7 Policy for Micro & Small Enterprises \u2014 Rule 153(ii), GFR<\/h4>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.5 \u00b7 The MSE purchase-preference mechanism<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 320\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"MSE L1 plus 15 percent band and the 25 percent tendered value split\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"26\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">STEP 1 \u2014 The price band<\/text>\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"88\" x2=\"700\" y2=\"88\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"><line x1=\"120\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"96\"\/><line x1=\"470\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"470\" y2=\"96\"\/><\/g>\n <rect x=\"120\" y=\"56\" width=\"350\" height=\"24\" fill=\"#fdf3e2\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"295\" y=\"73\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a5a10\">MSE inside this band may match L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">(non-MSE)<\/text>\n <text x=\"470\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">L1 + 15%<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">outside band \u2192 no preference<\/text>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">STEP 2 \u2014 The 25% of tendered value<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"860\" height=\"46\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"215\" height=\"46\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"127\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">25%<\/text>\n <text x=\"127\" y=\"216\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">reserved for MSEs<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"206\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">remaining 75% \u2014 awarded to L1<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\"><line x1=\"20\" y1=\"224\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"252\"\/><line x1=\"235\" y1=\"224\" x2=\"640\" y2=\"252\"\/><\/g>\n <rect x=\"150\" y=\"252\" width=\"490\" height=\"52\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"162\" y=\"262\" width=\"150\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"237\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">4% \u2014 SC\/ST-owned<\/text>\n <rect x=\"320\" y=\"262\" width=\"140\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"390\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">3% \u2014 women<\/text>\n <rect x=\"468\" y=\"262\" width=\"160\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"548\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">balance \u2014 other MSEs<\/text>\n <rect x=\"660\" y=\"252\" width=\"220\" height=\"52\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">If the item cannot be split<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"290\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">MSE may take the FULL value<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The 25% is shared proportionately. Within it, the <strong>4%<\/strong> SC\/ST sub-target equals 16% of the 25%; if unfilled, it is met from other MSEs. An enterprise is <strong>SC\/ST-owned<\/strong> where the proprietor is SC\/ST, or SC\/ST partners or promoters hold at least <strong>51%<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Source of the policy<\/td><td>Notified by the Ministry of MSME under <strong>Section 11 of the MSMED Act, 2006<\/strong>; applies to all Central Ministries, Departments and CPSUs irrespective of value or nature, and not to State Governments.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Eligibility<\/td><td>Only enterprises holding a valid <strong>Udyam Registration<\/strong>. Traders, distributors and sole agents, and works contracts, are excluded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Concessions<\/td><td>Tender documents <strong>free of cost<\/strong>; exemption from <strong>Bid Security<\/strong> [Rule 170(i)]; prior turnover and prior experience may be relaxed. Exemption from <strong>Performance Security is not covered<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Price band<\/td><td>Where L1 is a non-MSE, an MSE quoting within <strong>L1 + 15%<\/strong> may supply up to <strong>25% of the tendered value<\/strong> on matching the L1 price; the 25% is shared proportionately.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sub-targets<\/td><td>Within the 25%, a <strong>4%<\/strong> purchase preference for <strong>SC\/ST-owned<\/strong> MSEs and <strong>3%<\/strong> for women entrepreneurs. If not filled, it is met from other MSEs.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Non-divisible item<\/td><td>An MSE within the L1 + 15% band may be awarded the <strong>full tendered value<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">\"SC\/ST-owned\"<\/td><td>The proprietor is SC\/ST; or SC\/ST partners hold \u2265 <strong>51%<\/strong>; or SC\/ST promoters hold \u2265 <strong>51%<\/strong> in a private limited company.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Payment<\/td><td>Not to exceed <strong>45 days<\/strong> from supply; delay attracts <strong>compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">358<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Items reserved for exclusive purchase from MSEs; the list is reviewed by a Committee chaired by <strong>Secretary, M\/o MSME<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Sambandh<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Portal launched <strong>8 December 2017<\/strong> to monitor procurement by CPSUs from MSEs.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">CHAMPION<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Portal for redressal of grievances of micro, small and medium enterprises.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">SC\/ST Hub<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">National SC\/ST Hub (<strong>October 2016<\/strong>) and the Single Point Registration Scheme, both run by <strong>NSIC<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Startups \u2014 Rule 173(i), GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">The condition of <strong>prior turnover and prior experience<\/strong> may be relaxed for Startups recognised by <strong>DPIIT<\/strong>, subject to their meeting quality and technical specifications, and to suitable provision being made in the bidding document. A start-up is an entity <strong>up to 10 years<\/strong> from incorporation, whose turnover in any financial year has <strong>not exceeded \u20b9100 crore<\/strong>, and which is working towards innovation or improvement, or has a scalable business model with a high potential for employment generation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <h4>B \u00b7 Preference to Make in India \u2014 Rule 153(iii), GFR<\/h4>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.6 \u00b7 Supplier classes & the 20% preference margin<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Class I, Class II and non-local suppliers by local content\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"18\" width=\"270\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CLASS-I LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≥ 50%<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">✓ gets purchase preference<\/text>\n <rect x=\"310\" y=\"18\" width=\"270\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">CLASS-II LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≥ 20%<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">may bid \u00b7 NO preference<\/text>\n <rect x=\"600\" y=\"18\" width=\"280\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">NON-LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">< 20%<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">only if a GTE is issued<\/text>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">If L1 is NOT a Class-I supplier \u2014<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"180\" width=\"420\" height=\"100\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"202\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">DIVISIBLE goods \/ works<\/text>\n <rect x=\"40\" y=\"216\" width=\"180\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">50% \u2192 L1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"228\" y=\"216\" width=\"192\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"324\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">50% \u2192 Class-I matching L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">lowest Class-I within the 20% margin is invited to match<\/text>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"180\" width=\"420\" height=\"100\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"202\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">NON-DIVISIBLE & price-only services<\/text>\n <rect x=\"480\" y=\"216\" width=\"380\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">lowest Class-I in margin invited to match L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">if none match \u2192 award may go to L1<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Where the Nodal Ministry notifies <strong>sufficient local capacity & competition<\/strong>, Class-I becomes the sole eligible class.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:52%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Class of supplier<\/th><th>Local content<\/th><th>Entitlement<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Class-I local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">\u2265 50%<\/td><td>Eligible for <strong>purchase preference<\/strong>; the sole eligible class where the Nodal Ministry notifies sufficient local capacity and competition.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Class-II local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">\u2265 20%<\/td><td>May participate in the bid, but gets <strong>no purchase preference<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Non-local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">< 20%<\/td><td>Eligible to bid only where a <strong>Global Tender Enquiry<\/strong> is issued.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list purple\">\n <li><strong>Divisible goods and works.<\/strong> Where L1 is not a Class-I local supplier, <strong>50%<\/strong> of the order goes to L1, and the lowest Class-I supplier bidding within the <strong>margin of purchase preference of 20%<\/strong> is invited to match L1 for the remaining 50%.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Non-divisible items and services procured on price alone.<\/strong> The lowest Class-I supplier within the margin is invited to match L1; if no such supplier matches, the contract may be awarded to L1.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Verification.<\/strong> Local content is <strong>self-certified<\/strong>. Above <strong>\u20b910 crore<\/strong>, a certificate from the statutory auditor or cost auditor, or from a practising cost accountant or chartered accountant, is required.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Relaxation.<\/strong> The administrative Department, with the approval of its <strong>Minister-in-charge<\/strong> and for reasons recorded, may reduce the minimum local content, reduce the margin of purchase preference, or exempt an item or entity. A <strong>Standing Committee<\/strong> chaired by Secretary, DPIIT oversees the Order.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"stat-strip\">\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">20%<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Margin of purchase<br>preference<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">\u20b95 lakh<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Below this estimated value<br>the Order does not apply<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">\u20b9200 cr<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">No Global Tender Enquiry<br>up to this value<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">2 years<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Debarment for a false<br>declaration [Rule 151(iii)]<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The Order applies to goods, works and services; \"works\" includes <strong>turnkey and EPC contracts<\/strong>, and \"services\" includes <strong>System Integrator contracts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>A procurement shall <strong>not be split<\/strong> into smaller values to avoid the Order.<\/li>\n <li>A false declaration of local content is a breach of the Code of Integrity under <strong>Rule 175(1)(i)(h)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-110\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.10\u20131.11<\/span>\n <h3>When engagement of a consultant is justified<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>The requisite expertise or capacity is <strong>not available in-house<\/strong> [Rule 180].<\/li>\n <li>A qualified consultant is needed for a <strong>specialised, high-quality<\/strong> service.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Impartial advice<\/strong>, free of any conflict of interest, is required.<\/li>\n <li>Transfer of knowledge, training or capacity-building is sought as a by-product.<\/li>\n <li>Information, or new methods and systems, have to be acquired.<\/li>\n <li>Organisational change has to be planned and implemented.<\/li>\n <li>Economy, speed and efficiency are weighed against the additional commitment of staff, resources, money and time.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li><strong>Approval of the competent authority<\/strong> is to be obtained <strong>before<\/strong> engaging a consultant [Rule 180], and the assignment must be well defined in content and in the time frame for its completion [Rule 178].<\/li>\n <li>Consultancy is procured by unrestricted competition among shortlisted firms, through a <strong>two-stage process<\/strong> in which quality is evaluated before cost. Other services follow a simpler process, on the lines of goods and works.<\/li>\n <li>The Ministry shall estimate a <strong>reasonable expenditure<\/strong> by ascertaining prevalent market conditions and consulting other organisations engaged in similar activities [Rule 182].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-112\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 1.12\u20131.13<\/span>\n <h3>Law of Agency & proactive disclosure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>What it requires<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sections 182\u2013238, Indian Contract Act, 1872<\/td><td>The consultant or service provider is the <strong>Agent<\/strong> of the Procuring Entity, which is the Principal. The Procuring Entity is <strong>vicariously liable<\/strong> for the acts of its agent, including violations of labour law by the staff deputed by the provider. Standard Bidding Documents must address this.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Section 4(1)(b), RTI Act, 2005<\/td><td>Every public authority shall publish the prescribed categories of information <strong>suo motu<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sections 4(2) & 4(3), RTI Act, 2005<\/td><td>Prescribe the manner and the means of dissemination of that information.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Disclosable under Section 4<\/td><td>Procurement notices and tender enquiries; corrigenda issued on them; and the details of the bid award \u2014 the <strong>vendor's name, the rate and the total value<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-114\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 1.14\u20131.15<\/span>\n <h3>Procurement cycle & the Concept Paper<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.7 \u00b7 The five stages of the procurement cycle<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 200\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five stage procurement cycle from concept paper to monitoring\">\n <defs><marker id=\"ar\" markerWidth=\"9\" markerHeight=\"9\" refX=\"7\" refY=\"4.5\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L9 4.5 L0 9 z\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"35\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"35\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"85\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Concept Paper<\/text>\n <text x=\"85\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#b9d2ec\">in-principle approval<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"164\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"182\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"186\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"211\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"211\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"261\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ToR \/ Activity Sch.<\/text>\n <text x=\"261\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">cost estimate + budget<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"340\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"358\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"362\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"387\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"387\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Shortlist via EoI<\/text>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">publish \u00b7 receive \u00b7 evaluate<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"516\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"534\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"538\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"563\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"613\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">RfP & Award<\/text>\n <text x=\"613\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">technical \u2192 financial<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"692\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"710\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"714\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"739\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"739\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"789\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Monitor<\/text>\n <text x=\"789\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#e8dbf7\">the assignment<\/text><\/g>\n <path d=\"M789 126 v34 H85 v-34\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">outcomes feed the next Concept Paper<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Concept Paper<\/strong> plays the role that an <strong>Indent<\/strong> plays in the procurement of goods.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li>Preparation of the <strong>Concept Paper<\/strong> or Procurement Proposal, and obtaining of in-principle approval.<\/li>\n <li>Preparation of the <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong> for consultancy, or the <strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong> for other services, with the cost estimate; administrative and budgetary approval is sought.<\/li>\n <li>Shortlisting of consultants through an <strong>Expression of Interest<\/strong> \u2014 formulating it, publishing it, and receiving and evaluating the responses.<\/li>\n <li>Issue of the <strong>Request for Proposals<\/strong>; evaluation of the technical and then the financial proposals; selection, negotiation where required, and award of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Monitoring<\/strong> of the assignment.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Concept Paper \u2014 Rule 181, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministry or Department should prepare, in <strong>simple and concise language<\/strong>, the requirement, the objectives and the scope of the assignment. The eligibility and pre-qualification criteria to be met by the consultants should also be clearly identified at this stage. It performs the role that the <strong>Indent<\/strong> performs in the procurement of goods.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li><strong>Purpose or Objective Statement<\/strong> \u2014 describes the subject matter of the procurement, and shows its fit with the short-term and strategic goals of the organisation.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Service Outcome Statement<\/strong> \u2014 the qualitative and quantitative outcomes, the time-frame, and a rough cost estimate, which fixes the level of approval required under the Schedule of Procurement Powers.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Justification<\/strong> \u2014 the requirement set against in-house capability.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list gold\">\n <li>In-principle administrative approval and budgetary sanction by the Competent Authority precede all further stages.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz1\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 1 Quiz \u2014 framework, definitions & preferences<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 1. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage1\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore1\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext1\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c1-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 1 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Apex statutory provision<\/td><td><strong>Article 299<\/strong>; <strong>no<\/strong> exclusive procurement law<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Mandatory GeM purchase<\/td><td><strong>Rule 149, GFR 2017<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Consulting Service<\/td><td><strong>Rule 177<\/strong> \u2014 non-physical, intellectual & procedural; excludes <strong>retired Govt servants<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Non-Consulting Service<\/td><td><strong>Rule 197<\/strong> \u2014 physical, measurable deliverables<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Outsourcing<\/td><td>Sustained engagement of <strong>one year or more<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Nodal authority<\/td><td><strong>PPD, Dept. of Expenditure, MoF<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Five R's<\/td><td>Right <strong>quality, quantity, price, time & place, source<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial propriety<\/td><td><strong>Rule 21<\/strong> \u2014 ordinary-prudence vigilance<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Publishing portal<\/td><td><strong>GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, hosted by NIC (MeitY) \u2014 <strong>Rule 159<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MSE payment<\/td><td><strong>45 days<\/strong>; delay \u2192 compound interest at <strong>3\u00d7 RBI bank rate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MSE price band<\/td><td><strong>L1 + 15%<\/strong> \u2192 up to <strong>25%<\/strong>; SC\/ST <strong>4%<\/strong>, women <strong>3%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Make in India<\/td><td>Margin <strong>20%<\/strong>; Class-I \u2265 <strong>50%<\/strong>, Class-II \u2265 <strong>20%<\/strong> local content<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MII thresholds<\/td><td>Not applicable below <strong>\u20b95 lakh<\/strong>; auditor certificate above <strong>\u20b910 crore<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Startup<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 10 yrs<\/strong>, turnover <strong>\u2264 \u20b9100 cr<\/strong>, DPIIT-recognised [Rule 173(i)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Concept Paper<\/td><td><strong>Rule 181<\/strong> \u2014 Purpose + Outcome + Justification<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch2\" data-chapter=\"2\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c2-21\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 2 \u00b7 GOVERNANCE<\/span>\n <h2>Consultants, Service Providers & Governance Issues<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The sources from which consultants and service providers are drawn; the <strong>Code of Integrity for Public Procurement<\/strong>, which binds officials and bidders alike; the <strong>Integrity Pact<\/strong> and its Independent External Monitors; and the debarment of errant firms under <strong>Rule 151<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Consortium \/ Joint Venture<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Firms in association<\/div>\n <p>For large or complex assignments, firms associate as a Joint Venture, or as sub-consultants. In a JV <strong>all members sign the proposal<\/strong> and are <strong>jointly and severally liable<\/strong>; one member is designated the <strong>lead member<\/strong>, and the Procuring Entity deals only with the lead.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Consultancy \/ Service Firms<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">The principal source<\/div>\n <p>Classified as <strong>international<\/strong>, bringing international experience and charging international rates, or as <strong>national<\/strong>, generally domestic in operation and charging lower rates.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Individual Consultants<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Where a team is not needed<\/div>\n <p>Engaged where the assignment does not require a team, and no outside support is needed. <strong>Where more than three experts are required, a team from a firm should be used.<\/strong> Individuals are not normally engaged for project preparation, unless the task is simple or repetitive.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Agencies, Institutions & NGOs<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Institutional providers<\/div>\n <p>Government and semi-Government agencies, universities and professional institutions. <strong>NGOs<\/strong> are advantageous in assignments requiring community participation or local knowledge.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal amber\">\n <li><strong>Value and number of partners.<\/strong> A Joint Venture may be permitted for complex or large assignments above a stated value, say <strong>\u20b95 crore<\/strong>, and the maximum number of partners is limited, say to <strong>three<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Share of the qualifying limit.<\/strong> Each partner should meet at least <strong>25%<\/strong>, and the <strong>lead partner at least 50%<\/strong>, of the qualifying limit prescribed for experience and financial turnover.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting association.<\/strong> A firm may submit only <strong>one proposal<\/strong> for an assignment. If it submits or participates in more than one, <strong>all such proposals stand disqualified<\/strong>. It may be a sub-consultant or a team member in more than one proposal only where the RfP expressly permits.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Retired Government servant \u2014 Rule 177, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Consulting service <strong>does not include direct engagement of a retired Government servant<\/strong>. Such a person is not to be engaged against a regular vacant post, but only for a <strong>specific task of specified duration<\/strong>, with clear output-related goals.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 2.2<\/span>\n <h3>Code of Integrity for Public Procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li>No official of a procuring entity, and no bidder, shall act in contravention of the Code [<strong>Rule 175(1)<\/strong>]. Both sign declarations undertaking to abide by it.<\/li>\n <li>Transgression may lead to removal from the list of registered suppliers, cancellation of the contract, banning or blacklisting, or action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.1 \u00b7 The six prohibited practices<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Six prohibited practices under the Code of Integrity\">\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"42\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"70\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CORRUPT<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Offering, soliciting or accepting bribes,<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">rewards, gifts or any material benefit.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"307\" y=\"14\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"339\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"367\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">FRAUDULENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Omission or misrepresentation to mislead,<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">for benefit or to avoid an obligation.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"604\" y=\"14\" width=\"286\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"636\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"636\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"664\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">ANTI-COMPETITIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Collusion, bid rigging or arrangements<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">setting artificial prices (Comp. Act 2002).<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"134\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"42\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"70\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">COERCIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Harming or threatening persons or property<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">to influence participation or execution.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"307\" y=\"134\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"339\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"367\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">CONFLICT OF INTEREST<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Affiliations across bids, transactions with<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">officials, misuse of information.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"604\" y=\"134\" width=\"286\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"636\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"636\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vi<\/text>\n <text x=\"664\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">OBSTRUCTIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Destroying or falsifying evidence, false<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">statements, impeding audit \/ access.<\/text><\/g>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Mnemonic \u2014 <strong>C-F-A-C-C-O<\/strong>: Corrupt \u00b7 Fraudulent \u00b7 Anti-competitive \u00b7 Coercive \u00b7 Conflict of interest \u00b7 Obstructive.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Prohibited practice<\/th><th>Conduct that constitutes it<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Corrupt<\/td><td>Making an offer, solicitation or acceptance of a <strong>bribe, reward, gift or any material benefit<\/strong>, either directly or indirectly, in exchange for an unfair advantage in the procurement process, or to otherwise influence it.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Fraudulent<\/td><td>Any <strong>omission or misrepresentation<\/strong> that may mislead, or attempt to mislead, so that a financial or other benefit may be obtained or an obligation avoided; and making a false declaration or providing false information to participate in a tender or secure a contract.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Anti-competitive<\/td><td>Any <strong>collusion, bid rigging or anti-competitive behaviour<\/strong> that may impair the transparency, fairness and progress of the procurement process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Coercive<\/td><td>Any <strong>coercion, or threat to impair or harm<\/strong>, directly or indirectly, any party or its property, to influence the procurement process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Conflict of interest<\/td><td>Any <strong>financial or business transaction<\/strong> between the bidder and an official of the procuring entity, related to the tender or the execution of the contract, which can affect the decision of the entity; and <strong>improper use of information<\/strong> provided by the entity with intent to gain unfair advantage or personal gain.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Obstructive<\/td><td><strong>Obstruction of any investigation or auditing<\/strong> of a procurement process; destroying or falsifying evidence; and making false statements to investigators.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-acts\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">Statutes<\/span>\n <h3>The statutes invoked against an errant bidder<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.2 \u00b7 The penal & competition statutes, and the consequence each triggers<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 380\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Prevention of Corruption Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Competition Act, and the debarment or CCI consequence of each\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PREVENTION OF<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">CORRUPTION ACT, 1988<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Criminalises bribery involving public<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">servants \u2014 both the taking of an undue<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">advantage and the giving of it by any<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">person to obtain or retain business.<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Bidders promise this in the Integrity Pact.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">BHARATIYA NYAYA<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">SANHITA<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">India's general penal code, which has<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">REPLACED the Indian Penal Code, 1860.<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Defines the ordinary offences \u2014 death,<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">hurt, damage to property.<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Relevant only if committed executing a contract.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">COMPETITION<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ACT, 2002<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Voids agreements that appreciably harm<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">competition. Bid rigging and collusive<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">bidding are PRESUMED to do so. The CCI<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">investigates, fines and orders desistance.<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">The anti-competitive practice under the Code.<\/text>\n\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\">\n <line x1=\"159\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"159\" y2=\"190\"\/><line x1=\"450\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"190\"\/><line x1=\"741\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"741\" y2=\"190\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"182\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">ON CONVICTION \/ ON DETERMINATION<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"192\" width=\"569\" height=\"52\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"304\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">DEBARMENT ≤ 3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"304\" y=\"233\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">across ANY procuring entity \u00b7 successors included \u00b7 Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"192\" width=\"278\" height=\"52\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">REFERENCE TO THE CCI<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"233\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"262\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">THREE CONSEQUENCES CAN RUN IN PARALLEL FOR THE SAME ACT<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONTRACTUAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Bid security forfeited \u00b7 contract<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">cancelled \u00b7 payments recovered<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">ADMINISTRATIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Removed from the registered list \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">debarred under Rule 151<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CRIMINAL \/ REGULATORY<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Prosecution under the PC Act or<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">penal law \u00b7 proceedings before CCI<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Debarment under Track 1 needs a <strong>conviction<\/strong> by a court; debarment under Track 2 needs only the procuring entity's own <strong>determination<\/strong> that the Code of Integrity was breached.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.<\/strong> A bidder shall be debarred if he has been <strong>convicted of an offence<\/strong> under this Act [Rule 151(i)(a)]. Under the Integrity Pact, bidders promise that they will commit no offence under this Act, and no illegitimate benefit will be offered to any official.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, or any other law for the time being in force.<\/strong> A bidder shall be debarred on conviction for <strong>causing any loss of life or property, or causing a threat to public health, as part of the execution of a public procurement contract<\/strong> [Rule 151(i)(b)].<\/li>\n <li><strong>Reach of that debarment.<\/strong> The bidder, or any successor of the bidder, shall not be eligible to participate in a procurement process of <strong>any procuring entity<\/strong> for a period <strong>not exceeding three years<\/strong> from the date of debarment. The <strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong> maintains the list, which is displayed on the Central Public Procurement Portal [Rule 151(ii)].<\/li>\n <li><strong>Competition Act, 2002.<\/strong> Collusion and bid rigging are prohibited under the Code of Integrity. Information for action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong> is filed under the signature of a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Contractual<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Bid security forfeited, contract cancelled, payments recovered with interest.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Administrative<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Removal from the list of registered suppliers, and debarment under Rule 151.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Criminal<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act or the penal law, and proceedings before the CCI.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22c\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 2.2.3\u20132.2.5<\/span>\n <h3>Conflict of interest & proactive disclosure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>A consultant shall provide <strong>professional, objective and impartial<\/strong> advice, and shall at all times hold the client's interest paramount, without any consideration for future work.<\/li>\n <li>A conflict of interest must be <strong>disclosed<\/strong>; failure to disclose leads to disqualification of the proposal, or termination of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Unfair competitive advantage<\/strong> is avoided by issuing the Request for Proposals, and all information relating to it, to all shortlisted consultants <strong>simultaneously<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <p>Unless the data sheet of the RfP provides otherwise, a consultant shall not be hired where any of the following exists:<\/p>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list purple\">\n <li><strong>Conflicting activities.<\/strong> A firm, or any of its affiliates, engaged to provide goods, works or non-consultancy services for a project is barred from providing the consultancy related to those goods, works or services, and the converse also applies.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting assignments.<\/strong> An assignment which, by its nature, conflicts with another assignment of the same consultant.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting relationships.<\/strong> A close business or family relationship with staff of the Procuring Entity who are directly or indirectly involved in the preparation of the ToR, in the selection process, or in the supervision of the contract, unless the conflict is resolved in a manner acceptable throughout the process.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>Both parties shall <strong>suo-moto<\/strong> declare any conflict of interest as and when it arises.<\/li>\n <li>A bidder shall disclose any <strong>previous transgression<\/strong> of the Code with any entity in any country during the <strong>last three years<\/strong>, or of being debarred by any other procuring entity, whether or not it is asked to do so [<strong>Rule 175(1)(iii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Voluntary disclosure does <strong>not<\/strong> result in automatic disqualification; the conflict may be evaluated and mitigated.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22p\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 2.2.6<\/span>\n <h3>Punitive provisions for violating the Code<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.3 \u00b7 Graded consequences, by stage of the procurement<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 230\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Punitive measures if bid under consideration versus contract awarded\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"220\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">IF THE BID IS UNDER CONSIDERATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"72\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Forfeit \/ encash the bid security<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Call off pre-contract negotiations<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Reject the bid and exclude the bidder<\/text>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"680\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">IF THE CONTRACT IS ALREADY AWARDED<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"72\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Cancel the contract and recover the loss<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Forfeit any other security or bond<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Recover payments made, WITH INTEREST<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"176\" width=\"880\" height=\"48\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"34\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ADDITIONALLY, IN BOTH CASES<\/text>\n <text x=\"34\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">Removal from registered list & banning for NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR \u00b7 CCI reference filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer \u00b7 disciplinary \/ criminal proceedings<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The CCI route addresses <strong>anti-competitive practices<\/strong>; the information is filed under the signature of an officer of <strong>Joint Secretary level<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:28%\"><col style=\"width:72%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Stage reached<\/th><th>Measures that may be taken<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bid under consideration<\/td><td>Forfeiture or encashment of the <strong>bid security<\/strong>; calling off of pre-contract negotiations; and rejection of the bid with exclusion of the bidder.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Contract already awarded<\/td><td>Cancellation of the contract with <strong>recovery of the loss<\/strong>; forfeiture of any other security or bond furnished; and recovery of the payments already made, <strong>with interest<\/strong> at the prevailing rate.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">In either case<\/td><td>Removal from the list of registered suppliers and banning for <strong>not less than one year<\/strong>; reference to the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong>, filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer, for anti-competitive practices; and disciplinary or criminal proceedings.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22r\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 2.2.7<\/span>\n <h3>Conduct of public servants \u2014 risks & mitigations<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk area<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Hospitality<\/td><td>Never to be solicited, directly or indirectly. It must not involve significant travel, an overnight stay or a trip abroad, and must not publicly identify the recipient with a firm. Particular care is needed with firms in current or imminent tenders.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Gifts<\/td><td>Never to be solicited. Gifts above the limit in the conduct rules are not to be accepted or retained. <strong>Cash, gift cheques and cash-exchangeable vouchers are never acceptable, regardless of amount.<\/strong> A gift received inadvertently is returned, or reported and deposited in the <strong>Toshakhana or Treasury<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Private purchases<\/td><td>Special facilities or discounts are not to be sought or accepted on private purchases from suppliers and contractors with whom there are official dealings, particularly Rate-Contract holders.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Event sponsorship<\/td><td>No non-official pecuniary transaction. Sponsorship or donation for a cultural, social, sporting, religious or charitable event is not to be solicited from contractors or suppliers.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-23\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 2.3<\/span>\n <h3>Integrity Pact & Independent External Monitors<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Integrity Pact<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n A <strong>pre-bid pact<\/strong> between the buyer and the seller, committing both to ethical conduct and transparency from the pre-selection stage through to the completion of the contract. Entering into it is a <strong>preliminary qualification<\/strong>: a bid unaccompanied by a duly signed Integrity Pact is <strong>non-responsive and is rejected<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">15<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Ministries and Departments mandated by the Ministry of Finance to adopt the Integrity Pact above a threshold value.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">80\u201390%<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Share of procurement expenditure that the threshold should cover; decided with the approval of the Minister-in-charge.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>The Procuring Entity commits to act with <strong>equity and reason<\/strong>, and neither to seek nor to accept any illegitimate benefit.<\/li>\n <li>Bidders commit not to offer any illegitimate benefit to officials, and to commit no offence under the <strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988<\/strong> or the penal law in force.<\/li>\n <li>There shall be no undisclosed agreement among bidders on <strong>prices, specifications or sub-contracts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Fall Clause<\/strong> \u2014 bidders confirm that they have not, and will not, sell the same item below the price quoted in the bid.<\/li>\n <li>Foreign bidders disclose their <strong>Indian agents<\/strong>, and Indian bidders disclose their <strong>foreign principals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Payments made to <strong>agents, brokers or intermediaries<\/strong> are disclosed, as are past transgressions over the specified period.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.4 \u00b7 Independent External Monitors at a glance<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 200\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"IEM number, age, tenure and advisory status\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"30\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">3<\/text>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">maximum monitors<\/text>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">approved by the CVC<\/text>\n <rect x=\"234\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"30\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">< 70<\/text>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">years of age<\/text>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">persons of high integrity<\/text>\n <rect x=\"458\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">3 + 2 = 5<\/text>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">years maximum tenure<\/text>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">initial 3, extendable by 2<\/text>\n <rect x=\"682\" y=\"14\" width=\"208\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"16\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">ADVISORY<\/text>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">not legally binding<\/text>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">CVO's role unaffected<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"122\" width=\"880\" height=\"66\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"144\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHO QUALIFIES<\/text>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Officers retired from top management of GoI departments \/ PSUs (not the same organisation); eminent persons;<\/text>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">retired High Court \/ Supreme Court judges; senior private-sector executives. At least one IEM is named in the NIT.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Monitors are independent and neutral, get access to all documents on an allegation, ideally meet <strong>once every two months<\/strong>, and may report serious irregularities <strong>directly to the CVC<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">3<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Maximum number of Independent External Monitors, approved by the <strong>CVC<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">< 70<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Age limit; persons of high integrity and reputation.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">3 + 2<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Initial term of three years, extendable by two \u2014 a maximum tenure of <strong>five years<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">2 months<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Interval at which the Monitors should ideally meet.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>Eligible persons are officers retired from the <strong>top management<\/strong> of Government departments or public sector undertakings, though not of the same organisation; eminent persons; retired judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court; and senior executives from the private sector.<\/li>\n <li>At least one Monitor is <strong>named in the Notice Inviting Tender<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>On an allegation, the Monitors have <strong>access to all documents and books<\/strong> of the organisation, and they may report serious irregularities <strong>directly to the CVC<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Their recommendations are <strong>advisory and are not legally binding<\/strong> on the organisation, and their appointment does not affect the role of the <strong>Chief Vigilance Officer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-24\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 2.4<\/span>\n <h3>Debarment of suppliers, contractors & consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig slate\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.5 \u00b7 Two debarment tracks under Rule 151<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Conviction based debarment versus code of integrity breach debarment\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"182\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"225\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">TRACK 1 \u2014 CONVICTION [Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii)]<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Trigger: conviction under the Prevention of Corruption<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"87\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Act 1988, or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita \/ any law in<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"104\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">force, for loss of life or property or threat to public health.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"118\" width=\"180\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">≤ 3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"228\" y=\"133\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">across ANY procuring entity<\/text>\n <text x=\"228\" y=\"149\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">successors included<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">List maintained by DoE \u00b7 displayed on the CPPP<\/text>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"182\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"675\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">TRACK 2 \u2014 INTEGRITY BREACH [Rule 151(iii)]<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Trigger: the procuring entity determines that the bidder<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"87\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">has breached the Code of Integrity.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"480\" y=\"118\" width=\"180\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"570\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">≤ 2 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"678\" y=\"133\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">only that procuring entity<\/text>\n <text x=\"678\" y=\"149\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">ordinarily ≥ 6 months<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">List maintained on the Ministry's own website<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"206\" width=\"880\" height=\"40\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"231\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Common safeguard \u2014 no debarment without a reasonable opportunity to represent [Rule 151(iv)]<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Debarment is an <strong>executive function<\/strong>, not a task for the Vigilance Department. A <strong>Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary<\/strong> may be the competent authority for a single-Ministry order.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:39%\"><col style=\"width:39%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Feature<\/th><th>Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii) \u2014 conviction<\/th><th>Rule 151(iii) \u2014 breach of the Code<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Trigger<\/td><td>Conviction of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, or under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force, for causing loss of life or property or a threat to public health <strong>as part of the execution of a public procurement contract<\/strong>.<\/td><td>The procuring entity <strong>determines<\/strong> that the bidder has breached the Code of Integrity.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Maximum period<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">3 years<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">2 years<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Reach<\/td><td>The procurement process of <strong>any<\/strong> procuring entity; the successor of the bidder is also ineligible.<\/td><td>Only the procurement undertaken by <strong>that<\/strong> entity.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">List maintained by<\/td><td><strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong>, displayed on the Central Public Procurement Portal.<\/td><td>The <strong>Ministry or Department<\/strong>, displayed on its own website.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Safeguard<\/td><td colspan=\"1\">No bidder shall be debarred unless he has been given a <strong>reasonable opportunity to represent<\/strong> against the debarment [Rule 151(iv)].<\/td><td>Ordinarily, the period should be <strong>not less than six months<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Type 1<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Debarment by a single Ministry<\/div>\n <p>Issued by the Ministry itself for a period <strong>not exceeding two years<\/strong>. It operates only within that Ministry and its attached and subordinate offices, autonomous bodies and CPSUs, and is <strong>not circulated<\/strong>. A <strong>Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary<\/strong> may be the competent authority. Debarment is an <strong>executive function<\/strong>, and is not entrusted to the Vigilance Department.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Type 2<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Debarment across all Ministries<\/div>\n <p>Issued by the <strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong> after the proposing Ministry, with the approval of its Secretary, sends a self-contained note; DoE verifies conformity with <strong>Rule 151<\/strong>. Pending that decision, the firm remains under suspension only in the proposing Ministry. DoE may also act <strong>suo-moto<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal slate\">\n <li><strong>Allied firms.<\/strong> Concerns under the effective influence of the debarred firm, through common management, majority interest or shareholding, or control. <strong>All successor firms are allied firms<\/strong>, and debarment extends to them automatically.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Joint Ventures.<\/strong> Where a JV or consortium is debarred, <strong>all its partners<\/strong> stand debarred for the specified period, and are named in the order.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Effect on the bid.<\/strong> The bid of a debarred firm is ignored. If it was L-1, the <strong>next lowest bidder becomes L-1<\/strong>, and the debarred firm's bid security is returned.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Commencement and existing contracts.<\/strong> The period runs from the <strong>date of issue<\/strong> of the order. Contracts concluded <strong>before<\/strong> the order are unaffected. GeM may debar a firm for up to <strong>two years<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Revocation.<\/strong> The order is <strong>automatically revoked on expiry<\/strong> of the period, and no formal order is necessary. The competent authority may revoke it earlier if the disability already suffered is considered adequate.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz2\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 2 Quiz \u2014 players, integrity & debarment<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 2. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage2\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore2\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext2\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c2-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 2 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Individual vs team<\/td><td>More than <strong>3 experts<\/strong> \u2192 use a firm's team<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>JV liability<\/td><td><strong>Jointly & severally liable<\/strong>; lead \u2265 <strong>50%<\/strong>, others \u2265 <strong>25%<\/strong> of qualifying limit<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>One-proposal rule<\/td><td>Multiple proposals by one firm \u2192 <strong>all disqualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CIPP prohibited practices<\/td><td><strong>6<\/strong>: corrupt, fraudulent, anti-competitive, coercive, conflict of interest, obstructive<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Cash gifts<\/td><td><strong>Never<\/strong> acceptable; inadvertent \u2192 <strong>Toshakhana\/Treasury<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CCI referral<\/td><td>Filed by a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bid rigging<\/td><td>Presumed anti-competitive under the <strong>Competition Act, 2002<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Integrity Pact reach<\/td><td><strong>15 Ministries<\/strong>; threshold to cover <strong>80\u201390%<\/strong> of spend<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>IEMs<\/td><td>Max <strong>3<\/strong>, age < <strong>70<\/strong>, term <strong>3+2 = 5 yrs<\/strong>, CVC-approved, advice <strong>not binding<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment \u2014 conviction<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 3 years<\/strong>, all entities; PC Act 1988 or <strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment lists<\/td><td>Conviction list by <strong>DoE on CPPP<\/strong>; integrity-breach list on Ministry website<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment \u2014 integrity breach<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 2 years<\/strong>, single entity; ordinarily <strong>\u2265 6 months<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>All-Ministry debarment<\/td><td>Issued by <strong>DoE, MoF<\/strong>; allied & successor firms auto-included<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch3\" data-chapter=\"3\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c3-31\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 3 \u00b7 CONTRACTS & SELECTION<\/span>\n <h2>Types of Contracts & Systems of Selection<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The types of contract, which fix how payment is linked to performance, and the systems of selection \u2014 <strong>LCS, QCBS, SSS and FBS<\/strong>. The choice of contract type should be guided by <strong>Value for Money<\/strong>. An inappropriate type results in poor competition, disputes, and failure of the assignment.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.1 \u00b7 The five contract types \u2014 what payment is tied to<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five contract types and the basis of payment for each\">\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"42\" x2=\"880\" y2=\"42\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">SCOPE CLEARLY DEFINABLE<\/text>\n <text x=\"880\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">SCOPE UNCERTAIN<\/text>\n <g><rect x=\"20\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"100\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">LUMP SUM<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Firm Fixed Price<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on DELIVERABLES<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"186\" width=\"160\" height=\"24\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"203\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PREFERRED DEFAULT<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"196\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"276\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">TIME-BASED<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Retainer-ship<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on STAFF TIME<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"372\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"452\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">PERCENTAGE<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Success Fee<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on PROJECT COST<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"548\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"628\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">RETAINER + FEE<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">combination<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">TIME + SUCCESS<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"724\" y=\"58\" width=\"156\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"802\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">INDEF. DELIVERY<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Price Agreement<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on UNIT RATE<\/text>\n <rect x=\"724\" y=\"186\" width=\"156\" height=\"24\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"203\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">like a RATE CONTRACT<\/text><\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"235\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">For other (non-consultancy) services, add unit \/ item-rate contracts \u2014 e.g. taxi per km<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Whatever the type, two safeguards recur: <strong>pay only against a certificate of acceptance<\/strong>, and set an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong> beyond which the competent authority must review any extension.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:48%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Type of contract<\/th><th>Payment is linked to<\/th><th>Used for<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Lump Sum<br>(Firm Fixed Price)<\/td><td>Clearly specified <strong>outputs, milestones and deliverables<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Simple planning and feasibility studies, environmental studies, standard design, and data-processing systems. The proposal includes all prices, so <strong>no arithmetical correction and no price adjustment<\/strong> is made during evaluation.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Time-Based<br>(Retainer-ship)<\/td><td>Agreed <strong>hourly, daily, weekly or monthly rates<\/strong> for named staff, plus reimbursables.<\/td><td>Complex studies, construction supervision, advisory services and most training. Rates include salary, social costs, overhead, fee or profit, and allowances.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Percentage<br>(Success Fee)<\/td><td>A percentage of the estimated or actual <strong>project cost<\/strong>, or of the cost of goods procured or inspected.<\/td><td>Architectural services, and procurement and inspection agents. Among the technically qualified, the <strong>lowest percentage quoted<\/strong> is selected.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Retainer-ship cum<br>Success Fee<\/td><td>A monthly <strong>time-based retainer<\/strong> together with a <strong>percentage success fee<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Banks and financial firms preparing companies for sales or mergers, notably privatisation, and organisational restructuring.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Indefinite Delivery<br>(Price Agreement)<\/td><td>The <strong>unit rate<\/strong> quoted, applied to the time or quantum actually used.<\/td><td>On-call advisers, dispute-resolution adjudicators, procurement advice, document management, taxi services and temporary manpower. There is <strong>no commitment on quantum<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li>For other (non-consultancy) services the contract may be lump-sum, time-based, <strong>unit or item-rate<\/strong> (a taxi paid per kilometre), or indefinite-delivery, or a mixture of these.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-32\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 3.2<\/span>\n <h3>Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price) Contract<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope of the output are not linked to payment, giving a temptation to cut corners, and disputes arise on interpretation.<\/td><td>Use the type only where quality, scope and timing are clearly defined; record acceptance; and <strong>pay only against a certificate of acceptance<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time over-run, since time is not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Monitor the output <strong>every month<\/strong> against the planned time-line.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-33\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 3.3<\/span>\n <h3>Time-Based (Retainer-ship) Contract<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope are not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Evaluate the quality and scope, and release payment only against acceptance certificates.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Performance in a period is not linked to payment, so paid staff may be used in a dilatory manner.<\/td><td>Monitor closely, with <strong>monthly reporting<\/strong> of payouts and of the work achieved to the competent authority.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time and cost over-run, the major risk, since delay benefits the consultant.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong>. Once the limit is reached or the period exceeded, the <strong>competent authority reviews<\/strong> any extension.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-34\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 3.4\u20133.5<\/span>\n <h3>Percentage & Retainer-cum-Success Fee Contracts<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Percentage contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Risk of bias against economic design<\/div>\n <p>Since the fee rises with the project cost, the consultant has <strong>no incentive to design economically<\/strong>. For architectural services the type is recommended only on a <strong>fixed target cost<\/strong>, with the services precisely defined.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Retainer + success fee<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Carries both sets of risks<\/div>\n <p><strong>All the risks of the Percentage type and of the Time-Based type<\/strong> apply, and the same mitigations are used \u2014 payment against acceptance certificates, monthly reporting, and an upper limit of total payments.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-36\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 3.6<\/span>\n <h3>Indefinite Delivery Contract (Price Agreement)<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td><strong>Over-utilisation<\/strong> \u2014 usage may exceed the actual need, as the scrutiny of each call is less intense.<\/td><td>Scrutinise the need assessment; lay down a <strong>maximum contract value<\/strong>; require the competent authority's approval to exceed it; and escalate reporting above a monthly payout benchmark.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope, and performance in each period, are not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Pay only against acceptance certificates, with close monitoring and monthly reporting.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time and cost over-run.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong>; the competent authority reviews any extension once it is reached or exceeded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-37\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 3.7<\/span>\n <h3>Systems of selection of service providers<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>Since the quality of consultancy is not tangibly measurable, selection is normally a <strong>two-stage process<\/strong>: capable sources are first shortlisted through an advertised Expression of Interest, and the shortlisted firms then submit technical and financial proposals in <strong>separate sealed envelopes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Technical proposals are evaluated <strong>without access to the financial proposals<\/strong>, which are opened only after the evaluation of quality is complete.<\/li>\n <li>Other (non-consultancy) services are normally selected on the <strong>lowest price<\/strong>, on the lines of goods and works; Single Source Selection is used only in special circumstances.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.2 \u00b7 Choosing the system of selection<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Decision tree for LCS, QCBS, SSS and FBS\">\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"10\" width=\"240\" height=\"40\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"35\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Assignment to be awarded<\/text>\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"50\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"72\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <line x1=\"120\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"780\" y2=\"72\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"120\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"98\"\/><line x1=\"340\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"340\" y2=\"98\"\/>\n <line x1=\"560\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"560\" y2=\"98\"\/><line x1=\"780\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"780\" y2=\"98\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">LCS<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 193<\/text>\n <line x1=\"52\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"188\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Standard \/ routine<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">audits \u00b7 non-complex<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">engineering design<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">L-1 wins on price<\/text>\n <rect x=\"250\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">QCBS<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 192<\/text>\n <line x1=\"272\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"408\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quality is prime<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">complex \u00b7 critical \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">downstream impact<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">weighted score wins<\/text>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">SSS<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 194<\/text>\n <line x1=\"492\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"628\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\"\/>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Exceptional only<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">continuation \u00b7 emergency<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">proprietary \u00b7 sole expert<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CA approval first<\/text>\n <rect x=\"690\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">FBS<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 192(i)<\/text>\n <line x1=\"712\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"848\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\"\/>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Budget fixed in tender<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">simple \/ repetitive \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">precisely definable<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">best tech within budget<\/text>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"246\" width=\"840\" height=\"44\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">OTHER (NON-CONSULTANCY) SERVICES \u2192 lowest price (L-1), like Goods \/ Works<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"281\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Single Source Selection only in special circumstances<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\"><strong>LCS is the simplest and quickest<\/strong> method, and any other method needs justification. A <strong>100% cost weight in QCBS approximates LCS<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"stat-strip\">\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">3<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Minimum number on the<br>short list [Rule 184]<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">8<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Maximum, generally,<br>on the short list<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">2<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Stages in the<br>selection process<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">80%<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Cap on technical<br>weightage [Rule 192(iv)]<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <p>Lack of competition is not determined solely on the basis of the number of bidders. Even where only one bid is submitted, the process may be considered valid provided the following conditions are satisfied [<strong>Rule 173(xx)<\/strong>]:<\/p>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list amber\">\n <li>The procurement was <strong>satisfactorily advertised<\/strong>, and sufficient time was given for submission of bids.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>qualification criteria were not unduly restrictive<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>prices are reasonable<\/strong> in comparison to market values.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Rule 173(xxi)<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Where a limited tender or an open tender results in <strong>only one effective offer<\/strong>, it shall be treated as a <strong>single tender contract<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-38\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 3.8<\/span>\n <h3>Least Cost System \u2014 Rule 193, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Rule 193<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n LCS is appropriate for assignments of a <strong>standard or routine nature<\/strong>, such as audits and the engineering design of non-complex works, where well-established methodologies, practices and standards exist. Unlike QCBS, <strong>there is no weightage for the technical score<\/strong> in the final evaluation, and the responsive technically qualified proposal with the <strong>lowest evaluated cost<\/strong> shall be selected.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>The technical and financial proposals are submitted together. A minimum qualifying mark is set, the benchmark being <strong>normally 75 out of 100<\/strong>, or a simpler <strong>pass\/fail<\/strong> criterion is used, such as at least two similar assignments, or a turnover of at least \u20b910 crore.<\/li>\n <li>The technical proposals are opened and evaluated first, and the <strong>financial bids of the non-responsive bidders are returned unopened<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>LCS is the simplest and quickest method; any other method requires justification.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-39\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 3.9<\/span>\n <h3>Quality and Cost Based Selection \u2014 Rule 192, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman purple\">\n <li>The quality of the technical proposals is scored as per the criteria announced in the RfP. Only those responsive proposals that achieve at least the <strong>minimum specified qualifying score<\/strong> are considered further.<\/li>\n <li>After the financial proposals of the responsive, technically qualified bidders are opened and scored, a <strong>final combined score<\/strong> is arrived at by giving predefined relative weightages to the score of quality and the score of the financial proposal.<\/li>\n <li>The RfP shall specify the minimum qualifying score for quality, and the relative weightages to be given to quality and cost, determined for each case according to the relative importance of quality against cost \u2014 <strong>70:30, 60:40, 50:50<\/strong> and the like. The proposal with the <strong>highest weighted combined score<\/strong> shall be selected.<\/li>\n <li>The weightage of the technical, that is non-financial, parameters shall <strong>in no case exceed 80 per cent<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.3 \u00b7 QCBS worked example \u2014 70:30, qualifying mark 75<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"QCBS worked example comparing proposals A B and C\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#eef6ff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">B = (C_low \/ C) × X + (T \/ T_high) × (1 − X)<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">C = evaluated price \u00b7 T = technical score \u00b7 X = price weight (here 0.30)<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">PROPOSAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">TECHNICAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">PRICE<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">NORMALISED<\/text>\n <text x=\"520\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMBINED SCORE<\/text>\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"880\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">A<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">75<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹120<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 83 \u00b7 C 83<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"98\" width=\"249\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#b9d2ec\"\/>\n <text x=\"784\" y=\"113\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#41617f\">83.0 H-3<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">B<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">80<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹100<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 89 \u00b7 C 100<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"138\" width=\"277\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"812\" y=\"153\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">92.3 H-2<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">C<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">90<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹110<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 100 \u00b7 C 91<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"178\" width=\"292\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"827\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">97.3 H-1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"500\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Proposal C wins at ₹110 \u2014 not the cheapest bid<\/text>\n <rect x=\"536\" y=\"216\" width=\"344\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"708\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Tie in final score \u2192 highest TECHNICAL score is H-1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"260\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Table 3 \u2014 complex 80\/20 \u00b7 moderate complexity 75\u201365 \/ 35\u201325 \u00b7 standard & routine 60\u201350 \/ 40\u201350 (LCS appropriate)<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Under LCS the same three bids would give the contract to <strong>B at \u20b9100<\/strong>. The 70% quality weight is precisely what buys C's superior technical score.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the assignment<\/th><th>Remarks<\/th><th>Quality \/ Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Highly complex, or with downstream consequences, or specialised<\/td><td>QCBS with a higher technical weightage<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">80 \/ 20<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Of moderate complexity<\/td><td>The majority of cases fall here<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">75\u201365 \/ 35\u201325<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Standard or routine \u2014 auditors, procurement agents<\/td><td>LCS is appropriate<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">60\u201350 \/ 40\u201350<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>QCBS should not be selected where LCS or another method would be more appropriate; the choice is to be justified.<\/li>\n <li>A weightage other than <strong>70:30<\/strong> is to be adequately examined and justified.<\/li>\n <li>Subjectivity in marking is addressed by laying down objective marking criteria, grading the unavoidable subjectivity, and providing for conciliation or moderation of widely disparate marks.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-310\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 3.10<\/span>\n <h3>Single Source Selection \/ Consultancy by nomination \u2014 Rule 194, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman red\">\n <li>Tasks that represent a <strong>natural continuation<\/strong> of previous work carried out by the firm.<\/li>\n <li>An <strong>emergency situation<\/strong>, a situation arising after a natural disaster, or a situation where timely completion of the assignment is of utmost importance.<\/li>\n <li>Situations where execution of the assignment may involve the use of <strong>proprietary techniques<\/strong>, or where only one consultant has the requisite expertise.<\/li>\n <li>Under some special circumstances, where adequate justification exists in the context of the overall interest of the Ministry or Department. <strong>Full justification is recorded in the file<\/strong>, and the approval of the competent authority obtained before resorting to single-source selection.<\/li>\n <li>Fairness and equity shall be ensured, and a procedure put in place so that the <strong>prices are reasonable and consistent with market rates<\/strong> for tasks of a similar nature; the required consultancy services shall <strong>not be split<\/strong> into smaller-sized procurement.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Report to<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">The <strong>Secretary<\/strong> in ministries and departments, the <strong>Board of Directors<\/strong> in PSUs, banks and insurers, or the <strong>Chief Executive<\/strong> where there is no board.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Quarterly<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Frequency at which a report on awards made on nomination basis is submitted.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 10%<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Proportion of such cases that the audit committee may be required to check.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-311\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 3.11<\/span>\n <h3>Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Besides QCBS, LCS and SSS, <strong>FBS<\/strong> is also allowed, under which the cost of the consulting services is fixed as a <strong>budget stated in the tender document<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li>The services are <strong>simple and\/or repetitive<\/strong>, and can be precisely defined.<\/li>\n <li>The budget can be <strong>reasonably estimated<\/strong>, from credible estimates or from previous successful selections.<\/li>\n <li>The budget is <strong>sufficient<\/strong> for the consultant to perform the assignment.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">First route<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Competitive process on quality alone<\/div>\n <p>A competitive process based <strong>only on quality<\/strong> [Rule 192(i)]. Among the proposals within the stated budget, the one with the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> is selected.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Second route<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Empanelment<\/div>\n <p>For repetitive assignments, selection is made from a panel on public-interest considerations \u2014 <strong>timeliness, practicability and prior assignments<\/strong> \u2014 with a <strong>fixed budget for each assignment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz3\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 3 Quiz \u2014 contract types & selection methods<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 3. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage3\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore3\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext3\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c3-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 3 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Preferred contract<\/td><td><strong>Lump Sum<\/strong> \u2014 no price adjustment; pay against acceptance certificate<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time-Based safeguard<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit<\/strong> of total payment; CA reviews extension<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Percentage contract pick<\/td><td>Lowest <strong>percentage<\/strong> wins; discouraged for design (no economy incentive)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Indefinite Delivery<\/td><td>Like a <strong>Rate Contract<\/strong>; selected on <strong>unit rate<\/strong>; set a max value<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Shortlist size<\/td><td><strong>Not fewer than 3, not more than 8<\/strong> firms<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>LCS (Rule 193)<\/td><td>For <strong>standard\/routine<\/strong> work; benchmark <strong>~75\/100<\/strong>; lowest evaluated cost wins<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS (Rule 192)<\/td><td>Benchmark <strong>70\u201380\/100<\/strong>; typical weight <strong>70:30<\/strong>, technical <strong>\u2264 80%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS Table 3<\/td><td>Complex <strong>80\/20<\/strong>; moderate <strong>75\u201365\/35\u201325<\/strong>; routine <strong>60\u201350\/40\u201350<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS tie-break<\/td><td>In favour of the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> \u2192 ranked H-1<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>SSS (Rule 194)<\/td><td>Justification + CA approval; report <strong>quarterly<\/strong>; audit \u2265 <strong>10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>FBS<\/td><td>Budget fixed in tender; <strong>simple\/repetitive<\/strong> work; highest tech score within budget<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Single bid<\/td><td>Valid if well-advertised, non-restrictive criteria & reasonable price [Rule 173(xx)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch4\" data-chapter=\"4\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c4-tor\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 4 \u00b7 PREPARING<\/span>\n <h2>Preparing for Procurement of Consultancy Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Terms of Reference \u2014 Rule 185, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The ToR plays the role that the <strong>Description, Quantity and Technical Specification<\/strong> play in the procurement of goods. It must be <strong>comprehensive and unambiguous<\/strong>, yet not so detailed and inflexible that the competing consultants are prevented from proposing their own methodology and staffing.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.1 \u00b7 The five contents of a Terms of Reference<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"The five mandatory contents of a Terms of Reference under Rule 185\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Rule 185 \u2014 what the ToR SHALL include<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"103\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">OBJECTIVES<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A precise statement<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of what is sought<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"193\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"276\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">TASKS<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">An outline of the<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">work to be carried out<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"366\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"449\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">SCHEDULE<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">For completion of<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">each of the tasks<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"539\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"622\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">OUR INPUTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Support the Ministry<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">will itself provide<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"712\" y=\"56\" width=\"168\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"796\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">FINAL OUTPUTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">What is required of<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">the consultant<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"192\" width=\"420\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"215\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">✓ DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">What has to be achieved, sequenced on a<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">timeline, best shown as a bar \/ Gantt chart.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"277\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Activity-based ToR: one description for the whole team<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"192\" width=\"420\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"215\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">✗ DO NOT DICTATE THE METHODOLOGY<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Devising the approach is the consultant's task,<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and it is what the technical evaluation compares.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"277\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Suggestions may still be offered in the ToR<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Key professionals are usually <strong>named<\/strong> in the ToR, and their credentials carry weightage in the technical evaluation. An activity-based ToR is preferred where the team is small and flexibility is needed.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>A <strong>precise statement of objectives<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>An <strong>outline of the tasks<\/strong> to be carried out.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>schedule for completion<\/strong> of the tasks.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>support or inputs to be provided<\/strong> by the Ministry or Department to facilitate the consultancy.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>final outputs<\/strong> that will be required of the consultant.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Activities, not methodology<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">The Detailed Scope of Work describes <strong>only the activities, and not the approach or methodology<\/strong>, which is the consultant's task; suggestions may nevertheless be offered. The tasks are sequenced over a timeline, best shown as a <strong>bar or Gantt chart<\/strong>. Such a ToR is <strong>activity-based<\/strong> \u2014 a single description of what the team as a whole will provide \u2014 rather than position-based, and is preferred where the team is small and flexibility is needed. <strong>Key professionals are usually named<\/strong>, and their credentials carry weightage in the technical evaluation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-reports\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 4.1<\/span>\n <h3>Deliverables & the four reports<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.2 \u00b7 The four reports across the life of an assignment<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 270\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Inception, progress, interim and final reports on a timeline\">\n <defs><marker id=\"ar4\" markerWidth=\"9\" markerHeight=\"9\" refX=\"7\" refY=\"4.5\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L9 4.5 L0 9 z\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <line x1=\"40\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"860\" y2=\"120\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar4)\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMMENCEMENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"838\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMPLETION<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"111\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"70\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"60\" y=\"12\" width=\"180\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">INCEPTION REPORT<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"50\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">~ 6 WEEKS<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">after commencement<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"360\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <line x1=\"360\" y1=\"129\" x2=\"360\" y2=\"168\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"256\" y=\"168\" width=\"208\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">PROGRESS REPORTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Feasibility & design studies<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">every 2 months<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Tech. assistance & supervision \u2014 monthly<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"600\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"111\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"70\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"500\" y=\"12\" width=\"200\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">INTERIM REPORTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"50\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">REVIEW ≤ 15 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">for phased assignments<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"820\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <line x1=\"820\" y1=\"129\" x2=\"820\" y2=\"168\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"700\" y=\"168\" width=\"180\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">FINAL REPORT<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Consultants alone are<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">responsible for the findings<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">rejected comments are recorded<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Inception Report<\/strong> brings out inconsistencies in the ToR, problems of staffing, or deficiencies in the assistance to be given by the Procuring Entity, and gives confidence that the assignment can proceed as planned.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:56%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Report<\/th><th>When<\/th><th>Content and purpose<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Inception Report<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">~ 6 weeks<br>after commencement<\/td><td>Brings out inconsistencies in the ToR, problems of staffing, or deficiencies in the assistance to be given by the Entity, and gives confidence that the assignment can proceed as planned.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Progress Reports<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Monthly or<br>bimonthly<\/td><td>Keep the Entity informed. Feasibility and design studies at <strong>two-month<\/strong> intervals; technical assistance and construction supervision <strong>monthly<\/strong>. Time-stamped photographs are encouraged.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Interim Reports<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Phased<br>assignments<\/td><td>The Entity should take <strong>not more than 15 days<\/strong> to review and approve a draft interim report, as it may affect the later phases.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Final Report<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">At completion<\/td><td>The <strong>consultants alone are responsible<\/strong> for the findings. If they do not accept the Entity's comments, the reasons are recorded in the report.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>For each deliverable the ToR fixes the <strong>format, the frequency, the content, the number of copies and the language<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The ToR template also covers the background and project context; the purpose and service-outcome statement; the detailed scope with its schedule; the expected key professionals and their expertise; capacity-building and transfer of knowledge; the background material to be provided; the <strong>facilities<\/strong> such as conveyance, office space and secretarial assistance; the institutional arrangements; and the review procedure of the <strong>Consultancy Monitoring Committee<\/strong> after award.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-cost\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 4.2<\/span>\n <h3>Estimating costs, setting the budget & seeking approval<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.3 \u00b7 How the cost estimate is built up<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Cost of a consultancy split into fee and reimbursable costs\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">TOTAL COST OF THE ASSIGNMENT<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"44\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"60\"\/><line x1=\"240\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"660\" y2=\"60\"\/>\n <line x1=\"240\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"240\" y2=\"76\"\/><line x1=\"660\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"660\" y2=\"76\"\/>\n <\/g>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"170\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"36\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">(a) FEE \/ REMUNERATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"134\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Fixed according to the type of contract chosen.<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">Each staff rate is inclusive of \u2014<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● basic salary<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● social charges<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● overheads<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● fee \/ profit<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● allowances<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">● forecast inflation<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">provision is made for inflation over the assignment<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"170\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"36\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">(b) REIMBURSABLE COSTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"134\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Everything the consultant spends on your behalf.<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"158\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● logistics \u2014 city, national and<\/text>\n <text x=\"506\" y=\"174\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">international travel and stay<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"194\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● physical inputs \u2014 vehicles, lab equipment<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● support services<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● contingencies & profit ● taxes & duties<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Estimating the cost is not a formality: the estimate fixes the <strong>level of the competent authority<\/strong> whose approval must be taken, and it is the yardstick against which an abnormally low bid is later judged.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Category (a)<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Fee or Remuneration<\/div>\n <p>Fixed according to the type of contract. Staff remuneration rates include <strong>basic salary, social charges, overheads, fees or profit, and allowances<\/strong>. The estimate provides for <strong>forecast inflation<\/strong> over the period of the assignment.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Category (b)<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Reimbursable Costs<\/div>\n <p>Logistics, being city, national and international travel and stay; physical inputs such as vehicles and laboratory equipment; support services; contingencies and profit; and <strong>taxes and duties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>The Ministry proposing to engage a consultant shall estimate a <strong>reasonable expenditure<\/strong> by ascertaining the prevalent market conditions, and by consulting other organisations engaged in similar activities [<strong>Rule 182<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Costs are normally estimated as <strong>unit rates multiplied by quantities<\/strong>; some items, such as contingencies and support services, are taken on a lump-sum or percentage basis.<\/li>\n <li>A <strong>mismatch between the cost estimate and the ToR<\/strong> misleads the consultants about the scope and depth desired, and causes problems at negotiation or during implementation.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-final\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 4.3<\/span>\n <h3>Finalising the ToR & developing the procurement plan<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal teal\">\n <li>The scope in the ToR must be <strong>compatible with the available budget<\/strong>. All the required tasks must be included, and adequate budget allocated; a series of iterations may be needed.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>approval of the competent authority<\/strong> to the ToR is taken before proceeding further; after administrative approval, budget provision is made, or confirmed at the Revised Estimate stage. <strong>Procurement may be initiated only after such budgetary provision or confirmation.<\/strong><\/li>\n <li>Where the consultancy is one component of a larger project, the Entity develops a <strong>synchronised procurement plan<\/strong>, sequencing all the components and choosing the method of selection and the type of contract for each. A construction-supervision consultant, for instance, must be <strong>mobilised before the award of the construction contract<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>All Ministries and Departments shall prepare an <strong>Annual Procurement Plan<\/strong> before the commencement of the year, and place it on their website [<strong>Rule 144(x)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-eproc\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 4.5<\/span>\n <h3>e-Procurement \u2014 Rule 160, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.4 \u00b7 The e-procurement mandate and its three exits<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Mandatory e-procurement with exemptions for GeM, national security and Indian missions abroad\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"56\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">MANDATORY \u2014 all bids, for all procurements, are received through e-procurement portals<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"54\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fbdedb\">Low-volume Departments may use the NIC solution; others use NIC or another provider chosen through due process<\/text>\n\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"66\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"86\"\/><line x1=\"160\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"740\" y2=\"86\"\/>\n <line x1=\"160\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"160\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"450\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"740\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"740\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"102\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">THREE EXITS FROM THE MANDATE<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">PROCUREMENT ON GeM<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">These instructions simply do<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">not apply to purchases made<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">through GeM.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">No approval needed<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">NATIONAL SECURITY<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where national security and<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">strategic considerations<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">demand confidentiality.<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Secretary's approval + FA's concurrence<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">INDIAN MISSIONS ABROAD<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">For tenders floated by an<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Indian Mission abroad.<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Competent Authority deciding the tender<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"244\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where a Global Tender Enquiry is permitted, e-procurement under Rule 160 may also not be insisted upon<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The e-publishing duty under <strong>Rule 159<\/strong> is separate from the e-procurement duty under <strong>Rule 160<\/strong>: the first is about <em>publishing<\/em> the notice, the second about <em>receiving<\/em> the bid.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">The mandate<\/td><td>It is <strong>mandatory<\/strong> for Ministries and Departments to receive <strong>all bids through e-procurement portals<\/strong>, in respect of all procurements.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Choice of portal<\/td><td>Ministries which do not have a large volume of procurement, or which procure only for the day-to-day running of offices, may use the e-procurement solution developed by <strong>NIC<\/strong>. Others may use the NIC solution, or engage any other service provider following due process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">National security<\/td><td>In an individual case where national security and strategic considerations demand confidentiality, the case may be exempted after seeking the approval of the concerned <strong>Secretary<\/strong>, and with the <strong>concurrence of the Financial Adviser<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Indian Missions abroad<\/td><td>In the case of tenders floated by Indian Missions abroad, the <strong>Competent Authority to decide the tender<\/strong> may exempt such a case from e-procurement.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">GeM<\/td><td>These instructions do <strong>not apply<\/strong> to procurement made through GeM.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Global Tender Enquiry<\/td><td>Where a GTE is issued under Rule 161(iv), <strong>e-procurement as per Rule 160 may not be insisted upon<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Two distinct duties<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\"><strong>Rule 159 \u2014 e-publishing.<\/strong> Tender enquiries, corrigenda thereon and details of bid awards are published on the GeM-CPPP. \u00b7 <strong>Rule 160 \u2014 e-procurement.<\/strong> All bids are received through e-procurement portals.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz4\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 4 Quiz \u2014 ToR, costs & e-procurement<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 4. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage4\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore4\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext4\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c4-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 4 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>ToR analogue<\/td><td>Description, Quantity & Technical Spec for goods (<strong>Rule 185<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR contents<\/td><td>Objectives \u00b7 tasks \u00b7 schedule \u00b7 Ministry's inputs \u00b7 final outputs<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR describes<\/td><td><strong>Activities, not methodology<\/strong> \u2014 that is the consultant's task<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Inception Report<\/td><td>About <strong>6 weeks<\/strong> after commencement<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Progress Reports<\/td><td>Feasibility & design <strong>every 2 months<\/strong>; supervision <strong>monthly<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Interim report review<\/td><td>Entity takes <strong>\u2264 15 days<\/strong> to review & approve a draft<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Cost categories<\/td><td>(a) Fee \/ remuneration \u00b7 (b) Reimbursable costs<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Reasonable estimate<\/td><td><strong>Rule 182<\/strong> \u2014 from market conditions & similar organisations<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Committee after award<\/td><td><strong>Consultancy Monitoring Committee<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR approval<\/td><td><strong>CA approval + budget provision<\/strong> before procurement is initiated<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Annual Procurement Plan<\/td><td>Before the year starts, on the website \u2014 <strong>Rule 144(x)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Procurement<\/td><td><strong>Mandatory (Rule 160)<\/strong>; does not apply to GeM<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Proc exemption<\/td><td>National security \u2192 <strong>Secretary's approval + FA's concurrence<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch5\" data-chapter=\"5\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c5-eoi\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 5 \u00b7 SHORTLISTING<\/span>\n <h2>Shortlisting Stage in Procurement of Consultancy Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Why the process is in two stages<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Since the quality of consultancy is not tangibly measurable, it is too costly to invite and evaluate proposals from everyone. Selection therefore rests on <strong>limited proposals from a short list of qualified firms<\/strong>. At the first stage the qualified firms are shortlisted in a transparent manner; at the second an RfP, seeking technical and financial proposals, is invited from the short list. Unreasonable qualification criteria, which restrict participation, are to be avoided.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.1 \u00b7 The funnel \u2014 from the whole market down to one consultant<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Funnel from the market through long list, short list and RfP to the selected consultant\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"12\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">THE WHOLE MARKET OF CONSULTANTS<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"20,52 880,52 800,110 100,110\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">STAGE 1 — LONG LIST<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">from an advertised EoI, or from enquiries where the value is low<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"103,118 797,118 730,176 170,176\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">SHORT LIST — NOT FEWER THAN 3, GENERALLY NOT MORE THAN 8<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"165\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">firms scoring the minimum marks, normally 75%, are shortlisted<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"173,184 727,184 660,242 240,242\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">STAGE 2 — REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"231\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">technical + financial proposals, issued to the short list only<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"250\" width=\"240\" height=\"40\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"275\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">THE SELECTED CONSULTANT<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The two stages answer different questions. Stage 1 asks <strong>\"who is capable?\"<\/strong> and looks only at the firm. Stage 2 asks <strong>\"whose proposal is best?\"<\/strong> and looks at approach, staff and price.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>On the basis of the responses received from the interested parties, the consultants meeting the requirements are shortlisted for further consideration. The number of shortlisted consultants shall be <strong>not less than three<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 184<\/strong>], and should generally not exceed <strong>eight<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Other (non-consultancy) services are procured through a simpler, <strong>single-stage<\/strong> process, on the lines of goods and works.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-thresh\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>Identification of likely sources \u2014 the thresholds<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.2 \u00b7 Estimated value decides the route \u2014 the \u20b950 lakh line<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Rule 183 and Rule 201 thresholds at fifty lakh rupees\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"26\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONSULTANCY SERVICES — Rule 183<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"38\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">UP TO ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">No formal published EoI. A long list is prepared<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">from formal or informal enquiries.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Akin to a Limited Tender Enquiry<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"38\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">ABOVE ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">An enquiry seeking an Expression of Interest<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">must be PUBLISHED, in addition to the long list.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">On GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"140\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\"\/>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">OTHER (NON-CONSULTANCY) SERVICES — Rule 201<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">UP TO ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A limited tender enquiry is issued to the prima<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"250\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">facie eligible and capable contractors.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Their number must be MORE THAN THREE<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">ABOVE ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The Ministry issues an advertisement, giving the<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"250\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">web address from which documents download.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">On GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"180\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"290\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\"\/>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Both limbs were raised to <strong>\u20b950 lakh<\/strong> by the Department of Expenditure. An organisation with its own website must publish its advertised tender enquiries there as well.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Rule<\/th><th>Estimated value<\/th><th>What is to be done<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 183(i)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">consultancy<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Up to<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>A <strong>long list<\/strong> of potential consultants is prepared on the basis of formal or informal enquiries from other Ministries, Departments or organisations involved in similar activities, from Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and from associations of consultancy firms.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 183(ii)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">consultancy<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Above<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td><strong>In addition to the long list<\/strong>, an enquiry seeking an <strong>Expression of Interest<\/strong> is published on <strong>GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>. An organisation having its own website also publishes it there.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(i)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">other services<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Up to<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>The preliminary list of likely contractors is scrutinised, the prima facie <strong>eligible and capable<\/strong> contractors are decided, and a <strong>limited tender enquiry<\/strong> is issued to them. Their number shall be <strong>more than three<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(ii)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">other services<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Above<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>An <strong>advertisement<\/strong> is issued on <strong>GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, giving the <strong>complete web address<\/strong> from which the bidding documents can be downloaded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-reoi\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>The enquiry seeking Expression of Interest<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.3 \u00b7 The REoI \u2014 four questions in, three questions strictly out<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"What the request for expression of interest may and may not ask\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"196\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"33\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">✓ WHAT THE REoI ASKS THE FIRM<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its core business and years in business<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its qualifications in the field of the assignment<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"126\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its technical and managerial organisation<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The NUMBER of its key staff<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"184\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Consultants may also comment on the objectives and scope<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"196\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"33\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">✗ WHAT IT MUST NOT CONTAIN OR ASK<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The assignment's Terms of Reference<\/text>\n <text x=\"496\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">the ToR must be READY, but is not issued yet<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"116\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The firm's approach or methodology<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"144\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Curriculum vitae of individual staff<\/text>\n <text x=\"496\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">both of these belong to the RfP stage<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Brevity is stressed at this stage<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Adequate time must be allowed for interested consultants to respond · where Indian consultants may be unavailable, the Global Tender Enquiry route is used<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The REoI also states, in brief, the <strong>broad scope<\/strong> of the work, the <strong>inputs<\/strong> the Ministry will provide, and the <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong>, along with the past experience expected in similar work.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:50%\"><col style=\"width:50%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>The enquiry shall include<\/th><th>The enquiry shall not include<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>In brief, the <strong>broad scope<\/strong> of the work or service.<\/td><td>The <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong> of the assignment. A complete ToR must be ready before the enquiry issues, but is not part of it.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The <strong>inputs<\/strong> to be provided by the Ministry or Department.<\/td><td>Any question on the consultant's <strong>approach or methodology<\/strong>, which belongs to the RfP stage.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong> to be met by the consultants.<\/td><td>Any requirement to submit the <strong>curricula vitae<\/strong> of individual staff.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The consultant's <strong>past experience<\/strong> in similar work or service; its core business and years in business; its technical and managerial organisation; and the <strong>number<\/strong> of its key staff.<\/td><td>Anything that offends against <strong>brevity<\/strong>, which is stressed at this stage.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The consultants may also be asked to send their <strong>comments on the objectives and scope<\/strong> of the work projected in the enquiry, and adequate time should be allowed for getting responses.<\/li>\n <li>Where suitable Indian consultants may not be available, the enquiry may take the <strong>Global Tender Enquiry<\/strong> route.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-gte\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>Global Tender Enquiry \u2014 Rule 161, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.4 \u00b7 The \u20b9200 crore bar, and the only gate through it<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 290\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"No global tender enquiry up to two hundred crore and the approval route for exceptions\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"52\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">NO GLOBAL TENDER ENQUIRY SHALL BE INVITED FOR TENDERS UP TO ₹200 CRORE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fbdedb\">or such limit as the Department of Expenditure may prescribe from time to time<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">IN AN EXCEPTIONAL CASE BELOW THAT LIMIT, ALL FOUR MUST BE SATISFIED<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"52\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">1<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">JUSTIFICATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Detailed reasons for the<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">GTE are RECORDED.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"238\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"270\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">2<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHO PROPOSES<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The Administrative Ministry.<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Not an office, body or CPSU.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"456\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"488\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"488\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">3<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHO CLEARS IT<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Financial Adviser concurs,<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Secretary approves.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"674\" y=\"96\" width=\"206\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"706\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"706\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">4<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">PRIOR APPROVAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Of the competent authority<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">specified by the DoE.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"196\" width=\"420\" height=\"82\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">BEFORE THE GTE<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"240\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A domestic open tender must first be floated to<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">identify domestic providers, and the 3 or 5-year<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">procurement plan must be published.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"196\" width=\"420\" height=\"82\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">ONCE THE GTE IS PERMITTED<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"240\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Tender notices may go to Indian Embassies abroad<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and Foreign Embassies in India, and e-procurement<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">under Rule 160 may not be insisted upon.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">For <strong>specialised research equipment<\/strong> up to \u20b9200 crore procured by Educational and Research Institutes, the <strong>Secretary<\/strong> of the Ministry is the competent authority, subject to non-availability certificates and use of the <strong>I-STEM portal<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>The bar.<\/strong> No Global Tender Enquiry shall be invited for tenders <strong>up to \u20b9200 crore<\/strong>, or such limit as may be prescribed by the Department of Expenditure from time to time.<\/li>\n <li><strong>The exception.<\/strong> For tenders below that limit, in exceptional cases where the Ministry feels there are special reasons for a GTE, it shall <strong>record its detailed justification<\/strong> and seek <strong>prior approval for relaxation<\/strong> from the competent authority specified by the Department of Expenditure.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Who may propose.<\/strong> The proposal is submitted by the <strong>Administrative Ministry<\/strong>, with the <strong>concurrence of the Financial Adviser<\/strong> and the <strong>approval of the Secretary<\/strong>. Proposals from individual offices, autonomous bodies or CPSUs are not entertained.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Before the enquiry.<\/strong> A <strong>domestic open tender<\/strong> is first floated to identify domestic providers, and the three or five-year procurement plan under the Make in India Order is published.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Once permitted.<\/strong> Copies of the tender notice may be sent to the <strong>Indian Embassies abroad<\/strong> and to the <strong>Foreign Embassies in India<\/strong>, the selection depending on the possibility of availability of the required goods in such countries. In such cases <strong>e-procurement as per Rule 160 may not be insisted<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Research equipment.<\/strong> For specialised research equipment up to \u20b9200 crore procured by Educational and Research Institutes, the <strong>Secretary<\/strong> of the Ministry is the competent authority, subject to non-availability certificates and the use of the <strong>I-STEM portal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-below\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>The long list & the panel of consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>The long list is moderated down to the firms that are <strong>prima facie eligible<\/strong>, and their number shall be <strong>not less than three<\/strong>. Where fewer are available, the procurement proceeds with fewer only with the <strong>approval of the competent authority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>An Entity procuring consultancy frequently may maintain a <strong>panel of qualified consultants<\/strong>, on the lines of the registration of suppliers under <strong>Rule 150<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>A formal Expression of Interest may be advertised even at or below the threshold, with the approval of the competent authority, where the complexity of the assignment justifies it.<\/li>\n <li>The performance of the empanelled firms is <strong>reviewed periodically<\/strong>; the list is updated, and members are upgraded, downgraded or de-listed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-shortlist\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 5.2<\/span>\n <h3>The short list & the qualification weightages<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.5 \u00b7 How a firm earns its place on the short list<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Weightage of sixty percent experience, twenty five percent key staff, fifteen percent financial strength\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"28\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">THE THREE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA, AND THEIR WEIGHTS<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"42\" width=\"516\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">PAST EXPERIENCE \/ TRACK RECORD<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"79\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">of the consultancy firm itself<\/text>\n <text x=\"556\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">60%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"94\" width=\"215\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">GENERAL PROFILE OF KEY STAFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"131\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">qualification, experience, number<\/text>\n <text x=\"255\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">25%<\/text>\n <text x=\"320\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">not individual CVs — those come with the RfP<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"146\" width=\"129\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">FINANCIAL STRENGTH<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">turnover, profit, cash flow<\/text>\n <text x=\"169\" y=\"174\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c97c10\">15%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"620\" y=\"42\" width=\"260\" height=\"96\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">THE CUT-OFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"24\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">75%<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">normally, and specified in the EoI<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A pass\/fail benchmark may be used<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"204\" width=\"860\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"224\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">THE TURNOVER CAUTION<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"241\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">A minimum qualifying turnover of 5 to 10 times the estimated cost is prima facie HIGH — it reduces competition, and is kept only if adequately justified.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Scoring is not merely a device for disqualification. It establishes the <strong>relative strengths<\/strong> of the applicants, and so produces a robust short list.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:62%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Qualification criterion<\/th><th>Weightage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Past experience and track record of the consultant<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">60%<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">General profile of the qualification, experience and number of key staff, and not the curricula vitae of individuals<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">25%<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Overall financial strength \u2014 turnover, profitability and cash flow<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">15%<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>All consultants securing the minimum required marks, <strong>normally 75%<\/strong>, and specified in the Expression of Interest, are shortlisted. A simplified <strong>fail\/pass benchmark<\/strong> may be used instead \u2014 for example, at least two similar projects; key staff with at least seven years' experience and a Master's degree; and a turnover of at least \u20b910 crore.<\/li>\n <li>Scoring is not merely for disqualification, but to establish the <strong>relative strengths<\/strong> of the applicants and to arrive at a robust short list.<\/li>\n <li>Where a firm is considered for <strong>concurrent assignments<\/strong>, the Entity assesses its overall capacity before placing it on more than one short list, and declares this in advance in the Expression of Interest.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Minimum qualifying turnover<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Keeping the minimum qualifying turnover at <strong>five to ten times the estimated cost<\/strong> of the consultancy appears <em>prima facie<\/em> high, since it reduces competition. The criteria should be reasonable, and such a high turnover retained only if adequately justified.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-risks\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 5.3<\/span>\n <h3>Shortlisting \u2014 risks & mitigation<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Conflict-of-interest situations are not reported or declared, whether by the consultants or by the members of the evaluation committee.<\/td><td>Signed <strong>declarations<\/strong> in the specified formats \u2014 from the consultant at the Expression of Interest stage, again in the technical proposal, and from every member of the Consultancy Evaluation Committee before evaluation begins.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Qualifications leasing<\/strong> \u2014 a weak local bidder shows an association with a well-qualified foreign or local firm merely to borrow its credentials, and that partner contributes little at execution.<\/td><td>From the Expression of Interest stage, clearly identify the qualified applicant, and place the partner's <strong>guaranteed contribution on record and in the contract<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz5\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 5 Quiz \u2014 EoI, thresholds & the short list<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 5. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage5\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore5\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext5\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c5-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 5 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Advertised EoI threshold<\/td><td>Consultancy <strong>above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2192 EoI published on GeM & GeM-CPPP (Rule 183)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Up to \u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>No published EoI \u2014 a long list from formal\/informal enquiries<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Other services (Rule 201)<\/td><td><strong>Above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> advertised; <strong>up to \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> limited tender to <strong>more than 3<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Short list size<\/td><td>Minimum <strong>3 (Rule 184)<\/strong>, generally not more than <strong>8<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Long list minimum<\/td><td><strong>Not less than 3<\/strong>; fewer only with CA approval<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>REoI does NOT include<\/td><td>The <strong>ToR<\/strong>, the approach or methodology, or individual <strong>CVs<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GTE bar<\/td><td><strong>No GTE up to \u20b9200 crore<\/strong> without prior approval of the CA specified by DoE<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GTE approval route<\/td><td>Administrative Ministry + <strong>FA's concurrence + Secretary's approval<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Qualification weights<\/td><td>Experience <strong>60%<\/strong> \u00b7 key-staff profile <strong>25%<\/strong> \u00b7 financial strength <strong>15%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Shortlist cut-off<\/td><td>Normally <strong>75%<\/strong> of the marks, stated in the EoI<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Turnover caution<\/td><td><strong>5\u201310\u00d7<\/strong> the estimated cost is prima facie high \u2014 keep it reasonable<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Qualifications leasing<\/td><td>Record the partner's <strong>guaranteed contribution<\/strong> in the contract<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch6\" data-chapter=\"6\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c6-steps\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 6 \u00b7 COMPETITIVE SELECTION<\/span>\n <h2>Selection of Consultants by Competitive Process<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">The evaluation process<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Nine steps run from the issue of the Request for Proposals to the award of the contract. Proposals are ordinarily asked for in the <strong>two-bid system<\/strong>, with the technical and financial bids sealed separately [<strong>Rule 187<\/strong>], and the financial bids of only those bidders declared <strong>technically qualified<\/strong> are opened [<strong>Rule 190<\/strong>].\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.1 \u00b7 The nine steps of the competitive process<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Nine steps from RfP to award of contract\">\n <defs><marker id=\"a6\" markerWidth=\"8\" markerHeight=\"8\" refX=\"6\" refY=\"4\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L8 4 L0 8 z\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Prepare & issue RfP<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"156\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"172\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"176\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Pre-proposal meeting<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"312\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"328\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"332\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Receipt of proposals<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"468\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"484\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"488\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Technical evaluation<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"624\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"640\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"644\" y=\"20\" width=\"136\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"712\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"712\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Public opening \u2014 financial<\/text>\n <\/g>\n\n <path d=\"M712 82 v20 H86 v20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n\n <g>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vi<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Financial evaluation<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"156\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"172\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"176\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vii<\/text>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Select the winner<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"312\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"328\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"332\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">viii<\/text>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Negotiate, if required<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"468\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"484\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"488\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ix<\/text>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Award of contract<\/text>\n <\/g>\n\n <rect x=\"644\" y=\"126\" width=\"236\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"762\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Late bids are not considered<\/text>\n <text x=\"762\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rules 187 & 188<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"200\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Technical bids are opened first; the financial bids of only the technically qualified bidders are opened thereafter<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The bidder puts the two sealed envelopes in a <strong>bigger envelope<\/strong>, duly sealed, and submits it by the specified date and time at the specified place [<strong>Rule 187<\/strong>].<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-rfp\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 6.2<\/span>\n <h3>Request for Proposals \u2014 Rule 186, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>A <strong>letter of invitation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Information to Consultants<\/strong> regarding the procedure for submission of the proposal.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong>, in case these have not been ascertained through the enquiry for Expression of Interest.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>list of key positions<\/strong> whose curriculum vitae and experience would be evaluated.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>bid evaluation criteria<\/strong> and the selection procedure.<\/li>\n <li>Standard formats for the <strong>technical and financial proposal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>proposed contract terms<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The procedure proposed for the <strong>mid-term review<\/strong> of progress, and for review of the final draft report.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Simplified Technical Proposal<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Where LCS is used<\/div>\n <p>Since technical scores are not weighted and added in LCS, a fail-pass benchmark suffices and a <strong>Simplified Technical Proposal<\/strong>, rather than a Full Technical Proposal, is called for. It is used where the assignment is <strong>unlikely to have a downstream impact<\/strong>, is <strong>routine<\/strong> with a well-defined ToR, and needs no detailed evaluation of experience \u2014 auditors, accountants, consulting engineers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Instructions to Consultants<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Standard part + data sheet<\/div>\n <p>Brings transparency to the evaluation criteria, the weights and the minimum passing score. It <strong>shall not indicate the budget<\/strong>, except in Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection, but indicates the expected input of key staff. The proposal validity is <strong>normally 60 days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-provisions\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 6.2.6<\/span>\n <h3>Currency, price variation, advances & securities<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>Contracts are normally denominated in <strong>Indian Rupees<\/strong>. Where another currency is permitted, the date of conversion, normally the <strong>date of opening of the technical bid<\/strong>, is fixed in the RfP.<\/li>\n <li>A <strong>Price Variation Clause can be provided only in long-term contracts, where the delivery period extends beyond 18 months<\/strong>; in short-term contracts firm and fixed prices are provided [<strong>Rule 225(viii)(a)<\/strong>]. For time-based and indefinite-delivery contracts expected to exceed 18 months, the adjustment is based on the <strong>Consumer Price Index<\/strong>. Lump-sum contracts are generally not subject to price adjustment.<\/li>\n <li>The clause specifies the <strong>base level<\/strong>, being the month and year to which the price is linked; a <strong>minimum percentage<\/strong> of variation above which adjustment is admissible; a <strong>ceiling<\/strong> on price variation; and cut-off dates for material and labour. <strong>No price variation is admissible beyond the original scheduled delivery date for defaults on the part of the supplier.<\/strong><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.2 \u00b7 Advances, and the two securities<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Advance payment limits and comparison of bid security and performance security\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"24\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">ADVANCE PAYMENT \u2014 Rule 172(1)<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of contract value \u2014 to private firms<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">40%<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">to a State or Central agency, or a PSU<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"18\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">6 MONTHS<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">amount payable, for a maintenance contract<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"102\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Ceilings may be relaxed by the Ministry in consultation with its Financial Adviser \u00b7 adequate safeguards such as a bank guarantee are obtained<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"160\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">THE TWO SECURITIES<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"30\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">BID SECURITY \u2014 Rule 170<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">2% \u2013 5% of estimated value<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">45 days beyond final bid validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Return<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">by the 30th day after award<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"284\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">MSEs and DPIIT-recognised Startups are exempt<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"30\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PERFORMANCE SECURITY \u2014 Rule 171<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">3% \u2013 5% of contract value<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">60 days beyond all obligations<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Furnished<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">within 14 days of award<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"284\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">For works, security plus retention money remains 3% \u2013 10%<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Both securities may be furnished as an <strong>Insurance Surety Bond<\/strong>, an Account Payee Demand Draft, a Fixed Deposit Receipt, a Bank Guarantee including an <strong>e-Bank Guarantee<\/strong>, or by online payment. The bid security is refunded to the successful bidder <strong>on receipt of the performance security<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bid Securing Declaration<\/td><td>In place of a bid security, the Ministry may require bidders to sign a declaration accepting that, if they withdraw or modify their bid during its validity, or fail to sign the contract or furnish the performance security, they will be <strong>suspended<\/strong> for the period specified in the request for bids [Rule 170(iii)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Two-packet bidding<\/td><td>The bid securities of the unsuccessful bidders at the <strong>first stage<\/strong>, that is technical evaluation, are returned <strong>within 30 days<\/strong> of the declaration of the first-stage result.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Form of contract<\/td><td>The Standard Form of Contract is preferred, and the <strong>General Conditions of Contract are not to be altered<\/strong>; project-specific changes are made through the <strong>Special Conditions of Contract<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Professional liability<\/td><td>There shall be <strong>no limitation of liability for gross negligence or wilful misconduct<\/strong>, and the limit shall never be below a stated multiple of the contract value.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Applicable law<\/td><td>The bidding document indicates clearly that the resultant contract will be interpreted under <strong>Indian laws<\/strong> [Rule 173(vi)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">NIL quotation<\/td><td>If a firm quotes <strong>NIL charges or consideration<\/strong>, the bid shall be treated as unresponsive and will not be considered [Rule 173(i)(i)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-pre\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 6.3\u20136.4<\/span>\n <h3>Pre-proposal meeting & receipt of proposals<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">15\u201330 days<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">After issue of the RfP, the pre-proposal meeting is normally held.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 15 days<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time left to bidders to respond, where a significant change is issued as a <strong>corrigendum<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">4 wk \u2013 3 mo<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time normally allowed to prepare the proposals.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 8 weeks<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time allowed where there is international participation.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-cec\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 6.5<\/span>\n <h3>Consultancy Evaluation Committee \u2014 Rule 189, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Constitution.<\/strong> Technical bids are analysed and evaluated by a <strong>Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/strong> constituted by the Ministry, for cases with a financial implication of more than <strong>\u20b910 lakh<\/strong>. It has <strong>normally three members<\/strong>, including the Financial Adviser or a representative, and a user representative who acts as the <strong>convenor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Independence.<\/strong> <strong>No member shall report directly to another<\/strong> member of the Committee. The Committee handles all the stages \u2014 the EoI, the short list, the ToR, the RfP, the technical and financial evaluation, negotiation and selection; no separate technical committee is needed.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Grading before opening.<\/strong> A grading system of <strong>three to four grades<\/strong> is defined <strong>before<\/strong> the proposals are opened, so as to prevent bias.<\/li>\n <li><strong>No contact.<\/strong> Members shall have <strong>no communication with the shortlisted firms<\/strong>, from their appointment until the award of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Record of reasons.<\/strong> The Committee shall <strong>record in detail the reasons for acceptance or rejection<\/strong> of the technical proposals evaluated by it. Differences are resolved by discussion; persistent dissent is recorded, the <strong>majority view<\/strong> prevails, and the competent authority may overrule with reasons recorded.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-resp\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 6.6\u20136.7<\/span>\n <h3>Responsiveness & evaluation of the technical proposal<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>A proposal is <strong>summarily rejected as non-responsive<\/strong> if it is unaccompanied by the bid security, is unsigned, is incomplete in that the required formats are not submitted, does not fully respond to the ToR, or carries a <strong>validity shorter<\/strong> than that prescribed.<\/li>\n <li>A technical proposal containing <strong>material financial information<\/strong> is also rejected.<\/li>\n <li>Determination of responsiveness is based on the <strong>contents of the bid itself, without recourse to extrinsic evidence<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Each proposal is judged on its own merits and given an <strong>absolute<\/strong> grade against the predefined criteria; the maximum technical score is <strong>100<\/strong>, and the minimum qualifying mark is <strong>normally 75<\/strong>. The technical evaluation report is <strong>confidential<\/strong>, and requires the approval of the competent authority.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.3 \u00b7 Technical evaluation \u2014 the criteria and the grades<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Technical evaluation criteria ranges and the five point rating scale\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"24\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">RATED CRITERIA \u2014 the total technical score is 100<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"36\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"36\" width=\"78\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">5\u201310%<\/text>\n <text x=\"112\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Specific experience of the consultancy firm<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"72\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"72\" width=\"260\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">20\u201350%<\/text>\n <text x=\"294\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Methodology<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"108\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"108\" width=\"312\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">30\u201360%<\/text>\n <text x=\"346\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Qualification & experience of key staff<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"144\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"144\" width=\"52\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">0\u201310%<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Transfer of knowledge<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"186\" width=\"520\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"280\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Minimum qualifying mark \u2014 normally 75 out of 100<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"560\" y=\"36\" width=\"320\" height=\"184\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"720\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">RATING SCALE<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">A<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Very Good<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">Full marks<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">B<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Good<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">80%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c97c10\">C<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Satisfactory<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">60%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c0392b\">D<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Unsatisfactory<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#41617f\">E<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Not Relevant<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">10%<\/text>\n <text x=\"720\" y=\"210\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">defined before the proposals are opened<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"230\" width=\"860\" height=\"26\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"248\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The technical evaluation report is confidential and requires the approval of the competent authority<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The four criteria are <strong>relevant experience, methodology, qualifications of the key staff, and transfer of knowledge<\/strong>. Each proposal is graded on its own merit, and not by comparison with the others.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-cost\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 6.8<\/span>\n <h3>Evaluation of cost \u2014 Rule 190, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal gold\">\n <li>The financial bids of <strong>only those bidders declared technically qualified<\/strong> by the Consultancy Evaluation Committee are opened; the others are notified, and their <strong>financial proposals are returned unopened<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>In QCBS, the financial opening is held <strong>not later than three weeks<\/strong> after the notification, and is conducted <strong>publicly<\/strong>; the names, the quality scores and the prices are read aloud.<\/li>\n <li>In <strong>time-based<\/strong> proposals, arithmetical errors are corrected. In <strong>lump-sum<\/strong> proposals there is <strong>no correction<\/strong>, since all prices are deemed to be included.<\/li>\n <li>In QCBS the <strong>lowest price is given 100<\/strong>, and the others score in inverse proportion to their price.<\/li>\n <li>Costs quoted in a foreign currency are converted to rupees at the <strong>State Bank of India BC selling rate<\/strong> on the <strong>date of opening of the technical bids<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>For an <strong>abnormally low bid<\/strong>, a written price analysis is sought, and the bid is rejected if the bidder fails to demonstrate its capability to perform. <strong>No fixed normative percentage<\/strong> is prescribed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-winner\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 6.9<\/span>\n <h3>Selecting the winning consultant<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">The evaluated bid score<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\"><strong>B = (C<sub>low<\/sub> \/ C) · X + (T \/ T<sub>high<\/sub>) · (1 − X)<\/strong> \u2014 where C is the evaluated price, C<sub>low<\/sub> the lowest evaluated price, T the technical score, T<sub>high<\/sub> the highest technical score, and X the weight assigned to price. The highest combined score is ranked <strong>H-1<\/strong>. In LCS, the proposals are ranked by total cost and the <strong>lowest evaluated cost<\/strong> is recommended for award. A <strong>tie<\/strong> in the final ranking is resolved in favour of the bid with the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-award\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 6.10\u20136.13<\/span>\n <h3>Negotiations, award & risks<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li><strong>Negotiation with bidders after bid opening must be severely discouraged.<\/strong> In exceptional circumstances where price negotiation is necessary, it is resorted to <strong>only with the lowest evaluated responsive bidder<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xiv)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Negotiations are not essential. They freeze the ToR and the methodology in the \"Description of Services\", and must <strong>not substantially alter or dilute<\/strong> the ToR.<\/li>\n <li>Financial negotiation is undertaken only where a change in scope has a financial bearing, or the quoted costs are unreasonable, and in <strong>no case shall there be an increase above the quoted price<\/strong>. If negotiation fails, the process is cancelled and the proposals re-invited.<\/li>\n <li>The name of the successful bidder awarded the contract, and the cost, are placed on the <strong>GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, the Ministry's website, and its notice board [<strong>Rule 173(xviii)<\/strong>]. The details of the evaluation remain <strong>confidential until the award<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Rejection of all bids is justified where effective competition is lacking; where no bid is substantially responsive; where the prices are substantially higher than the updated cost estimate or the available budget; or where <strong>none of the technical proposals meets the minimum technical qualifying score<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xix)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>A Joint Venture wins on the qualifications of the lead partner, but proposes <strong>no key expert or team leader from that firm<\/strong>.<\/td><td>The RfP should require the team leader to have worked <strong>two to three years<\/strong> with the main qualifying firm; non-compliance renders the proposal non-responsive.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>A request to <strong>substitute key experts at the negotiation stage<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Examined very closely, and agreed only where the RfP permits it and the process has been unreasonably delayed.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Unsigned curricula vitae<\/strong> in the technical proposal.<\/td><td>Evaluate the proposal without the unsigned CVs, and never allow substitution at negotiation. If most of the CVs are unsigned, reject the proposal as non-responsive.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz6\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 6 Quiz \u2014 RfP, CEC, evaluation & award<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 6. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage6\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore6\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext6\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c6-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 6 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>RfP contents<\/td><td><strong>Rule 186<\/strong> \u2014 nine items, from the letter of invitation to the mid-term review procedure<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Proposal validity<\/td><td>Normally <strong>60 days<\/strong>; the ITC shall not indicate the budget, except in FBS<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Price Variation Clause<\/td><td>Only where the delivery period extends beyond <strong>18 months<\/strong> [Rule 225(viii)(a)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Advance payment<\/td><td><strong>30%<\/strong> private \u00b7 <strong>40%<\/strong> Govt or PSU \u00b7 <strong>6 months<\/strong> for maintenance [Rule 172(1)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bid Security<\/td><td><strong>2\u20135%<\/strong> of estimated value; valid <strong>45 days<\/strong> beyond bid validity; returned by the <strong>30th day<\/strong> after award; MSEs and Startups exempt<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Performance Security<\/td><td><strong>3\u20135%<\/strong> of contract value for goods, consultancy and non-consultancy; <strong>60 days<\/strong> beyond obligations; within <strong>14 days<\/strong> [Rule 171]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Proposal time<\/td><td><strong>4 weeks to 3 months<\/strong>; international participation <strong>\u2265 8 weeks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CEC<\/td><td><strong>Rule 189<\/strong>; cases above <strong>\u20b910 lakh<\/strong>; normally <strong>3 members<\/strong>; user representative is convenor; reasons recorded in detail<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Rating scale<\/td><td>A full \u00b7 B <strong>80%<\/strong> \u00b7 C <strong>60%<\/strong> \u00b7 D <strong>30%<\/strong> \u00b7 E <strong>10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Technical criteria<\/td><td>Experience <strong>5\u201310%<\/strong> \u00b7 methodology <strong>20\u201350%<\/strong> \u00b7 key staff <strong>30\u201360%<\/strong> \u00b7 transfer of knowledge <strong>0\u201310%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial opening<\/td><td>QCBS \u2014 publicly, <strong>not later than 3 weeks<\/strong> after notification<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Currency conversion<\/td><td><strong>SBI BC selling rate<\/strong> on the date of opening of the technical bids<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Tie in QCBS<\/td><td>Resolved in favour of the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> \u2192 H-1<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Negotiation<\/td><td>Severely discouraged; only with the <strong>lowest evaluated responsive bidder<\/strong>; never above the quoted price<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch7\" data-chapter=\"7\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c7-sss\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 7 \u00b7 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS<\/span>\n <h2>Special Types of Engagements<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The method to be followed in special cases \u2014 <strong>Single Source Selection<\/strong>; <strong>individual<\/strong> consultants; <strong>specialised agencies, institutions and NGOs<\/strong>; <strong>procurement and inspection agents<\/strong>; <strong>financial advisors<\/strong> and <strong>auditors<\/strong>; and a public competition for the design of a <strong>logo or symbol<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 7.1 \u00b7 The engagement, and the method prescribed for it<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 290\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Method of selection prescribed for each special type of engagement\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ENGAGEMENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">METHOD & THE CONDITION ATTACHED<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"48\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Individual consultant<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"48\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Compare the qualifications of <tspan font-weight=\"700\">at least three<\/tspan> candidates<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"88\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Specialised Government agency<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"88\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">SSS<\/tspan>, with full justification that it is in the Entity's best interest<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"128\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">NGOs<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"128\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan> \u00b7 SSS only for a very small assignment in a remote area<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"168\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Procurement & inspection agents<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"168\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan>, cost weight up to <tspan font-weight=\"700\">50%<\/tspan> \u2014 keep the quality threshold high<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"208\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Financial advisors \u2014 restructuring, M&A<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"208\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan> \u00b7 lump-sum retainer plus a success fee<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"248\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">Auditors<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"248\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">LCS<\/tspan>, with cost as the selection factor<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Auditing runs under a well-defined Terms of Reference and established professional standards, which is why <strong>Rule 193<\/strong> names audits as an assignment of a standard or routine nature.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Powers are severely restricted.<\/strong> Direct negotiation lacks the benefits of competition and transparency, and is used only in exceptional and inescapable circumstances. The reasons, and the choice of the firm, are <strong>recorded and approved by the competent authority<\/strong> under the DFPR or the Schedule of Procurement Powers, before single tendering.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Downstream continuity.<\/strong> Where a downstream assignment is contemplated, the initial RfP should outline the prospect. But where the initial assignment was <strong>not awarded competitively<\/strong>, or the downstream work is <strong>substantially larger<\/strong>, a competitive process is followed, and the initial firm is not excluded from it.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Reporting.<\/strong> Under the CVC guidelines, the Competent Financial Authority reports <strong>all selections made by nomination every month<\/strong> to the Secretary or the Head of the Department.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-individual\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 7.2<\/span>\n <h3>Selection of individual consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>Individuals are engaged where a team is not required, no outside support is needed, and the <strong>experience and qualifications of the individual<\/strong> are paramount.<\/li>\n <li>Selection is made by a <strong>comparison of the qualifications of at least three candidates<\/strong> who have expressed interest, or who have been approached; the requirement is advertised on <strong>GeM and the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/strong> awards marks for education and experience, may interview the candidates, and recommends the remuneration.<\/li>\n <li>Direct negotiation with an individual is confined to exceptional cases \u2014 a continuation of work won competitively; an emergency arising after a natural disaster; or a single qualified individual. The conflict-of-interest provisions apply to the <strong>parent firm<\/strong> of a candidate who is employed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-agencies\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 7.3\u20137.4<\/span>\n <h3>Specialised agencies, institutions & NGOs<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Specialised agencies & institutions<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Single Source Selection<\/div>\n <p>Government and semi-Government agencies, universities and professional institutions. Where they possess <strong>special expertise or back-up facilities<\/strong>, Single Source Selection may be appropriate, with <strong>full justification<\/strong> that it is in the best interest of the Entity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Non-Governmental Organisations<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Quality and Cost Based Selection<\/div>\n <p>Where an assignment requires community participation, the short list may consist <strong>entirely of NGOs<\/strong>, and QCBS is then used, with criteria reflecting grassroots experience, participatory approaches, committed leadership and beneficiary participation. <strong>SSS<\/strong> may be used to engage a local NGO for a <strong>very small assignment in a remote area<\/strong> where only one is available.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-pa\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 7.5\u20137.6<\/span>\n <h3>Procurement & inspection agents<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Agent<\/th><th>What it does & how it is paid<\/th><th>Method & the caution attached<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td class=\"label-cell\">Procurement Agent<\/td>\n <td>Handles specific items of procurement, and is paid a <strong>percentage of the value handled<\/strong>. An agent giving only advice is engaged on a <strong>QCBS time-based<\/strong> contract.<\/td>\n <td><strong>QCBS with a cost weight of up to 50%<\/strong>. At that weight finance dominates the selection, so the <strong>quality threshold must be set high<\/strong>.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td class=\"label-cell\">Inspection Agent<\/td>\n <td>Carries out pre-shipment or on-arrival inspection for <strong>quality, quantity and price<\/strong>, and is paid a percentage of the value of the goods inspected.<\/td>\n <td><strong>QCBS, cost up to 50%<\/strong>. Clauses requiring the <strong>supplier to pay for the travel, stay and hospitality of the inspecting officials must be avoided<\/strong>, since they compromise the independence of the inspection.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-fin\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 7.7\u20137.8<\/span>\n <h3>Financial advisors & auditors<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>For <strong>studies and financial consultancy<\/strong>, any suitable method may be used.<\/li>\n <li>For <strong>restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, demerger and privatisation<\/strong>, <strong>QCBS<\/strong> is used, and the remuneration takes the form of a <strong>lump-sum retainer together with a success fee<\/strong>, preferably a percentage of the transaction value. The cost weight may exceed the standard, for instance <strong>30%<\/strong>, or LCS may be used.<\/li>\n <li>Auditing is carried out under a well-defined Terms of Reference and established professional standards, so auditors are selected under the <strong>Least Cost System<\/strong>, with cost as the selection factor.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-logo\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 7.9<\/span>\n <h3>Public competition for design of symbols and logos \u2014 Rule 196, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 7.2 \u00b7 The design competition \u2014 what Rule 196 requires<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Requirements of a public design competition under Rule 196\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"36\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">The competition shall be conducted in a TRANSPARENT, FAIR and OBJECTIVE manner<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">WIDE PUBLICITY<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The information must be accessible<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">to all possible participants.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">Ministry's website<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">and the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">THE COMPETITION NOTICE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Objectives \u00b7 qualification and<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">evaluation criteria \u00b7 single or multi-<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"138\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">stage, or public voting for items of<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">national importance \u00b7 format \u00b7 prizes<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">THE JURY<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where the selection has been made<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">by a jury of experts nominated for<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"138\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">the purpose, the composition of the<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">jury may also be notified.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"182\" width=\"420\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">TWO STATUTES TO BE KEPT IN VIEW<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Official Languages Act \u00b7 Emblems and Names<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"182\" width=\"420\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">of the winning design rest with the sponsoring agency<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act<\/strong> restricts the use of certain names and emblems, and the <strong>Official Languages Act<\/strong> governs the language in which the competition is conducted.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz7\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 7 Quiz \u2014 special engagements<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 7. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage7\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore7\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext7\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c7-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 7 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Engagement<\/th><th>Method \/ Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Nomination reporting<\/td><td>The CFA reports all nominations <strong>every month<\/strong> to the Secretary or Head of Department (CVC)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Downstream continuity<\/td><td>Competitive process if the initial award was not competitive, or the downstream work is <strong>substantially larger<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Individual consultant<\/td><td>Compare qualifications of <strong>at least 3<\/strong> candidates; CEC scores and may interview<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Specialised Govt agency<\/td><td><strong>SSS<\/strong>, with full justification<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>NGOs<\/td><td><strong>QCBS<\/strong>; SSS only for a very small assignment in a remote area<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Procurement agents<\/td><td><strong>QCBS<\/strong>, cost weight up to <strong>50%<\/strong>; keep the quality bar high<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Inspection agents<\/td><td>QCBS, cost up to 50%; the supplier must <strong>not<\/strong> fund the inspectors' travel or stay<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial advisors<\/td><td>Restructuring, M&A, privatisation \u2192 <strong>QCBS<\/strong>; retainer plus success fee<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Auditors<\/td><td><strong>LCS<\/strong>, with cost as the selection factor<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Logo competition<\/td><td><strong>Rule 196<\/strong>; publicity on the Ministry website and the GeM-CPPP; <strong>IPR rests with the sponsoring agency<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch8\" data-chapter=\"8\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c8-monitor\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 8 \u00b7 MONITORING<\/span>\n <h2>Monitoring the Consultancy \/ Other Services Contract<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Monitoring the contract \u2014 Rule 195, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministry or Department should be <strong>involved throughout<\/strong> in the conduct of the consultancy, preferably by taking a <strong>task force approach<\/strong>, and should continuously monitor the performance of the consultants, so that the output of the consultancy is in line with the objectives of the Ministry.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>A <strong>Contract Monitoring Committee<\/strong> is constituted after selection, with <strong>at least three members<\/strong> at the appropriate level, including the <strong>user's representative<\/strong>; the members of the Consultancy Evaluation Committee may be reused.<\/li>\n <li>A counterpart <strong>Project Manager<\/strong> is designated as the nodal person for the assignment.<\/li>\n <li>The Committee monitors progress, assesses the deliverables, <strong>accepts or rejects<\/strong> parts of the work, and levies <strong>liquidated damages or penalty<\/strong>. Its functions extend from the notice to proceed and the inception review, through contract variations and the monitoring of progress and expenditure, to dispute handling, termination, final payment, closure and post-contract evaluation.<\/li>\n <li>All contracts shall contain a provision for <strong>recovery of liquidated damages<\/strong> for defaults on the part of the contractor; an exemption may be made only in exceptional circumstances, justified by the procuring entity in writing [<strong>Rule 225(xvi)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Time-based contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Watch the mobilisation<\/div>\n <p>The mobilisation and demobilisation of the key experts is watched carefully, since the <strong>contract amount can be fully spent while the supervised work, such as construction, is barely half done<\/strong>, which leads to claims and disputes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Lump-sum contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Check before the stage payment<\/div>\n <p>The quality of the draft report is checked carefully <strong>before the stage payments are released<\/strong>. Where extra services are needed the contract is amended promptly, and the increase should generally be <strong>not more than 10 to 15%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-variations\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 8.10\u20138.11<\/span>\n <h3>Contract variations & substitution of key personnel<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 8.1 \u00b7 The thresholds that govern a change to a running contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Thresholds for contract variation, IT change requests and substitution of key personnel\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">CONTRACT VARIATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">> 10%<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">increase in the contract amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">needs the CA's prior approval<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">IT CHANGE REQUEST<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">± 15%<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">generally the limit of its value<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Change Control Board decides, finally<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">SUBSTITUTION OF KEY STAFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≤ 30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of the total key personnel<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">equally or better qualified replacement<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">REDUCTION IN REMUNERATION, BY SLAB OF REPLACEMENT<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"158\" width=\"270\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">First 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">5%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"158\" width=\"270\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"446\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Next 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"446\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">10%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"158\" width=\"278\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Third 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">15%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"860\" height=\"54\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">THE TERMS ONCE ENTERED INTO SHOULD NOT BE MATERIALLY VARIED \u2014 Rule 225(xiv)<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"258\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">Where variation is unavoidable, the financial and other effects are examined and recorded, the approval of the competent authority is obtained, and the change is made by a formal amendment signed by all parties.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">A variation exceeding 10% is published on the <strong>same e-procurement portal<\/strong> on which the original tender was published. The replacement must be <strong>equally or better qualified<\/strong>, the remuneration <strong>not more<\/strong> than for the original, and the <strong>consultant bears all the costs<\/strong> of substitution.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>For <strong>IT projects<\/strong>, the change-request mechanism is provided in the RfP, and a <strong>Change Control Board<\/strong> of academic and industry experts is constituted, whose technical and financial decisions are final.<\/li>\n <li><strong>IT-enabled attendance systems<\/strong> may be used to verify that the key personnel are present as per the deployment schedule.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-disputes\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 8.13<\/span>\n <h3>Disputes & arbitration<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li>Before arbitration or litigation, the parties may attempt <strong>mutual discussion, mediation and conciliation<\/strong>. Wherever a dispute arises, <strong>legal advice is sought before initiating action<\/strong> to refer it to conciliation or arbitration, or to file a suit where the contract has no arbitration clause [<strong>Rule 227<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The arbitral award is <strong>binding<\/strong>, and is governed by the arbitration clause of the contract.<\/li>\n <li>Awards against the Government are <strong>not appealed routinely<\/strong>. A board or committee weighs the legal merit and the realistic chances of success before an appeal is filed, since a casual appeal causes heavy damages and interest.<\/li>\n <li>Where the Ministry has <strong>challenged an arbitral award<\/strong>, and the amount has therefore not been paid, <strong>75% of the arbitral award<\/strong>, which may include interest up to the date of the award, <strong>shall be paid against a Bank Guarantee<\/strong>. The guarantee is only for that 75%, and not for the interest that may become payable to the Ministry should the court subsequently order a refund [<strong>Rule 227A(i)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The payment may be made into a designated <strong>Escrow Account<\/strong>, with the stipulation that the proceeds are used <strong>first for the lenders' dues<\/strong>, <strong>second for completion of the project<\/strong>, and then for completion of other projects of the same Ministry as mutually decided. Any balance may be used by the contractor with the prior approval of the lead banker and the Ministry [<strong>Rule 227A(ii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-fm\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 8.14\u20138.16<\/span>\n <h3>Force majeure, termination & closure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig slate\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 8.2 \u00b7 The clocks that run at the end of a contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 230\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Force majeure ninety days, termination thirty days notice, final claim sixty days, no claim after three years\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">FORCE MAJEURE<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">> 90 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">either party may terminate,<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">without financial repercussion<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"238\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">TERMINATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">30 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">notice period, with payment of<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">legitimate fees and wind-up costs<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"456\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">FINAL CLAIM<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">60 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">of completing the assignment;<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">the contract closes the day after<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"674\" y=\"14\" width=\"206\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">CLAIM BARRED AFTER<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">of the arising of the claim<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">[Rule 225(xix)]<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"126\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">FORCE MAJEURE SUSPENDS PERFORMANCE \u2014 IT DOES NOT EXCUSE IT<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Notice must be given when the event occurs, and not after the event has passed<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"198\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Rule 226(ii) \u2014 Bank Guarantees<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Monthly review of all Bank Guarantees expiring after three months, along with a review of the progress of supply or work; extensions are sought immediately<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Normally <strong>no extension<\/strong> of the scheduled completion date is granted, except where an event constituting force majeure, as provided in the contract, has occurred; extensions are allowed through <strong>formal amendments signed by the parties<\/strong> [Rule 225(xv)].<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>A request to <strong>substitute key experts<\/strong> during implementation, citing non-availability or ill health.<\/td><td>Allowed only as the contract provides, in exceptional cases such as death or medical incapacity, with an <strong>equally or better qualified<\/strong> replacement, the utmost scrutiny, and <strong>no undue financial benefit<\/strong> to the contractor.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Cost over-run in time-based contracts<\/strong>, where delay benefits the consultant.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit<\/strong> of total payment, with the competent authority reviewing any extension once it is reached; build contract-management capacity; track progress at the <strong>50% and 80%<\/strong> milestones; and scrutinise the timesheets and reimbursables.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz8\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 8 Quiz \u2014 monitoring, variations & disputes<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 8. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage8\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore8\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext8\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c8-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 8 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Monitoring the contract<\/td><td><strong>Rule 195<\/strong> \u2014 task force approach; CMC and a counterpart Project Manager<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Contract Monitoring Committee<\/td><td><strong>At least 3 members<\/strong>, including the user's representative; levies liquidated damages<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Lump-sum, extra services<\/td><td>Increase generally <strong>not more than 10\u201315%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Variation above 10%<\/td><td>Needs the <strong>CA's prior approval<\/strong>; published on the same e-procurement portal<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Material variation<\/td><td>Not permitted; where unavoidable, a formal amendment <strong>signed by all parties<\/strong> [Rule 225(xiv)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>IT change request<\/td><td>Generally within <strong>\u00b115%<\/strong>; the Change Control Board's decision is final<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Substitution of key staff<\/td><td>Ordinarily <strong>\u2264 30%<\/strong>; reductions of <strong>5% \/ 10% \/ 15%<\/strong> by slab<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Challenged arbitral award<\/td><td><strong>75%<\/strong> paid against a Bank Guarantee into an Escrow Account [<strong>Rule 227A<\/strong>]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Escrow priority<\/td><td>First the <strong>lenders' dues<\/strong>, then completion of the project<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Force majeure<\/td><td>Suspends performance; beyond <strong>90 days<\/strong> either party may terminate<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Termination notice<\/td><td><strong>30 days<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Final claim<\/td><td>Within <strong>60 days<\/strong> of completion; no claim after <strong>3 years<\/strong> of its arising<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bank Guarantees<\/td><td><strong>Monthly review<\/strong> of those expiring after three months [Rule 226(ii)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch9\" data-chapter=\"9\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c9-applic\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 9 \u00b7 OTHER SERVICES<\/span>\n <h2>Procurement (Outsourcing) of Other (Non-consultancy) Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Non-Consulting Service \u2014 Rule 197, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Any subject matter of procurement which, as distinguished from consultancy services, involves <strong>physical, measurable deliverables or outcomes<\/strong>, where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied, other than goods or works except those incidental or consequential to the service. It includes maintenance, hiring of vehicles, outsourcing of building facilities management, security, photocopier service, janitor and office errand services, drilling, aerial photography, satellite imagery and mapping.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Rule 206 \u2014 where the chapter is silent<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">For any circumstance not covered in <strong>Rules 198 to 205<\/strong> for the procurement of non-consulting services, the procuring entity may refer to <strong>Rules 142 to 176<\/strong>, pertaining to the procurement of goods, <strong>and not to the procurement of consulting services<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:40%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:36%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the engagement<\/th><th>Handled as<\/th><th>Illustration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sustained, long-term deployment of an outside agency, for <strong>one year or more<\/strong>, for work traditionally done in-house<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OUTSOURCING<\/td><td>Security, horticulture, housekeeping, catering, messenger services.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Construction or repair of a civil asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">WORKS<\/td><td>On the lines of the procurement of works.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Repair, AMC or installation of a mechanical, electrical or ICT asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">GOODS<\/td><td>On the lines of the procurement of goods.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">The intellectual or advisory part dominates; the physical part is incidental<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Underwater inspection of a dam, where the analysis is the crux.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-period\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 9.4<\/span>\n <h3>The Activity Schedule, the contract period & the tender enquiry<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>In place of a Terms of Reference, other services use an <strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong>, with a well-defined scope and time-frame.<\/li>\n <li>The tender enquiry contains the <strong>details of the work or service<\/strong> to be performed; the <strong>facilities and inputs<\/strong> to be provided by the Ministry; the <strong>eligibility and qualification criteria<\/strong> to be met; and the <strong>statutory and contractual obligations<\/strong> to be complied with by the contractor [<strong>Rule 200<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The initial contract period is normally <strong>two years<\/strong>, extendable by a further <strong>one year<\/strong> where the service has been satisfactory.<\/li>\n <li>Where a <strong>cumulative penalty of 5%<\/strong> of the total contract value has been levied, extension beyond the initial two years is <strong>not considered<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Where there are <strong>multiple L-1 bidders<\/strong>, GeM offers system-determined selection or purchaser selection; the method must be <strong>decided before the tender is issued<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Hiring of manpower through contracts is <strong>avoided<\/strong>, given the risk of regularisation; identity cards must identify the holder as the <strong>contractor's representative<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-selection\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 9.5\u20139.6<\/span>\n <h3>Types of contract & the system of selection<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:76%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Rule<\/th><th>What it provides<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 199<\/td><td>The Ministry prepares a list of <strong>likely and potential contractors<\/strong> from formal or informal enquiries to other Ministries and organisations in similar activities, from scrutiny of trade journals and the yellow pages, and from websites.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(i)<\/td><td>Estimated value <strong>up to \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2014 a <strong>limited tender enquiry<\/strong> is issued to the prima facie eligible and capable contractors, whose number shall be <strong>more than three<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(ii)<\/td><td>Estimated value <strong>above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2014 an <strong>advertisement<\/strong> is issued on GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP, giving the complete web address from which the bidding documents can be downloaded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 202<\/td><td><strong>Late bids<\/strong>, received after the specified date and time, are not considered.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 203<\/td><td>The Ministry <strong>evaluates, segregates and ranks the responsive bids<\/strong>, and selects the successful bidder for placement of the contract \u2014 normally on the <strong>lowest price<\/strong> among the technically responsive offers.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 204<\/td><td>In an <strong>exceptional situation<\/strong>, a non-consulting service may be procured from a specifically chosen contractor by the Competent Authority <strong>in consultation with the Financial Adviser<\/strong>. The detailed justification, the circumstances, and the special interest or purpose it serves form an integral part of the proposal.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 205<\/td><td>The Ministry should be involved throughout in the conduct of the contract, and should <strong>continuously monitor<\/strong> the performance of the contractor.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The contract may be lump-sum, time-based, <strong>unit or item-rate<\/strong> \u2014 a taxi paid per kilometre \u2014 or an indefinite-delivery contract.<\/li>\n <li>The process is a simpler, <strong>single-stage<\/strong> one; a <strong>pre-qualification stage<\/strong> may be added for highly technical services such as seismic surveys and airborne data acquisition.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-gem\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 9.7<\/span>\n <h3>Government e-Marketplace \u2014 Rule 149, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 9.1 \u00b7 The three bands of direct online purchase on GeM<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"GeM purchase bands up to fifty thousand, up to ten lakh, and above ten lakh\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Procurement of Goods and Services available on GeM is MANDATORY for Ministries and Departments<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">UP TO ₹50,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through <tspan font-weight=\"700\">any<\/tspan> of the available<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">suppliers on GeM, meeting the<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">requisite quality, specification<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and delivery period.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Rule 149(i)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">₹50,000 \u2013 ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through the GeM Seller having the<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">lowest price<\/tspan> amongst the sellers of<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">at least <tspan font-weight=\"700\">three different manufacturers<\/tspan>.<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Bidding and reverse-auction tools may be used<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Rule 149(ii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ABOVE ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through the supplier having the<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">lowest price, after <tspan font-weight=\"700\">mandatorily<\/tspan><\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">obtaining bids<\/tspan>, using online bidding<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">or the reverse auction tool on GeM.<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Rule 149(iii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"44\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">AUTOMOBILES<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Procurement under Rule 149(i) is permitted <tspan font-weight=\"700\">without any ceiling limit<\/tspan><\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"44\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">SCIENTIFIC MINISTRIES & DEPARTMENTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The first two bands read as up to <tspan font-weight=\"700\">₹1,00,000<\/tspan>, and above it up to ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"244\" width=\"860\" height=\"48\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The monetary ceilings apply only to purchases made through GeM \u00b7 for purchases outside GeM, the relevant GFR rules apply<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">A demand shall not be divided into small quantities to make piecemeal purchases, so as to avoid L-1 buying, bidding or reverse auction on GeM<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The credentials of suppliers on GeM are certified by the <strong>GeM SPV<\/strong>, and the procuring authorities certify the <strong>reasonability of the rates<\/strong>, which may be ascertained through the <strong>Business Analytics<\/strong> tools, including the Last Purchase Price on GeM.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list gold\">\n <li>Ministries work out their requirements on either the <strong>\"OPEX\"<\/strong> or the <strong>\"CAPEX\"<\/strong> model at the time of preparation of the Budget Estimates, and project their <strong>Annual Procurement Plan<\/strong> of goods and services on the GeM portal <strong>within 30 days of Budget approval<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The invitation for online e-bidding or reverse auction is available to all the existing sellers, and to other sellers registered on the portal who have offered their goods or services under the particular product or service category.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-pay\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 9.7.7<\/span>\n <h3>Payment on GeM \u2014 the CRAC and the PRC<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 9.2 \u00b7 From delivery to payment<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Provisional receipt certificate within 48 hours, deemed after 96 hours, then CRAC and payment\">\n <defs><marker id=\"a9\" markerWidth=\"8\" markerHeight=\"8\" refX=\"6\" refY=\"4\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L8 4 L0 8 z\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"30\" width=\"180\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"110\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">DELIVERY<\/text>\n <text x=\"110\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">by the seller to the consignee<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"204\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"228\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"232\" y=\"30\" width=\"200\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">PROVISIONAL RECEIPT<\/text>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">within 48 hrs<\/text>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">issued by the consignee<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"436\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"460\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"464\" y=\"30\" width=\"200\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">DEEMED PRC<\/text>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">after 96 hrs<\/text>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">auto-generated, if not acknowledged<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"668\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"692\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"696\" y=\"30\" width=\"184\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">10-DAY WINDOW<\/text>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">for rejection or return,<\/text>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"90\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">from the date of receipt<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"120\" width=\"420\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"142\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONSIGNEE RECEIPT & ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Goods \u2014 <tspan font-weight=\"700\">100% payment including GST<\/tspan>, less recoveries<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"181\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Services \u2014 100% per payment cycle, after the Service CRAC<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"120\" width=\"420\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"142\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">INSTALLATION-INTENSIVE GOODS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">80\u201390%<\/tspan> on delivery, against the Delivery CRAC<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"181\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">10\u201320%<\/tspan> after installation, testing and commissioning<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"206\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"228\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Payments run through PFMS or the GeM Pool Account \u00b7 on sanction, funds are blocked in PFMS for the contract or payment cycle<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Provisional Receipt Certificate<\/strong> records only that the consignment has arrived. Payment follows the <strong>Consignee Receipt and Acceptance Certificate<\/strong>, which records that it has been <strong>accepted<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-sla\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 9.18\u20139.19<\/span>\n <h3>Service Level Agreement & monitoring<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Service elements<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">What is to be delivered<\/div>\n <p>The <strong>scope<\/strong> of the services; their <strong>availability<\/strong>; the standards of performance; the responsibilities of each party; and the <strong>escalation<\/strong> procedure.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Management elements<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">How it is governed<\/div>\n <p>The <strong>tracking and reporting<\/strong> of performance; the <strong>dispute-resolution<\/strong> mechanism; and the procedure for <strong>revision<\/strong> of the agreement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li>The Service Level Agreement creates a <strong>common understanding<\/strong> of the services, the priorities and the responsibilities. It is specified in the bidding document and finalised <strong>before the services start<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>It must be <strong>balanced towards both parties<\/strong>, with penalties on both sides.<\/li>\n <li>Monitoring of the contract follows the provisions of the chapter on monitoring, read with <strong>Rule 205<\/strong>, and the service provider submits a <strong>Programme<\/strong> before the commencement of the services.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz9\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 9 Quiz \u2014 other services & GeM<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 9. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage9\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore9\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext9\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c9-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 9 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Definition<\/td><td><strong>Rule 197<\/strong> \u2014 physical, measurable deliverables with clear performance standards<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Where the chapter is silent<\/td><td><strong>Rule 206<\/strong> \u2014 refer to <strong>Rules 142\u2013176 (Goods)<\/strong>, not to consultancy<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Civil vs mechanical asset<\/td><td>Civil \u2192 <strong>Works<\/strong>; mechanical, electrical or ICT \u2192 <strong>Goods<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Scope document<\/td><td><strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong>, not a ToR; tender enquiry under <strong>Rule 200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Contract period<\/td><td><strong>2 years<\/strong> initially, extendable by <strong>1 year<\/strong> if the service is satisfactory<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>No extension where<\/td><td>A cumulative penalty of <strong>5%<\/strong> of the contract value has been levied<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Tender mode<\/td><td><strong>Rule 201<\/strong> \u2014 above <strong>\u20b950 lakh<\/strong> advertised; up to \u20b950 lakh limited tender to <strong>more than 3<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Selection<\/td><td><strong>Rule 203<\/strong> \u2014 rank the responsive bids, normally <strong>L-1<\/strong>; nomination under <strong>Rule 204<\/strong> with the FA<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GeM direct purchase<\/td><td>Up to <strong>\u20b950,000<\/strong> any seller \u00b7 <strong>\u20b950,000\u2013\u20b910,00,000<\/strong> lowest of <strong>\u2265 3 manufacturers<\/strong> \u00b7 above <strong>\u20b910,00,000<\/strong> bidding or reverse auction<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Automobiles<\/td><td>Rule 149(i) purchase permitted <strong>without any ceiling limit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Annual Procurement Plan<\/td><td>Projected on GeM <strong>within 30 days<\/strong> of Budget approval<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Receipt & acceptance<\/td><td><strong>PRC within 48 hrs<\/strong>; <strong>Deemed PRC after 96 hrs<\/strong>; payment on the <strong>CRAC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Installation-intensive goods<\/td><td><strong>80\u201390%<\/strong> on Delivery CRAC; <strong>10\u201320%<\/strong> on Installation CRAC<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>SLA<\/td><td>Balanced to both parties, penalties on both sides, finalised <strong>before services start<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <\/main>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 Chapter (tab) switching + sidebar navigation \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n(function(){\n var details = Array.prototype.slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('details.toc-chapter'));\n var panes = Array.prototype.slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('section.chapter-pane'));\n\n function showChapter(n, scrollTop){\n panes.forEach(function(p){ p.classList.toggle('active', p.getAttribute('data-chapter') === String(n)); });\n if (scrollTop){\n var pane = document.getElementById('pane-ch'+n);\n if (pane) pane.scrollIntoView({behavior:'smooth', block:'start'});\n }\n }\n\n details.forEach(function(d){\n d.addEventListener('toggle', function(){\n if (d.open){\n details.forEach(function(o){ if (o !== d) o.open = false; 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'<strong>Correct.<\/strong> ' : '<strong>Not quite.<\/strong> ') + q.fb;\n nextBtn.disabled = (idx >= questions.length - 1);\n if (idx >= questions.length - 1){ nextBtn.textContent = 'Done \\u2713'; }\n });\n });\n }\n nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){\n if (idx < questions.length - 1){ idx++; nextBtn.disabled = true; render(); }\n });\n render();\n}\n\/* QUIZ_BUILDERS *\/\nbuildQuiz('quizStage1','quizScore1','quizNext1',[\n {q:'Which constitutional provision sits at the apex of the framework, requiring Government contracts to be in writing by authorised officers?', opts:['Article 19(1)(g)','Article 299','Article 14','Article 282'], a:1, fb:'Article 299 mandates that contracts binding on the Government be executed in writing by specifically authorised officers.'},\n {q:'Under the GFR, direct engagement of a retired Government servant as a consultant is \u2014', opts:['A standard consultancy service','Excluded from \"consultancy services\" (Rule 177)','Permitted only through QCBS','Allowed against regular posts'], a:1, fb:'Rule 177 excludes direct engagement of retired Government servants; they may be engaged only for a specific task and duration with clear output goals.'},\n {q:'A service involving physical, measurable deliverables with consistently applicable performance standards is defined under \u2014', opts:['Rule 177','Rule 183','Rule 197','Rule 206'], a:2, fb:'Rule 197 defines \"Non-Consulting Service\" \\u2014 physical, measurable deliverables\/outcomes where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied.'},\n {q:'A supplier offering minimum 50% local content under the Make-in-India Order is \u2014', opts:['Class-II local supplier','Non-local supplier','Class-I local supplier','A preferred bidder'], a:2, fb:'A Class-I local supplier needs \\u2265 50% local content; Class-II needs \\u2265 20%. The margin of purchase preference is fixed at 20%.'},\n {q:'Procurements under the Make-in-India Order are exempt where the estimated value is below \u2014', opts:['Rs 5 lakh','Rs 10 lakh','Rs 50 lakh','Rs 2 crore'], a:0, fb:'Procurements below Rs 5 lakh are exempt, provided the procurement is not split to evade the Order (auditor certificate of local content is needed above Rs 10 crore).'},\n {q:'Under the MSE Policy, payment to an MSE supplier must be made within how many days of supply, failing which compound interest accrues?', opts:['30 days','45 days','60 days','90 days'], a:1, fb:'Chapter V of the MSMED Act, 2006 caps the agreed payment period at 45 days; delay attracts compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate.'},\n {q:'An MSE quoting within the L1 + 15% band (L1 being a non-MSE) may supply up to \u2014', opts:['15% of tendered value','20% of tendered value','25% of tendered value','50% of tendered value'], a:2, fb:'Such an MSE may supply up to 25% of total tendered value by matching L1; the 25% is distributed proportionately among qualifying MSEs.'},\n {q:'A \"start-up\" eligible for relaxation under Rule 173(i) must have turnover in any financial year not exceeding \u2014', opts:['Rs 25 crore','Rs 50 crore','Rs 100 crore','Rs 250 crore'], a:2, fb:'A DPIIT-recognised start-up is up to 10 years old with turnover not exceeding Rs 100 crore in any financial year.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage2','quizScore2','quizNext2',[\n {q:'When more than how many experts are required, a firm\\u2019s team should be used rather than individuals?', opts:['Two','Three','Five','Eight'], a:1, fb:'If more than three experts are required, the assignment should normally be undertaken by a team from a firm.'},\n {q:'A firm submits one bid individually and also participates as a JV partner in a second bid for the same assignment. The consequence is \u2014', opts:['Only the second bid is rejected','Both proposals are disqualified','The firm is debarred for two years','It is allowed if disclosed'], a:1, fb:'Under the conflicting-association rule, a firm may submit only one proposal; participating in more than one disqualifies all such proposals.'},\n {q:'How many distinct prohibited practices are listed under the Code of Integrity (CIPP)?', opts:['Four','Five','Six','Seven'], a:2, fb:'Six: corrupt, fraudulent, anti-competitive, coercive, conflict of interest, and obstructive practices.'},\n {q:'A gift inadvertently received in violation of the conduct rules must be \u2014', opts:['Retained if below the limit','Returned, or reported and deposited in the Toshakhana\/Treasury','Donated to charity','Declared only at year-end'], a:1, fb:'It must be returned, or else reported and deposited in the Toshakhana\/Treasury. Cash and cash-exchangeable vouchers are never acceptable, regardless of amount.'},\n {q:'Information for action before the Competition Commission of India must be filed under the signature of an officer of at least \u2014', opts:['Section Officer level','Under Secretary level','Joint Secretary level','Secretary level'], a:2, fb:'Such information is filed under the signature of a Joint Secretary-level officer.'},\n {q:'The maximum total tenure of an Independent External Monitor (IEM) is \u2014', opts:['Three years','Five years','Six years','Seven years'], a:1, fb:'An initial 3-year term, extendable by 2 years \\u2014 a maximum of 5 years. IEMs are below 70, CVC-approved, and their advice is not binding.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 151(i), debarment follows conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or under \u2014', opts:['The Indian Penal Code, 1860','The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force','The Competition Act, 2002','The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996'], a:1, fb:'Rule 151(i)(b) refers to conviction under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force, for causing loss of life or property or a threat to public health while executing a public procurement contract.'},\n {q:'A bidder convicted under Rule 151(i) is ineligible across any procuring entity for a period not exceeding \u2014', opts:['One year','Two years','Three years','Five years'], a:2, fb:'Conviction-based debarment extends to any procuring entity for up to three years, and DoE maintains the list on the Central Public Procurement Portal. Debarment for an integrity breach is limited to two years and to the single entity.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage3','quizScore3','quizNext3',[\n {q:'Which contract type is the preferred default, under which the proposal includes all prices with no arithmetical correction during evaluation?', opts:['Time-Based','Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price)','Percentage','Indefinite Delivery'], a:1, fb:'The Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price) contract is preferred; payments are linked to specified deliverables and no price adjustment is allowed during evaluation.'},\n {q:'An on-call contract for services of indefinite extent, analogous to a Rate Contract and awarded on the unit rate quoted, is a \u2014', opts:['Lump Sum contract','Percentage contract','Indefinite Delivery contract','Retainer-cum-success-fee contract'], a:2, fb:'The Indefinite Delivery (Price Agreement) contract is akin to a Rate\/Framework Contract; the provider is selected on the unit rate quoted and a maximum value should be set.'},\n {q:'The shortlist of consultants drawn up after an Expression of Interest should contain \u2014', opts:['Not fewer than 2 and not more than 5','Not fewer than 3 and not more than 8','Exactly 5','At least 10'], a:1, fb:'Rule 184 requires not fewer than three (3) firms; the list should generally not exceed eight (8).'},\n {q:'Under Least Cost System (Rule 193), the winning bid among technically responsive offers is chosen \u2014', opts:['By weighting technical and cost scores','On lowest evaluated cost alone, with no weight to technical marks','On the highest technical score','By negotiation'], a:1, fb:'In LCS there is no weightage for the technical score in the final evaluation; the responsive technically qualified proposal with the lowest evaluated cost is selected. It suits standard\/routine assignments such as audits.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 192(iv), the weightage of technical (non-financial) parameters in QCBS in no case should exceed \u2014', opts:['70%','75%','80%','90%'], a:2, fb:'Rule 192(iv) caps the weightage of technical\/non-financial parameters at 80 percent. Typical weighting is 70:30; complex assignments use 80:20.'},\n {q:'Per the QCBS weighting table, highly complex \/ specialised assignments use a Quality\/Cost ratio of \u2014', opts:['50\/50','60\/40','75\/25','80\/20'], a:3, fb:'80\/20 for highly complex\/specialised assignments; moderate complexity 75\\u201365 \/ 35\\u201325; routine 60\\u201350 \/ 40\\u201350 (LCS appropriate).'},\n {q:'Awards made on a Single Source \/ nomination basis must be reported to the Secretary\/Board\/Chief Executive \u2014', opts:['Annually','Every quarter','Every month','Only on audit demand'], a:1, fb:'A report on nomination-basis awards is submitted every quarter; the audit committee may check at least 10% of such cases (Rule 194).'},\n {q:'Fixed Budget \\u2013 based Selection (FBS) is most appropriate when the services are \u2014', opts:['Highly complex and critical','Simple and\/or repetitive and precisely definable','Proprietary to a single firm','An emergency continuation of prior work'], a:1, fb:'FBS fixes the budget in the tender and suits simple\/repetitive, precisely definable services where the budget can be credibly estimated; the highest technical score within budget wins.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage4','quizScore4','quizNext4',[\n {q:'In procurement of consultancy, the Terms of Reference is the analogue of which document used in procurement of goods?', opts:['The purchase order','The Description, Quantity and Technical Specification','The inspection certificate','The rate contract'], a:1, fb:'Under Rule 185 the ToR plays the role that the Description, Quantity and Technical Specification play when goods are procured.'},\n {q:'In a properly drafted consultancy ToR, the Detailed Scope of Work should describe \\u2014', opts:['The exact methodology to be followed','Only the activities, leaving the methodology to the consultant','Individual staff hourly rates','The financial bid format'], a:1, fb:'The ToR describes only the activities, not the approach or methodology, since devising the methodology is the consultant\\u2019s task and is what the technical evaluation compares. Suggestions may still be offered.'},\n {q:'Which of the five contents of a ToR under Rule 185 obliges the Ministry to state what IT will contribute to the assignment?', opts:['The precise statement of objectives','The outline of tasks','The support or inputs to be provided by the Ministry','The final outputs required of the consultant'], a:2, fb:'Rule 185 requires the ToR to set out the support or inputs the Ministry or Department will provide to facilitate the consultancy \\u2014 conveyance, office space, secretarial assistance and background material, for which a real-cost reality check is essential.'},\n {q:'An Inception Report is normally expected to be submitted about \\u2014', opts:['Two weeks after commencement','Six weeks after commencement','Three months after commencement','At the end of the assignment'], a:1, fb:'It is submitted about six weeks after the commencement date, and flags inconsistencies in the ToR, staffing problems or deficiencies in the Entity\\u2019s assistance while there is still time to correct them.'},\n {q:'For a phased assignment, the Procuring Entity should take no more than how long to review and approve a draft interim report?', opts:['7 days','15 days','30 days','45 days'], a:1, fb:'The Entity should not take more than 15 days, because a delay in approving an interim report holds up the later phases of the assignment.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 182, a reasonable expenditure for engaging a consultant is estimated by \\u2014', opts:['Applying a fixed percentage of the project cost','Ascertaining prevalent market conditions and consulting organisations engaged in similar activities','Accepting the consultant\\u2019s own estimate','Taking the previous year\\u2019s sanctioned budget'], a:1, fb:'Rule 182 requires the Ministry to ascertain prevalent market conditions and consult other organisations engaged in similar activities. Costs fall into fee or remuneration, and reimbursable costs.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 160, a case may be exempted from mandatory e-procurement on grounds of national security only with \\u2014', opts:['A note by the convenor alone','Approval of the concerned Secretary and concurrence of the Financial Adviser','A waiver granted by GeM','Clearance from the CVC'], a:1, fb:'National-security and strategic-confidentiality cases are exempted with the concerned Secretary\\u2019s approval and the Financial Adviser\\u2019s concurrence. Procurements made through GeM fall outside these instructions altogether, and the Competent Authority may exempt tenders floated by Indian Missions abroad.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage5','quizScore5','quizNext5',[\n {q:'Under Rule 183, an openly advertised Expression of Interest is required where the estimated cost of the consulting service is above \\u2014', opts:['Rs 10 lakh','Rs 25 lakh','Rs 50 lakh','Rs 1 crore'], a:2, fb:'Above Rs 50 lakh, an enquiry seeking an Expression of Interest must be published on GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP. At or below that value, a long list is prepared from formal or informal enquiries, without a published EoI.'},\n {q:'For procurement of other (non-consultancy) services under Rule 201, an advertised tender is required when the estimated value is \\u2014', opts:['Above Rs 10 lakh','Above Rs 25 lakh','Above Rs 50 lakh','Always, regardless of value'], a:2, fb:'Above Rs 50 lakh the Ministry advertises on GeM and the GeM-CPPP. Up to Rs 50 lakh a limited tender enquiry is issued to the prima facie eligible contractors, whose number must be more than three.'},\n {q:'The short list of consultants for a competitive process should comprise \\u2014', opts:['At least 2 and at most 6','A minimum of 3, and generally not more than 8','Exactly 5','At least 8'], a:1, fb:'Rule 184 requires that the number of short-listed consultants not be less than three. The list should generally not exceed eight, or evaluation of the proposals is delayed.'},\n {q:'Which of the following may the Request for Expression of Interest NOT ask a consultant to submit?', opts:['Its core business and years in business','Its technical and managerial organisation','The curriculum vitae of its individual key staff','The number of its key staff'], a:2, fb:'Individual CVs, and the firm\\u2019s approach or methodology, belong to the RfP stage. The REoI asks only for core business and years in business, qualifications in the field, technical and managerial organisation, and the number of key staff. The ToR must be ready, but is not included in the REoI.'},\n {q:'No Global Tender Enquiry shall ordinarily be invited for tenders up to \\u2014', opts:['Rs 50 crore','Rs 100 crore','Rs 200 crore','Rs 500 crore'], a:2, fb:'Under Rule 161, no GTE shall be invited for tenders up to Rs 200 crore, or such limit as the Department of Expenditure may prescribe. An exceptional case below that limit needs detailed recorded justification and the prior approval of the competent authority specified by DoE.'},\n {q:'A proposal to invite a Global Tender Enquiry below the threshold is submitted by \\u2014', opts:['Any individual office or autonomous body','The Administrative Ministry, with the FA\\u2019s concurrence and the Secretary\\u2019s approval','A CPSU on its own','The Central Vigilance Commission'], a:1, fb:'Only the Administrative Ministry may submit it, with the Financial Adviser\\u2019s concurrence and the concerned Secretary\\u2019s approval. Proposals from individual offices, autonomous bodies or CPSUs are not entertained.'},\n {q:'In the indicative qualification criteria used for shortlisting, the highest weightage is assigned to \\u2014', opts:['Overall financial strength, at 15%','The general profile of key staff, at 25%','Past experience and track record, at 60%','Innovation, at 10%'], a:2, fb:'Past experience and track record carries 60%, the key-staff profile 25%, and financial strength 15%. Firms securing the minimum marks, normally 75%, are shortlisted. A minimum qualifying turnover of 5 to 10 times the estimated cost is prima facie high and reduces competition.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage6','quizScore6','quizNext6',[\n {q:'The proposal validity period specified in the Instructions to Consultants is normally \\u2014', opts:['30 days','45 days','60 days','90 days'], a:2, fb:'The ITC normally specifies a proposal validity of 60 days. It shall not indicate the budget, except in Fixed Budget \\u2013 based Selection, but it does indicate the expected input of key staff.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 225(viii)(a), a Price Variation Clause can be provided only in long-term contracts where the delivery period extends beyond \\u2014', opts:['6 months','12 months','18 months','24 months'], a:2, fb:'A PVC may be provided only where the delivery period extends beyond 18 months; short-term contracts carry firm and fixed prices. Lump-sum consultancy contracts are generally not subject to price adjustment.'},\n {q:'Advance payment to a private firm under a contract should not exceed \\u2014', opts:['20% of the contract value','30% of the contract value','40% of the contract value','50% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Rule 172(1) caps advances at 30% of the contract value for private firms, 40% for a State or Central Government agency or a PSU, and the amount payable for six months in a maintenance contract. Ceilings may be relaxed in consultation with the Financial Adviser, with a bank guarantee obtained.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 171, performance security for procurement of Goods, Consultancy Services or Non-Consultancy Services is \\u2014', opts:['1\\u20132% of the contract value','3\\u20135% of the contract value','5\\u201310% of the contract value','25% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Rule 171(i) fixes it at three to five per cent of the value of the contract. For works, performance security plus security deposit or retention money continues to be 3% to 10%. It remains valid for 60 days beyond the completion of all contractual obligations, including warranty.'},\n {q:'Bid security under Rule 170 should ordinarily range between \\u2014', opts:['Two and five per cent of the estimated value','Five and ten per cent of the estimated value','Ten per cent of the estimated value','One per cent of the contract value'], a:0, fb:'Bid security ordinarily ranges between two and five per cent of the estimated value of the goods to be procured, and normally remains valid for forty-five days beyond the final bid validity. MSEs and DPIIT-recognised Startups are exempt.'},\n {q:'A Consultancy Evaluation Committee under Rule 189 is constituted for cases with a financial implication of more than \\u2014', opts:['Rs 1 lakh','Rs 5 lakh','Rs 10 lakh','Rs 25 lakh'], a:2, fb:'The CEC \\u2014 normally three members, including the Financial Adviser or a representative and a user representative who acts as convenor \\u2014 is constituted for cases over Rs 10 lakh, and shall record in detail the reasons for acceptance or rejection of the technical proposals.'},\n {q:'In the CEC rating scale, a proposal graded \\u201cGood (B)\\u201d is awarded \\u2014', opts:['Full marks','80% of the full marks','60% of the full marks','30% of the full marks'], a:1, fb:'A is Very Good and gets full marks, B is Good at 80%, C is Satisfactory at 60%, D is Unsatisfactory at 30%, and E is Not Relevant at 10%. The grading system is defined before the proposals are opened, so as to prevent bias.'},\n {q:'In QCBS, where two or more bids obtain the same final combined score, the tie is resolved in favour of the bid with the \\u2014', opts:['Lowest price','Highest technical score','Earliest submission','Largest turnover'], a:1, fb:'The tie is resolved in favour of the bid with the highest technical score, which is ranked H-1. Financial proposals quoted in a foreign currency are converted at the SBI BC selling rate on the date of opening of the technical bids.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage7','quizScore7','quizNext7',[\n {q:'Individual consultants are normally selected by comparing the qualifications of \\u2014', opts:['A single nominated candidate','At least three candidates','At least five candidates','All who apply, scored on cost'], a:1, fb:'Selection is by a comparison of the qualifications of at least three candidates who have expressed interest or been approached. The requirement is advertised on GeM and the GeM-CPPP, and the CEC awards marks for education and experience, and may interview.'},\n {q:'Where a short list for an assignment is composed entirely of NGOs, the method of selection used is \\u2014', opts:['LCS','QCBS','SSS only','A percentage-fee contract'], a:1, fb:'QCBS is used, with criteria reflecting grassroots experience, participatory approaches, committed leadership and beneficiary participation. SSS is reserved for a very small assignment in a remote area where only one NGO is available.'},\n {q:'When procurement agents are selected under QCBS, the cost element may be given a weight of up to \\u2014', opts:['20%','30%','50%','70%'], a:2, fb:'Cost may be weighted up to 50% for procurement and inspection agents. At that weight finance dominates the selection, so the quality threshold must be set sufficiently high. An agent giving only advice is engaged on a QCBS time-based contract.'},\n {q:'A clause requiring the supplier to pay for the travel, stay and hospitality of the inspecting officials is \\u2014', opts:['Standard and encouraged','To be avoided, as it compromises the independence of the inspection','Mandatory for a Global Tender Enquiry','Permitted up to Rs 1 lakh'], a:1, fb:'Such clauses compromise the independence of the inspection team and must be strictly avoided. Inspection agents are paid a percentage of the value of the goods inspected.'},\n {q:'Auditors, who work under a well-defined ToR and established professional standards, are selected by \\u2014', opts:['QCBS','LCS','SSS','FBS'], a:1, fb:'Auditors are selected under the Least Cost System, with cost as the selection factor. Rule 193 expressly names audits as an assignment of a standard or routine nature.'},\n {q:'For engaging financial advisors on a privatisation or M&A transaction, the appropriate method and remuneration structure is \\u2014', opts:['LCS with a fixed fee','QCBS, with a lump-sum retainer plus a success fee','A percentage contract only','SSS with no fee cap'], a:1, fb:'Restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, demerger and privatisation use QCBS, and remuneration takes the form of a lump-sum retainer together with a success fee, preferably a percentage of the transaction value.'},\n {q:'In a public competition for the design of a logo or symbol under Rule 196, the intellectual property rights of the winning design \\u2014', opts:['Remain with the designer','Rest with the sponsoring agency','Are shared equally','Pass to the GeM-CPPP'], a:1, fb:'The Competition Notice stipulates that the IPR of the successful design rests with the sponsoring agency. Wide publicity is given on the Ministry website and the GeM-CPPP, the composition of the jury may be notified, and the Official Languages Act and the Emblems and Names Act are kept in view.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage8','quizScore8','quizNext8',[\n {q:'Monitoring of the consultancy contract, under which the Ministry stays involved throughout by taking a task force approach, is governed by \\u2014', opts:['Rule 185','Rule 189','Rule 195','Rule 206'], a:2, fb:'Under Rule 195 the Ministry should be involved throughout in the conduct of the consultancy, preferably by taking a task force approach. A Contract Monitoring Committee of at least three members, including the user\\u2019s representative, is constituted, and a counterpart Project Manager designated.'},\n {q:'A contract variation that increases the contract amount by more than 10% requires \\u2014', opts:['No approval','The prior approval of the competent authority','Only the consultant\\u2019s consent','Clearance from the CVC'], a:1, fb:'It requires the competent authority\\u2019s prior approval, and the amendment is published on the same e-procurement portal as the original tender. Under Rule 225(xiv) the terms once entered into should not be materially varied, and any change is made by a formal amendment signed by all parties.'},\n {q:'During execution, substitution of key personnel is ordinarily limited to not more than \\u2014', opts:['10% of the key personnel','20% of the key personnel','30% of the key personnel','50% of the key personnel'], a:2, fb:'Substitution is ordinarily limited to not more than 30% of the total key personnel, with an equally or better qualified replacement, remuneration not more than for the original, and the consultant bearing all substitution costs. Remuneration is reduced by slabs of 5%, 10% and 15%.'},\n {q:'For an IT-project change request during the contract, the value should generally be within \\u2014', opts:['\\u00b15%','\\u00b110%','\\u00b115%','\\u00b125%'], a:2, fb:'IT-project change requests should generally be within plus or minus 15%, handled through a mechanism provided in the RfP and a Change Control Board of academic and industry experts, whose technical and financial decisions are final.'},\n {q:'Where the Ministry has challenged an arbitral award, the amount payable to the contractor against a Bank Guarantee is \\u2014', opts:['50% of the award','75% of the award','90% of the award','100% of the award'], a:1, fb:'Under Rule 227A, 75% of the arbitral award, which may include interest up to the date of the award, is paid against a Bank Guarantee. The payment may be made into a designated escrow account, the proceeds being used first for the lenders\\u2019 dues and then for completion of the project.'},\n {q:'If a force-majeure event prevents performance for a period exceeding how long, either party may terminate the contract?', opts:['30 days','60 days','90 days','180 days'], a:2, fb:'Where force majeure prevents performance for more than 90 days, either party may terminate the contract without financial repercussion. Force majeure suspends performance; it does not excuse it, and notice must be given when the event occurs.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 225(xix), no claim for payment from a contractor shall be entertained after the lapse of \\u2014', opts:['One year of the arising of the claim','Two years of the arising of the claim','Three years of the arising of the claim','Five years of the arising of the claim'], a:2, fb:'No claim from a contractor is entertained after three years of the arising of the claim. Separately, the consultant should submit the final claim within 60 days of completing the assignment, the contract being closed the day after the completion date.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage9','quizScore9','quizNext9',[\n {q:'For circumstances not covered in Rules 198 to 205 on non-consulting services, the procuring entity should refer to \\u2014', opts:['The consulting services provisions','Rules 142 to 176, pertaining to the procurement of goods','The GeM handbook only','The Arbitration and Conciliation Act'], a:1, fb:'Rule 206 directs the procuring entity to Rules 142 to 176, pertaining to the procurement of goods, and expressly not to the procurement of consulting services.'},\n {q:'Repair and annual maintenance of mechanical, electrical or ICT assets should be handled on the lines of procurement of \\u2014', opts:['Works','Goods','Consultancy','Other services only'], a:1, fb:'AMC, repair and installation of mechanical, electrical or ICT assets is handled as Goods, while construction and repair of civil assets is handled as Works.'},\n {q:'The initial period of an outsourcing contract for other services is normally fixed at \\u2014', opts:['One year','Two years','Three years','Five years'], a:1, fb:'The initial contract period is normally two years, extendable by a further one year subject to satisfactory service. Instead of a ToR, other services use an Activity Schedule.'},\n {q:'Extension beyond the initial two-year period may not be considered where the service provider has been levied a cumulative penalty of \\u2014', opts:['2% of the contract value','5% of the contract value','10% of the contract value','15% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Where a cumulative penalty of 5% of the total contract value has been levied, extension beyond the initial two years is not considered.'},\n {q:'On GeM, direct purchase in the band above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 10,00,000 must be from the GeM Seller having the lowest price amongst the available sellers of at least \\u2014', opts:['Two different manufacturers','Three different manufacturers','Five different manufacturers','Any single manufacturer'], a:1, fb:'Rule 149(ii): in this band the buyer purchases from the GeM Seller having the lowest price amongst the available sellers of at least three different manufacturers, meeting the requisite quality, specification and delivery period. The tools for online bidding and reverse auction may be used even below Rs 10,00,000.'},\n {q:'Under the Note to Rule 149(i), direct purchase of automobiles on GeM is permitted \\u2014', opts:['Up to Rs 5 lakh','Up to Rs 30 lakh','Up to Rs 50 lakh','Without any ceiling limit'], a:3, fb:'In the case of automobiles, procurement under Rule 149(i) is permitted without any ceiling limit, unlike the general direct-purchase ceiling of Rs 50,000.'},\n {q:'On GeM, if the consignee does not acknowledge receipt, a Deemed Provisional Receipt Certificate is auto-generated after \\u2014', opts:['48 hours','72 hours','96 hours','10 days'], a:2, fb:'The consignee should issue a PRC within 48 hours; if it is not acknowledged, a Deemed PRC is auto-generated after 96 hours. A ten-day rejection or return window applies from the date of receipt, and payment follows the CRAC.'},\n {q:'In procurement of other (non-consultancy) services, the Ministry evaluates, segregates and ranks the responsive bids and selects the successful bidder under \\u2014', opts:['Rule 201','Rule 203','Rule 204','Rule 206'], a:1, fb:'Rule 203 governs the evaluation of bids received \\u2014 ranking the responsive bids and selecting the successful bidder, normally the lowest priced. Rule 204 covers procurement by nomination in an exceptional situation, by the Competent Authority in consultation with the Financial Adviser.'}\n]);\n<\/script>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services \u2014 Study Notes (Ch 1\u20133) GFR updated to 31.01.2026 Manual for Procurement […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"disabled","ast-banner-title-visibility":"disabled","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"disabled","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12963","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-notes"],"yoast_head":"\n<title>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy and Other Services NOTES - 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color:#fff; }\n .toc-ch-chev { font-size:10px; color:rgba(255,255,255,0.8); transition:transform 0.22s ease; flex-shrink:0; }\n .toc-chapter[open] > .toc-chapter-header { background:#163457; }\n .toc-chapter[open] > .toc-chapter-header .toc-ch-chev { transform:rotate(90deg); }\n .toc-sub-wrap { position:relative; margin:6px 0 6px 18px; padding-left:14px; }\n .toc-sub-wrap::before { content:''; position:absolute; left:0; top:6px; bottom:8px; width:1px; background:repeating-linear-gradient(to bottom,#d0d8e2 0px,#d0d8e2 2px,transparent 2px,transparent 5px); }\n .toc-sub-list { list-style:none; }\n .toc-sub-list li { display:flex; align-items:flex-start; gap:6px; padding:5px 4px 5px 0; }\n .toc-sub-num { flex-shrink:0; font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-size:10.5px; color:var(--muted); font-weight:600; line-height:1.5; min-width:40px; padding-top:1px; }\n .toc-sub-list a { flex:1; font-size:13px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.45; padding:1px 4px; border-radius:3px; transition:color 0.15s; 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line-height:1.35; margin-top:2px; }\n\n \/* note-list \u2014 dotted, tag-free *\/\n .note-list { list-style:none; display:flex; flex-direction:column; gap:10px; margin:14px 0 22px; }\n .note-list > li { position:relative; background:#fff; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-left:3px solid var(--blue); border-radius:0 9px 9px 0; padding:12px 18px 12px 36px; font-size:14px; color:#2c3e50; line-height:1.72; text-align:justify; }\n .note-list > li::before { content:''; position:absolute; left:16px; top:21px; width:7px; height:7px; border-radius:50%; background:var(--blue); }\n .note-list > li strong { color:var(--navy); }\n .note-list.amber > li { border-left-color:var(--amber); } .note-list.amber > li::before { background:var(--amber); }\n .note-list.red > li { border-left-color:var(--red); } .note-list.red > li::before { background:var(--red); }\n .note-list.teal > li { border-left-color:var(--teal); } .note-list.teal > li::before { background:var(--teal); }\n .note-list.purple > li { border-left-color:var(--purple); } .note-list.purple > li::before { background:var(--purple); }\n .note-list.gold > li { border-left-color:var(--gold); } .note-list.gold > li::before { background:#a8810f; }\n .note-list.slate > li { border-left-color:var(--slate); } .note-list.slate > li::before { background:var(--slate); }\n\n @media (max-width:880px) {\n .layout { grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:32px; padding:28px 24px 64px; }\n .sidebar { position:static; }\n .cat-grid, .cat-grid.three, .cat-grid.four { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }\n .hero { padding:48px 24px 44px; }\n .breadcrumb-bar, .scope-banner { padding:10px 24px; }\n .hero-grid { grid-template-columns:1fr; gap:24px; }\n .hero-illustration { width:250px; margin:0 auto; }\n }\n @media (max-width:520px) {\n .hero h1 { font-size:24px; }\n .cat-grid, .cat-grid.three, .cat-grid.four { grid-template-columns:1fr; }\n .quiz-opts { grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr; }\n .hero-illustration { display:none; }\n }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 figure \/ infographic block \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .fig { margin:30px -28px 34px; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:14px; background:linear-gradient(180deg,#fbfdff 0%,#f3f8fc 100%); padding:22px 24px 16px; }\n .fig-title { font-size:10px; font-weight:700; letter-spacing:0.14em; text-transform:uppercase; color:var(--blue); margin-bottom:14px; }\n .fig.teal .fig-title{color:var(--teal);} .fig.amber .fig-title{color:var(--amber);}\n .fig.purple .fig-title{color:var(--purple);} .fig.red .fig-title{color:var(--red);} .fig.gold .fig-title{color:#8a6a00;} .fig.slate .fig-title{color:var(--slate);}\n .fig-canvas { width:100%; }\n .fig svg { width:100%; height:auto; display:block; overflow:visible; }\n .fig-cap { margin-top:12px; padding-top:10px; border-top:1px dashed #d7e2ec; font-size:12px; line-height:1.6; color:var(--muted); }\n .fig-cap strong { color:var(--navy); }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 separator between unrelated blocks \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .sep { height:0; border-top:1px dashed #d7e2ec; margin:36px 0 30px; position:relative; }\n .sep::after { content:'\\25C6'; position:absolute; top:-9px; left:50%; transform:translateX(-50%); background:#fff; color:#cdd9e5; font-size:10px; padding:0 10px; }\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 stat strip \u2500\u2500 *\/\n .stat-strip { display:grid; grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(120px,1fr)); gap:0; margin:18px 0 24px; border:1.5px solid var(--border); border-radius:12px; overflow:hidden; }\n .stat-cell { padding:14px 12px; text-align:center; border-right:1px solid var(--border); background:#fff; }\n .stat-cell:last-child { border-right:none; }\n .stat-val { font-family:'JetBrains Mono',monospace; font-weight:800; font-size:17px; color:var(--navy); line-height:1.2; }\n .stat-key { font-size:11px; color:var(--muted); margin-top:4px; line-height:1.4; }\n\n\n \/* \u2500\u2500 figures: keep them legible on every width \u2500\u2500 *\/\n @media (max-width:1240px) {\n .fig { margin-left:-16px; margin-right:-16px; }\n }\n @media (max-width:1000px) {\n .fig { margin-left:0; margin-right:0; }\n }\n @media (max-width:880px) {\n .fig { padding:18px 14px 12px; }\n .fig-canvas { overflow-x:auto; overflow-y:hidden; -webkit-overflow-scrolling:touch; padding-bottom:10px; }\n .fig-canvas svg { min-width:760px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar { height:6px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar-thumb { background:#c3d2e0; border-radius:3px; }\n .fig-canvas::-webkit-scrollbar-track { background:transparent; }\n .fig-title::after { content:\" \\2014 swipe to view\"; font-weight:600; opacity:0.55; letter-spacing:0.04em; text-transform:none; }\n }\n @media (max-width:520px) {\n .fig-canvas svg { min-width:700px; }\n }\n<\/style>\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\">\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.gstatic.com\" crossorigin>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Crimson+Pro:wght@400;600;700&family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;700&family=JetBrains+Mono:wght@400;700&display=swap\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\n<\/head>\n<body>\n<div class=\"hero\">\n <div class=\"hero-inner hero-grid\">\n <div class=\"hero-text\">\n <span class=\"hero-kicker\">GFR updated to 31.01.2026<\/span>\n <h1>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services<\/h1>\n <p class=\"hero-sub\">The Government of India's procedural rule-book for hiring <strong>consultants<\/strong> and outsourcing <strong>other (non-consultancy) services<\/strong>. All nine chapters, with every monetary value updated to the GFR as amended up to 31.01.2026.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"hero-illustration\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n <svg viewBox=\"0 0 340 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Contract document with pen, handshake and rupee coin\">\n <ellipse cx=\"170\" cy=\"262\" rx=\"130\" ry=\"12\" fill=\"rgba(0,0,0,0.18)\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"34\" width=\"150\" height=\"186\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f7fbff\" stroke=\"#10243f\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"34\" width=\"150\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"78\" y=\"58\" width=\"150\" height=\"10\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <text x=\"153\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"Georgia,serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">R f P<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\">\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"86\"\/><line x1=\"96\" y1=\"102\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"102\"\/>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"118\" x2=\"186\" y2=\"118\"\/><line x1=\"96\" y1=\"142\" x2=\"210\" y2=\"142\"\/>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"158\" x2=\"194\" y2=\"158\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"96\" y1=\"192\" x2=\"170\" y2=\"192\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <path d=\"M100 188 q8 -10 16 0 t16 0 t14 -2\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\n <g transform=\"rotate(38 196 196)\">\n <rect x=\"188\" y=\"150\" width=\"14\" height=\"64\" rx=\"3\" fill=\"#c97c10\" stroke=\"#8a5a10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <path d=\"M188 214 L195 230 L202 214 Z\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"188\" y=\"150\" width=\"14\" height=\"12\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <circle cx=\"92\" cy=\"208\" r=\"30\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke=\"#0a6354\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <path d=\"M78 208 l9 -7 8 5 8 -6 9 7\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n <path d=\"M78 208 l9 8 M113 208 l-9 8\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"3\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"236\" cy=\"56\" r=\"26\" fill=\"#c89b0a\" stroke=\"#8a6a00\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <text x=\"236\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"Georgia,serif\" font-size=\"28\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fffaf0\">₹<\/text>\n <circle cx=\"250\" cy=\"170\" r=\"22\" fill=\"#1c5da6\" stroke=\"#13456f\" stroke-width=\"3\"\/>\n <path d=\"M240 170 l7 8 13 -16\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#fff\" stroke-width=\"4\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"scope-banner\">\n <div class=\"scope-inner\">\n <span>▶<\/span>\n <span><strong>The complete Manual \u2014 Chapters 1 to 9.<\/strong> Introduction · Consultants & Governance · Contracts & Selection · Preparing for Procurement · Shortlisting · Selection by Competitive Process · Special Engagements · Monitoring the Contract · Other (Non-consultancy) Services. All monetary values reflect the GFR as amended up to 31.01.2026.<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"breadcrumb-bar\">\n <div class=\"breadcrumb-inner\">\n <a href=\"#\">Home<\/a><span class=\"sep-c\">›<\/span>\n <a href=\"#\">Notes<\/a><span class=\"sep-c\">›<\/span>\n <span>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"layout\">\n <aside class=\"sidebar\">\n <div class=\"toc-card\">\n <div class=\"toc-card-title\">Table of Contents<\/div>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"1\" open>\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 1<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Introduction to Procurement<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.1<\/span><a href=\"#c1-11\">Rules, Regulations & this Manual<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.2<\/span><a href=\"#c1-12\">Statutes behind a Contract<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.3<\/span><a href=\"#c1-13\">Applicability & Definitions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.4<\/span><a href=\"#c1-14\">Competent Authorities & Powers<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.5<\/span><a href=\"#c1-15\">Five R's of Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.6<\/span><a href=\"#c1-16\">Principles of Public Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.7<\/span><a href=\"#c1-17\">Canons of Financial Propriety<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.8<\/span><a href=\"#c1-18\">Procurement Infrastructure<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.9<\/span><a href=\"#c1-19\">Preferential \/ Mandatory Purchase<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.10<\/span><a href=\"#c1-110\">When Procurement is Justified<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.12<\/span><a href=\"#c1-112\">Law of Agency & RTI Disclosure<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">1.14<\/span><a href=\"#c1-114\">Cycle & Concept Paper<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c1-recap\">Chapter 1 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"2\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 2<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Consultants & Governance<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.1<\/span><a href=\"#c2-21\">Types of Consultants \/ Providers<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22\">Code of Integrity (CIPP)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.3<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22c\">Conflict of Interest<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.6<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22p\">Punitive Provisions<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.2.7<\/span><a href=\"#c2-22r\">Conduct Risks & Mitigations<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">§<\/span><a href=\"#c2-acts\">Statutes Invoked (Acts)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.3<\/span><a href=\"#c2-23\">Integrity Pact & IEMs<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">2.4<\/span><a href=\"#c2-24\">Debarment of Firms<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c2-recap\">Chapter 2 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"3\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 3<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Contracts & Selection<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.1<\/span><a href=\"#c3-31\">Types of Contracts<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.2<\/span><a href=\"#c3-32\">Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.3<\/span><a href=\"#c3-33\">Time-Based (Retainer-ship)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.4<\/span><a href=\"#c3-34\">Percentage & Retainer-cum-Fee<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.6<\/span><a href=\"#c3-36\">Indefinite Delivery<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.7<\/span><a href=\"#c3-37\">Systems of Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.8<\/span><a href=\"#c3-38\">Least Cost Selection (LCS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.9<\/span><a href=\"#c3-39\">Quality & Cost Based (QCBS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.10<\/span><a href=\"#c3-310\">Single Source Selection (SSS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">3.11<\/span><a href=\"#c3-311\">Fixed Budget Selection (FBS)<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c3-recap\">Chapter 3 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"4\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 4<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Preparing for Procurement<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.1<\/span><a href=\"#c4-tor\">Terms of Reference (ToR)<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.1<\/span><a href=\"#c4-reports\">Deliverables & the Four Reports<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.2<\/span><a href=\"#c4-cost\">Costs, Budget & Approval<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.3<\/span><a href=\"#c4-final\">Finalising the ToR & the Plan<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">4.5<\/span><a href=\"#c4-eproc\">e-Procurement<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c4-recap\">Chapter 4 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"5\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 5<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Shortlisting Stage<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-eoi\">Why Shortlist \u2014 Two-Stage Logic<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-thresh\">Advertised EoI & Thresholds<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-reoi\">What the REoI Asks For<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-gte\">Global Tender Enquiry<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.1<\/span><a href=\"#c5-below\">Long List & Empanelment<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.2<\/span><a href=\"#c5-shortlist\">Short List & Weightages<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">5.3<\/span><a href=\"#c5-risks\">Risks & Mitigation<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c5-recap\">Chapter 5 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"6\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 6<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Selection by Competitive Process<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.1<\/span><a href=\"#c6-steps\">The Nine Steps<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.2<\/span><a href=\"#c6-rfp\">Request for Proposals<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.2<\/span><a href=\"#c6-provisions\">PVC, Advances & Securities<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.3<\/span><a href=\"#c6-pre\">Pre-proposal Meeting & Receipt<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.5<\/span><a href=\"#c6-cec\">Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.6<\/span><a href=\"#c6-resp\">Responsiveness & Technical Eval<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.8<\/span><a href=\"#c6-cost\">Evaluation of Cost<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.9<\/span><a href=\"#c6-winner\">Selecting the Winner<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">6.10<\/span><a href=\"#c6-award\">Negotiations & Award<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c6-recap\">Chapter 6 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"7\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 7<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Special Types of Engagements<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.1<\/span><a href=\"#c7-sss\">Single Source Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.2<\/span><a href=\"#c7-individual\">Individual Consultants<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.3<\/span><a href=\"#c7-agencies\">Agencies, Institutions & NGOs<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.5<\/span><a href=\"#c7-pa\">Procurement & Inspection Agents<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.7<\/span><a href=\"#c7-fin\">Financial Advisors & Auditors<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">7.9<\/span><a href=\"#c7-logo\">Logo \/ Symbol Competitions<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c7-recap\">Chapter 7 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"8\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 8<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Monitoring the Contract<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.1<\/span><a href=\"#c8-monitor\">Monitoring & the CMC<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.10<\/span><a href=\"#c8-variations\">Variations & Substitution<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.13<\/span><a href=\"#c8-disputes\">Disputes & Arbitration<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">8.14<\/span><a href=\"#c8-fm\">Force Majeure & Closure<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c8-recap\">Chapter 8 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <details class=\"toc-chapter\" data-chapter=\"9\">\n <summary class=\"toc-chapter-header\">\n <span class=\"toc-ch-badge\">CH 9<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-title\">Other (Non-consultancy) Services<\/span>\n <span class=\"toc-ch-chev\">▶<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n <div class=\"toc-sub-wrap\"><ul class=\"toc-sub-list\">\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.1<\/span><a href=\"#c9-applic\">Applicability & Classification<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.4<\/span><a href=\"#c9-period\">Activity Schedule & Period<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.6<\/span><a href=\"#c9-selection\">System of Selection<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.7<\/span><a href=\"#c9-gem\">Government e-Marketplace<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.7<\/span><a href=\"#c9-pay\">GeM Payment \u2014 CRAC & PRC<\/a><\/li>\n <li><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">9.18<\/span><a href=\"#c9-sla\">SLA & Monitoring<\/a><\/li>\n <li class=\"toc-app\"><span class=\"toc-sub-num\">★<\/span><a href=\"#c9-recap\">Chapter 9 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/a><\/li>\n <\/ul><\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/aside>\n\n <main class=\"article\">\n <section class=\"chapter-pane active\" id=\"pane-ch1\" data-chapter=\"1\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c1-11\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 1 \u00b7 INTRODUCTION<\/span>\n <h2>Introduction to Procurement of Consultancy \/ Other Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Scope of this Manual<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministries or Departments have been delegated <strong>full powers<\/strong> to make their own arrangements for procurement of goods and services <strong>that are not available on GeM<\/strong>. Common-use goods and services available on GeM are required to be procured <strong>mandatorily through GeM<\/strong>, as per <strong>Rule 149<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>Comprehensive rules are contained in the <strong>GFR 2017<\/strong>, particularly its Chapter 6, the <strong>Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/strong>, the purchase-preference orders and the <strong>CVC guidelines<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>There is <strong>no single law exclusively governing public procurement<\/strong> in India.<\/li>\n <li>The nodal authority for revision and clarification of this Manual is the <strong>Procurement Policy Division, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.1 \u00b7 Hierarchy of the procurement framework<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Pyramid from Constitution down to Schedule of Procurement Powers\">\n <polygon points=\"450,14 560,74 340,74\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Art. 299<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"337,80 563,80 596,134 304,134\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"105\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Statutes<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"123\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#dceaf8\">Contract Act 1872 \u00b7 Arbitration 1996 \u00b7 Competition 2002 \u00b7 IT 2000<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"301,140 599,140 632,194 268,194\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"165\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">GFR 2017<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">Chapter 6 \u2014 Procurement of Goods & Services<\/text>\n <polygon points=\"265,200 635,200 668,254 232,254\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"225\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">DFPR \u00b7 CVC Guidelines \u00b7 Preference Orders<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"243\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/text>\n <rect x=\"229\" y=\"260\" width=\"442\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">This Manual + Schedule of Procurement Powers (SoPP)<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 4\"><line x1=\"700\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"700\" y2=\"284\"\/><\/g>\n <path d=\"M700 284 l-5 -12 h10 z\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"120\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">Binding<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">force<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">decreases<\/text>\n <text x=\"716\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">downward<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\"><strong>Article 299<\/strong> sits at the apex \u2014 Government contracts must be in writing and executed by specifically authorised officers. <strong>Article 19(1)(g)<\/strong> (right to practise a profession) also has procurement implications.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:28%\"><col style=\"width:34%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Level<\/th><th>Instrument<\/th><th>What it lays down<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Constitution<\/td><td><strong>Article 299(1)<\/strong><\/td><td>All contracts shall be made by an authority empowered by or under the orders of the President, executed on his behalf, and expressed to be so made.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Constitution<\/td><td><strong>Article 19(1)(g)<\/strong><\/td><td>The right to practise any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Statutes<\/td><td>Contract Act 1872 \u00b7 Arbitration & Conciliation 1996 \u00b7 Competition Act 2002 \u00b7 IT Act 2000<\/td><td>The general law on which a procurement contract, its disputes, its competition and its electronic conduct rest.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rules<\/td><td><strong>GFR 2017<\/strong>, Chapter 6<\/td><td>The general rules for procurement of goods and services by all Ministries or Departments.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Delegation<\/td><td>DFPR \u00b7 CVC guidelines \u00b7 preference orders<\/td><td>Who may sanction what, and which classes of bidder enjoy a mandatory or preferential purchase.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Guidance<\/td><td>This Manual \u00b7 Schedule of Procurement Powers<\/td><td>Procedure, and the entity's own delegation of powers at each stage of procurement.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-12\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.2<\/span>\n <h3>The statutes on which a Government contract rests<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.2 \u00b7 Six statutes, and exactly where each one bites<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 578\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Six statutes governing a government procurement contract\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"32\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"31\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">The GFR binds the officer \u2014 these Acts create the enforceable rights and liabilities<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"54\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"54\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"54\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Indian Contract<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"97\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 1872<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"75\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">The general law of contracts \u2014 offer,<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">acceptance, breach and remedies.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"66\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"118\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"75\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Sections 182\u2013238 are the LAW OF AGENCY:<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">the Govt is vicariously liable for its consultant.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"140\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"140\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"140\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Arbitration &<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Conciliation, 1996<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"161\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Settles disputes outside court; the<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">arbitral award binds like a decree.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"152\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"204\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"161\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Gives the arbitration clause its force.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Challenged award \u2192 75% paid vs BG (R.227A).<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"226\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"226\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"226\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"252\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Competition<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"269\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 2002<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"247\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c0392b\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Voids anti-competitive agreements;<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">creates the CCI to punish cartels.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"238\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"290\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"247\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c0392b\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">BID RIGGING is a prohibited practice.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">CCI reference filed by a JS-level officer.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"312\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"312\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"312\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"338\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Information<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"355\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Technology, 2000<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"333\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"352\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Gives legal validity to electronic<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"368\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">records and digital signatures.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"324\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"376\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"333\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"352\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">The legal basis of mandatory e-procurement<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"368\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">(R.160) and e-publishing (R.159) on GeM-CPPP.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"398\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"398\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"398\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"424\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">MSMED<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"441\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Act, 2006<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"419\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c97c10\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"438\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Classifies micro & small enterprises<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"454\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">and protects payments due to them.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"410\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"462\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"419\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#c97c10\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"438\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Section 11 \u2192 the MSE Policy.<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"454\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Chapter V \u2192 the 45-DAY payment cap.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"484\" width=\"860\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"484\" width=\"196\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <rect x=\"207\" y=\"484\" width=\"9\" height=\"76\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"510\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Right to<\/text>\n <text x=\"118\" y=\"527\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Information, 2005<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"505\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#41617f\">WHAT IT DOES<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"524\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Right of access to information held<\/text>\n <text x=\"232\" y=\"540\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">by any public authority.<\/text>\n <line x1=\"556\" y1=\"496\" x2=\"556\" y2=\"548\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"505\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"9.5\" font-weight=\"700\" letter-spacing=\"1\" fill=\"#41617f\">WHERE IT BITES<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"524\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Section 4(1)(b) \u2192 suo-motu disclosure of tender<\/text>\n <text x=\"572\" y=\"540\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">notices, corrigenda and bid-award details.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">A breach of the GFR is an <strong>administrative<\/strong> lapse attracting departmental action. A breach of the Prevention of Corruption Act or the penal law is a <strong>criminal<\/strong> offence and, on conviction, attracts debarment across every procuring entity.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal\">\n <li><strong>Indian Contract Act, 1872<\/strong> \u2014 the general law of contracts. Its <strong>Sections 182 to 238<\/strong> contain the law of agency: a consultant or service provider acts as the <strong>Agent<\/strong> of the Procuring Entity, which is the Principal, and the Principal is <strong>vicariously liable<\/strong> for the acts of its agent, such as violations of labour law by the staff deputed. Standard Bidding Documents must address this liability.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Arbitration & Conciliation Act, 1996<\/strong> \u2014 governs conciliation and arbitration of contractual disputes; the arbitral award is binding. Under <strong>Rule 227A<\/strong>, where the Ministry challenges an award, <strong>75% of the award<\/strong>, which may include interest up to the date of the award, is paid to the contractor <strong>against a Bank Guarantee<\/strong>, into a designated escrow account.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Competition Act, 2002<\/strong> \u2014 any collusion, bid rigging or anti-competitive behaviour that impairs the transparency, fairness and progress of the procurement process is a prohibited practice. Information for action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong> is filed under the signature of a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Information Technology Act, 2000<\/strong> \u2014 provides for the legal recognition of electronic records and digital signatures, on which <strong>e-publishing (Rule 159)<\/strong> and <strong>e-procurement (Rule 160)<\/strong> operate.<\/li>\n <li><strong>MSMED Act, 2006<\/strong> \u2014 the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises has notified the procurement policy under its <strong>Section 11<\/strong> [Rule 153(ii)]. Under <strong>Chapter V<\/strong>, payment to an MSE supplier shall not exceed <strong>45 days<\/strong>, and delay attracts <strong>compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Right to Information Act, 2005<\/strong> \u2014 <strong>Section 4(1)(b)<\/strong> mandates suo-motu disclosure, and <strong>Sections 4(2) and 4(3)<\/strong> prescribe its dissemination. Procurement notices, tender enquiries, corrigenda, and details of the bid award \u2014 the vendor's name, the rate and the total value \u2014 are disclosed under Section 4.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988<\/strong> and the <strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/strong> \u2014 conviction under either, in the circumstances set out in <strong>Rule 151(i)<\/strong>, debars a bidder from the procurement process of <strong>any<\/strong> procuring entity.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-13\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 1.3<\/span>\n <h3>Applicability & key definitions<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 177, GFR 2017<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Consulting Service<\/div>\n <p>Any subject matter of procurement, other than goods or works except those incidental or consequential to the service, which involves primarily <strong>non-physical, project-specific, intellectual and procedural processes<\/strong> where outcomes or deliverables would vary from one consultant to another. It includes professional, intellectual, training and advisory services, but <strong>does not include direct engagement of a retired Government servant<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 197, GFR 2017<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Non-Consulting Service<\/div>\n <p>Any subject matter of procurement which involves <strong>physical, measurable deliverables or outcomes<\/strong>, where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied. It includes maintenance, hiring of vehicles, outsourcing of building facilities management, security, photocopier service, janitor and office errand services, drilling, aerial photography, satellite imagery and mapping.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>Consulting services typically involve expert or strategic advice \u2014 management, policy and communications consultants; feasibility studies; project management; engineering services; finance, accounting and taxation services; training and development.<\/li>\n <li>The generic word <strong>\"Services\"<\/strong> covers Consultancy and Other services together, and excludes the appointment of an individual under any law.<\/li>\n <li>These guidelines do <strong>not<\/strong> apply to projects funded by the World Bank or other international agencies, which are covered under <strong>Rule 264<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.3 \u00b7 Which basket does the task fall in?<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 330\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Decision tree classifying a task as works, goods, consultancy or other services\">\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"10\" width=\"240\" height=\"42\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Subject of procurement<\/text>\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"52\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"76\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <line x1=\"130\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"770\" y2=\"76\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"130\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"130\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"343\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"343\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <line x1=\"557\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"557\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"770\" y1=\"76\" x2=\"770\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Civil asset?<\/text>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Construction \/ repair<\/text>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">\u2192 WORKS<\/text>\n <rect x=\"255\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf0\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Mech \/ elec \/ ICT?<\/text>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Repair \u00b7 AMC \u00b7 install<\/text>\n <text x=\"343\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">\u2192 GOODS<\/text>\n <rect x=\"469\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Intellect dominates?<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Physical part incidental<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">\u2192 CONSULTANCY<\/text>\n <rect x=\"682\" y=\"106\" width=\"176\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Physical, measurable?<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Routine, repetitive<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">\u2192 OTHER SERVICES<\/text>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"216\" width=\"816\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f9f5ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">IT projects \u2192 treated as CONSULTANCY<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"253\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">bespoke software \u00b7 cloud-based services \u00b7 composite IT system integration<\/text>\n <rect x=\"42\" y=\"274\" width=\"816\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"294\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">OUTSOURCING = sustained deployment of an outside agency for ONE YEAR OR MORE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"311\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">security \u00b7 horticulture \u00b7 catering \u00b7 housekeeping \u00b7 messenger services<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Example of intellect dominating: <strong>underwater dam-safety inspection<\/strong>, where the analysis is the crux and the diving is incidental.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:34%\"><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:46%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the task<\/th><th>Treated as<\/th><th>Illustration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Construction or repair of a civil asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">WORKS<\/td><td>Handled on the lines of procurement of works.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Repair, AMC or installation of a mechanical, electrical or ICT asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">GOODS<\/td><td>Handled on the lines of procurement of goods.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Intellectual or advisory content dominates; the physical part is incidental<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Underwater inspection of a dam for safety, where the analysis is the crux.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Physical, measurable deliverables against clear performance standards<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OTHER SERVICES<\/td><td>Transport, logistics, courier, upkeep of buildings, drilling, mapping.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bespoke software, cloud-based services, composite IT system integration<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Design, development, deployment, commissioning, hardware, bandwidth and post-go-live maintenance.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Outside agency engaged on a sustained basis for <strong>one year or more<\/strong> for work traditionally done in-house<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OUTSOURCING<\/td><td>Security, horticulture, catering, housekeeping, messenger services.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Procuring Entity<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Includes Ministries and Departments, <strong>CPSEs<\/strong>, and bodies substantially owned or controlled by, or substantially financed by, the Central Government. It does <strong>not<\/strong> include procurement for its own use from a subsidiary or joint venture in which a controlling share is held.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-14\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 1.4<\/span>\n <h3>Competent authorities & purchase powers<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman slate\">\n <li>An authority competent to incur expenditure may sanction the procurement of services in accordance with the <strong>Delegation of Financial Powers Rules<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 145<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li><strong>No separate sanction<\/strong> is required for services distinctly named in a work or project already sanctioned or approved.<\/li>\n <li>Each entity may issue a <strong>Schedule of Procurement Powers<\/strong>, adding detail to the DFPR delegations on the basis of the risk at each stage of procurement.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-15\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 1.5<\/span>\n <h3>Basic aims \u2014 the Five R's of Procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.4 \u00b7 The Five R's<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 190\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five R's of procurement\">\n <g><circle cx=\"90\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">R1<\/text>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quality<\/text>\n <text x=\"90\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">fit for purpose<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"270\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">R2<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quantity<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">no excess stock<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"450\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#fffbf0\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">R3<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Price<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">reasonable rate<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"630\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">R4<\/text>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Time & Place<\/text>\n <text x=\"630\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">when & where needed<\/text><\/g>\n <g><circle cx=\"810\" cy=\"80\" r=\"42\" fill=\"#f9f5ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">R5<\/text>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Source<\/text>\n <text x=\"810\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">reliable supplier<\/text><\/g>\n <g stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 5\">\n <line x1=\"132\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"228\" y2=\"80\"\/><line x1=\"312\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"408\" y2=\"80\"\/>\n <line x1=\"492\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"588\" y2=\"80\"\/><line x1=\"672\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"768\" y2=\"80\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Each \"R\" is a <strong>balance point<\/strong>, not a maximum: the right quality is adequate quality, and the right price is a reasonable price consistent with that quality.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R1<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Quality<\/strong> \u2014 meets the basic need without superfluous or non-essential features.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R2<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Quantity<\/strong> \u2014 avoids purchase in excess of requirement and its inventory carrying cost.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R3<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Price<\/strong> \u2014 reasonable, and consistent with the quality required.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R4<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Time & Place<\/strong> \u2014 delivery when and where the requirement arises.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">R5<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\"><strong>Right Source<\/strong> \u2014 a supplier reliable and competent to perform the contract.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">The word \"Right\"<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">In each of the five parameters \"Right\" means <strong>optimal<\/strong>. Every procurement seeks the right balance of cost and requirement across the five. The parameters are framed for goods, and apply equally to services.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-16\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 1.6<\/span>\n <h3>Five principles of public procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman purple\">\n <li>The <strong>transparency<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>professionalism<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>broader obligations<\/strong> principle, which includes the restrictions and prior registration imposed on bidders from a country sharing a land border with India [<strong>Rule 144(xi)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>extrinsic legal<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>public accountability<\/strong> principle.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-17\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 1.7<\/span>\n <h3>Standards of Financial Propriety \u2014 Rule 21, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman amber\">\n <li>Every officer shall exercise the same vigilance in respect of expenditure incurred from public moneys as a person of <strong>ordinary prudence<\/strong> would exercise in respect of the expenditure of his own money.<\/li>\n <li>The expenditure should not be <em>prima facie<\/em> more than the occasion demands.<\/li>\n <li>No authority should exercise its powers of sanctioning expenditure to pass an order which will be <strong>directly or indirectly to its own advantage<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Expenditure from public moneys should not be incurred for the benefit of a particular person or a section of the people, unless the amount of expenditure involved is insignificant, or a claim for the amount could be <strong>enforced in a Court of Law<\/strong>, or the expenditure is in pursuance of a recognised policy or custom.<\/li>\n <li>The amount of <strong>allowances<\/strong>, such as travelling allowances, granted to meet expenditure of a particular type should be so regulated that the allowances are not, on the whole, a <strong>source of profit<\/strong> to the recipients.<\/li>\n <li>An authority giving financial concurrence should not later be drawn into a role that creates a <strong>conflict of interest<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-18\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 1.8<\/span>\n <h3>Public procurement infrastructure at the Centre<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Department of Expenditure, MoF<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Procurement Policy Division<\/div>\n <p>Promotes uniformity and harmonisation, disseminates best practices, gives guidance, exercises oversight, builds capacity, and issues the procurement manuals. It is <strong>not<\/strong> intended to centralise procurement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Rule 159 \u00b7 e-publishing<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">GeM-CPPP<\/div>\n <p>Designed, developed and hosted by <strong>NIC (MeitY)<\/strong> with the Department of Expenditure. It is mandatory for all Ministries, their attached and subordinate offices and autonomous and statutory bodies to publish their <strong>tender enquiries, corrigenda and details of bid awards<\/strong> on it.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li>The e-publishing instructions apply to all tender enquiries, Requests for Proposals, Requests for Expressions of Interest, and notices for pre-qualification or registration, whether advertised, issued to a limited number of parties, or to a single party.<\/li>\n <li>Individual cases where <strong>confidentiality is required for reasons of national security<\/strong> are exempted, on the approval of the Secretary of the Ministry with the concurrence of the Financial Adviser; statistics of such exemptions go to the Department of Expenditure <strong>quarterly<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-19\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.9<\/span>\n <h3>Preferential \/ Mandatory purchase from certain sources<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>The latest directives on the subject are to be checked before a preference is applied.<\/li>\n <li>The purchase-preference provision must be incorporated in the <strong>Notice Inviting Tender<\/strong> and in the <strong>Instructions to Bidders<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <h4>A \u00b7 Policy for Micro & Small Enterprises \u2014 Rule 153(ii), GFR<\/h4>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.5 \u00b7 The MSE purchase-preference mechanism<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 320\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"MSE L1 plus 15 percent band and the 25 percent tendered value split\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"26\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">STEP 1 \u2014 The price band<\/text>\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"88\" x2=\"700\" y2=\"88\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"><line x1=\"120\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"96\"\/><line x1=\"470\" y1=\"80\" x2=\"470\" y2=\"96\"\/><\/g>\n <rect x=\"120\" y=\"56\" width=\"350\" height=\"24\" fill=\"#fdf3e2\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"295\" y=\"73\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a5a10\">MSE inside this band may match L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">(non-MSE)<\/text>\n <text x=\"470\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">L1 + 15%<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">outside band \u2192 no preference<\/text>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">STEP 2 \u2014 The 25% of tendered value<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"860\" height=\"46\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"215\" height=\"46\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"127\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">25%<\/text>\n <text x=\"127\" y=\"216\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">reserved for MSEs<\/text>\n <text x=\"557\" y=\"206\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">remaining 75% \u2014 awarded to L1<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\"><line x1=\"20\" y1=\"224\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"252\"\/><line x1=\"235\" y1=\"224\" x2=\"640\" y2=\"252\"\/><\/g>\n <rect x=\"150\" y=\"252\" width=\"490\" height=\"52\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <rect x=\"162\" y=\"262\" width=\"150\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"237\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">4% \u2014 SC\/ST-owned<\/text>\n <rect x=\"320\" y=\"262\" width=\"140\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"390\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">3% \u2014 women<\/text>\n <rect x=\"468\" y=\"262\" width=\"160\" height=\"32\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"548\" y=\"283\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">balance \u2014 other MSEs<\/text>\n <rect x=\"660\" y=\"252\" width=\"220\" height=\"52\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">If the item cannot be split<\/text>\n <text x=\"770\" y=\"290\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">MSE may take the FULL value<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The 25% is shared proportionately. Within it, the <strong>4%<\/strong> SC\/ST sub-target equals 16% of the 25%; if unfilled, it is met from other MSEs. An enterprise is <strong>SC\/ST-owned<\/strong> where the proprietor is SC\/ST, or SC\/ST partners or promoters hold at least <strong>51%<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Source of the policy<\/td><td>Notified by the Ministry of MSME under <strong>Section 11 of the MSMED Act, 2006<\/strong>; applies to all Central Ministries, Departments and CPSUs irrespective of value or nature, and not to State Governments.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Eligibility<\/td><td>Only enterprises holding a valid <strong>Udyam Registration<\/strong>. Traders, distributors and sole agents, and works contracts, are excluded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Concessions<\/td><td>Tender documents <strong>free of cost<\/strong>; exemption from <strong>Bid Security<\/strong> [Rule 170(i)]; prior turnover and prior experience may be relaxed. Exemption from <strong>Performance Security is not covered<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Price band<\/td><td>Where L1 is a non-MSE, an MSE quoting within <strong>L1 + 15%<\/strong> may supply up to <strong>25% of the tendered value<\/strong> on matching the L1 price; the 25% is shared proportionately.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sub-targets<\/td><td>Within the 25%, a <strong>4%<\/strong> purchase preference for <strong>SC\/ST-owned<\/strong> MSEs and <strong>3%<\/strong> for women entrepreneurs. If not filled, it is met from other MSEs.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Non-divisible item<\/td><td>An MSE within the L1 + 15% band may be awarded the <strong>full tendered value<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">\"SC\/ST-owned\"<\/td><td>The proprietor is SC\/ST; or SC\/ST partners hold \u2265 <strong>51%<\/strong>; or SC\/ST promoters hold \u2265 <strong>51%<\/strong> in a private limited company.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Payment<\/td><td>Not to exceed <strong>45 days<\/strong> from supply; delay attracts <strong>compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">358<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Items reserved for exclusive purchase from MSEs; the list is reviewed by a Committee chaired by <strong>Secretary, M\/o MSME<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Sambandh<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Portal launched <strong>8 December 2017<\/strong> to monitor procurement by CPSUs from MSEs.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">CHAMPION<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Portal for redressal of grievances of micro, small and medium enterprises.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">SC\/ST Hub<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">National SC\/ST Hub (<strong>October 2016<\/strong>) and the Single Point Registration Scheme, both run by <strong>NSIC<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Startups \u2014 Rule 173(i), GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">The condition of <strong>prior turnover and prior experience<\/strong> may be relaxed for Startups recognised by <strong>DPIIT<\/strong>, subject to their meeting quality and technical specifications, and to suitable provision being made in the bidding document. A start-up is an entity <strong>up to 10 years<\/strong> from incorporation, whose turnover in any financial year has <strong>not exceeded \u20b9100 crore<\/strong>, and which is working towards innovation or improvement, or has a scalable business model with a high potential for employment generation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <h4>B \u00b7 Preference to Make in India \u2014 Rule 153(iii), GFR<\/h4>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.6 \u00b7 Supplier classes & the 20% preference margin<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Class I, Class II and non-local suppliers by local content\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"18\" width=\"270\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0f7ff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CLASS-I LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≥ 50%<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">✓ gets purchase preference<\/text>\n <rect x=\"310\" y=\"18\" width=\"270\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">CLASS-II LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≥ 20%<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"445\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">may bid \u00b7 NO preference<\/text>\n <rect x=\"600\" y=\"18\" width=\"280\" height=\"112\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">NON-LOCAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">< 20%<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"96\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">local content<\/text>\n <text x=\"740\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">only if a GTE is issued<\/text>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">If L1 is NOT a Class-I supplier \u2014<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"180\" width=\"420\" height=\"100\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"202\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">DIVISIBLE goods \/ works<\/text>\n <rect x=\"40\" y=\"216\" width=\"180\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"130\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">50% \u2192 L1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"228\" y=\"216\" width=\"192\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"324\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">50% \u2192 Class-I matching L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">lowest Class-I within the 20% margin is invited to match<\/text>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"180\" width=\"420\" height=\"100\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"202\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">NON-DIVISIBLE & price-only services<\/text>\n <rect x=\"480\" y=\"216\" width=\"380\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">lowest Class-I in margin invited to match L1<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">if none match \u2192 award may go to L1<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Where the Nodal Ministry notifies <strong>sufficient local capacity & competition<\/strong>, Class-I becomes the sole eligible class.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:52%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Class of supplier<\/th><th>Local content<\/th><th>Entitlement<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Class-I local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">\u2265 50%<\/td><td>Eligible for <strong>purchase preference<\/strong>; the sole eligible class where the Nodal Ministry notifies sufficient local capacity and competition.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Class-II local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">\u2265 20%<\/td><td>May participate in the bid, but gets <strong>no purchase preference<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Non-local supplier<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">< 20%<\/td><td>Eligible to bid only where a <strong>Global Tender Enquiry<\/strong> is issued.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list purple\">\n <li><strong>Divisible goods and works.<\/strong> Where L1 is not a Class-I local supplier, <strong>50%<\/strong> of the order goes to L1, and the lowest Class-I supplier bidding within the <strong>margin of purchase preference of 20%<\/strong> is invited to match L1 for the remaining 50%.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Non-divisible items and services procured on price alone.<\/strong> The lowest Class-I supplier within the margin is invited to match L1; if no such supplier matches, the contract may be awarded to L1.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Verification.<\/strong> Local content is <strong>self-certified<\/strong>. Above <strong>\u20b910 crore<\/strong>, a certificate from the statutory auditor or cost auditor, or from a practising cost accountant or chartered accountant, is required.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Relaxation.<\/strong> The administrative Department, with the approval of its <strong>Minister-in-charge<\/strong> and for reasons recorded, may reduce the minimum local content, reduce the margin of purchase preference, or exempt an item or entity. A <strong>Standing Committee<\/strong> chaired by Secretary, DPIIT oversees the Order.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"stat-strip\">\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">20%<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Margin of purchase<br>preference<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">\u20b95 lakh<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Below this estimated value<br>the Order does not apply<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">\u20b9200 cr<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">No Global Tender Enquiry<br>up to this value<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">2 years<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Debarment for a false<br>declaration [Rule 151(iii)]<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The Order applies to goods, works and services; \"works\" includes <strong>turnkey and EPC contracts<\/strong>, and \"services\" includes <strong>System Integrator contracts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>A procurement shall <strong>not be split<\/strong> into smaller values to avoid the Order.<\/li>\n <li>A false declaration of local content is a breach of the Code of Integrity under <strong>Rule 175(1)(i)(h)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-110\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 1.10\u20131.11<\/span>\n <h3>When engagement of a consultant is justified<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>The requisite expertise or capacity is <strong>not available in-house<\/strong> [Rule 180].<\/li>\n <li>A qualified consultant is needed for a <strong>specialised, high-quality<\/strong> service.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Impartial advice<\/strong>, free of any conflict of interest, is required.<\/li>\n <li>Transfer of knowledge, training or capacity-building is sought as a by-product.<\/li>\n <li>Information, or new methods and systems, have to be acquired.<\/li>\n <li>Organisational change has to be planned and implemented.<\/li>\n <li>Economy, speed and efficiency are weighed against the additional commitment of staff, resources, money and time.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li><strong>Approval of the competent authority<\/strong> is to be obtained <strong>before<\/strong> engaging a consultant [Rule 180], and the assignment must be well defined in content and in the time frame for its completion [Rule 178].<\/li>\n <li>Consultancy is procured by unrestricted competition among shortlisted firms, through a <strong>two-stage process<\/strong> in which quality is evaluated before cost. Other services follow a simpler process, on the lines of goods and works.<\/li>\n <li>The Ministry shall estimate a <strong>reasonable expenditure<\/strong> by ascertaining prevalent market conditions and consulting other organisations engaged in similar activities [Rule 182].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-112\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 1.12\u20131.13<\/span>\n <h3>Law of Agency & proactive disclosure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>What it requires<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sections 182\u2013238, Indian Contract Act, 1872<\/td><td>The consultant or service provider is the <strong>Agent<\/strong> of the Procuring Entity, which is the Principal. The Procuring Entity is <strong>vicariously liable<\/strong> for the acts of its agent, including violations of labour law by the staff deputed by the provider. Standard Bidding Documents must address this.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Section 4(1)(b), RTI Act, 2005<\/td><td>Every public authority shall publish the prescribed categories of information <strong>suo motu<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sections 4(2) & 4(3), RTI Act, 2005<\/td><td>Prescribe the manner and the means of dissemination of that information.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Disclosable under Section 4<\/td><td>Procurement notices and tender enquiries; corrigenda issued on them; and the details of the bid award \u2014 the <strong>vendor's name, the rate and the total value<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c1-114\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 1.14\u20131.15<\/span>\n <h3>Procurement cycle & the Concept Paper<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 1.7 \u00b7 The five stages of the procurement cycle<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 200\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five stage procurement cycle from concept paper to monitoring\">\n <defs><marker id=\"ar\" markerWidth=\"9\" markerHeight=\"9\" refX=\"7\" refY=\"4.5\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L9 4.5 L0 9 z\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"35\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"35\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"85\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Concept Paper<\/text>\n <text x=\"85\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#b9d2ec\">in-principle approval<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"164\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"182\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"186\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"211\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"211\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"261\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ToR \/ Activity Sch.<\/text>\n <text x=\"261\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">cost estimate + budget<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"340\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"358\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"362\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"387\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"387\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Shortlist via EoI<\/text>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">publish \u00b7 receive \u00b7 evaluate<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"516\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"534\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"538\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"563\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"613\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">RfP & Award<\/text>\n <text x=\"613\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">technical \u2192 financial<\/text><\/g>\n <line x1=\"692\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"710\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <g><rect x=\"714\" y=\"46\" width=\"150\" height=\"76\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"739\" cy=\"66\" r=\"12\" fill=\"#ffd95a\"\/>\n <text x=\"739\" y=\"71\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"789\" y=\"94\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Monitor<\/text>\n <text x=\"789\" y=\"111\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#e8dbf7\">the assignment<\/text><\/g>\n <path d=\"M789 126 v34 H85 v-34\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\" marker-end=\"url(#ar)\"\/>\n <text x=\"437\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">outcomes feed the next Concept Paper<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Concept Paper<\/strong> plays the role that an <strong>Indent<\/strong> plays in the procurement of goods.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li>Preparation of the <strong>Concept Paper<\/strong> or Procurement Proposal, and obtaining of in-principle approval.<\/li>\n <li>Preparation of the <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong> for consultancy, or the <strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong> for other services, with the cost estimate; administrative and budgetary approval is sought.<\/li>\n <li>Shortlisting of consultants through an <strong>Expression of Interest<\/strong> \u2014 formulating it, publishing it, and receiving and evaluating the responses.<\/li>\n <li>Issue of the <strong>Request for Proposals<\/strong>; evaluation of the technical and then the financial proposals; selection, negotiation where required, and award of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Monitoring<\/strong> of the assignment.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Concept Paper \u2014 Rule 181, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministry or Department should prepare, in <strong>simple and concise language<\/strong>, the requirement, the objectives and the scope of the assignment. The eligibility and pre-qualification criteria to be met by the consultants should also be clearly identified at this stage. It performs the role that the <strong>Indent<\/strong> performs in the procurement of goods.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li><strong>Purpose or Objective Statement<\/strong> \u2014 describes the subject matter of the procurement, and shows its fit with the short-term and strategic goals of the organisation.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Service Outcome Statement<\/strong> \u2014 the qualitative and quantitative outcomes, the time-frame, and a rough cost estimate, which fixes the level of approval required under the Schedule of Procurement Powers.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Justification<\/strong> \u2014 the requirement set against in-house capability.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list gold\">\n <li>In-principle administrative approval and budgetary sanction by the Competent Authority precede all further stages.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz1\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 1 Quiz \u2014 framework, definitions & preferences<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 1. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage1\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore1\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext1\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c1-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 1 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Apex statutory provision<\/td><td><strong>Article 299<\/strong>; <strong>no<\/strong> exclusive procurement law<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Mandatory GeM purchase<\/td><td><strong>Rule 149, GFR 2017<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Consulting Service<\/td><td><strong>Rule 177<\/strong> \u2014 non-physical, intellectual & procedural; excludes <strong>retired Govt servants<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Non-Consulting Service<\/td><td><strong>Rule 197<\/strong> \u2014 physical, measurable deliverables<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Outsourcing<\/td><td>Sustained engagement of <strong>one year or more<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Nodal authority<\/td><td><strong>PPD, Dept. of Expenditure, MoF<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Five R's<\/td><td>Right <strong>quality, quantity, price, time & place, source<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial propriety<\/td><td><strong>Rule 21<\/strong> \u2014 ordinary-prudence vigilance<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Publishing portal<\/td><td><strong>GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, hosted by NIC (MeitY) \u2014 <strong>Rule 159<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MSE payment<\/td><td><strong>45 days<\/strong>; delay \u2192 compound interest at <strong>3\u00d7 RBI bank rate<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MSE price band<\/td><td><strong>L1 + 15%<\/strong> \u2192 up to <strong>25%<\/strong>; SC\/ST <strong>4%<\/strong>, women <strong>3%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Make in India<\/td><td>Margin <strong>20%<\/strong>; Class-I \u2265 <strong>50%<\/strong>, Class-II \u2265 <strong>20%<\/strong> local content<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>MII thresholds<\/td><td>Not applicable below <strong>\u20b95 lakh<\/strong>; auditor certificate above <strong>\u20b910 crore<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Startup<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 10 yrs<\/strong>, turnover <strong>\u2264 \u20b9100 cr<\/strong>, DPIIT-recognised [Rule 173(i)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Concept Paper<\/td><td><strong>Rule 181<\/strong> \u2014 Purpose + Outcome + Justification<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch2\" data-chapter=\"2\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c2-21\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 2 \u00b7 GOVERNANCE<\/span>\n <h2>Consultants, Service Providers & Governance Issues<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The sources from which consultants and service providers are drawn; the <strong>Code of Integrity for Public Procurement<\/strong>, which binds officials and bidders alike; the <strong>Integrity Pact<\/strong> and its Independent External Monitors; and the debarment of errant firms under <strong>Rule 151<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Consortium \/ Joint Venture<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Firms in association<\/div>\n <p>For large or complex assignments, firms associate as a Joint Venture, or as sub-consultants. In a JV <strong>all members sign the proposal<\/strong> and are <strong>jointly and severally liable<\/strong>; one member is designated the <strong>lead member<\/strong>, and the Procuring Entity deals only with the lead.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Consultancy \/ Service Firms<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">The principal source<\/div>\n <p>Classified as <strong>international<\/strong>, bringing international experience and charging international rates, or as <strong>national<\/strong>, generally domestic in operation and charging lower rates.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Individual Consultants<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Where a team is not needed<\/div>\n <p>Engaged where the assignment does not require a team, and no outside support is needed. <strong>Where more than three experts are required, a team from a firm should be used.<\/strong> Individuals are not normally engaged for project preparation, unless the task is simple or repetitive.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Agencies, Institutions & NGOs<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Institutional providers<\/div>\n <p>Government and semi-Government agencies, universities and professional institutions. <strong>NGOs<\/strong> are advantageous in assignments requiring community participation or local knowledge.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal amber\">\n <li><strong>Value and number of partners.<\/strong> A Joint Venture may be permitted for complex or large assignments above a stated value, say <strong>\u20b95 crore<\/strong>, and the maximum number of partners is limited, say to <strong>three<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Share of the qualifying limit.<\/strong> Each partner should meet at least <strong>25%<\/strong>, and the <strong>lead partner at least 50%<\/strong>, of the qualifying limit prescribed for experience and financial turnover.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting association.<\/strong> A firm may submit only <strong>one proposal<\/strong> for an assignment. If it submits or participates in more than one, <strong>all such proposals stand disqualified<\/strong>. It may be a sub-consultant or a team member in more than one proposal only where the RfP expressly permits.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Retired Government servant \u2014 Rule 177, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Consulting service <strong>does not include direct engagement of a retired Government servant<\/strong>. Such a person is not to be engaged against a regular vacant post, but only for a <strong>specific task of specified duration<\/strong>, with clear output-related goals.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 2.2<\/span>\n <h3>Code of Integrity for Public Procurement<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li>No official of a procuring entity, and no bidder, shall act in contravention of the Code [<strong>Rule 175(1)<\/strong>]. Both sign declarations undertaking to abide by it.<\/li>\n <li>Transgression may lead to removal from the list of registered suppliers, cancellation of the contract, banning or blacklisting, or action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.1 \u00b7 The six prohibited practices<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Six prohibited practices under the Code of Integrity\">\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"42\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"70\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CORRUPT<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Offering, soliciting or accepting bribes,<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">rewards, gifts or any material benefit.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"307\" y=\"14\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"339\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"367\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">FRAUDULENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Omission or misrepresentation to mislead,<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">for benefit or to avoid an obligation.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"604\" y=\"14\" width=\"286\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"636\" cy=\"46\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"636\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"664\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">ANTI-COMPETITIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Collusion, bid rigging or arrangements<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">setting artificial prices (Comp. Act 2002).<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"10\" y=\"134\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"42\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"70\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">COERCIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Harming or threatening persons or property<\/text>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">to influence participation or execution.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"307\" y=\"134\" width=\"285\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"339\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"367\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">CONFLICT OF INTEREST<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Affiliations across bids, transactions with<\/text>\n <text x=\"323\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">officials, misuse of information.<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"604\" y=\"134\" width=\"286\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"636\" cy=\"166\" r=\"17\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/>\n <text x=\"636\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vi<\/text>\n <text x=\"664\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">OBSTRUCTIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"200\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Destroying or falsifying evidence, false<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">statements, impeding audit \/ access.<\/text><\/g>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Mnemonic \u2014 <strong>C-F-A-C-C-O<\/strong>: Corrupt \u00b7 Fraudulent \u00b7 Anti-competitive \u00b7 Coercive \u00b7 Conflict of interest \u00b7 Obstructive.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Prohibited practice<\/th><th>Conduct that constitutes it<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Corrupt<\/td><td>Making an offer, solicitation or acceptance of a <strong>bribe, reward, gift or any material benefit<\/strong>, either directly or indirectly, in exchange for an unfair advantage in the procurement process, or to otherwise influence it.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Fraudulent<\/td><td>Any <strong>omission or misrepresentation<\/strong> that may mislead, or attempt to mislead, so that a financial or other benefit may be obtained or an obligation avoided; and making a false declaration or providing false information to participate in a tender or secure a contract.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Anti-competitive<\/td><td>Any <strong>collusion, bid rigging or anti-competitive behaviour<\/strong> that may impair the transparency, fairness and progress of the procurement process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Coercive<\/td><td>Any <strong>coercion, or threat to impair or harm<\/strong>, directly or indirectly, any party or its property, to influence the procurement process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Conflict of interest<\/td><td>Any <strong>financial or business transaction<\/strong> between the bidder and an official of the procuring entity, related to the tender or the execution of the contract, which can affect the decision of the entity; and <strong>improper use of information<\/strong> provided by the entity with intent to gain unfair advantage or personal gain.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Obstructive<\/td><td><strong>Obstruction of any investigation or auditing<\/strong> of a procurement process; destroying or falsifying evidence; and making false statements to investigators.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-acts\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">Statutes<\/span>\n <h3>The statutes invoked against an errant bidder<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.2 \u00b7 The penal & competition statutes, and the consequence each triggers<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 380\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Prevention of Corruption Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Competition Act, and the debarment or CCI consequence of each\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PREVENTION OF<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">CORRUPTION ACT, 1988<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Criminalises bribery involving public<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">servants \u2014 both the taking of an undue<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">advantage and the giving of it by any<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">person to obtain or retain business.<\/text>\n <text x=\"38\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Bidders promise this in the Integrity Pact.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">BHARATIYA NYAYA<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">SANHITA<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">India's general penal code, which has<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">REPLACED the Indian Penal Code, 1860.<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Defines the ordinary offences \u2014 death,<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">hurt, damage to property.<\/text>\n <text x=\"329\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Relevant only if committed executing a contract.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"44\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">COMPETITION<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ACT, 2002<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Voids agreements that appreciably harm<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"95\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">competition. Bid rigging and collusive<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">bidding are PRESUMED to do so. The CCI<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"129\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">investigates, fines and orders desistance.<\/text>\n <text x=\"620\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">The anti-competitive practice under the Code.<\/text>\n\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\">\n <line x1=\"159\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"159\" y2=\"190\"\/><line x1=\"450\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"190\"\/><line x1=\"741\" y1=\"160\" x2=\"741\" y2=\"190\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"182\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">ON CONVICTION \/ ON DETERMINATION<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"192\" width=\"569\" height=\"52\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"304\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">DEBARMENT ≤ 3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"304\" y=\"233\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">across ANY procuring entity \u00b7 successors included \u00b7 Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"192\" width=\"278\" height=\"52\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">REFERENCE TO THE CCI<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"233\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"262\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">THREE CONSEQUENCES CAN RUN IN PARALLEL FOR THE SAME ACT<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONTRACTUAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Bid security forfeited \u00b7 contract<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">cancelled \u00b7 payments recovered<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">ADMINISTRATIVE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Removed from the registered list \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">debarred under Rule 151<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"300\" width=\"278\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"322\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CRIMINAL \/ REGULATORY<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"341\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Prosecution under the PC Act or<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"357\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">penal law \u00b7 proceedings before CCI<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Debarment under Track 1 needs a <strong>conviction<\/strong> by a court; debarment under Track 2 needs only the procuring entity's own <strong>determination<\/strong> that the Code of Integrity was breached.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.<\/strong> A bidder shall be debarred if he has been <strong>convicted of an offence<\/strong> under this Act [Rule 151(i)(a)]. Under the Integrity Pact, bidders promise that they will commit no offence under this Act, and no illegitimate benefit will be offered to any official.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, or any other law for the time being in force.<\/strong> A bidder shall be debarred on conviction for <strong>causing any loss of life or property, or causing a threat to public health, as part of the execution of a public procurement contract<\/strong> [Rule 151(i)(b)].<\/li>\n <li><strong>Reach of that debarment.<\/strong> The bidder, or any successor of the bidder, shall not be eligible to participate in a procurement process of <strong>any procuring entity<\/strong> for a period <strong>not exceeding three years<\/strong> from the date of debarment. The <strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong> maintains the list, which is displayed on the Central Public Procurement Portal [Rule 151(ii)].<\/li>\n <li><strong>Competition Act, 2002.<\/strong> Collusion and bid rigging are prohibited under the Code of Integrity. Information for action before the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong> is filed under the signature of a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Contractual<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Bid security forfeited, contract cancelled, payments recovered with interest.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Administrative<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Removal from the list of registered suppliers, and debarment under Rule 151.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Criminal<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act or the penal law, and proceedings before the CCI.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22c\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 2.2.3\u20132.2.5<\/span>\n <h3>Conflict of interest & proactive disclosure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>A consultant shall provide <strong>professional, objective and impartial<\/strong> advice, and shall at all times hold the client's interest paramount, without any consideration for future work.<\/li>\n <li>A conflict of interest must be <strong>disclosed<\/strong>; failure to disclose leads to disqualification of the proposal, or termination of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Unfair competitive advantage<\/strong> is avoided by issuing the Request for Proposals, and all information relating to it, to all shortlisted consultants <strong>simultaneously<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <p>Unless the data sheet of the RfP provides otherwise, a consultant shall not be hired where any of the following exists:<\/p>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list purple\">\n <li><strong>Conflicting activities.<\/strong> A firm, or any of its affiliates, engaged to provide goods, works or non-consultancy services for a project is barred from providing the consultancy related to those goods, works or services, and the converse also applies.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting assignments.<\/strong> An assignment which, by its nature, conflicts with another assignment of the same consultant.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Conflicting relationships.<\/strong> A close business or family relationship with staff of the Procuring Entity who are directly or indirectly involved in the preparation of the ToR, in the selection process, or in the supervision of the contract, unless the conflict is resolved in a manner acceptable throughout the process.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>Both parties shall <strong>suo-moto<\/strong> declare any conflict of interest as and when it arises.<\/li>\n <li>A bidder shall disclose any <strong>previous transgression<\/strong> of the Code with any entity in any country during the <strong>last three years<\/strong>, or of being debarred by any other procuring entity, whether or not it is asked to do so [<strong>Rule 175(1)(iii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Voluntary disclosure does <strong>not<\/strong> result in automatic disqualification; the conflict may be evaluated and mitigated.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22p\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 2.2.6<\/span>\n <h3>Punitive provisions for violating the Code<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.3 \u00b7 Graded consequences, by stage of the procurement<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 230\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Punitive measures if bid under consideration versus contract awarded\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"220\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">IF THE BID IS UNDER CONSIDERATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"72\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Forfeit \/ encash the bid security<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Call off pre-contract negotiations<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Reject the bid and exclude the bidder<\/text>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"150\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"14\" width=\"420\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"680\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">IF THE CONTRACT IS ALREADY AWARDED<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"72\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Cancel the contract and recover the loss<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Forfeit any other security or bond<\/text>\n <text x=\"490\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Recover payments made, WITH INTEREST<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"176\" width=\"880\" height=\"48\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"34\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ADDITIONALLY, IN BOTH CASES<\/text>\n <text x=\"34\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">Removal from registered list & banning for NOT LESS THAN ONE YEAR \u00b7 CCI reference filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer \u00b7 disciplinary \/ criminal proceedings<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The CCI route addresses <strong>anti-competitive practices<\/strong>; the information is filed under the signature of an officer of <strong>Joint Secretary level<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:28%\"><col style=\"width:72%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Stage reached<\/th><th>Measures that may be taken<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bid under consideration<\/td><td>Forfeiture or encashment of the <strong>bid security<\/strong>; calling off of pre-contract negotiations; and rejection of the bid with exclusion of the bidder.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Contract already awarded<\/td><td>Cancellation of the contract with <strong>recovery of the loss<\/strong>; forfeiture of any other security or bond furnished; and recovery of the payments already made, <strong>with interest<\/strong> at the prevailing rate.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">In either case<\/td><td>Removal from the list of registered suppliers and banning for <strong>not less than one year<\/strong>; reference to the <strong>Competition Commission of India<\/strong>, filed by a Joint Secretary-level officer, for anti-competitive practices; and disciplinary or criminal proceedings.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-22r\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 2.2.7<\/span>\n <h3>Conduct of public servants \u2014 risks & mitigations<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:26%\"><col style=\"width:74%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk area<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Hospitality<\/td><td>Never to be solicited, directly or indirectly. It must not involve significant travel, an overnight stay or a trip abroad, and must not publicly identify the recipient with a firm. Particular care is needed with firms in current or imminent tenders.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Gifts<\/td><td>Never to be solicited. Gifts above the limit in the conduct rules are not to be accepted or retained. <strong>Cash, gift cheques and cash-exchangeable vouchers are never acceptable, regardless of amount.<\/strong> A gift received inadvertently is returned, or reported and deposited in the <strong>Toshakhana or Treasury<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Private purchases<\/td><td>Special facilities or discounts are not to be sought or accepted on private purchases from suppliers and contractors with whom there are official dealings, particularly Rate-Contract holders.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Event sponsorship<\/td><td>No non-official pecuniary transaction. Sponsorship or donation for a cultural, social, sporting, religious or charitable event is not to be solicited from contractors or suppliers.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-23\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 2.3<\/span>\n <h3>Integrity Pact & Independent External Monitors<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Integrity Pact<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n A <strong>pre-bid pact<\/strong> between the buyer and the seller, committing both to ethical conduct and transparency from the pre-selection stage through to the completion of the contract. Entering into it is a <strong>preliminary qualification<\/strong>: a bid unaccompanied by a duly signed Integrity Pact is <strong>non-responsive and is rejected<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">15<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Ministries and Departments mandated by the Ministry of Finance to adopt the Integrity Pact above a threshold value.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">80\u201390%<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Share of procurement expenditure that the threshold should cover; decided with the approval of the Minister-in-charge.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>The Procuring Entity commits to act with <strong>equity and reason<\/strong>, and neither to seek nor to accept any illegitimate benefit.<\/li>\n <li>Bidders commit not to offer any illegitimate benefit to officials, and to commit no offence under the <strong>Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988<\/strong> or the penal law in force.<\/li>\n <li>There shall be no undisclosed agreement among bidders on <strong>prices, specifications or sub-contracts<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Fall Clause<\/strong> \u2014 bidders confirm that they have not, and will not, sell the same item below the price quoted in the bid.<\/li>\n <li>Foreign bidders disclose their <strong>Indian agents<\/strong>, and Indian bidders disclose their <strong>foreign principals<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Payments made to <strong>agents, brokers or intermediaries<\/strong> are disclosed, as are past transgressions over the specified period.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.4 \u00b7 Independent External Monitors at a glance<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 200\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"IEM number, age, tenure and advisory status\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"30\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">3<\/text>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">maximum monitors<\/text>\n <text x=\"115\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">approved by the CVC<\/text>\n <rect x=\"234\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"30\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">< 70<\/text>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">years of age<\/text>\n <text x=\"339\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">persons of high integrity<\/text>\n <rect x=\"458\" y=\"14\" width=\"210\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"26\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">3 + 2 = 5<\/text>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">years maximum tenure<\/text>\n <text x=\"563\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">initial 3, extendable by 2<\/text>\n <rect x=\"682\" y=\"14\" width=\"208\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"16\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">ADVISORY<\/text>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">not legally binding<\/text>\n <text x=\"786\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">CVO's role unaffected<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"122\" width=\"880\" height=\"66\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"144\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">WHO QUALIFIES<\/text>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Officers retired from top management of GoI departments \/ PSUs (not the same organisation); eminent persons;<\/text>\n <text x=\"32\" y=\"180\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">retired High Court \/ Supreme Court judges; senior private-sector executives. At least one IEM is named in the NIT.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Monitors are independent and neutral, get access to all documents on an allegation, ideally meet <strong>once every two months<\/strong>, and may report serious irregularities <strong>directly to the CVC<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">3<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Maximum number of Independent External Monitors, approved by the <strong>CVC<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">< 70<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Age limit; persons of high integrity and reputation.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">3 + 2<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Initial term of three years, extendable by two \u2014 a maximum tenure of <strong>five years<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">2 months<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Interval at which the Monitors should ideally meet.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>Eligible persons are officers retired from the <strong>top management<\/strong> of Government departments or public sector undertakings, though not of the same organisation; eminent persons; retired judges of the High Courts and the Supreme Court; and senior executives from the private sector.<\/li>\n <li>At least one Monitor is <strong>named in the Notice Inviting Tender<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>On an allegation, the Monitors have <strong>access to all documents and books<\/strong> of the organisation, and they may report serious irregularities <strong>directly to the CVC<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Their recommendations are <strong>advisory and are not legally binding<\/strong> on the organisation, and their appointment does not affect the role of the <strong>Chief Vigilance Officer<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c2-24\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 2.4<\/span>\n <h3>Debarment of suppliers, contractors & consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig slate\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 2.5 \u00b7 Two debarment tracks under Rule 151<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Conviction based debarment versus code of integrity breach debarment\">\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"182\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"225\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">TRACK 1 \u2014 CONVICTION [Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii)]<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Trigger: conviction under the Prevention of Corruption<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"87\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Act 1988, or the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita \/ any law in<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"104\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">force, for loss of life or property or threat to public health.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"118\" width=\"180\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">≤ 3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"228\" y=\"133\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">across ANY procuring entity<\/text>\n <text x=\"228\" y=\"149\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">successors included<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">List maintained by DoE \u00b7 displayed on the CPPP<\/text>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"182\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"14\" width=\"430\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"675\" y=\"36\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">TRACK 2 \u2014 INTEGRITY BREACH [Rule 151(iii)]<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Trigger: the procuring entity determines that the bidder<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"87\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">has breached the Code of Integrity.<\/text>\n <rect x=\"480\" y=\"118\" width=\"180\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"570\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">≤ 2 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"678\" y=\"133\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">only that procuring entity<\/text>\n <text x=\"678\" y=\"149\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">ordinarily ≥ 6 months<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">List maintained on the Ministry's own website<\/text>\n <rect x=\"10\" y=\"206\" width=\"880\" height=\"40\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"231\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Common safeguard \u2014 no debarment without a reasonable opportunity to represent [Rule 151(iv)]<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Debarment is an <strong>executive function<\/strong>, not a task for the Vigilance Department. A <strong>Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary<\/strong> may be the competent authority for a single-Ministry order.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:39%\"><col style=\"width:39%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Feature<\/th><th>Rule 151(i)\u2013(ii) \u2014 conviction<\/th><th>Rule 151(iii) \u2014 breach of the Code<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Trigger<\/td><td>Conviction of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, or under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force, for causing loss of life or property or a threat to public health <strong>as part of the execution of a public procurement contract<\/strong>.<\/td><td>The procuring entity <strong>determines<\/strong> that the bidder has breached the Code of Integrity.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Maximum period<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">3 years<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">2 years<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Reach<\/td><td>The procurement process of <strong>any<\/strong> procuring entity; the successor of the bidder is also ineligible.<\/td><td>Only the procurement undertaken by <strong>that<\/strong> entity.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">List maintained by<\/td><td><strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong>, displayed on the Central Public Procurement Portal.<\/td><td>The <strong>Ministry or Department<\/strong>, displayed on its own website.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Safeguard<\/td><td colspan=\"1\">No bidder shall be debarred unless he has been given a <strong>reasonable opportunity to represent<\/strong> against the debarment [Rule 151(iv)].<\/td><td>Ordinarily, the period should be <strong>not less than six months<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Type 1<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Debarment by a single Ministry<\/div>\n <p>Issued by the Ministry itself for a period <strong>not exceeding two years<\/strong>. It operates only within that Ministry and its attached and subordinate offices, autonomous bodies and CPSUs, and is <strong>not circulated<\/strong>. A <strong>Joint Secretary or Additional Secretary<\/strong> may be the competent authority. Debarment is an <strong>executive function<\/strong>, and is not entrusted to the Vigilance Department.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Type 2<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Debarment across all Ministries<\/div>\n <p>Issued by the <strong>Department of Expenditure<\/strong> after the proposing Ministry, with the approval of its Secretary, sends a self-contained note; DoE verifies conformity with <strong>Rule 151<\/strong>. Pending that decision, the firm remains under suspension only in the proposing Ministry. DoE may also act <strong>suo-moto<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal slate\">\n <li><strong>Allied firms.<\/strong> Concerns under the effective influence of the debarred firm, through common management, majority interest or shareholding, or control. <strong>All successor firms are allied firms<\/strong>, and debarment extends to them automatically.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Joint Ventures.<\/strong> Where a JV or consortium is debarred, <strong>all its partners<\/strong> stand debarred for the specified period, and are named in the order.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Effect on the bid.<\/strong> The bid of a debarred firm is ignored. If it was L-1, the <strong>next lowest bidder becomes L-1<\/strong>, and the debarred firm's bid security is returned.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Commencement and existing contracts.<\/strong> The period runs from the <strong>date of issue<\/strong> of the order. Contracts concluded <strong>before<\/strong> the order are unaffected. GeM may debar a firm for up to <strong>two years<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Revocation.<\/strong> The order is <strong>automatically revoked on expiry<\/strong> of the period, and no formal order is necessary. The competent authority may revoke it earlier if the disability already suffered is considered adequate.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz2\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 2 Quiz \u2014 players, integrity & debarment<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 2. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage2\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore2\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext2\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c2-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 2 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Individual vs team<\/td><td>More than <strong>3 experts<\/strong> \u2192 use a firm's team<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>JV liability<\/td><td><strong>Jointly & severally liable<\/strong>; lead \u2265 <strong>50%<\/strong>, others \u2265 <strong>25%<\/strong> of qualifying limit<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>One-proposal rule<\/td><td>Multiple proposals by one firm \u2192 <strong>all disqualified<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CIPP prohibited practices<\/td><td><strong>6<\/strong>: corrupt, fraudulent, anti-competitive, coercive, conflict of interest, obstructive<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Cash gifts<\/td><td><strong>Never<\/strong> acceptable; inadvertent \u2192 <strong>Toshakhana\/Treasury<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CCI referral<\/td><td>Filed by a <strong>Joint Secretary-level<\/strong> officer<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bid rigging<\/td><td>Presumed anti-competitive under the <strong>Competition Act, 2002<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Integrity Pact reach<\/td><td><strong>15 Ministries<\/strong>; threshold to cover <strong>80\u201390%<\/strong> of spend<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>IEMs<\/td><td>Max <strong>3<\/strong>, age < <strong>70<\/strong>, term <strong>3+2 = 5 yrs<\/strong>, CVC-approved, advice <strong>not binding<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment \u2014 conviction<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 3 years<\/strong>, all entities; PC Act 1988 or <strong>Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment lists<\/td><td>Conviction list by <strong>DoE on CPPP<\/strong>; integrity-breach list on Ministry website<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Debarment \u2014 integrity breach<\/td><td><strong>\u2264 2 years<\/strong>, single entity; ordinarily <strong>\u2265 6 months<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>All-Ministry debarment<\/td><td>Issued by <strong>DoE, MoF<\/strong>; allied & successor firms auto-included<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch3\" data-chapter=\"3\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c3-31\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 3 \u00b7 CONTRACTS & SELECTION<\/span>\n <h2>Types of Contracts & Systems of Selection<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The types of contract, which fix how payment is linked to performance, and the systems of selection \u2014 <strong>LCS, QCBS, SSS and FBS<\/strong>. The choice of contract type should be guided by <strong>Value for Money<\/strong>. An inappropriate type results in poor competition, disputes, and failure of the assignment.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.1 \u00b7 The five contract types \u2014 what payment is tied to<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Five contract types and the basis of payment for each\">\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"42\" x2=\"880\" y2=\"42\" stroke=\"#cdd9e5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">SCOPE CLEARLY DEFINABLE<\/text>\n <text x=\"880\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">SCOPE UNCERTAIN<\/text>\n <g><rect x=\"20\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"100\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">LUMP SUM<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Firm Fixed Price<\/text>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on DELIVERABLES<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"186\" width=\"160\" height=\"24\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"100\" y=\"203\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PREFERRED DEFAULT<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"196\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"276\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">TIME-BASED<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Retainer-ship<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on STAFF TIME<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"372\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"452\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">PERCENTAGE<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Success Fee<\/text>\n <text x=\"452\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on PROJECT COST<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"548\" y=\"58\" width=\"160\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"628\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">RETAINER + FEE<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">combination<\/text>\n <text x=\"628\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">TIME + SUCCESS<\/text><\/g>\n <g><rect x=\"724\" y=\"58\" width=\"156\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"802\" cy=\"86\" r=\"16\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">INDEF. DELIVERY<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Price Agreement<\/text>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">paid on UNIT RATE<\/text>\n <rect x=\"724\" y=\"186\" width=\"156\" height=\"24\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"802\" y=\"203\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">like a RATE CONTRACT<\/text><\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"235\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">For other (non-consultancy) services, add unit \/ item-rate contracts \u2014 e.g. taxi per km<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Whatever the type, two safeguards recur: <strong>pay only against a certificate of acceptance<\/strong>, and set an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong> beyond which the competent authority must review any extension.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:48%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Type of contract<\/th><th>Payment is linked to<\/th><th>Used for<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Lump Sum<br>(Firm Fixed Price)<\/td><td>Clearly specified <strong>outputs, milestones and deliverables<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Simple planning and feasibility studies, environmental studies, standard design, and data-processing systems. The proposal includes all prices, so <strong>no arithmetical correction and no price adjustment<\/strong> is made during evaluation.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Time-Based<br>(Retainer-ship)<\/td><td>Agreed <strong>hourly, daily, weekly or monthly rates<\/strong> for named staff, plus reimbursables.<\/td><td>Complex studies, construction supervision, advisory services and most training. Rates include salary, social costs, overhead, fee or profit, and allowances.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Percentage<br>(Success Fee)<\/td><td>A percentage of the estimated or actual <strong>project cost<\/strong>, or of the cost of goods procured or inspected.<\/td><td>Architectural services, and procurement and inspection agents. Among the technically qualified, the <strong>lowest percentage quoted<\/strong> is selected.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Retainer-ship cum<br>Success Fee<\/td><td>A monthly <strong>time-based retainer<\/strong> together with a <strong>percentage success fee<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Banks and financial firms preparing companies for sales or mergers, notably privatisation, and organisational restructuring.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Indefinite Delivery<br>(Price Agreement)<\/td><td>The <strong>unit rate<\/strong> quoted, applied to the time or quantum actually used.<\/td><td>On-call advisers, dispute-resolution adjudicators, procurement advice, document management, taxi services and temporary manpower. There is <strong>no commitment on quantum<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list slate\">\n <li>For other (non-consultancy) services the contract may be lump-sum, time-based, <strong>unit or item-rate<\/strong> (a taxi paid per kilometre), or indefinite-delivery, or a mixture of these.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-32\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 3.2<\/span>\n <h3>Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price) Contract<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope of the output are not linked to payment, giving a temptation to cut corners, and disputes arise on interpretation.<\/td><td>Use the type only where quality, scope and timing are clearly defined; record acceptance; and <strong>pay only against a certificate of acceptance<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time over-run, since time is not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Monitor the output <strong>every month<\/strong> against the planned time-line.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-33\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 3.3<\/span>\n <h3>Time-Based (Retainer-ship) Contract<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope are not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Evaluate the quality and scope, and release payment only against acceptance certificates.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Performance in a period is not linked to payment, so paid staff may be used in a dilatory manner.<\/td><td>Monitor closely, with <strong>monthly reporting<\/strong> of payouts and of the work achieved to the competent authority.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time and cost over-run, the major risk, since delay benefits the consultant.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong>. Once the limit is reached or the period exceeded, the <strong>competent authority reviews<\/strong> any extension.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-34\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 3.4\u20133.5<\/span>\n <h3>Percentage & Retainer-cum-Success Fee Contracts<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Percentage contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Risk of bias against economic design<\/div>\n <p>Since the fee rises with the project cost, the consultant has <strong>no incentive to design economically<\/strong>. For architectural services the type is recommended only on a <strong>fixed target cost<\/strong>, with the services precisely defined.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Retainer + success fee<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Carries both sets of risks<\/div>\n <p><strong>All the risks of the Percentage type and of the Time-Based type<\/strong> apply, and the same mitigations are used \u2014 payment against acceptance certificates, monthly reporting, and an upper limit of total payments.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-36\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 3.6<\/span>\n <h3>Indefinite Delivery Contract (Price Agreement)<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:54%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td><strong>Over-utilisation<\/strong> \u2014 usage may exceed the actual need, as the scrutiny of each call is less intense.<\/td><td>Scrutinise the need assessment; lay down a <strong>maximum contract value<\/strong>; require the competent authority's approval to exceed it; and escalate reporting above a monthly payout benchmark.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Quality and scope, and performance in each period, are not linked to payment.<\/td><td>Pay only against acceptance certificates, with close monitoring and monthly reporting.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time and cost over-run.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit of total payments<\/strong>; the competent authority reviews any extension once it is reached or exceeded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-37\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 3.7<\/span>\n <h3>Systems of selection of service providers<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>Since the quality of consultancy is not tangibly measurable, selection is normally a <strong>two-stage process<\/strong>: capable sources are first shortlisted through an advertised Expression of Interest, and the shortlisted firms then submit technical and financial proposals in <strong>separate sealed envelopes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Technical proposals are evaluated <strong>without access to the financial proposals<\/strong>, which are opened only after the evaluation of quality is complete.<\/li>\n <li>Other (non-consultancy) services are normally selected on the <strong>lowest price<\/strong>, on the lines of goods and works; Single Source Selection is used only in special circumstances.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.2 \u00b7 Choosing the system of selection<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Decision tree for LCS, QCBS, SSS and FBS\">\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"10\" width=\"240\" height=\"40\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"35\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Assignment to be awarded<\/text>\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"50\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"72\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <line x1=\"120\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"780\" y2=\"72\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"120\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"120\" y2=\"98\"\/><line x1=\"340\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"340\" y2=\"98\"\/>\n <line x1=\"560\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"560\" y2=\"98\"\/><line x1=\"780\" y1=\"72\" x2=\"780\" y2=\"98\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">LCS<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 193<\/text>\n <line x1=\"52\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"188\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\"\/>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Standard \/ routine<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">audits \u00b7 non-complex<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">engineering design<\/text>\n <text x=\"120\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">L-1 wins on price<\/text>\n <rect x=\"250\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">QCBS<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 192<\/text>\n <line x1=\"272\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"408\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Quality is prime<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">complex \u00b7 critical \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">downstream impact<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">weighted score wins<\/text>\n <rect x=\"470\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">SSS<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 194<\/text>\n <line x1=\"492\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"628\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\"\/>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Exceptional only<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">continuation \u00b7 emergency<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">proprietary \u00b7 sole expert<\/text>\n <text x=\"560\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">CA approval first<\/text>\n <rect x=\"690\" y=\"98\" width=\"180\" height=\"130\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">FBS<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rule 192(i)<\/text>\n <line x1=\"712\" y1=\"150\" x2=\"848\" y2=\"150\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\"\/>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Budget fixed in tender<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">simple \/ repetitive \u00b7<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">precisely definable<\/text>\n <text x=\"780\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">best tech within budget<\/text>\n <rect x=\"30\" y=\"246\" width=\"840\" height=\"44\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">OTHER (NON-CONSULTANCY) SERVICES \u2192 lowest price (L-1), like Goods \/ Works<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"281\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Single Source Selection only in special circumstances<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\"><strong>LCS is the simplest and quickest<\/strong> method, and any other method needs justification. A <strong>100% cost weight in QCBS approximates LCS<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"stat-strip\">\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">3<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Minimum number on the<br>short list [Rule 184]<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">8<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Maximum, generally,<br>on the short list<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">2<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Stages in the<br>selection process<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"stat-cell\"><div class=\"stat-val\">80%<\/div><div class=\"stat-key\">Cap on technical<br>weightage [Rule 192(iv)]<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <p>Lack of competition is not determined solely on the basis of the number of bidders. Even where only one bid is submitted, the process may be considered valid provided the following conditions are satisfied [<strong>Rule 173(xx)<\/strong>]:<\/p>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list amber\">\n <li>The procurement was <strong>satisfactorily advertised<\/strong>, and sufficient time was given for submission of bids.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>qualification criteria were not unduly restrictive<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>prices are reasonable<\/strong> in comparison to market values.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Rule 173(xxi)<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Where a limited tender or an open tender results in <strong>only one effective offer<\/strong>, it shall be treated as a <strong>single tender contract<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-38\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 3.8<\/span>\n <h3>Least Cost System \u2014 Rule 193, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Rule 193<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n LCS is appropriate for assignments of a <strong>standard or routine nature<\/strong>, such as audits and the engineering design of non-complex works, where well-established methodologies, practices and standards exist. Unlike QCBS, <strong>there is no weightage for the technical score<\/strong> in the final evaluation, and the responsive technically qualified proposal with the <strong>lowest evaluated cost<\/strong> shall be selected.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>The technical and financial proposals are submitted together. A minimum qualifying mark is set, the benchmark being <strong>normally 75 out of 100<\/strong>, or a simpler <strong>pass\/fail<\/strong> criterion is used, such as at least two similar assignments, or a turnover of at least \u20b910 crore.<\/li>\n <li>The technical proposals are opened and evaluated first, and the <strong>financial bids of the non-responsive bidders are returned unopened<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>LCS is the simplest and quickest method; any other method requires justification.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-39\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 3.9<\/span>\n <h3>Quality and Cost Based Selection \u2014 Rule 192, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman purple\">\n <li>The quality of the technical proposals is scored as per the criteria announced in the RfP. Only those responsive proposals that achieve at least the <strong>minimum specified qualifying score<\/strong> are considered further.<\/li>\n <li>After the financial proposals of the responsive, technically qualified bidders are opened and scored, a <strong>final combined score<\/strong> is arrived at by giving predefined relative weightages to the score of quality and the score of the financial proposal.<\/li>\n <li>The RfP shall specify the minimum qualifying score for quality, and the relative weightages to be given to quality and cost, determined for each case according to the relative importance of quality against cost \u2014 <strong>70:30, 60:40, 50:50<\/strong> and the like. The proposal with the <strong>highest weighted combined score<\/strong> shall be selected.<\/li>\n <li>The weightage of the technical, that is non-financial, parameters shall <strong>in no case exceed 80 per cent<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 3.3 \u00b7 QCBS worked example \u2014 70:30, qualifying mark 75<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"QCBS worked example comparing proposals A B and C\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#eef6ff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">B = (C_low \/ C) × X + (T \/ T_high) × (1 − X)<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"46\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">C = evaluated price \u00b7 T = technical score \u00b7 X = price weight (here 0.30)<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">PROPOSAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">TECHNICAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">PRICE<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">NORMALISED<\/text>\n <text x=\"520\" y=\"76\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMBINED SCORE<\/text>\n <line x1=\"20\" y1=\"84\" x2=\"880\" y2=\"84\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">A<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">75<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹120<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"112\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 83 \u00b7 C 83<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"98\" width=\"249\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#b9d2ec\"\/>\n <text x=\"784\" y=\"113\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#41617f\">83.0 H-3<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">B<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">80<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹100<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 89 \u00b7 C 100<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"138\" width=\"277\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"812\" y=\"153\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">92.3 H-2<\/text>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">C<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">90<\/text>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" fill=\"#41617f\">₹110<\/text>\n <text x=\"380\" y=\"192\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">T 100 \u00b7 C 91<\/text>\n <rect x=\"520\" y=\"178\" width=\"292\" height=\"20\" rx=\"4\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"827\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">97.3 H-1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"500\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Proposal C wins at ₹110 \u2014 not the cheapest bid<\/text>\n <rect x=\"536\" y=\"216\" width=\"344\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"708\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Tie in final score \u2192 highest TECHNICAL score is H-1<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"260\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Table 3 \u2014 complex 80\/20 \u00b7 moderate complexity 75\u201365 \/ 35\u201325 \u00b7 standard & routine 60\u201350 \/ 40\u201350 (LCS appropriate)<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Under LCS the same three bids would give the contract to <strong>B at \u20b9100<\/strong>. The 70% quality weight is precisely what buys C's superior technical score.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:46%\"><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the assignment<\/th><th>Remarks<\/th><th>Quality \/ Cost<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Highly complex, or with downstream consequences, or specialised<\/td><td>QCBS with a higher technical weightage<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">80 \/ 20<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Of moderate complexity<\/td><td>The majority of cases fall here<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">75\u201365 \/ 35\u201325<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Standard or routine \u2014 auditors, procurement agents<\/td><td>LCS is appropriate<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">60\u201350 \/ 40\u201350<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>QCBS should not be selected where LCS or another method would be more appropriate; the choice is to be justified.<\/li>\n <li>A weightage other than <strong>70:30<\/strong> is to be adequately examined and justified.<\/li>\n <li>Subjectivity in marking is addressed by laying down objective marking criteria, grading the unavoidable subjectivity, and providing for conciliation or moderation of widely disparate marks.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-310\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 3.10<\/span>\n <h3>Single Source Selection \/ Consultancy by nomination \u2014 Rule 194, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman red\">\n <li>Tasks that represent a <strong>natural continuation<\/strong> of previous work carried out by the firm.<\/li>\n <li>An <strong>emergency situation<\/strong>, a situation arising after a natural disaster, or a situation where timely completion of the assignment is of utmost importance.<\/li>\n <li>Situations where execution of the assignment may involve the use of <strong>proprietary techniques<\/strong>, or where only one consultant has the requisite expertise.<\/li>\n <li>Under some special circumstances, where adequate justification exists in the context of the overall interest of the Ministry or Department. <strong>Full justification is recorded in the file<\/strong>, and the approval of the competent authority obtained before resorting to single-source selection.<\/li>\n <li>Fairness and equity shall be ensured, and a procedure put in place so that the <strong>prices are reasonable and consistent with market rates<\/strong> for tasks of a similar nature; the required consultancy services shall <strong>not be split<\/strong> into smaller-sized procurement.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-red\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Report to<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">The <strong>Secretary<\/strong> in ministries and departments, the <strong>Board of Directors<\/strong> in PSUs, banks and insurers, or the <strong>Chief Executive<\/strong> where there is no board.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">Quarterly<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Frequency at which a report on awards made on nomination basis is submitted.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 10%<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Proportion of such cases that the audit committee may be required to check.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c3-311\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 3.11<\/span>\n <h3>Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Besides QCBS, LCS and SSS, <strong>FBS<\/strong> is also allowed, under which the cost of the consulting services is fixed as a <strong>budget stated in the tender document<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman gold\">\n <li>The services are <strong>simple and\/or repetitive<\/strong>, and can be precisely defined.<\/li>\n <li>The budget can be <strong>reasonably estimated<\/strong>, from credible estimates or from previous successful selections.<\/li>\n <li>The budget is <strong>sufficient<\/strong> for the consultant to perform the assignment.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">First route<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Competitive process on quality alone<\/div>\n <p>A competitive process based <strong>only on quality<\/strong> [Rule 192(i)]. Among the proposals within the stated budget, the one with the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> is selected.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Second route<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Empanelment<\/div>\n <p>For repetitive assignments, selection is made from a panel on public-interest considerations \u2014 <strong>timeliness, practicability and prior assignments<\/strong> \u2014 with a <strong>fixed budget for each assignment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz3\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 3 Quiz \u2014 contract types & selection methods<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 3. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage3\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore3\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext3\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c3-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 3 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Preferred contract<\/td><td><strong>Lump Sum<\/strong> \u2014 no price adjustment; pay against acceptance certificate<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Time-Based safeguard<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit<\/strong> of total payment; CA reviews extension<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Percentage contract pick<\/td><td>Lowest <strong>percentage<\/strong> wins; discouraged for design (no economy incentive)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Indefinite Delivery<\/td><td>Like a <strong>Rate Contract<\/strong>; selected on <strong>unit rate<\/strong>; set a max value<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Shortlist size<\/td><td><strong>Not fewer than 3, not more than 8<\/strong> firms<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>LCS (Rule 193)<\/td><td>For <strong>standard\/routine<\/strong> work; benchmark <strong>~75\/100<\/strong>; lowest evaluated cost wins<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS (Rule 192)<\/td><td>Benchmark <strong>70\u201380\/100<\/strong>; typical weight <strong>70:30<\/strong>, technical <strong>\u2264 80%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS Table 3<\/td><td>Complex <strong>80\/20<\/strong>; moderate <strong>75\u201365\/35\u201325<\/strong>; routine <strong>60\u201350\/40\u201350<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>QCBS tie-break<\/td><td>In favour of the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> \u2192 ranked H-1<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>SSS (Rule 194)<\/td><td>Justification + CA approval; report <strong>quarterly<\/strong>; audit \u2265 <strong>10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>FBS<\/td><td>Budget fixed in tender; <strong>simple\/repetitive<\/strong> work; highest tech score within budget<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Single bid<\/td><td>Valid if well-advertised, non-restrictive criteria & reasonable price [Rule 173(xx)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch4\" data-chapter=\"4\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c4-tor\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 4 \u00b7 PREPARING<\/span>\n <h2>Preparing for Procurement of Consultancy Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Terms of Reference \u2014 Rule 185, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The ToR plays the role that the <strong>Description, Quantity and Technical Specification<\/strong> play in the procurement of goods. It must be <strong>comprehensive and unambiguous<\/strong>, yet not so detailed and inflexible that the competing consultants are prevented from proposing their own methodology and staffing.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.1 \u00b7 The five contents of a Terms of Reference<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"The five mandatory contents of a Terms of Reference under Rule 185\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Rule 185 \u2014 what the ToR SHALL include<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"103\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">OBJECTIVES<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A precise statement<\/text>\n <text x=\"103\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of what is sought<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"193\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"276\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">TASKS<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">An outline of the<\/text>\n <text x=\"276\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">work to be carried out<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"366\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"449\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">SCHEDULE<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">For completion of<\/text>\n <text x=\"449\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">each of the tasks<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"539\" y=\"56\" width=\"167\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"622\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">OUR INPUTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Support the Ministry<\/text>\n <text x=\"622\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">will itself provide<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"712\" y=\"56\" width=\"168\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"796\" cy=\"82\" r=\"15\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">FINAL OUTPUTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">What is required of<\/text>\n <text x=\"796\" y=\"151\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">the consultant<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"192\" width=\"420\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f0fdf8\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"215\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">✓ DESCRIBE THE ACTIVITIES<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">What has to be achieved, sequenced on a<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">timeline, best shown as a bar \/ Gantt chart.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"277\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Activity-based ToR: one description for the whole team<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"192\" width=\"420\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff5f5\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"215\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">✗ DO NOT DICTATE THE METHODOLOGY<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Devising the approach is the consultant's task,<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and it is what the technical evaluation compares.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"277\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Suggestions may still be offered in the ToR<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Key professionals are usually <strong>named<\/strong> in the ToR, and their credentials carry weightage in the technical evaluation. An activity-based ToR is preferred where the team is small and flexibility is needed.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>A <strong>precise statement of objectives<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>An <strong>outline of the tasks<\/strong> to be carried out.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>schedule for completion<\/strong> of the tasks.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>support or inputs to be provided<\/strong> by the Ministry or Department to facilitate the consultancy.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>final outputs<\/strong> that will be required of the consultant.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Activities, not methodology<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">The Detailed Scope of Work describes <strong>only the activities, and not the approach or methodology<\/strong>, which is the consultant's task; suggestions may nevertheless be offered. The tasks are sequenced over a timeline, best shown as a <strong>bar or Gantt chart<\/strong>. Such a ToR is <strong>activity-based<\/strong> \u2014 a single description of what the team as a whole will provide \u2014 rather than position-based, and is preferred where the team is small and flexibility is needed. <strong>Key professionals are usually named<\/strong>, and their credentials carry weightage in the technical evaluation.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-reports\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 4.1<\/span>\n <h3>Deliverables & the four reports<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.2 \u00b7 The four reports across the life of an assignment<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 270\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Inception, progress, interim and final reports on a timeline\">\n <defs><marker id=\"ar4\" markerWidth=\"9\" markerHeight=\"9\" refX=\"7\" refY=\"4.5\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L9 4.5 L0 9 z\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <line x1=\"40\" y1=\"120\" x2=\"860\" y2=\"120\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" marker-end=\"url(#ar4)\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMMENCEMENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"838\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">COMPLETION<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"150\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <line x1=\"150\" y1=\"111\" x2=\"150\" y2=\"70\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"60\" y=\"12\" width=\"180\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">INCEPTION REPORT<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"50\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">~ 6 WEEKS<\/text>\n <text x=\"150\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">after commencement<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"360\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <line x1=\"360\" y1=\"129\" x2=\"360\" y2=\"168\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"256\" y=\"168\" width=\"208\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">PROGRESS REPORTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Feasibility & design studies<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">every 2 months<\/text>\n <text x=\"360\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Tech. assistance & supervision \u2014 monthly<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"600\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <line x1=\"600\" y1=\"111\" x2=\"600\" y2=\"70\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"500\" y=\"12\" width=\"200\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">INTERIM REPORTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"50\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">REVIEW ≤ 15 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">for phased assignments<\/text>\n\n <circle cx=\"820\" cy=\"120\" r=\"9\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <line x1=\"820\" y1=\"129\" x2=\"820\" y2=\"168\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-dasharray=\"3 3\"\/>\n <rect x=\"700\" y=\"168\" width=\"180\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">FINAL REPORT<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Consultants alone are<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">responsible for the findings<\/text>\n <text x=\"790\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">rejected comments are recorded<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Inception Report<\/strong> brings out inconsistencies in the ToR, problems of staffing, or deficiencies in the assistance to be given by the Procuring Entity, and gives confidence that the assignment can proceed as planned.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:56%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Report<\/th><th>When<\/th><th>Content and purpose<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Inception Report<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">~ 6 weeks<br>after commencement<\/td><td>Brings out inconsistencies in the ToR, problems of staffing, or deficiencies in the assistance to be given by the Entity, and gives confidence that the assignment can proceed as planned.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Progress Reports<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Monthly or<br>bimonthly<\/td><td>Keep the Entity informed. Feasibility and design studies at <strong>two-month<\/strong> intervals; technical assistance and construction supervision <strong>monthly<\/strong>. Time-stamped photographs are encouraged.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Interim Reports<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Phased<br>assignments<\/td><td>The Entity should take <strong>not more than 15 days<\/strong> to review and approve a draft interim report, as it may affect the later phases.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Final Report<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">At completion<\/td><td>The <strong>consultants alone are responsible<\/strong> for the findings. If they do not accept the Entity's comments, the reasons are recorded in the report.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>For each deliverable the ToR fixes the <strong>format, the frequency, the content, the number of copies and the language<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The ToR template also covers the background and project context; the purpose and service-outcome statement; the detailed scope with its schedule; the expected key professionals and their expertise; capacity-building and transfer of knowledge; the background material to be provided; the <strong>facilities<\/strong> such as conveyance, office space and secretarial assistance; the institutional arrangements; and the review procedure of the <strong>Consultancy Monitoring Committee<\/strong> after award.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-cost\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 4.2<\/span>\n <h3>Estimating costs, setting the budget & seeking approval<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.3 \u00b7 How the cost estimate is built up<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Cost of a consultancy split into fee and reimbursable costs\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">TOTAL COST OF THE ASSIGNMENT<\/text>\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"44\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"60\"\/><line x1=\"240\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"660\" y2=\"60\"\/>\n <line x1=\"240\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"240\" y2=\"76\"\/><line x1=\"660\" y1=\"60\" x2=\"660\" y2=\"76\"\/>\n <\/g>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"170\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"36\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">(a) FEE \/ REMUNERATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"134\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Fixed according to the type of contract chosen.<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"152\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">Each staff rate is inclusive of \u2014<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● basic salary<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● social charges<\/text>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● overheads<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"172\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● fee \/ profit<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● allowances<\/text>\n <text x=\"240\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">● forecast inflation<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">provision is made for inflation over the assignment<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"170\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"76\" width=\"420\" height=\"36\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">(b) REIMBURSABLE COSTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"134\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Everything the consultant spends on your behalf.<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"158\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● logistics \u2014 city, national and<\/text>\n <text x=\"506\" y=\"174\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">international travel and stay<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"194\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● physical inputs \u2014 vehicles, lab equipment<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● support services<\/text>\n <text x=\"492\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">● contingencies & profit ● taxes & duties<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Estimating the cost is not a formality: the estimate fixes the <strong>level of the competent authority<\/strong> whose approval must be taken, and it is the yardstick against which an abnormally low bid is later judged.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Category (a)<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Fee or Remuneration<\/div>\n <p>Fixed according to the type of contract. Staff remuneration rates include <strong>basic salary, social charges, overheads, fees or profit, and allowances<\/strong>. The estimate provides for <strong>forecast inflation<\/strong> over the period of the assignment.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Category (b)<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Reimbursable Costs<\/div>\n <p>Logistics, being city, national and international travel and stay; physical inputs such as vehicles and laboratory equipment; support services; contingencies and profit; and <strong>taxes and duties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>The Ministry proposing to engage a consultant shall estimate a <strong>reasonable expenditure<\/strong> by ascertaining the prevalent market conditions, and by consulting other organisations engaged in similar activities [<strong>Rule 182<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Costs are normally estimated as <strong>unit rates multiplied by quantities<\/strong>; some items, such as contingencies and support services, are taken on a lump-sum or percentage basis.<\/li>\n <li>A <strong>mismatch between the cost estimate and the ToR<\/strong> misleads the consultants about the scope and depth desired, and causes problems at negotiation or during implementation.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-final\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 4.3<\/span>\n <h3>Finalising the ToR & developing the procurement plan<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal teal\">\n <li>The scope in the ToR must be <strong>compatible with the available budget<\/strong>. All the required tasks must be included, and adequate budget allocated; a series of iterations may be needed.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>approval of the competent authority<\/strong> to the ToR is taken before proceeding further; after administrative approval, budget provision is made, or confirmed at the Revised Estimate stage. <strong>Procurement may be initiated only after such budgetary provision or confirmation.<\/strong><\/li>\n <li>Where the consultancy is one component of a larger project, the Entity develops a <strong>synchronised procurement plan<\/strong>, sequencing all the components and choosing the method of selection and the type of contract for each. A construction-supervision consultant, for instance, must be <strong>mobilised before the award of the construction contract<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>All Ministries and Departments shall prepare an <strong>Annual Procurement Plan<\/strong> before the commencement of the year, and place it on their website [<strong>Rule 144(x)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c4-eproc\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 4.5<\/span>\n <h3>e-Procurement \u2014 Rule 160, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 4.4 \u00b7 The e-procurement mandate and its three exits<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Mandatory e-procurement with exemptions for GeM, national security and Indian missions abroad\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"56\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">MANDATORY \u2014 all bids, for all procurements, are received through e-procurement portals<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"54\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fbdedb\">Low-volume Departments may use the NIC solution; others use NIC or another provider chosen through due process<\/text>\n\n <g stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\">\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"66\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"86\"\/><line x1=\"160\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"740\" y2=\"86\"\/>\n <line x1=\"160\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"160\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"450\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"106\"\/><line x1=\"740\" y1=\"86\" x2=\"740\" y2=\"106\"\/>\n <\/g>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"102\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">THREE EXITS FROM THE MANDATE<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">PROCUREMENT ON GeM<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">These instructions simply do<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">not apply to purchases made<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">through GeM.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">No approval needed<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">NATIONAL SECURITY<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where national security and<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">strategic considerations<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"196\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">demand confidentiality.<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Secretary's approval + FA's concurrence<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"112\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">INDIAN MISSIONS ABROAD<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">For tenders floated by an<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"179\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Indian Mission abroad.<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"220\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Competent Authority deciding the tender<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"244\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where a Global Tender Enquiry is permitted, e-procurement under Rule 160 may also not be insisted upon<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The e-publishing duty under <strong>Rule 159<\/strong> is separate from the e-procurement duty under <strong>Rule 160<\/strong>: the first is about <em>publishing<\/em> the notice, the second about <em>receiving<\/em> the bid.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">The mandate<\/td><td>It is <strong>mandatory<\/strong> for Ministries and Departments to receive <strong>all bids through e-procurement portals<\/strong>, in respect of all procurements.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Choice of portal<\/td><td>Ministries which do not have a large volume of procurement, or which procure only for the day-to-day running of offices, may use the e-procurement solution developed by <strong>NIC<\/strong>. Others may use the NIC solution, or engage any other service provider following due process.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">National security<\/td><td>In an individual case where national security and strategic considerations demand confidentiality, the case may be exempted after seeking the approval of the concerned <strong>Secretary<\/strong>, and with the <strong>concurrence of the Financial Adviser<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Indian Missions abroad<\/td><td>In the case of tenders floated by Indian Missions abroad, the <strong>Competent Authority to decide the tender<\/strong> may exempt such a case from e-procurement.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">GeM<\/td><td>These instructions do <strong>not apply<\/strong> to procurement made through GeM.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Global Tender Enquiry<\/td><td>Where a GTE is issued under Rule 161(iv), <strong>e-procurement as per Rule 160 may not be insisted upon<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Two distinct duties<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\"><strong>Rule 159 \u2014 e-publishing.<\/strong> Tender enquiries, corrigenda thereon and details of bid awards are published on the GeM-CPPP. \u00b7 <strong>Rule 160 \u2014 e-procurement.<\/strong> All bids are received through e-procurement portals.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz4\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 4 Quiz \u2014 ToR, costs & e-procurement<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 4. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage4\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore4\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext4\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c4-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 4 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>ToR analogue<\/td><td>Description, Quantity & Technical Spec for goods (<strong>Rule 185<\/strong>)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR contents<\/td><td>Objectives \u00b7 tasks \u00b7 schedule \u00b7 Ministry's inputs \u00b7 final outputs<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR describes<\/td><td><strong>Activities, not methodology<\/strong> \u2014 that is the consultant's task<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Inception Report<\/td><td>About <strong>6 weeks<\/strong> after commencement<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Progress Reports<\/td><td>Feasibility & design <strong>every 2 months<\/strong>; supervision <strong>monthly<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Interim report review<\/td><td>Entity takes <strong>\u2264 15 days<\/strong> to review & approve a draft<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Cost categories<\/td><td>(a) Fee \/ remuneration \u00b7 (b) Reimbursable costs<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Reasonable estimate<\/td><td><strong>Rule 182<\/strong> \u2014 from market conditions & similar organisations<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Committee after award<\/td><td><strong>Consultancy Monitoring Committee<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>ToR approval<\/td><td><strong>CA approval + budget provision<\/strong> before procurement is initiated<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Annual Procurement Plan<\/td><td>Before the year starts, on the website \u2014 <strong>Rule 144(x)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Procurement<\/td><td><strong>Mandatory (Rule 160)<\/strong>; does not apply to GeM<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>e-Proc exemption<\/td><td>National security \u2192 <strong>Secretary's approval + FA's concurrence<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch5\" data-chapter=\"5\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c5-eoi\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 5 \u00b7 SHORTLISTING<\/span>\n <h2>Shortlisting Stage in Procurement of Consultancy Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Why the process is in two stages<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Since the quality of consultancy is not tangibly measurable, it is too costly to invite and evaluate proposals from everyone. Selection therefore rests on <strong>limited proposals from a short list of qualified firms<\/strong>. At the first stage the qualified firms are shortlisted in a transparent manner; at the second an RfP, seeking technical and financial proposals, is invited from the short list. Unreasonable qualification criteria, which restrict participation, are to be avoided.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.1 \u00b7 The funnel \u2014 from the whole market down to one consultant<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Funnel from the market through long list, short list and RfP to the selected consultant\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"12\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">THE WHOLE MARKET OF CONSULTANTS<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"20,52 880,52 800,110 100,110\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">STAGE 1 — LONG LIST<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"99\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">from an advertised EoI, or from enquiries where the value is low<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"103,118 797,118 730,176 170,176\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">SHORT LIST — NOT FEWER THAN 3, GENERALLY NOT MORE THAN 8<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"165\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">firms scoring the minimum marks, normally 75%, are shortlisted<\/text>\n\n <polygon points=\"173,184 727,184 660,242 240,242\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">STAGE 2 — REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"231\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">technical + financial proposals, issued to the short list only<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"330\" y=\"250\" width=\"240\" height=\"40\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"275\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">THE SELECTED CONSULTANT<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The two stages answer different questions. Stage 1 asks <strong>\"who is capable?\"<\/strong> and looks only at the firm. Stage 2 asks <strong>\"whose proposal is best?\"<\/strong> and looks at approach, staff and price.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>On the basis of the responses received from the interested parties, the consultants meeting the requirements are shortlisted for further consideration. The number of shortlisted consultants shall be <strong>not less than three<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 184<\/strong>], and should generally not exceed <strong>eight<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Other (non-consultancy) services are procured through a simpler, <strong>single-stage<\/strong> process, on the lines of goods and works.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-thresh\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>Identification of likely sources \u2014 the thresholds<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.2 \u00b7 Estimated value decides the route \u2014 the \u20b950 lakh line<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Rule 183 and Rule 201 thresholds at fifty lakh rupees\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"26\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONSULTANCY SERVICES — Rule 183<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"38\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">UP TO ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">No formal published EoI. A long list is prepared<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">from formal or informal enquiries.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Akin to a Limited Tender Enquiry<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"38\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">ABOVE ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">An enquiry seeking an Expression of Interest<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"100\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">must be PUBLISHED, in addition to the long list.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">On GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"30\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"140\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\"\/>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"176\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">OTHER (NON-CONSULTANCY) SERVICES — Rule 201<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">UP TO ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A limited tender enquiry is issued to the prima<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"250\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">facie eligible and capable contractors.<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Their number must be MORE THAN THREE<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"94\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"212\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"15\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">ABOVE ₹50 LAKH<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"234\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The Ministry issues an advertisement, giving the<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"250\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">web address from which documents download.<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"272\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">On GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"450\" y1=\"180\" x2=\"450\" y2=\"290\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"5 4\"\/>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Both limbs were raised to <strong>\u20b950 lakh<\/strong> by the Department of Expenditure. An organisation with its own website must publish its advertised tender enquiries there as well.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:22%\"><col style=\"width:20%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Rule<\/th><th>Estimated value<\/th><th>What is to be done<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 183(i)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">consultancy<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Up to<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>A <strong>long list<\/strong> of potential consultants is prepared on the basis of formal or informal enquiries from other Ministries, Departments or organisations involved in similar activities, from Chambers of Commerce & Industry, and from associations of consultancy firms.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 183(ii)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">consultancy<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Above<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td><strong>In addition to the long list<\/strong>, an enquiry seeking an <strong>Expression of Interest<\/strong> is published on <strong>GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>. An organisation having its own website also publishes it there.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(i)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">other services<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Up to<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>The preliminary list of likely contractors is scrutinised, the prima facie <strong>eligible and capable<\/strong> contractors are decided, and a <strong>limited tender enquiry<\/strong> is issued to them. Their number shall be <strong>more than three<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(ii)<br><span style=\"font-weight:400;font-size:12px;\">other services<\/span><\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">Above<br>\u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>An <strong>advertisement<\/strong> is issued on <strong>GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, giving the <strong>complete web address<\/strong> from which the bidding documents can be downloaded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-reoi\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>The enquiry seeking Expression of Interest<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig purple\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.3 \u00b7 The REoI \u2014 four questions in, three questions strictly out<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"What the request for expression of interest may and may not ask\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"196\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"33\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">✓ WHAT THE REoI ASKS THE FIRM<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its core business and years in business<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"98\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its qualifications in the field of the assignment<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"126\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Its technical and managerial organisation<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The NUMBER of its key staff<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"184\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Consultants may also comment on the objectives and scope<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"196\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"10\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"33\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">✗ WHAT IT MUST NOT CONTAIN OR ASK<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The assignment's Terms of Reference<\/text>\n <text x=\"496\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">the ToR must be READY, but is not issued yet<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"116\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● The firm's approach or methodology<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"144\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">● Curriculum vitae of individual staff<\/text>\n <text x=\"496\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">both of these belong to the RfP stage<\/text>\n <text x=\"482\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Brevity is stressed at this stage<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"236\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Adequate time must be allowed for interested consultants to respond · where Indian consultants may be unavailable, the Global Tender Enquiry route is used<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The REoI also states, in brief, the <strong>broad scope<\/strong> of the work, the <strong>inputs<\/strong> the Ministry will provide, and the <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong>, along with the past experience expected in similar work.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:50%\"><col style=\"width:50%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>The enquiry shall include<\/th><th>The enquiry shall not include<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>In brief, the <strong>broad scope<\/strong> of the work or service.<\/td><td>The <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong> of the assignment. A complete ToR must be ready before the enquiry issues, but is not part of it.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The <strong>inputs<\/strong> to be provided by the Ministry or Department.<\/td><td>Any question on the consultant's <strong>approach or methodology<\/strong>, which belongs to the RfP stage.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong> to be met by the consultants.<\/td><td>Any requirement to submit the <strong>curricula vitae<\/strong> of individual staff.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>The consultant's <strong>past experience<\/strong> in similar work or service; its core business and years in business; its technical and managerial organisation; and the <strong>number<\/strong> of its key staff.<\/td><td>Anything that offends against <strong>brevity<\/strong>, which is stressed at this stage.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The consultants may also be asked to send their <strong>comments on the objectives and scope<\/strong> of the work projected in the enquiry, and adequate time should be allowed for getting responses.<\/li>\n <li>Where suitable Indian consultants may not be available, the enquiry may take the <strong>Global Tender Enquiry<\/strong> route.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-gte\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>Global Tender Enquiry \u2014 Rule 161, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig red\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.4 \u00b7 The \u20b9200 crore bar, and the only gate through it<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 290\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"No global tender enquiry up to two hundred crore and the approval route for exceptions\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"52\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">NO GLOBAL TENDER ENQUIRY SHALL BE INVITED FOR TENDERS UP TO ₹200 CRORE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fbdedb\">or such limit as the Department of Expenditure may prescribe from time to time<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">IN AN EXCEPTIONAL CASE BELOW THAT LIMIT, ALL FOUR MUST BE SATISFIED<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"52\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"52\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">1<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">JUSTIFICATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Detailed reasons for the<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">GTE are RECORDED.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"238\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"270\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"270\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">2<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">WHO PROPOSES<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The Administrative Ministry.<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Not an office, body or CPSU.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"456\" y=\"96\" width=\"205\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"488\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"488\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">3<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">WHO CLEARS IT<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Financial Adviser concurs,<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Secretary approves.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"674\" y=\"96\" width=\"206\" height=\"86\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <circle cx=\"706\" cy=\"120\" r=\"13\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"706\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">4<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"125\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">PRIOR APPROVAL<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Of the competent authority<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">specified by the DoE.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"196\" width=\"420\" height=\"82\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">BEFORE THE GTE<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"240\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A domestic open tender must first be floated to<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">identify domestic providers, and the 3 or 5-year<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">procurement plan must be published.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"196\" width=\"420\" height=\"82\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"218\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">ONCE THE GTE IS PERMITTED<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"240\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Tender notices may go to Indian Embassies abroad<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"255\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and Foreign Embassies in India, and e-procurement<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">under Rule 160 may not be insisted upon.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">For <strong>specialised research equipment<\/strong> up to \u20b9200 crore procured by Educational and Research Institutes, the <strong>Secretary<\/strong> of the Ministry is the competent authority, subject to non-availability certificates and use of the <strong>I-STEM portal<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>The bar.<\/strong> No Global Tender Enquiry shall be invited for tenders <strong>up to \u20b9200 crore<\/strong>, or such limit as may be prescribed by the Department of Expenditure from time to time.<\/li>\n <li><strong>The exception.<\/strong> For tenders below that limit, in exceptional cases where the Ministry feels there are special reasons for a GTE, it shall <strong>record its detailed justification<\/strong> and seek <strong>prior approval for relaxation<\/strong> from the competent authority specified by the Department of Expenditure.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Who may propose.<\/strong> The proposal is submitted by the <strong>Administrative Ministry<\/strong>, with the <strong>concurrence of the Financial Adviser<\/strong> and the <strong>approval of the Secretary<\/strong>. Proposals from individual offices, autonomous bodies or CPSUs are not entertained.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Before the enquiry.<\/strong> A <strong>domestic open tender<\/strong> is first floated to identify domestic providers, and the three or five-year procurement plan under the Make in India Order is published.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Once permitted.<\/strong> Copies of the tender notice may be sent to the <strong>Indian Embassies abroad<\/strong> and to the <strong>Foreign Embassies in India<\/strong>, the selection depending on the possibility of availability of the required goods in such countries. In such cases <strong>e-procurement as per Rule 160 may not be insisted<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Research equipment.<\/strong> For specialised research equipment up to \u20b9200 crore procured by Educational and Research Institutes, the <strong>Secretary<\/strong> of the Ministry is the competent authority, subject to non-availability certificates and the use of the <strong>I-STEM portal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-below\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 5.1<\/span>\n <h3>The long list & the panel of consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>The long list is moderated down to the firms that are <strong>prima facie eligible<\/strong>, and their number shall be <strong>not less than three<\/strong>. Where fewer are available, the procurement proceeds with fewer only with the <strong>approval of the competent authority<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>An Entity procuring consultancy frequently may maintain a <strong>panel of qualified consultants<\/strong>, on the lines of the registration of suppliers under <strong>Rule 150<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>A formal Expression of Interest may be advertised even at or below the threshold, with the approval of the competent authority, where the complexity of the assignment justifies it.<\/li>\n <li>The performance of the empanelled firms is <strong>reviewed periodically<\/strong>; the list is updated, and members are upgraded, downgraded or de-listed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-shortlist\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 5.2<\/span>\n <h3>The short list & the qualification weightages<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 5.5 \u00b7 How a firm earns its place on the short list<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Weightage of sixty percent experience, twenty five percent key staff, fifteen percent financial strength\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"28\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">THE THREE QUALIFICATION CRITERIA, AND THEIR WEIGHTS<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"42\" width=\"516\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"62\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">PAST EXPERIENCE \/ TRACK RECORD<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"79\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">of the consultancy firm itself<\/text>\n <text x=\"556\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">60%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"94\" width=\"215\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">GENERAL PROFILE OF KEY STAFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"131\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#d9f5ee\">qualification, experience, number<\/text>\n <text x=\"255\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">25%<\/text>\n <text x=\"320\" y=\"118\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">not individual CVs — those come with the RfP<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"146\" width=\"129\" height=\"44\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">FINANCIAL STRENGTH<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"183\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" fill=\"#fdeed8\">turnover, profit, cash flow<\/text>\n <text x=\"169\" y=\"174\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c97c10\">15%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"620\" y=\"42\" width=\"260\" height=\"96\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">THE CUT-OFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"24\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">75%<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"114\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">normally, and specified in the EoI<\/text>\n <text x=\"750\" y=\"130\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">A pass\/fail benchmark may be used<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"204\" width=\"860\" height=\"46\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"224\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">THE TURNOVER CAUTION<\/text>\n <text x=\"42\" y=\"241\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">A minimum qualifying turnover of 5 to 10 times the estimated cost is prima facie HIGH — it reduces competition, and is kept only if adequately justified.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Scoring is not merely a device for disqualification. It establishes the <strong>relative strengths<\/strong> of the applicants, and so produces a robust short list.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:62%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Qualification criterion<\/th><th>Weightage<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Past experience and track record of the consultant<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">60%<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">General profile of the qualification, experience and number of key staff, and not the curricula vitae of individuals<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">25%<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Overall financial strength \u2014 turnover, profitability and cash flow<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">15%<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>All consultants securing the minimum required marks, <strong>normally 75%<\/strong>, and specified in the Expression of Interest, are shortlisted. A simplified <strong>fail\/pass benchmark<\/strong> may be used instead \u2014 for example, at least two similar projects; key staff with at least seven years' experience and a Master's degree; and a turnover of at least \u20b910 crore.<\/li>\n <li>Scoring is not merely for disqualification, but to establish the <strong>relative strengths<\/strong> of the applicants and to arrive at a robust short list.<\/li>\n <li>Where a firm is considered for <strong>concurrent assignments<\/strong>, the Entity assesses its overall capacity before placing it on more than one short list, and declares this in advance in the Expression of Interest.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Minimum qualifying turnover<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">Keeping the minimum qualifying turnover at <strong>five to ten times the estimated cost<\/strong> of the consultancy appears <em>prima facie<\/em> high, since it reduces competition. The criteria should be reasonable, and such a high turnover retained only if adequately justified.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c5-risks\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 5.3<\/span>\n <h3>Shortlisting \u2014 risks & mitigation<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Conflict-of-interest situations are not reported or declared, whether by the consultants or by the members of the evaluation committee.<\/td><td>Signed <strong>declarations<\/strong> in the specified formats \u2014 from the consultant at the Expression of Interest stage, again in the technical proposal, and from every member of the Consultancy Evaluation Committee before evaluation begins.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Qualifications leasing<\/strong> \u2014 a weak local bidder shows an association with a well-qualified foreign or local firm merely to borrow its credentials, and that partner contributes little at execution.<\/td><td>From the Expression of Interest stage, clearly identify the qualified applicant, and place the partner's <strong>guaranteed contribution on record and in the contract<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz5\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 5 Quiz \u2014 EoI, thresholds & the short list<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 5. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage5\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore5\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext5\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c5-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 5 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Advertised EoI threshold<\/td><td>Consultancy <strong>above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2192 EoI published on GeM & GeM-CPPP (Rule 183)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Up to \u20b950 lakh<\/td><td>No published EoI \u2014 a long list from formal\/informal enquiries<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Other services (Rule 201)<\/td><td><strong>Above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> advertised; <strong>up to \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> limited tender to <strong>more than 3<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Short list size<\/td><td>Minimum <strong>3 (Rule 184)<\/strong>, generally not more than <strong>8<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Long list minimum<\/td><td><strong>Not less than 3<\/strong>; fewer only with CA approval<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>REoI does NOT include<\/td><td>The <strong>ToR<\/strong>, the approach or methodology, or individual <strong>CVs<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GTE bar<\/td><td><strong>No GTE up to \u20b9200 crore<\/strong> without prior approval of the CA specified by DoE<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GTE approval route<\/td><td>Administrative Ministry + <strong>FA's concurrence + Secretary's approval<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Qualification weights<\/td><td>Experience <strong>60%<\/strong> \u00b7 key-staff profile <strong>25%<\/strong> \u00b7 financial strength <strong>15%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Shortlist cut-off<\/td><td>Normally <strong>75%<\/strong> of the marks, stated in the EoI<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Turnover caution<\/td><td><strong>5\u201310\u00d7<\/strong> the estimated cost is prima facie high \u2014 keep it reasonable<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Qualifications leasing<\/td><td>Record the partner's <strong>guaranteed contribution<\/strong> in the contract<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch6\" data-chapter=\"6\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c6-steps\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 6 \u00b7 COMPETITIVE SELECTION<\/span>\n <h2>Selection of Consultants by Competitive Process<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">The evaluation process<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Nine steps run from the issue of the Request for Proposals to the award of the contract. Proposals are ordinarily asked for in the <strong>two-bid system<\/strong>, with the technical and financial bids sealed separately [<strong>Rule 187<\/strong>], and the financial bids of only those bidders declared <strong>technically qualified<\/strong> are opened [<strong>Rule 190<\/strong>].\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.1 \u00b7 The nine steps of the competitive process<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Nine steps from RfP to award of contract\">\n <defs><marker id=\"a6\" markerWidth=\"8\" markerHeight=\"8\" refX=\"6\" refY=\"4\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L8 4 L0 8 z\" fill=\"#41617f\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">i<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Prepare & issue RfP<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"156\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"172\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"176\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#13507f\"\/>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ii<\/text>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Pre-proposal meeting<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"312\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"328\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"332\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">iii<\/text>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Receipt of proposals<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"468\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"484\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"488\" y=\"20\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">iv<\/text>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Technical evaluation<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"624\" y1=\"49\" x2=\"640\" y2=\"49\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"644\" y=\"20\" width=\"136\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"712\" y=\"44\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">v<\/text>\n <text x=\"712\" y=\"64\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Public opening \u2014 financial<\/text>\n <\/g>\n\n <path d=\"M712 82 v20 H86 v20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" stroke-dasharray=\"4 3\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n\n <g>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vi<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Financial evaluation<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"156\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"172\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"176\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">vii<\/text>\n <text x=\"242\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Select the winner<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"312\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"328\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"332\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">viii<\/text>\n <text x=\"398\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Negotiate, if required<\/text>\n <\/g>\n <line x1=\"468\" y1=\"155\" x2=\"484\" y2=\"155\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a6)\"\/>\n <g>\n <rect x=\"488\" y=\"126\" width=\"132\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ix<\/text>\n <text x=\"554\" y=\"170\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">Award of contract<\/text>\n <\/g>\n\n <rect x=\"644\" y=\"126\" width=\"236\" height=\"58\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"762\" y=\"148\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Late bids are not considered<\/text>\n <text x=\"762\" y=\"166\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Rules 187 & 188<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"200\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Technical bids are opened first; the financial bids of only the technically qualified bidders are opened thereafter<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The bidder puts the two sealed envelopes in a <strong>bigger envelope<\/strong>, duly sealed, and submits it by the specified date and time at the specified place [<strong>Rule 187<\/strong>].<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-rfp\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 6.2<\/span>\n <h3>Request for Proposals \u2014 Rule 186, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman\">\n <li>A <strong>letter of invitation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Information to Consultants<\/strong> regarding the procedure for submission of the proposal.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>Terms of Reference<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>eligibility and pre-qualification criteria<\/strong>, in case these have not been ascertained through the enquiry for Expression of Interest.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>list of key positions<\/strong> whose curriculum vitae and experience would be evaluated.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>bid evaluation criteria<\/strong> and the selection procedure.<\/li>\n <li>Standard formats for the <strong>technical and financial proposal<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>proposed contract terms<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The procedure proposed for the <strong>mid-term review<\/strong> of progress, and for review of the final draft report.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Simplified Technical Proposal<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Where LCS is used<\/div>\n <p>Since technical scores are not weighted and added in LCS, a fail-pass benchmark suffices and a <strong>Simplified Technical Proposal<\/strong>, rather than a Full Technical Proposal, is called for. It is used where the assignment is <strong>unlikely to have a downstream impact<\/strong>, is <strong>routine<\/strong> with a well-defined ToR, and needs no detailed evaluation of experience \u2014 auditors, accountants, consulting engineers.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Instructions to Consultants<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Standard part + data sheet<\/div>\n <p>Brings transparency to the evaluation criteria, the weights and the minimum passing score. It <strong>shall not indicate the budget<\/strong>, except in Fixed Budget \u2013 based Selection, but indicates the expected input of key staff. The proposal validity is <strong>normally 60 days<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-provisions\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 6.2.6<\/span>\n <h3>Currency, price variation, advances & securities<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list amber\">\n <li>Contracts are normally denominated in <strong>Indian Rupees<\/strong>. Where another currency is permitted, the date of conversion, normally the <strong>date of opening of the technical bid<\/strong>, is fixed in the RfP.<\/li>\n <li>A <strong>Price Variation Clause can be provided only in long-term contracts, where the delivery period extends beyond 18 months<\/strong>; in short-term contracts firm and fixed prices are provided [<strong>Rule 225(viii)(a)<\/strong>]. For time-based and indefinite-delivery contracts expected to exceed 18 months, the adjustment is based on the <strong>Consumer Price Index<\/strong>. Lump-sum contracts are generally not subject to price adjustment.<\/li>\n <li>The clause specifies the <strong>base level<\/strong>, being the month and year to which the price is linked; a <strong>minimum percentage<\/strong> of variation above which adjustment is admissible; a <strong>ceiling<\/strong> on price variation; and cut-off dates for material and labour. <strong>No price variation is admissible beyond the original scheduled delivery date for defaults on the part of the supplier.<\/strong><\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.2 \u00b7 Advances, and the two securities<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Advance payment limits and comparison of bid security and performance security\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"24\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">ADVANCE PAYMENT \u2014 Rule 172(1)<\/text>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of contract value \u2014 to private firms<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">40%<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">to a State or Central agency, or a PSU<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"34\" width=\"278\" height=\"60\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"60\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"18\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">6 MONTHS<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">amount payable, for a maintenance contract<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"102\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Ceilings may be relaxed by the Ministry in consultation with its Financial Adviser \u00b7 adequate safeguards such as a bank guarantee are obtained<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"160\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">THE TWO SECURITIES<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"30\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">BID SECURITY \u2014 Rule 170<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">2% \u2013 5% of estimated value<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">45 days beyond final bid validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Return<\/text>\n <text x=\"170\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">by the 30th day after award<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"284\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">MSEs and DPIIT-recognised Startups are exempt<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"118\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"172\" width=\"420\" height=\"30\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"193\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">PERFORMANCE SECURITY \u2014 Rule 171<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"222\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">3% \u2013 5% of contract value<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Validity<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"244\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">60 days beyond all obligations<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Furnished<\/text>\n <text x=\"610\" y=\"266\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#10243f\">within 14 days of award<\/text>\n <text x=\"480\" y=\"284\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-style=\"italic\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">For works, security plus retention money remains 3% \u2013 10%<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Both securities may be furnished as an <strong>Insurance Surety Bond<\/strong>, an Account Payee Demand Draft, a Fixed Deposit Receipt, a Bank Guarantee including an <strong>e-Bank Guarantee<\/strong>, or by online payment. The bid security is refunded to the successful bidder <strong>on receipt of the performance security<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:30%\"><col style=\"width:70%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Content<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Bid Securing Declaration<\/td><td>In place of a bid security, the Ministry may require bidders to sign a declaration accepting that, if they withdraw or modify their bid during its validity, or fail to sign the contract or furnish the performance security, they will be <strong>suspended<\/strong> for the period specified in the request for bids [Rule 170(iii)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Two-packet bidding<\/td><td>The bid securities of the unsuccessful bidders at the <strong>first stage<\/strong>, that is technical evaluation, are returned <strong>within 30 days<\/strong> of the declaration of the first-stage result.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Form of contract<\/td><td>The Standard Form of Contract is preferred, and the <strong>General Conditions of Contract are not to be altered<\/strong>; project-specific changes are made through the <strong>Special Conditions of Contract<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Professional liability<\/td><td>There shall be <strong>no limitation of liability for gross negligence or wilful misconduct<\/strong>, and the limit shall never be below a stated multiple of the contract value.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Applicable law<\/td><td>The bidding document indicates clearly that the resultant contract will be interpreted under <strong>Indian laws<\/strong> [Rule 173(vi)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">NIL quotation<\/td><td>If a firm quotes <strong>NIL charges or consideration<\/strong>, the bid shall be treated as unresponsive and will not be considered [Rule 173(i)(i)].<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-pre\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 6.3\u20136.4<\/span>\n <h3>Pre-proposal meeting & receipt of proposals<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"info-row\">\n <div class=\"info-card t-purple\"><div class=\"ic-big\">15\u201330 days<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">After issue of the RfP, the pre-proposal meeting is normally held.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 15 days<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time left to bidders to respond, where a significant change is issued as a <strong>corrigendum<\/strong>.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-teal\"><div class=\"ic-big\">4 wk \u2013 3 mo<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time normally allowed to prepare the proposals.<\/div><\/div>\n <div class=\"info-card t-amber\"><div class=\"ic-big\">\u2265 8 weeks<\/div><div class=\"ic-cap\">Time allowed where there is international participation.<\/div><\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-cec\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 6.5<\/span>\n <h3>Consultancy Evaluation Committee \u2014 Rule 189, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Constitution.<\/strong> Technical bids are analysed and evaluated by a <strong>Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/strong> constituted by the Ministry, for cases with a financial implication of more than <strong>\u20b910 lakh<\/strong>. It has <strong>normally three members<\/strong>, including the Financial Adviser or a representative, and a user representative who acts as the <strong>convenor<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Independence.<\/strong> <strong>No member shall report directly to another<\/strong> member of the Committee. The Committee handles all the stages \u2014 the EoI, the short list, the ToR, the RfP, the technical and financial evaluation, negotiation and selection; no separate technical committee is needed.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Grading before opening.<\/strong> A grading system of <strong>three to four grades<\/strong> is defined <strong>before<\/strong> the proposals are opened, so as to prevent bias.<\/li>\n <li><strong>No contact.<\/strong> Members shall have <strong>no communication with the shortlisted firms<\/strong>, from their appointment until the award of the contract.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Record of reasons.<\/strong> The Committee shall <strong>record in detail the reasons for acceptance or rejection<\/strong> of the technical proposals evaluated by it. Differences are resolved by discussion; persistent dissent is recorded, the <strong>majority view<\/strong> prevails, and the competent authority may overrule with reasons recorded.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-resp\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 6.6\u20136.7<\/span>\n <h3>Responsiveness & evaluation of the technical proposal<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>A proposal is <strong>summarily rejected as non-responsive<\/strong> if it is unaccompanied by the bid security, is unsigned, is incomplete in that the required formats are not submitted, does not fully respond to the ToR, or carries a <strong>validity shorter<\/strong> than that prescribed.<\/li>\n <li>A technical proposal containing <strong>material financial information<\/strong> is also rejected.<\/li>\n <li>Determination of responsiveness is based on the <strong>contents of the bid itself, without recourse to extrinsic evidence<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Each proposal is judged on its own merits and given an <strong>absolute<\/strong> grade against the predefined criteria; the maximum technical score is <strong>100<\/strong>, and the minimum qualifying mark is <strong>normally 75<\/strong>. The technical evaluation report is <strong>confidential<\/strong>, and requires the approval of the competent authority.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"fig teal\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 6.3 \u00b7 Technical evaluation \u2014 the criteria and the grades<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 260\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Technical evaluation criteria ranges and the five point rating scale\">\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"24\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">RATED CRITERIA \u2014 the total technical score is 100<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"36\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"36\" width=\"78\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">5\u201310%<\/text>\n <text x=\"112\" y=\"56\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Specific experience of the consultancy firm<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"72\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"72\" width=\"260\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">20\u201350%<\/text>\n <text x=\"294\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Methodology<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"108\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"108\" width=\"312\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#c97c10\"\/>\n <text x=\"30\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">30\u201360%<\/text>\n <text x=\"346\" y=\"128\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Qualification & experience of key staff<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"144\" width=\"520\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#eef4fa\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"144\" width=\"52\" height=\"30\" rx=\"5\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\"\/>\n <text x=\"26\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#fff\">0\u201310%<\/text>\n <text x=\"86\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" fill=\"#41617f\">Transfer of knowledge<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"186\" width=\"520\" height=\"34\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"280\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Minimum qualifying mark \u2014 normally 75 out of 100<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"560\" y=\"36\" width=\"320\" height=\"184\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"720\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">RATING SCALE<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">A<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Very Good<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"84\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">Full marks<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">B<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Good<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">80%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c97c10\">C<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Satisfactory<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"136\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">60%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#c0392b\">D<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Unsatisfactory<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"584\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" fill=\"#41617f\">E<\/text>\n <text x=\"614\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Not Relevant<\/text>\n <text x=\"856\" y=\"188\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"end\" fill=\"#10243f\">10%<\/text>\n <text x=\"720\" y=\"210\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">defined before the proposals are opened<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"230\" width=\"860\" height=\"26\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"248\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The technical evaluation report is confidential and requires the approval of the competent authority<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The four criteria are <strong>relevant experience, methodology, qualifications of the key staff, and transfer of knowledge<\/strong>. Each proposal is graded on its own merit, and not by comparison with the others.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-cost\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 6.8<\/span>\n <h3>Evaluation of cost \u2014 Rule 190, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal gold\">\n <li>The financial bids of <strong>only those bidders declared technically qualified<\/strong> by the Consultancy Evaluation Committee are opened; the others are notified, and their <strong>financial proposals are returned unopened<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>In QCBS, the financial opening is held <strong>not later than three weeks<\/strong> after the notification, and is conducted <strong>publicly<\/strong>; the names, the quality scores and the prices are read aloud.<\/li>\n <li>In <strong>time-based<\/strong> proposals, arithmetical errors are corrected. In <strong>lump-sum<\/strong> proposals there is <strong>no correction<\/strong>, since all prices are deemed to be included.<\/li>\n <li>In QCBS the <strong>lowest price is given 100<\/strong>, and the others score in inverse proportion to their price.<\/li>\n <li>Costs quoted in a foreign currency are converted to rupees at the <strong>State Bank of India BC selling rate<\/strong> on the <strong>date of opening of the technical bids<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>For an <strong>abnormally low bid<\/strong>, a written price analysis is sought, and the bid is rejected if the bidder fails to demonstrate its capability to perform. <strong>No fixed normative percentage<\/strong> is prescribed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-winner\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 6.9<\/span>\n <h3>Selecting the winning consultant<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">The evaluated bid score<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\"><strong>B = (C<sub>low<\/sub> \/ C) · X + (T \/ T<sub>high<\/sub>) · (1 − X)<\/strong> \u2014 where C is the evaluated price, C<sub>low<\/sub> the lowest evaluated price, T the technical score, T<sub>high<\/sub> the highest technical score, and X the weight assigned to price. The highest combined score is ranked <strong>H-1<\/strong>. In LCS, the proposals are ranked by total cost and the <strong>lowest evaluated cost<\/strong> is recommended for award. A <strong>tie<\/strong> in the final ranking is resolved in favour of the bid with the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c6-award\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 6.10\u20136.13<\/span>\n <h3>Negotiations, award & risks<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li><strong>Negotiation with bidders after bid opening must be severely discouraged.<\/strong> In exceptional circumstances where price negotiation is necessary, it is resorted to <strong>only with the lowest evaluated responsive bidder<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xiv)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>Negotiations are not essential. They freeze the ToR and the methodology in the \"Description of Services\", and must <strong>not substantially alter or dilute<\/strong> the ToR.<\/li>\n <li>Financial negotiation is undertaken only where a change in scope has a financial bearing, or the quoted costs are unreasonable, and in <strong>no case shall there be an increase above the quoted price<\/strong>. If negotiation fails, the process is cancelled and the proposals re-invited.<\/li>\n <li>The name of the successful bidder awarded the contract, and the cost, are placed on the <strong>GeM-CPPP<\/strong>, the Ministry's website, and its notice board [<strong>Rule 173(xviii)<\/strong>]. The details of the evaluation remain <strong>confidential until the award<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Rejection of all bids is justified where effective competition is lacking; where no bid is substantially responsive; where the prices are substantially higher than the updated cost estimate or the available budget; or where <strong>none of the technical proposals meets the minimum technical qualifying score<\/strong> [<strong>Rule 173(xix)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>A Joint Venture wins on the qualifications of the lead partner, but proposes <strong>no key expert or team leader from that firm<\/strong>.<\/td><td>The RfP should require the team leader to have worked <strong>two to three years<\/strong> with the main qualifying firm; non-compliance renders the proposal non-responsive.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>A request to <strong>substitute key experts at the negotiation stage<\/strong>.<\/td><td>Examined very closely, and agreed only where the RfP permits it and the process has been unreasonably delayed.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Unsigned curricula vitae<\/strong> in the technical proposal.<\/td><td>Evaluate the proposal without the unsigned CVs, and never allow substitution at negotiation. If most of the CVs are unsigned, reject the proposal as non-responsive.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz6\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 6 Quiz \u2014 RfP, CEC, evaluation & award<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 6. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage6\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore6\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext6\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c6-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 6 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>RfP contents<\/td><td><strong>Rule 186<\/strong> \u2014 nine items, from the letter of invitation to the mid-term review procedure<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Proposal validity<\/td><td>Normally <strong>60 days<\/strong>; the ITC shall not indicate the budget, except in FBS<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Price Variation Clause<\/td><td>Only where the delivery period extends beyond <strong>18 months<\/strong> [Rule 225(viii)(a)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Advance payment<\/td><td><strong>30%<\/strong> private \u00b7 <strong>40%<\/strong> Govt or PSU \u00b7 <strong>6 months<\/strong> for maintenance [Rule 172(1)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bid Security<\/td><td><strong>2\u20135%<\/strong> of estimated value; valid <strong>45 days<\/strong> beyond bid validity; returned by the <strong>30th day<\/strong> after award; MSEs and Startups exempt<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Performance Security<\/td><td><strong>3\u20135%<\/strong> of contract value for goods, consultancy and non-consultancy; <strong>60 days<\/strong> beyond obligations; within <strong>14 days<\/strong> [Rule 171]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Proposal time<\/td><td><strong>4 weeks to 3 months<\/strong>; international participation <strong>\u2265 8 weeks<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>CEC<\/td><td><strong>Rule 189<\/strong>; cases above <strong>\u20b910 lakh<\/strong>; normally <strong>3 members<\/strong>; user representative is convenor; reasons recorded in detail<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Rating scale<\/td><td>A full \u00b7 B <strong>80%<\/strong> \u00b7 C <strong>60%<\/strong> \u00b7 D <strong>30%<\/strong> \u00b7 E <strong>10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Technical criteria<\/td><td>Experience <strong>5\u201310%<\/strong> \u00b7 methodology <strong>20\u201350%<\/strong> \u00b7 key staff <strong>30\u201360%<\/strong> \u00b7 transfer of knowledge <strong>0\u201310%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial opening<\/td><td>QCBS \u2014 publicly, <strong>not later than 3 weeks<\/strong> after notification<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Currency conversion<\/td><td><strong>SBI BC selling rate<\/strong> on the date of opening of the technical bids<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Tie in QCBS<\/td><td>Resolved in favour of the <strong>highest technical score<\/strong> \u2192 H-1<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Negotiation<\/td><td>Severely discouraged; only with the <strong>lowest evaluated responsive bidder<\/strong>; never above the quoted price<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch7\" data-chapter=\"7\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c7-sss\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 7 \u00b7 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENTS<\/span>\n <h2>Special Types of Engagements<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Coverage<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The method to be followed in special cases \u2014 <strong>Single Source Selection<\/strong>; <strong>individual<\/strong> consultants; <strong>specialised agencies, institutions and NGOs<\/strong>; <strong>procurement and inspection agents<\/strong>; <strong>financial advisors<\/strong> and <strong>auditors<\/strong>; and a public competition for the design of a <strong>logo or symbol<\/strong>.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 7.1 \u00b7 The engagement, and the method prescribed for it<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 290\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Method of selection prescribed for each special type of engagement\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"30\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">ENGAGEMENT<\/text>\n <text x=\"600\" y=\"30\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">METHOD & THE CONDITION ATTACHED<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"48\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Individual consultant<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"48\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\">Compare the qualifications of <tspan font-weight=\"700\">at least three<\/tspan> candidates<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"88\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Specialised Government agency<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"88\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"110\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">SSS<\/tspan>, with full justification that it is in the Entity's best interest<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"128\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">NGOs<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"128\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"150\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan> \u00b7 SSS only for a very small assignment in a remote area<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"168\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c97c10\">Procurement & inspection agents<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"168\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"190\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan>, cost weight up to <tspan font-weight=\"700\">50%<\/tspan> \u2014 keep the quality threshold high<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"208\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Financial advisors \u2014 restructuring, M&A<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"208\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"230\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">QCBS<\/tspan> \u00b7 lump-sum retainer plus a success fee<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"248\" width=\"420\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#41617f\">Auditors<\/text>\n <rect x=\"448\" y=\"248\" width=\"432\" height=\"34\" rx=\"6\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.4\"\/>\n <text x=\"464\" y=\"270\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">LCS<\/tspan>, with cost as the selection factor<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Auditing runs under a well-defined Terms of Reference and established professional standards, which is why <strong>Rule 193<\/strong> names audits as an assignment of a standard or routine nature.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li><strong>Powers are severely restricted.<\/strong> Direct negotiation lacks the benefits of competition and transparency, and is used only in exceptional and inescapable circumstances. The reasons, and the choice of the firm, are <strong>recorded and approved by the competent authority<\/strong> under the DFPR or the Schedule of Procurement Powers, before single tendering.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Downstream continuity.<\/strong> Where a downstream assignment is contemplated, the initial RfP should outline the prospect. But where the initial assignment was <strong>not awarded competitively<\/strong>, or the downstream work is <strong>substantially larger<\/strong>, a competitive process is followed, and the initial firm is not excluded from it.<\/li>\n <li><strong>Reporting.<\/strong> Under the CVC guidelines, the Competent Financial Authority reports <strong>all selections made by nomination every month<\/strong> to the Secretary or the Head of the Department.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-individual\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 7.2<\/span>\n <h3>Selection of individual consultants<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list teal\">\n <li>Individuals are engaged where a team is not required, no outside support is needed, and the <strong>experience and qualifications of the individual<\/strong> are paramount.<\/li>\n <li>Selection is made by a <strong>comparison of the qualifications of at least three candidates<\/strong> who have expressed interest, or who have been approached; the requirement is advertised on <strong>GeM and the GeM-CPPP<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The <strong>Consultancy Evaluation Committee<\/strong> awards marks for education and experience, may interview the candidates, and recommends the remuneration.<\/li>\n <li>Direct negotiation with an individual is confined to exceptional cases \u2014 a continuation of work won competitively; an emergency arising after a natural disaster; or a single qualified individual. The conflict-of-interest provisions apply to the <strong>parent firm<\/strong> of a candidate who is employed.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-agencies\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 7.3\u20137.4<\/span>\n <h3>Specialised agencies, institutions & NGOs<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Specialised agencies & institutions<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Single Source Selection<\/div>\n <p>Government and semi-Government agencies, universities and professional institutions. Where they possess <strong>special expertise or back-up facilities<\/strong>, Single Source Selection may be appropriate, with <strong>full justification<\/strong> that it is in the best interest of the Entity.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card e\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Non-Governmental Organisations<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Quality and Cost Based Selection<\/div>\n <p>Where an assignment requires community participation, the short list may consist <strong>entirely of NGOs<\/strong>, and QCBS is then used, with criteria reflecting grassroots experience, participatory approaches, committed leadership and beneficiary participation. <strong>SSS<\/strong> may be used to engage a local NGO for a <strong>very small assignment in a remote area<\/strong> where only one is available.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-pa\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 7.5\u20137.6<\/span>\n <h3>Procurement & inspection agents<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><col style=\"width:38%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Agent<\/th><th>What it does & how it is paid<\/th><th>Method & the caution attached<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr>\n <td class=\"label-cell\">Procurement Agent<\/td>\n <td>Handles specific items of procurement, and is paid a <strong>percentage of the value handled<\/strong>. An agent giving only advice is engaged on a <strong>QCBS time-based<\/strong> contract.<\/td>\n <td><strong>QCBS with a cost weight of up to 50%<\/strong>. At that weight finance dominates the selection, so the <strong>quality threshold must be set high<\/strong>.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <tr>\n <td class=\"label-cell\">Inspection Agent<\/td>\n <td>Carries out pre-shipment or on-arrival inspection for <strong>quality, quantity and price<\/strong>, and is paid a percentage of the value of the goods inspected.<\/td>\n <td><strong>QCBS, cost up to 50%<\/strong>. Clauses requiring the <strong>supplier to pay for the travel, stay and hospitality of the inspecting officials must be avoided<\/strong>, since they compromise the independence of the inspection.<\/td>\n <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-fin\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 7.7\u20137.8<\/span>\n <h3>Financial advisors & auditors<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>For <strong>studies and financial consultancy<\/strong>, any suitable method may be used.<\/li>\n <li>For <strong>restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, demerger and privatisation<\/strong>, <strong>QCBS<\/strong> is used, and the remuneration takes the form of a <strong>lump-sum retainer together with a success fee<\/strong>, preferably a percentage of the transaction value. The cost weight may exceed the standard, for instance <strong>30%<\/strong>, or LCS may be used.<\/li>\n <li>Auditing is carried out under a well-defined Terms of Reference and established professional standards, so auditors are selected under the <strong>Least Cost System<\/strong>, with cost as the selection factor.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c7-logo\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 7.9<\/span>\n <h3>Public competition for design of symbols and logos \u2014 Rule 196, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 7.2 \u00b7 The design competition \u2014 what Rule 196 requires<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Requirements of a public design competition under Rule 196\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"36\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#c89b0a\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">The competition shall be conducted in a TRANSPARENT, FAIR and OBJECTIVE manner<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">WIDE PUBLICITY<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The information must be accessible<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">to all possible participants.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">Ministry's website<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"162\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">and the GeM-CPPP<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">THE COMPETITION NOTICE<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Objectives \u00b7 qualification and<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">evaluation criteria \u00b7 single or multi-<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"138\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">stage, or public voting for items of<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">national importance \u00b7 format \u00b7 prizes<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"58\" width=\"278\" height=\"110\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"82\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">THE JURY<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Where the selection has been made<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"122\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">by a jury of experts nominated for<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"138\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">the purpose, the composition of the<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"154\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">jury may also be notified.<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"182\" width=\"420\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">TWO STATUTES TO BE KEPT IN VIEW<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Official Languages Act \u00b7 Emblems and Names<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"182\" width=\"420\" height=\"58\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"204\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">of the winning design rest with the sponsoring agency<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act<\/strong> restricts the use of certain names and emblems, and the <strong>Official Languages Act<\/strong> governs the language in which the competition is conducted.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz7\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 7 Quiz \u2014 special engagements<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 7. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage7\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore7\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext7\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c7-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 7 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Engagement<\/th><th>Method \/ Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Nomination reporting<\/td><td>The CFA reports all nominations <strong>every month<\/strong> to the Secretary or Head of Department (CVC)<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Downstream continuity<\/td><td>Competitive process if the initial award was not competitive, or the downstream work is <strong>substantially larger<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Individual consultant<\/td><td>Compare qualifications of <strong>at least 3<\/strong> candidates; CEC scores and may interview<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Specialised Govt agency<\/td><td><strong>SSS<\/strong>, with full justification<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>NGOs<\/td><td><strong>QCBS<\/strong>; SSS only for a very small assignment in a remote area<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Procurement agents<\/td><td><strong>QCBS<\/strong>, cost weight up to <strong>50%<\/strong>; keep the quality bar high<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Inspection agents<\/td><td>QCBS, cost up to 50%; the supplier must <strong>not<\/strong> fund the inspectors' travel or stay<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Financial advisors<\/td><td>Restructuring, M&A, privatisation \u2192 <strong>QCBS<\/strong>; retainer plus success fee<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Auditors<\/td><td><strong>LCS<\/strong>, with cost as the selection factor<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Logo competition<\/td><td><strong>Rule 196<\/strong>; publicity on the Ministry website and the GeM-CPPP; <strong>IPR rests with the sponsoring agency<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch8\" data-chapter=\"8\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c8-monitor\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 8 \u00b7 MONITORING<\/span>\n <h2>Monitoring the Consultancy \/ Other Services Contract<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Monitoring the contract \u2014 Rule 195, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n The Ministry or Department should be <strong>involved throughout<\/strong> in the conduct of the consultancy, preferably by taking a <strong>task force approach<\/strong>, and should continuously monitor the performance of the consultants, so that the output of the consultancy is in line with the objectives of the Ministry.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list\">\n <li>A <strong>Contract Monitoring Committee<\/strong> is constituted after selection, with <strong>at least three members<\/strong> at the appropriate level, including the <strong>user's representative<\/strong>; the members of the Consultancy Evaluation Committee may be reused.<\/li>\n <li>A counterpart <strong>Project Manager<\/strong> is designated as the nodal person for the assignment.<\/li>\n <li>The Committee monitors progress, assesses the deliverables, <strong>accepts or rejects<\/strong> parts of the work, and levies <strong>liquidated damages or penalty<\/strong>. Its functions extend from the notice to proceed and the inception review, through contract variations and the monitoring of progress and expenditure, to dispute handling, termination, final payment, closure and post-contract evaluation.<\/li>\n <li>All contracts shall contain a provision for <strong>recovery of liquidated damages<\/strong> for defaults on the part of the contractor; an exemption may be made only in exceptional circumstances, justified by the procuring entity in writing [<strong>Rule 225(xvi)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Time-based contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Watch the mobilisation<\/div>\n <p>The mobilisation and demobilisation of the key experts is watched carefully, since the <strong>contract amount can be fully spent while the supervised work, such as construction, is barely half done<\/strong>, which leads to claims and disputes.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card b\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Lump-sum contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">Check before the stage payment<\/div>\n <p>The quality of the draft report is checked carefully <strong>before the stage payments are released<\/strong>. Where extra services are needed the contract is amended promptly, and the increase should generally be <strong>not more than 10 to 15%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-variations\">\n <span class=\"section-badge amber\">\u00a7 8.10\u20138.11<\/span>\n <h3>Contract variations & substitution of key personnel<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig amber\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 8.1 \u00b7 The thresholds that govern a change to a running contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 280\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Thresholds for contract variation, IT change requests and substitution of key personnel\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">CONTRACT VARIATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">> 10%<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">increase in the contract amount<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">needs the CA's prior approval<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">IT CHANGE REQUEST<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">± 15%<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">generally the limit of its value<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Change Control Board decides, finally<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"10\" width=\"278\" height=\"106\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"34\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">SUBSTITUTION OF KEY STAFF<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"66\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"20\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">≤ 30%<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"88\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">of the total key personnel<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">equally or better qualified replacement<\/text>\n\n <text x=\"20\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#10243f\">REDUCTION IN REMUNERATION, BY SLAB OF REPLACEMENT<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"158\" width=\"270\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#7fd3c5\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">First 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"155\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">5%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"158\" width=\"270\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#f0d58a\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"446\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Next 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"446\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">10%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"158\" width=\"278\" height=\"46\" rx=\"7\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#f5a0a0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"178\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Third 10% of the replacements<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"197\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">15%<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"216\" width=\"860\" height=\"54\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"238\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">THE TERMS ONCE ENTERED INTO SHOULD NOT BE MATERIALLY VARIED \u2014 Rule 225(xiv)<\/text>\n <text x=\"40\" y=\"258\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">Where variation is unavoidable, the financial and other effects are examined and recorded, the approval of the competent authority is obtained, and the change is made by a formal amendment signed by all parties.<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">A variation exceeding 10% is published on the <strong>same e-procurement portal<\/strong> on which the original tender was published. The replacement must be <strong>equally or better qualified<\/strong>, the remuneration <strong>not more<\/strong> than for the original, and the <strong>consultant bears all the costs<\/strong> of substitution.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>For <strong>IT projects<\/strong>, the change-request mechanism is provided in the RfP, and a <strong>Change Control Board<\/strong> of academic and industry experts is constituted, whose technical and financial decisions are final.<\/li>\n <li><strong>IT-enabled attendance systems<\/strong> may be used to verify that the key personnel are present as per the deployment schedule.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-disputes\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 8.13<\/span>\n <h3>Disputes & arbitration<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list decimal red\">\n <li>Before arbitration or litigation, the parties may attempt <strong>mutual discussion, mediation and conciliation<\/strong>. Wherever a dispute arises, <strong>legal advice is sought before initiating action<\/strong> to refer it to conciliation or arbitration, or to file a suit where the contract has no arbitration clause [<strong>Rule 227<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The arbitral award is <strong>binding<\/strong>, and is governed by the arbitration clause of the contract.<\/li>\n <li>Awards against the Government are <strong>not appealed routinely<\/strong>. A board or committee weighs the legal merit and the realistic chances of success before an appeal is filed, since a casual appeal causes heavy damages and interest.<\/li>\n <li>Where the Ministry has <strong>challenged an arbitral award<\/strong>, and the amount has therefore not been paid, <strong>75% of the arbitral award<\/strong>, which may include interest up to the date of the award, <strong>shall be paid against a Bank Guarantee<\/strong>. The guarantee is only for that 75%, and not for the interest that may become payable to the Ministry should the court subsequently order a refund [<strong>Rule 227A(i)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The payment may be made into a designated <strong>Escrow Account<\/strong>, with the stipulation that the proceeds are used <strong>first for the lenders' dues<\/strong>, <strong>second for completion of the project<\/strong>, and then for completion of other projects of the same Ministry as mutually decided. Any balance may be used by the contractor with the prior approval of the lead banker and the Ministry [<strong>Rule 227A(ii)<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c8-fm\">\n <span class=\"section-badge slate\">\u00a7 8.14\u20138.16<\/span>\n <h3>Force majeure, termination & closure<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig slate\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 8.2 \u00b7 The clocks that run at the end of a contract<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 230\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Force majeure ninety days, termination thirty days notice, final claim sixty days, no claim after three years\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#41617f\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">FORCE MAJEURE<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">> 90 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">either party may terminate,<\/text>\n <text x=\"122\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">without financial repercussion<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"238\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">TERMINATION<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">30 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">notice period, with payment of<\/text>\n <text x=\"340\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">legitimate fees and wind-up costs<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"456\" y=\"14\" width=\"205\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">FINAL CLAIM<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">60 DAYS<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">of completing the assignment;<\/text>\n <text x=\"558\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">the contract closes the day after<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"674\" y=\"14\" width=\"206\" height=\"96\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"38\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">CLAIM BARRED AFTER<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"70\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"19\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">3 YEARS<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">of the arising of the claim<\/text>\n <text x=\"777\" y=\"106\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">[Rule 225(xix)]<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"126\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"146\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">FORCE MAJEURE SUSPENDS PERFORMANCE \u2014 IT DOES NOT EXCUSE IT<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"163\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Notice must be given when the event occurs, and not after the event has passed<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"178\" width=\"860\" height=\"42\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fff\" stroke=\"#dde6ef\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"198\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">Rule 226(ii) \u2014 Bank Guarantees<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"214\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Monthly review of all Bank Guarantees expiring after three months, along with a review of the progress of supply or work; extensions are sought immediately<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">Normally <strong>no extension<\/strong> of the scheduled completion date is granted, except where an event constituting force majeure, as provided in the contract, has occurred; extensions are allowed through <strong>formal amendments signed by the parties<\/strong> [Rule 225(xv)].<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:42%\"><col style=\"width:58%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Risk<\/th><th>Mitigation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>A request to <strong>substitute key experts<\/strong> during implementation, citing non-availability or ill health.<\/td><td>Allowed only as the contract provides, in exceptional cases such as death or medical incapacity, with an <strong>equally or better qualified<\/strong> replacement, the utmost scrutiny, and <strong>no undue financial benefit<\/strong> to the contractor.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td><strong>Cost over-run in time-based contracts<\/strong>, where delay benefits the consultant.<\/td><td>Include an <strong>upper limit<\/strong> of total payment, with the competent authority reviewing any extension once it is reached; build contract-management capacity; track progress at the <strong>50% and 80%<\/strong> milestones; and scrutinise the timesheets and reimbursables.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz8\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 8 Quiz \u2014 monitoring, variations & disputes<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Seven UPSC-style questions from Chapter 8. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage8\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore8\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext8\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c8-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 8 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Monitoring the contract<\/td><td><strong>Rule 195<\/strong> \u2014 task force approach; CMC and a counterpart Project Manager<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Contract Monitoring Committee<\/td><td><strong>At least 3 members<\/strong>, including the user's representative; levies liquidated damages<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Lump-sum, extra services<\/td><td>Increase generally <strong>not more than 10\u201315%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Variation above 10%<\/td><td>Needs the <strong>CA's prior approval<\/strong>; published on the same e-procurement portal<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Material variation<\/td><td>Not permitted; where unavoidable, a formal amendment <strong>signed by all parties<\/strong> [Rule 225(xiv)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>IT change request<\/td><td>Generally within <strong>\u00b115%<\/strong>; the Change Control Board's decision is final<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Substitution of key staff<\/td><td>Ordinarily <strong>\u2264 30%<\/strong>; reductions of <strong>5% \/ 10% \/ 15%<\/strong> by slab<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Challenged arbitral award<\/td><td><strong>75%<\/strong> paid against a Bank Guarantee into an Escrow Account [<strong>Rule 227A<\/strong>]<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Escrow priority<\/td><td>First the <strong>lenders' dues<\/strong>, then completion of the project<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Force majeure<\/td><td>Suspends performance; beyond <strong>90 days<\/strong> either party may terminate<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Termination notice<\/td><td><strong>30 days<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Final claim<\/td><td>Within <strong>60 days<\/strong> of completion; no claim after <strong>3 years<\/strong> of its arising<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Bank Guarantees<\/td><td><strong>Monthly review<\/strong> of those expiring after three months [Rule 226(ii)]<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <section class=\"chapter-pane\" id=\"pane-ch9\" data-chapter=\"9\">\n\n <div class=\"chapter-heading-block\" id=\"c9-applic\">\n <span class=\"chapter-badge\">CH 9 \u00b7 OTHER SERVICES<\/span>\n <h2>Procurement (Outsourcing) of Other (Non-consultancy) Services<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"def-card\">\n <div class=\"def-label\">Non-Consulting Service \u2014 Rule 197, GFR<\/div>\n <div class=\"def-text\">\n Any subject matter of procurement which, as distinguished from consultancy services, involves <strong>physical, measurable deliverables or outcomes<\/strong>, where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied, other than goods or works except those incidental or consequential to the service. It includes maintenance, hiring of vehicles, outsourcing of building facilities management, security, photocopier service, janitor and office errand services, drilling, aerial photography, satellite imagery and mapping.\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"highlight-box\">\n <div class=\"hl-label\">Rule 206 \u2014 where the chapter is silent<\/div>\n <div class=\"hl-text\">For any circumstance not covered in <strong>Rules 198 to 205<\/strong> for the procurement of non-consulting services, the procuring entity may refer to <strong>Rules 142 to 176<\/strong>, pertaining to the procurement of goods, <strong>and not to the procurement of consulting services<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:40%\"><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:36%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Nature of the engagement<\/th><th>Handled as<\/th><th>Illustration<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Sustained, long-term deployment of an outside agency, for <strong>one year or more<\/strong>, for work traditionally done in-house<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">OUTSOURCING<\/td><td>Security, horticulture, housekeeping, catering, messenger services.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Construction or repair of a civil asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">WORKS<\/td><td>On the lines of the procurement of works.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Repair, AMC or installation of a mechanical, electrical or ICT asset<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">GOODS<\/td><td>On the lines of the procurement of goods.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">The intellectual or advisory part dominates; the physical part is incidental<\/td><td class=\"code-cell\">CONSULTANCY<\/td><td>Underwater inspection of a dam, where the analysis is the crux.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-period\">\n <span class=\"section-badge teal\">\u00a7 9.4<\/span>\n <h3>The Activity Schedule, the contract period & the tender enquiry<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"parts-list roman teal\">\n <li>In place of a Terms of Reference, other services use an <strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong>, with a well-defined scope and time-frame.<\/li>\n <li>The tender enquiry contains the <strong>details of the work or service<\/strong> to be performed; the <strong>facilities and inputs<\/strong> to be provided by the Ministry; the <strong>eligibility and qualification criteria<\/strong> to be met; and the <strong>statutory and contractual obligations<\/strong> to be complied with by the contractor [<strong>Rule 200<\/strong>].<\/li>\n <li>The initial contract period is normally <strong>two years<\/strong>, extendable by a further <strong>one year<\/strong> where the service has been satisfactory.<\/li>\n <li>Where a <strong>cumulative penalty of 5%<\/strong> of the total contract value has been levied, extension beyond the initial two years is <strong>not considered<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Where there are <strong>multiple L-1 bidders<\/strong>, GeM offers system-determined selection or purchaser selection; the method must be <strong>decided before the tender is issued<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>Hiring of manpower through contracts is <strong>avoided<\/strong>, given the risk of regularisation; identity cards must identify the holder as the <strong>contractor's representative<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-selection\">\n <span class=\"section-badge purple\">\u00a7 9.5\u20139.6<\/span>\n <h3>Types of contract & the system of selection<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <table class=\"compare-table\">\n <colgroup><col style=\"width:24%\"><col style=\"width:76%\"><\/colgroup>\n <thead><tr><th>Rule<\/th><th>What it provides<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 199<\/td><td>The Ministry prepares a list of <strong>likely and potential contractors<\/strong> from formal or informal enquiries to other Ministries and organisations in similar activities, from scrutiny of trade journals and the yellow pages, and from websites.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(i)<\/td><td>Estimated value <strong>up to \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2014 a <strong>limited tender enquiry<\/strong> is issued to the prima facie eligible and capable contractors, whose number shall be <strong>more than three<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 201(ii)<\/td><td>Estimated value <strong>above \u20b950 lakh<\/strong> \u2014 an <strong>advertisement<\/strong> is issued on GeM as well as on the GeM-CPPP, giving the complete web address from which the bidding documents can be downloaded.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 202<\/td><td><strong>Late bids<\/strong>, received after the specified date and time, are not considered.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 203<\/td><td>The Ministry <strong>evaluates, segregates and ranks the responsive bids<\/strong>, and selects the successful bidder for placement of the contract \u2014 normally on the <strong>lowest price<\/strong> among the technically responsive offers.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 204<\/td><td>In an <strong>exceptional situation<\/strong>, a non-consulting service may be procured from a specifically chosen contractor by the Competent Authority <strong>in consultation with the Financial Adviser<\/strong>. The detailed justification, the circumstances, and the special interest or purpose it serves form an integral part of the proposal.<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td class=\"label-cell\">Rule 205<\/td><td>The Ministry should be involved throughout in the conduct of the contract, and should <strong>continuously monitor<\/strong> the performance of the contractor.<\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list purple\">\n <li>The contract may be lump-sum, time-based, <strong>unit or item-rate<\/strong> \u2014 a taxi paid per kilometre \u2014 or an indefinite-delivery contract.<\/li>\n <li>The process is a simpler, <strong>single-stage<\/strong> one; a <strong>pre-qualification stage<\/strong> may be added for highly technical services such as seismic surveys and airborne data acquisition.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-gem\">\n <span class=\"section-badge gold\">\u00a7 9.7<\/span>\n <h3>Government e-Marketplace \u2014 Rule 149, GFR<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig gold\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 9.1 \u00b7 The three bands of direct online purchase on GeM<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 300\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"GeM purchase bands up to fifty thousand, up to ten lakh, and above ten lakh\">\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"10\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"32\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Procurement of Goods and Services available on GeM is MANDATORY for Ministries and Departments<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\"\/>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">UP TO ₹50,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through <tspan font-weight=\"700\">any<\/tspan> of the available<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">suppliers on GeM, meeting the<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">requisite quality, specification<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">and delivery period.<\/text>\n <text x=\"159\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">Rule 149(i)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"311\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">₹50,000 \u2013 ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through the GeM Seller having the<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">lowest price<\/tspan> amongst the sellers of<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">at least <tspan font-weight=\"700\">three different manufacturers<\/tspan>.<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">Bidding and reverse-auction tools may be used<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">Rule 149(ii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"120\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#fff8f7\" stroke=\"#c0392b\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <rect x=\"602\" y=\"56\" width=\"278\" height=\"32\" rx=\"10\" fill=\"#c0392b\"\/>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"78\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"13\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">ABOVE ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"108\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Through the supplier having the<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"124\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">lowest price, after <tspan font-weight=\"700\">mandatorily<\/tspan><\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"140\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">obtaining bids<\/tspan>, using online bidding<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"156\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">or the reverse auction tool on GeM.<\/text>\n <text x=\"741\" y=\"171\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10\" font-style=\"italic\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c0392b\">Rule 149(iii)<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"44\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffcf0\" stroke=\"#c89b0a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#8a6a00\">AUTOMOBILES<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Procurement under Rule 149(i) is permitted <tspan font-weight=\"700\">without any ceiling limit<\/tspan><\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"188\" width=\"420\" height=\"44\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#7e3eb5\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"208\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">SCIENTIFIC MINISTRIES & DEPARTMENTS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"226\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The first two bands read as up to <tspan font-weight=\"700\">₹1,00,000<\/tspan>, and above it up to ₹10,00,000<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"244\" width=\"860\" height=\"48\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f5f8fb\" stroke=\"#c3d2e0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"264\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">The monetary ceilings apply only to purchases made through GeM \u00b7 for purchases outside GeM, the relevant GFR rules apply<\/text>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"282\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">A demand shall not be divided into small quantities to make piecemeal purchases, so as to avoid L-1 buying, bidding or reverse auction on GeM<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The credentials of suppliers on GeM are certified by the <strong>GeM SPV<\/strong>, and the procuring authorities certify the <strong>reasonability of the rates<\/strong>, which may be ascertained through the <strong>Business Analytics<\/strong> tools, including the Last Purchase Price on GeM.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list gold\">\n <li>Ministries work out their requirements on either the <strong>\"OPEX\"<\/strong> or the <strong>\"CAPEX\"<\/strong> model at the time of preparation of the Budget Estimates, and project their <strong>Annual Procurement Plan<\/strong> of goods and services on the GeM portal <strong>within 30 days of Budget approval<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>The invitation for online e-bidding or reverse auction is available to all the existing sellers, and to other sellers registered on the portal who have offered their goods or services under the particular product or service category.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-pay\">\n <span class=\"section-badge blue\">\u00a7 9.7.7<\/span>\n <h3>Payment on GeM \u2014 the CRAC and the PRC<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"fig\">\n <div class=\"fig-title\">Fig 9.2 \u00b7 From delivery to payment<\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-canvas\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 900 250\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" role=\"img\" aria-label=\"Provisional receipt certificate within 48 hours, deemed after 96 hours, then CRAC and payment\">\n <defs><marker id=\"a9\" markerWidth=\"8\" markerHeight=\"8\" refX=\"6\" refY=\"4\" orient=\"auto\"><path d=\"M0 0 L8 4 L0 8 z\" fill=\"#1c5da6\"\/><\/marker><\/defs>\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"30\" width=\"180\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"110\" y=\"58\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"12\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#fff\">DELIVERY<\/text>\n <text x=\"110\" y=\"80\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#cfe3f6\">by the seller to the consignee<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"204\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"228\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"232\" y=\"30\" width=\"200\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f6faff\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">PROVISIONAL RECEIPT<\/text>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">within 48 hrs<\/text>\n <text x=\"332\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">issued by the consignee<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"436\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"460\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"464\" y=\"30\" width=\"200\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#fffbf5\" stroke=\"#c97c10\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#c97c10\">DEEMED PRC<\/text>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"JetBrains Mono,monospace\" font-size=\"14\" font-weight=\"800\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#10243f\">after 96 hrs<\/text>\n <text x=\"564\" y=\"92\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#5a6d80\">auto-generated, if not acknowledged<\/text>\n\n <line x1=\"668\" y1=\"65\" x2=\"692\" y2=\"65\" stroke=\"#1c5da6\" stroke-width=\"2\" marker-end=\"url(#a9)\"\/>\n\n <rect x=\"696\" y=\"30\" width=\"184\" height=\"70\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#f4fdf9\" stroke=\"#0e8f7a\" stroke-width=\"1.8\"\/>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"52\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#0e8f7a\">10-DAY WINDOW<\/text>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"74\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">for rejection or return,<\/text>\n <text x=\"788\" y=\"90\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"10.5\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">from the date of receipt<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"120\" width=\"420\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#eef4fa\" stroke=\"#9dc3ec\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"142\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#1c5da6\">CONSIGNEE RECEIPT & ACCEPTANCE CERTIFICATE<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Goods \u2014 <tspan font-weight=\"700\">100% payment including GST<\/tspan>, less recoveries<\/text>\n <text x=\"230\" y=\"181\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\">Services \u2014 100% per payment cycle, after the Service CRAC<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"460\" y=\"120\" width=\"420\" height=\"76\" rx=\"9\" fill=\"#faf6ff\" stroke=\"#d1baf0\" stroke-width=\"1.5\"\/>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"142\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11.5\" font-weight=\"700\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#7e3eb5\">INSTALLATION-INTENSIVE GOODS<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"164\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">80\u201390%<\/tspan> on delivery, against the Delivery CRAC<\/text>\n <text x=\"670\" y=\"181\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#41617f\"><tspan font-weight=\"700\">10\u201320%<\/tspan> after installation, testing and commissioning<\/text>\n\n <rect x=\"20\" y=\"206\" width=\"860\" height=\"34\" rx=\"8\" fill=\"#10243f\"\/>\n <text x=\"450\" y=\"228\" font-family=\"DM Sans,sans-serif\" font-size=\"11\" text-anchor=\"middle\" fill=\"#ffd95a\">Payments run through PFMS or the GeM Pool Account \u00b7 on sanction, funds are blocked in PFMS for the contract or payment cycle<\/text>\n <\/svg><\/div>\n <div class=\"fig-cap\">The <strong>Provisional Receipt Certificate<\/strong> records only that the consignment has arrived. Payment follows the <strong>Consignee Receipt and Acceptance Certificate<\/strong>, which records that it has been <strong>accepted<\/strong>.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"sep\"><\/div>\n\n <div class=\"section-heading-block\" id=\"c9-sla\">\n <span class=\"section-badge red\">\u00a7 9.18\u20139.19<\/span>\n <h3>Service Level Agreement & monitoring<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"cat-grid\">\n <div class=\"cat-card a\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Service elements<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">What is to be delivered<\/div>\n <p>The <strong>scope<\/strong> of the services; their <strong>availability<\/strong>; the standards of performance; the responsibilities of each party; and the <strong>escalation<\/strong> procedure.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-card c\">\n <div class=\"cat-label\">Management elements<\/div>\n <div class=\"cat-title\">How it is governed<\/div>\n <p>The <strong>tracking and reporting<\/strong> of performance; the <strong>dispute-resolution<\/strong> mechanism; and the procedure for <strong>revision<\/strong> of the agreement.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <ul class=\"note-list red\">\n <li>The Service Level Agreement creates a <strong>common understanding<\/strong> of the services, the priorities and the responsibilities. It is specified in the bidding document and finalised <strong>before the services start<\/strong>.<\/li>\n <li>It must be <strong>balanced towards both parties<\/strong>, with penalties on both sides.<\/li>\n <li>Monitoring of the contract follows the provisions of the chapter on monitoring, read with <strong>Rule 205<\/strong>, and the service provider submits a <strong>Programme<\/strong> before the commencement of the services.<\/li>\n <\/ul>\n\n <div class=\"ix\" id=\"quiz9\">\n <div class=\"ix-head\"><span class=\"ix-chip\">Self-test<\/span><h4>Chapter 9 Quiz \u2014 other services & GeM<\/h4><\/div>\n <div class=\"ix-body\">\n <p class=\"ix-help\">Eight UPSC-style questions from Chapter 9. Pick an answer to lock it; the explanation appears below.<\/p>\n <div id=\"quizStage9\"><\/div>\n <div class=\"quiz-foot\"><span class=\"quiz-score\" id=\"quizScore9\">Score 0 \/ 0<\/span><button class=\"quiz-btn\" id=\"quizNext9\" disabled>Next →<\/button><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <div class=\"recap\" id=\"c9-recap\">\n <div class=\"recap-title\">⚡ Chapter 9 \u2014 Quick Recap<\/div>\n <table>\n <thead><tr><th>Concept<\/th><th>Key Fact<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n <tbody>\n <tr><td>Definition<\/td><td><strong>Rule 197<\/strong> \u2014 physical, measurable deliverables with clear performance standards<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Where the chapter is silent<\/td><td><strong>Rule 206<\/strong> \u2014 refer to <strong>Rules 142\u2013176 (Goods)<\/strong>, not to consultancy<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Civil vs mechanical asset<\/td><td>Civil \u2192 <strong>Works<\/strong>; mechanical, electrical or ICT \u2192 <strong>Goods<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Scope document<\/td><td><strong>Activity Schedule<\/strong>, not a ToR; tender enquiry under <strong>Rule 200<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Contract period<\/td><td><strong>2 years<\/strong> initially, extendable by <strong>1 year<\/strong> if the service is satisfactory<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>No extension where<\/td><td>A cumulative penalty of <strong>5%<\/strong> of the contract value has been levied<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Tender mode<\/td><td><strong>Rule 201<\/strong> \u2014 above <strong>\u20b950 lakh<\/strong> advertised; up to \u20b950 lakh limited tender to <strong>more than 3<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Selection<\/td><td><strong>Rule 203<\/strong> \u2014 rank the responsive bids, normally <strong>L-1<\/strong>; nomination under <strong>Rule 204<\/strong> with the FA<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>GeM direct purchase<\/td><td>Up to <strong>\u20b950,000<\/strong> any seller \u00b7 <strong>\u20b950,000\u2013\u20b910,00,000<\/strong> lowest of <strong>\u2265 3 manufacturers<\/strong> \u00b7 above <strong>\u20b910,00,000<\/strong> bidding or reverse auction<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Automobiles<\/td><td>Rule 149(i) purchase permitted <strong>without any ceiling limit<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Annual Procurement Plan<\/td><td>Projected on GeM <strong>within 30 days<\/strong> of Budget approval<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Receipt & acceptance<\/td><td><strong>PRC within 48 hrs<\/strong>; <strong>Deemed PRC after 96 hrs<\/strong>; payment on the <strong>CRAC<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>Installation-intensive goods<\/td><td><strong>80\u201390%<\/strong> on Delivery CRAC; <strong>10\u201320%<\/strong> on Installation CRAC<\/td><\/tr>\n <tr><td>SLA<\/td><td>Balanced to both parties, penalties on both sides, finalised <strong>before services start<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/section>\n <\/main>\n<\/div>\n\n<script>\n\/* \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 Chapter (tab) switching + sidebar navigation \u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500\u2500 *\/\n(function(){\n var details = Array.prototype.slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('details.toc-chapter'));\n var panes = Array.prototype.slice.call(document.querySelectorAll('section.chapter-pane'));\n\n function showChapter(n, scrollTop){\n panes.forEach(function(p){ p.classList.toggle('active', p.getAttribute('data-chapter') === String(n)); });\n if (scrollTop){\n var pane = document.getElementById('pane-ch'+n);\n if (pane) pane.scrollIntoView({behavior:'smooth', block:'start'});\n }\n }\n\n details.forEach(function(d){\n d.addEventListener('toggle', function(){\n if (d.open){\n details.forEach(function(o){ if (o !== d) o.open = false; 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'<strong>Correct.<\/strong> ' : '<strong>Not quite.<\/strong> ') + q.fb;\n nextBtn.disabled = (idx >= questions.length - 1);\n if (idx >= questions.length - 1){ nextBtn.textContent = 'Done \\u2713'; }\n });\n });\n }\n nextBtn.addEventListener('click', function(){\n if (idx < questions.length - 1){ idx++; nextBtn.disabled = true; render(); }\n });\n render();\n}\n\/* QUIZ_BUILDERS *\/\nbuildQuiz('quizStage1','quizScore1','quizNext1',[\n {q:'Which constitutional provision sits at the apex of the framework, requiring Government contracts to be in writing by authorised officers?', opts:['Article 19(1)(g)','Article 299','Article 14','Article 282'], a:1, fb:'Article 299 mandates that contracts binding on the Government be executed in writing by specifically authorised officers.'},\n {q:'Under the GFR, direct engagement of a retired Government servant as a consultant is \u2014', opts:['A standard consultancy service','Excluded from \"consultancy services\" (Rule 177)','Permitted only through QCBS','Allowed against regular posts'], a:1, fb:'Rule 177 excludes direct engagement of retired Government servants; they may be engaged only for a specific task and duration with clear output goals.'},\n {q:'A service involving physical, measurable deliverables with consistently applicable performance standards is defined under \u2014', opts:['Rule 177','Rule 183','Rule 197','Rule 206'], a:2, fb:'Rule 197 defines \"Non-Consulting Service\" \\u2014 physical, measurable deliverables\/outcomes where performance standards can be clearly identified and consistently applied.'},\n {q:'A supplier offering minimum 50% local content under the Make-in-India Order is \u2014', opts:['Class-II local supplier','Non-local supplier','Class-I local supplier','A preferred bidder'], a:2, fb:'A Class-I local supplier needs \\u2265 50% local content; Class-II needs \\u2265 20%. The margin of purchase preference is fixed at 20%.'},\n {q:'Procurements under the Make-in-India Order are exempt where the estimated value is below \u2014', opts:['Rs 5 lakh','Rs 10 lakh','Rs 50 lakh','Rs 2 crore'], a:0, fb:'Procurements below Rs 5 lakh are exempt, provided the procurement is not split to evade the Order (auditor certificate of local content is needed above Rs 10 crore).'},\n {q:'Under the MSE Policy, payment to an MSE supplier must be made within how many days of supply, failing which compound interest accrues?', opts:['30 days','45 days','60 days','90 days'], a:1, fb:'Chapter V of the MSMED Act, 2006 caps the agreed payment period at 45 days; delay attracts compound interest at three times the RBI bank rate.'},\n {q:'An MSE quoting within the L1 + 15% band (L1 being a non-MSE) may supply up to \u2014', opts:['15% of tendered value','20% of tendered value','25% of tendered value','50% of tendered value'], a:2, fb:'Such an MSE may supply up to 25% of total tendered value by matching L1; the 25% is distributed proportionately among qualifying MSEs.'},\n {q:'A \"start-up\" eligible for relaxation under Rule 173(i) must have turnover in any financial year not exceeding \u2014', opts:['Rs 25 crore','Rs 50 crore','Rs 100 crore','Rs 250 crore'], a:2, fb:'A DPIIT-recognised start-up is up to 10 years old with turnover not exceeding Rs 100 crore in any financial year.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage2','quizScore2','quizNext2',[\n {q:'When more than how many experts are required, a firm\\u2019s team should be used rather than individuals?', opts:['Two','Three','Five','Eight'], a:1, fb:'If more than three experts are required, the assignment should normally be undertaken by a team from a firm.'},\n {q:'A firm submits one bid individually and also participates as a JV partner in a second bid for the same assignment. The consequence is \u2014', opts:['Only the second bid is rejected','Both proposals are disqualified','The firm is debarred for two years','It is allowed if disclosed'], a:1, fb:'Under the conflicting-association rule, a firm may submit only one proposal; participating in more than one disqualifies all such proposals.'},\n {q:'How many distinct prohibited practices are listed under the Code of Integrity (CIPP)?', opts:['Four','Five','Six','Seven'], a:2, fb:'Six: corrupt, fraudulent, anti-competitive, coercive, conflict of interest, and obstructive practices.'},\n {q:'A gift inadvertently received in violation of the conduct rules must be \u2014', opts:['Retained if below the limit','Returned, or reported and deposited in the Toshakhana\/Treasury','Donated to charity','Declared only at year-end'], a:1, fb:'It must be returned, or else reported and deposited in the Toshakhana\/Treasury. Cash and cash-exchangeable vouchers are never acceptable, regardless of amount.'},\n {q:'Information for action before the Competition Commission of India must be filed under the signature of an officer of at least \u2014', opts:['Section Officer level','Under Secretary level','Joint Secretary level','Secretary level'], a:2, fb:'Such information is filed under the signature of a Joint Secretary-level officer.'},\n {q:'The maximum total tenure of an Independent External Monitor (IEM) is \u2014', opts:['Three years','Five years','Six years','Seven years'], a:1, fb:'An initial 3-year term, extendable by 2 years \\u2014 a maximum of 5 years. IEMs are below 70, CVC-approved, and their advice is not binding.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 151(i), debarment follows conviction under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 or under \u2014', opts:['The Indian Penal Code, 1860','The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force','The Competition Act, 2002','The Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996'], a:1, fb:'Rule 151(i)(b) refers to conviction under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita or any other law in force, for causing loss of life or property or a threat to public health while executing a public procurement contract.'},\n {q:'A bidder convicted under Rule 151(i) is ineligible across any procuring entity for a period not exceeding \u2014', opts:['One year','Two years','Three years','Five years'], a:2, fb:'Conviction-based debarment extends to any procuring entity for up to three years, and DoE maintains the list on the Central Public Procurement Portal. Debarment for an integrity breach is limited to two years and to the single entity.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage3','quizScore3','quizNext3',[\n {q:'Which contract type is the preferred default, under which the proposal includes all prices with no arithmetical correction during evaluation?', opts:['Time-Based','Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price)','Percentage','Indefinite Delivery'], a:1, fb:'The Lump Sum (Firm Fixed Price) contract is preferred; payments are linked to specified deliverables and no price adjustment is allowed during evaluation.'},\n {q:'An on-call contract for services of indefinite extent, analogous to a Rate Contract and awarded on the unit rate quoted, is a \u2014', opts:['Lump Sum contract','Percentage contract','Indefinite Delivery contract','Retainer-cum-success-fee contract'], a:2, fb:'The Indefinite Delivery (Price Agreement) contract is akin to a Rate\/Framework Contract; the provider is selected on the unit rate quoted and a maximum value should be set.'},\n {q:'The shortlist of consultants drawn up after an Expression of Interest should contain \u2014', opts:['Not fewer than 2 and not more than 5','Not fewer than 3 and not more than 8','Exactly 5','At least 10'], a:1, fb:'Rule 184 requires not fewer than three (3) firms; the list should generally not exceed eight (8).'},\n {q:'Under Least Cost System (Rule 193), the winning bid among technically responsive offers is chosen \u2014', opts:['By weighting technical and cost scores','On lowest evaluated cost alone, with no weight to technical marks','On the highest technical score','By negotiation'], a:1, fb:'In LCS there is no weightage for the technical score in the final evaluation; the responsive technically qualified proposal with the lowest evaluated cost is selected. It suits standard\/routine assignments such as audits.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 192(iv), the weightage of technical (non-financial) parameters in QCBS in no case should exceed \u2014', opts:['70%','75%','80%','90%'], a:2, fb:'Rule 192(iv) caps the weightage of technical\/non-financial parameters at 80 percent. Typical weighting is 70:30; complex assignments use 80:20.'},\n {q:'Per the QCBS weighting table, highly complex \/ specialised assignments use a Quality\/Cost ratio of \u2014', opts:['50\/50','60\/40','75\/25','80\/20'], a:3, fb:'80\/20 for highly complex\/specialised assignments; moderate complexity 75\\u201365 \/ 35\\u201325; routine 60\\u201350 \/ 40\\u201350 (LCS appropriate).'},\n {q:'Awards made on a Single Source \/ nomination basis must be reported to the Secretary\/Board\/Chief Executive \u2014', opts:['Annually','Every quarter','Every month','Only on audit demand'], a:1, fb:'A report on nomination-basis awards is submitted every quarter; the audit committee may check at least 10% of such cases (Rule 194).'},\n {q:'Fixed Budget \\u2013 based Selection (FBS) is most appropriate when the services are \u2014', opts:['Highly complex and critical','Simple and\/or repetitive and precisely definable','Proprietary to a single firm','An emergency continuation of prior work'], a:1, fb:'FBS fixes the budget in the tender and suits simple\/repetitive, precisely definable services where the budget can be credibly estimated; the highest technical score within budget wins.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage4','quizScore4','quizNext4',[\n {q:'In procurement of consultancy, the Terms of Reference is the analogue of which document used in procurement of goods?', opts:['The purchase order','The Description, Quantity and Technical Specification','The inspection certificate','The rate contract'], a:1, fb:'Under Rule 185 the ToR plays the role that the Description, Quantity and Technical Specification play when goods are procured.'},\n {q:'In a properly drafted consultancy ToR, the Detailed Scope of Work should describe \\u2014', opts:['The exact methodology to be followed','Only the activities, leaving the methodology to the consultant','Individual staff hourly rates','The financial bid format'], a:1, fb:'The ToR describes only the activities, not the approach or methodology, since devising the methodology is the consultant\\u2019s task and is what the technical evaluation compares. Suggestions may still be offered.'},\n {q:'Which of the five contents of a ToR under Rule 185 obliges the Ministry to state what IT will contribute to the assignment?', opts:['The precise statement of objectives','The outline of tasks','The support or inputs to be provided by the Ministry','The final outputs required of the consultant'], a:2, fb:'Rule 185 requires the ToR to set out the support or inputs the Ministry or Department will provide to facilitate the consultancy \\u2014 conveyance, office space, secretarial assistance and background material, for which a real-cost reality check is essential.'},\n {q:'An Inception Report is normally expected to be submitted about \\u2014', opts:['Two weeks after commencement','Six weeks after commencement','Three months after commencement','At the end of the assignment'], a:1, fb:'It is submitted about six weeks after the commencement date, and flags inconsistencies in the ToR, staffing problems or deficiencies in the Entity\\u2019s assistance while there is still time to correct them.'},\n {q:'For a phased assignment, the Procuring Entity should take no more than how long to review and approve a draft interim report?', opts:['7 days','15 days','30 days','45 days'], a:1, fb:'The Entity should not take more than 15 days, because a delay in approving an interim report holds up the later phases of the assignment.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 182, a reasonable expenditure for engaging a consultant is estimated by \\u2014', opts:['Applying a fixed percentage of the project cost','Ascertaining prevalent market conditions and consulting organisations engaged in similar activities','Accepting the consultant\\u2019s own estimate','Taking the previous year\\u2019s sanctioned budget'], a:1, fb:'Rule 182 requires the Ministry to ascertain prevalent market conditions and consult other organisations engaged in similar activities. Costs fall into fee or remuneration, and reimbursable costs.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 160, a case may be exempted from mandatory e-procurement on grounds of national security only with \\u2014', opts:['A note by the convenor alone','Approval of the concerned Secretary and concurrence of the Financial Adviser','A waiver granted by GeM','Clearance from the CVC'], a:1, fb:'National-security and strategic-confidentiality cases are exempted with the concerned Secretary\\u2019s approval and the Financial Adviser\\u2019s concurrence. Procurements made through GeM fall outside these instructions altogether, and the Competent Authority may exempt tenders floated by Indian Missions abroad.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage5','quizScore5','quizNext5',[\n {q:'Under Rule 183, an openly advertised Expression of Interest is required where the estimated cost of the consulting service is above \\u2014', opts:['Rs 10 lakh','Rs 25 lakh','Rs 50 lakh','Rs 1 crore'], a:2, fb:'Above Rs 50 lakh, an enquiry seeking an Expression of Interest must be published on GeM as well as the GeM-CPPP. At or below that value, a long list is prepared from formal or informal enquiries, without a published EoI.'},\n {q:'For procurement of other (non-consultancy) services under Rule 201, an advertised tender is required when the estimated value is \\u2014', opts:['Above Rs 10 lakh','Above Rs 25 lakh','Above Rs 50 lakh','Always, regardless of value'], a:2, fb:'Above Rs 50 lakh the Ministry advertises on GeM and the GeM-CPPP. Up to Rs 50 lakh a limited tender enquiry is issued to the prima facie eligible contractors, whose number must be more than three.'},\n {q:'The short list of consultants for a competitive process should comprise \\u2014', opts:['At least 2 and at most 6','A minimum of 3, and generally not more than 8','Exactly 5','At least 8'], a:1, fb:'Rule 184 requires that the number of short-listed consultants not be less than three. The list should generally not exceed eight, or evaluation of the proposals is delayed.'},\n {q:'Which of the following may the Request for Expression of Interest NOT ask a consultant to submit?', opts:['Its core business and years in business','Its technical and managerial organisation','The curriculum vitae of its individual key staff','The number of its key staff'], a:2, fb:'Individual CVs, and the firm\\u2019s approach or methodology, belong to the RfP stage. The REoI asks only for core business and years in business, qualifications in the field, technical and managerial organisation, and the number of key staff. The ToR must be ready, but is not included in the REoI.'},\n {q:'No Global Tender Enquiry shall ordinarily be invited for tenders up to \\u2014', opts:['Rs 50 crore','Rs 100 crore','Rs 200 crore','Rs 500 crore'], a:2, fb:'Under Rule 161, no GTE shall be invited for tenders up to Rs 200 crore, or such limit as the Department of Expenditure may prescribe. An exceptional case below that limit needs detailed recorded justification and the prior approval of the competent authority specified by DoE.'},\n {q:'A proposal to invite a Global Tender Enquiry below the threshold is submitted by \\u2014', opts:['Any individual office or autonomous body','The Administrative Ministry, with the FA\\u2019s concurrence and the Secretary\\u2019s approval','A CPSU on its own','The Central Vigilance Commission'], a:1, fb:'Only the Administrative Ministry may submit it, with the Financial Adviser\\u2019s concurrence and the concerned Secretary\\u2019s approval. Proposals from individual offices, autonomous bodies or CPSUs are not entertained.'},\n {q:'In the indicative qualification criteria used for shortlisting, the highest weightage is assigned to \\u2014', opts:['Overall financial strength, at 15%','The general profile of key staff, at 25%','Past experience and track record, at 60%','Innovation, at 10%'], a:2, fb:'Past experience and track record carries 60%, the key-staff profile 25%, and financial strength 15%. Firms securing the minimum marks, normally 75%, are shortlisted. A minimum qualifying turnover of 5 to 10 times the estimated cost is prima facie high and reduces competition.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage6','quizScore6','quizNext6',[\n {q:'The proposal validity period specified in the Instructions to Consultants is normally \\u2014', opts:['30 days','45 days','60 days','90 days'], a:2, fb:'The ITC normally specifies a proposal validity of 60 days. It shall not indicate the budget, except in Fixed Budget \\u2013 based Selection, but it does indicate the expected input of key staff.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 225(viii)(a), a Price Variation Clause can be provided only in long-term contracts where the delivery period extends beyond \\u2014', opts:['6 months','12 months','18 months','24 months'], a:2, fb:'A PVC may be provided only where the delivery period extends beyond 18 months; short-term contracts carry firm and fixed prices. Lump-sum consultancy contracts are generally not subject to price adjustment.'},\n {q:'Advance payment to a private firm under a contract should not exceed \\u2014', opts:['20% of the contract value','30% of the contract value','40% of the contract value','50% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Rule 172(1) caps advances at 30% of the contract value for private firms, 40% for a State or Central Government agency or a PSU, and the amount payable for six months in a maintenance contract. Ceilings may be relaxed in consultation with the Financial Adviser, with a bank guarantee obtained.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 171, performance security for procurement of Goods, Consultancy Services or Non-Consultancy Services is \\u2014', opts:['1\\u20132% of the contract value','3\\u20135% of the contract value','5\\u201310% of the contract value','25% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Rule 171(i) fixes it at three to five per cent of the value of the contract. For works, performance security plus security deposit or retention money continues to be 3% to 10%. It remains valid for 60 days beyond the completion of all contractual obligations, including warranty.'},\n {q:'Bid security under Rule 170 should ordinarily range between \\u2014', opts:['Two and five per cent of the estimated value','Five and ten per cent of the estimated value','Ten per cent of the estimated value','One per cent of the contract value'], a:0, fb:'Bid security ordinarily ranges between two and five per cent of the estimated value of the goods to be procured, and normally remains valid for forty-five days beyond the final bid validity. MSEs and DPIIT-recognised Startups are exempt.'},\n {q:'A Consultancy Evaluation Committee under Rule 189 is constituted for cases with a financial implication of more than \\u2014', opts:['Rs 1 lakh','Rs 5 lakh','Rs 10 lakh','Rs 25 lakh'], a:2, fb:'The CEC \\u2014 normally three members, including the Financial Adviser or a representative and a user representative who acts as convenor \\u2014 is constituted for cases over Rs 10 lakh, and shall record in detail the reasons for acceptance or rejection of the technical proposals.'},\n {q:'In the CEC rating scale, a proposal graded \\u201cGood (B)\\u201d is awarded \\u2014', opts:['Full marks','80% of the full marks','60% of the full marks','30% of the full marks'], a:1, fb:'A is Very Good and gets full marks, B is Good at 80%, C is Satisfactory at 60%, D is Unsatisfactory at 30%, and E is Not Relevant at 10%. The grading system is defined before the proposals are opened, so as to prevent bias.'},\n {q:'In QCBS, where two or more bids obtain the same final combined score, the tie is resolved in favour of the bid with the \\u2014', opts:['Lowest price','Highest technical score','Earliest submission','Largest turnover'], a:1, fb:'The tie is resolved in favour of the bid with the highest technical score, which is ranked H-1. Financial proposals quoted in a foreign currency are converted at the SBI BC selling rate on the date of opening of the technical bids.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage7','quizScore7','quizNext7',[\n {q:'Individual consultants are normally selected by comparing the qualifications of \\u2014', opts:['A single nominated candidate','At least three candidates','At least five candidates','All who apply, scored on cost'], a:1, fb:'Selection is by a comparison of the qualifications of at least three candidates who have expressed interest or been approached. The requirement is advertised on GeM and the GeM-CPPP, and the CEC awards marks for education and experience, and may interview.'},\n {q:'Where a short list for an assignment is composed entirely of NGOs, the method of selection used is \\u2014', opts:['LCS','QCBS','SSS only','A percentage-fee contract'], a:1, fb:'QCBS is used, with criteria reflecting grassroots experience, participatory approaches, committed leadership and beneficiary participation. SSS is reserved for a very small assignment in a remote area where only one NGO is available.'},\n {q:'When procurement agents are selected under QCBS, the cost element may be given a weight of up to \\u2014', opts:['20%','30%','50%','70%'], a:2, fb:'Cost may be weighted up to 50% for procurement and inspection agents. At that weight finance dominates the selection, so the quality threshold must be set sufficiently high. An agent giving only advice is engaged on a QCBS time-based contract.'},\n {q:'A clause requiring the supplier to pay for the travel, stay and hospitality of the inspecting officials is \\u2014', opts:['Standard and encouraged','To be avoided, as it compromises the independence of the inspection','Mandatory for a Global Tender Enquiry','Permitted up to Rs 1 lakh'], a:1, fb:'Such clauses compromise the independence of the inspection team and must be strictly avoided. Inspection agents are paid a percentage of the value of the goods inspected.'},\n {q:'Auditors, who work under a well-defined ToR and established professional standards, are selected by \\u2014', opts:['QCBS','LCS','SSS','FBS'], a:1, fb:'Auditors are selected under the Least Cost System, with cost as the selection factor. Rule 193 expressly names audits as an assignment of a standard or routine nature.'},\n {q:'For engaging financial advisors on a privatisation or M&A transaction, the appropriate method and remuneration structure is \\u2014', opts:['LCS with a fixed fee','QCBS, with a lump-sum retainer plus a success fee','A percentage contract only','SSS with no fee cap'], a:1, fb:'Restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, demerger and privatisation use QCBS, and remuneration takes the form of a lump-sum retainer together with a success fee, preferably a percentage of the transaction value.'},\n {q:'In a public competition for the design of a logo or symbol under Rule 196, the intellectual property rights of the winning design \\u2014', opts:['Remain with the designer','Rest with the sponsoring agency','Are shared equally','Pass to the GeM-CPPP'], a:1, fb:'The Competition Notice stipulates that the IPR of the successful design rests with the sponsoring agency. Wide publicity is given on the Ministry website and the GeM-CPPP, the composition of the jury may be notified, and the Official Languages Act and the Emblems and Names Act are kept in view.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage8','quizScore8','quizNext8',[\n {q:'Monitoring of the consultancy contract, under which the Ministry stays involved throughout by taking a task force approach, is governed by \\u2014', opts:['Rule 185','Rule 189','Rule 195','Rule 206'], a:2, fb:'Under Rule 195 the Ministry should be involved throughout in the conduct of the consultancy, preferably by taking a task force approach. A Contract Monitoring Committee of at least three members, including the user\\u2019s representative, is constituted, and a counterpart Project Manager designated.'},\n {q:'A contract variation that increases the contract amount by more than 10% requires \\u2014', opts:['No approval','The prior approval of the competent authority','Only the consultant\\u2019s consent','Clearance from the CVC'], a:1, fb:'It requires the competent authority\\u2019s prior approval, and the amendment is published on the same e-procurement portal as the original tender. Under Rule 225(xiv) the terms once entered into should not be materially varied, and any change is made by a formal amendment signed by all parties.'},\n {q:'During execution, substitution of key personnel is ordinarily limited to not more than \\u2014', opts:['10% of the key personnel','20% of the key personnel','30% of the key personnel','50% of the key personnel'], a:2, fb:'Substitution is ordinarily limited to not more than 30% of the total key personnel, with an equally or better qualified replacement, remuneration not more than for the original, and the consultant bearing all substitution costs. Remuneration is reduced by slabs of 5%, 10% and 15%.'},\n {q:'For an IT-project change request during the contract, the value should generally be within \\u2014', opts:['\\u00b15%','\\u00b110%','\\u00b115%','\\u00b125%'], a:2, fb:'IT-project change requests should generally be within plus or minus 15%, handled through a mechanism provided in the RfP and a Change Control Board of academic and industry experts, whose technical and financial decisions are final.'},\n {q:'Where the Ministry has challenged an arbitral award, the amount payable to the contractor against a Bank Guarantee is \\u2014', opts:['50% of the award','75% of the award','90% of the award','100% of the award'], a:1, fb:'Under Rule 227A, 75% of the arbitral award, which may include interest up to the date of the award, is paid against a Bank Guarantee. The payment may be made into a designated escrow account, the proceeds being used first for the lenders\\u2019 dues and then for completion of the project.'},\n {q:'If a force-majeure event prevents performance for a period exceeding how long, either party may terminate the contract?', opts:['30 days','60 days','90 days','180 days'], a:2, fb:'Where force majeure prevents performance for more than 90 days, either party may terminate the contract without financial repercussion. Force majeure suspends performance; it does not excuse it, and notice must be given when the event occurs.'},\n {q:'Under Rule 225(xix), no claim for payment from a contractor shall be entertained after the lapse of \\u2014', opts:['One year of the arising of the claim','Two years of the arising of the claim','Three years of the arising of the claim','Five years of the arising of the claim'], a:2, fb:'No claim from a contractor is entertained after three years of the arising of the claim. Separately, the consultant should submit the final claim within 60 days of completing the assignment, the contract being closed the day after the completion date.'}\n]);\nbuildQuiz('quizStage9','quizScore9','quizNext9',[\n {q:'For circumstances not covered in Rules 198 to 205 on non-consulting services, the procuring entity should refer to \\u2014', opts:['The consulting services provisions','Rules 142 to 176, pertaining to the procurement of goods','The GeM handbook only','The Arbitration and Conciliation Act'], a:1, fb:'Rule 206 directs the procuring entity to Rules 142 to 176, pertaining to the procurement of goods, and expressly not to the procurement of consulting services.'},\n {q:'Repair and annual maintenance of mechanical, electrical or ICT assets should be handled on the lines of procurement of \\u2014', opts:['Works','Goods','Consultancy','Other services only'], a:1, fb:'AMC, repair and installation of mechanical, electrical or ICT assets is handled as Goods, while construction and repair of civil assets is handled as Works.'},\n {q:'The initial period of an outsourcing contract for other services is normally fixed at \\u2014', opts:['One year','Two years','Three years','Five years'], a:1, fb:'The initial contract period is normally two years, extendable by a further one year subject to satisfactory service. Instead of a ToR, other services use an Activity Schedule.'},\n {q:'Extension beyond the initial two-year period may not be considered where the service provider has been levied a cumulative penalty of \\u2014', opts:['2% of the contract value','5% of the contract value','10% of the contract value','15% of the contract value'], a:1, fb:'Where a cumulative penalty of 5% of the total contract value has been levied, extension beyond the initial two years is not considered.'},\n {q:'On GeM, direct purchase in the band above Rs 50,000 and up to Rs 10,00,000 must be from the GeM Seller having the lowest price amongst the available sellers of at least \\u2014', opts:['Two different manufacturers','Three different manufacturers','Five different manufacturers','Any single manufacturer'], a:1, fb:'Rule 149(ii): in this band the buyer purchases from the GeM Seller having the lowest price amongst the available sellers of at least three different manufacturers, meeting the requisite quality, specification and delivery period. The tools for online bidding and reverse auction may be used even below Rs 10,00,000.'},\n {q:'Under the Note to Rule 149(i), direct purchase of automobiles on GeM is permitted \\u2014', opts:['Up to Rs 5 lakh','Up to Rs 30 lakh','Up to Rs 50 lakh','Without any ceiling limit'], a:3, fb:'In the case of automobiles, procurement under Rule 149(i) is permitted without any ceiling limit, unlike the general direct-purchase ceiling of Rs 50,000.'},\n {q:'On GeM, if the consignee does not acknowledge receipt, a Deemed Provisional Receipt Certificate is auto-generated after \\u2014', opts:['48 hours','72 hours','96 hours','10 days'], a:2, fb:'The consignee should issue a PRC within 48 hours; if it is not acknowledged, a Deemed PRC is auto-generated after 96 hours. A ten-day rejection or return window applies from the date of receipt, and payment follows the CRAC.'},\n {q:'In procurement of other (non-consultancy) services, the Ministry evaluates, segregates and ranks the responsive bids and selects the successful bidder under \\u2014', opts:['Rule 201','Rule 203','Rule 204','Rule 206'], a:1, fb:'Rule 203 governs the evaluation of bids received \\u2014 ranking the responsive bids and selecting the successful bidder, normally the lowest priced. Rule 204 covers procurement by nomination in an exceptional situation, by the Competent Authority in consultation with the Financial Adviser.'}\n]);\n<\/script>\n\n<\/body>\n<\/html>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy & Other Services \u2014 Study Notes (Ch 1\u20133) GFR updated to 31.01.2026 Manual for Procurement […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"disabled","ast-banner-title-visibility":"disabled","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"disabled","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12963","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","category-notes"],"yoast_head":"\n<title>Manual for Procurement of Consultancy and Other Services NOTES - 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