The Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI), a subsidiary of Coal India, has issued an invitation for bids regarding the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and testing of grid-connected solar power projects with a cumulative capacity of 13 MW.

It was mentioned that these projects were intended for Central Coalfields Ranchi at NK Area Chatra, Jharkhand, and were accompanied by a five-year operation and maintenance (O&M) period.

It was further informed that the last date for the submission of bids was March 28, 2024, and the opening of bids would take place on the same day.

The notification emphasized that the commencement of work should take place within 30 days of the issuance of the letter of acceptance and the submission of the performance security. Alternatively, the work was required to begin within seven days after the site was handed over for the first activity.

Bidders were obligated to provide an earnest money deposit of Rs 5 million.

The entire contract period, spanning 2,065 days, was detailed in two main phases: the construction of the plant, including testing and commissioning, allotted 240 days, and the comprehensive operation and maintenance of the plant, scheduled for 1,825 days.

It was specified that bidders needed to have completed similar works, specifically related to the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and testing of grid-connected ground-mounted, rooftop, or floating solar projects. Additionally, they were required to have finished three similar completed works, each with a cost not less than 20% of the estimated cost put to tender, or two similar completed works, each with a cost not less than 25% of the estimated cost put to tender, or one similar completed work, with a cost not less than 40% of the estimated cost put to tender.