E-tendering guidelines are necessary in India for a fair, transparent, and efficient public procurement process. These guidelines give clear views of established rules for both government agencies and participating businesses. The government promotes competition, and value for money, and minimizes corruption. For businesses, the guidelines ensure an equal playing field, easy access to tender information, and a smooth submission process. These guidelines create a trustworthy and reliable environment for E-Tendering in India. 

Explaining the Rules: What You Need to Know Before Applying for an Online Tender

Before deciding to apply for an e-tender you must have an understanding of threshold limits and registration processes: 

Threshold limits: Threshold limits refer to the estimated value of a tender that decides the procurement methods used. These limits are decided by the Indian government and can change depending on  the procuring entity. Threshold limits can change, so you need to stay updated always with the latest government rules and a particular department of ministry. 

1. Below Threshold Limits: In this process of tendering, you do not need to go through the structured bidding process which only involves submitting quotations (documents) or responding to a direct purchase order. 

2. Above Threshold Limits: You need to go through the properly structured bidding process, which includes detailed tender documents, multiple bidding methods like open tender, limited tender, or single tenders, and a rigorous evaluation process. 

Proper Registration: You need to register on the authorized e-procurement platform where the tender is advertised or showcased. In this process, you need to upload all necessary documents and obtain a login ID and password. After the registration process, you have access to a wider range of tenders advertised on the platform, and you save time investing in the registration of each individual tender. 

Tender Documents: Read all the necessary tender documents carefully. Just like eligibility criteria, if you are missing the eligibility criteria then you automatically disqualify from the competitions. So please check before applying if you are eligible or not and every tender needs some other type of document, so make sure you already have those documents. 

Some common regulations for E-Tendering:

Digital Signature: It’s a digital signature certificate, and you obtain it from a licensed certified authority. Basically, this certificate verifies you have a proper identity and company details. And it protects you from fraud. It’s in the form of an electronic stamp that describes your authenticity and the origin of the bid and also ensures that that bid comes from your side.  

EMD (Earnest Money Deposit): It’s a security deposit of money given from your side to show your keen interest in tenders and also to discourage non-interested participants. Basically, you deposit some money to show your genuine interest in the project and discourage inessential bids that waste everyone’s time. And someone will refund that deposit if your bid is unsuccessful. But they never refund your money if you win the tender and will not be interested in doing the project. 

BOQ (Bill of Quantities): 

What is BOQ: This is a document that describes the detailed shopping list for the tender. It describes how many goods and services are required to complete the project.  

How it’s used: Download the BOQ from the site and fill in your price and other materials in the designated areas. If you are able to describe your financial aspects and resources for the project in the BOQ and if your modified BOQ is up to mark to clear the further process, then you have a better chance of winning the tender.  

Timely Submission: Ensure your bid is submitted electronically well before the deadline, which is mentioned in the tender document. Don’t wait for the last day of submission because sometimes you are not able to upload all necessary documents within one day or the website shows an error. So, submit your bid before the last day and increase your chance of winning the project tender.

E-Tender needs some Technical Requirement:

Technical requirements are necessary for E-Tender in India as per June 2024 rules. These requirements ensure that online bidders have the necessary skills, experiences, and resources to participate in the tender process. Online bidders’ technical ability shows they have knowledge of online tenders and if any online glitches happen then, he or she can handle them and not create panic situations. 

Types of technical requirements: 

1. Company experience and experience certificate 

2. Technical expertise and technical qualification certificates 

3. Machinery and Equipment and their documents 

4. Quality management system and certificate of that 

5. Past performance and any milestone your company achieved 

Financial Eligibility for E-Tender

Financial achievement is another necessary thing for E-Tender in India as of June 2024. These financial achievements describe your company’s financial health and also ensure that you have the financial ability to complete the project on time, if you win the tender. 

Some Financial Requirement Like; 

1. Company turnover 

2. Profitability Of Your Company and if you have other company 

3. Liquidity of Company and You don’t have liquidity case 

4.  Your Net Worth  

5. Line of Credit 

6. Audited financial statements, balance sheets, Profit and loss statements 

In conclusion, I want to say that you need to know about threshold limits, the registration process, tender documents, necessary certificates, digital signatures, EMD, BOQ, technical requirements, and financial requirements. If you have prior knowledge of E-Tendering, then you have a better chance of winning the online tender.