A public sector undertaking under the Department of Telecommunication, ITI Limited, invited expression of interest (EoI) to choose business associates for the design, installation and commissioning of 1,000 off-grid solar projects of 3.5 kW capacity each under the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on Panchayat ghars. The contract includes two years of an extended maintenance contract and five years of comprehensive maintenance, including imparting vocational training at the J&K panchayat ghars. The scope of work also includes executing the complete project on a back-to-back basis, including liaison with the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, program implementing agencies, bill realisation, identification of the site, addressing the grievances of the customer, statutory clearance, and implementing agencies. The deadline to submit the bids is 19th July, and the bids will be opened on 20th July. The project development will cost around Rs 500 million. The bidders who are interested should submit an amount of Rs 200,000 as an earnest money deposit. The bidder should be an original manufacturer of indigenous solar modules, an off-grid and on-grid power conditioning unit manufacturer, or a system integrator to participate in the bidding process. The bidder must have experience in completing similar work that is off-grid or grid-connected, connected to 80% or more of the project's estimated cost during the past seven years. Alternatively, the bidders must also have experience of completing two similar works that are grid-connected or off-grid pricing 50% or more of the estimated price of the project during the past seven years or three similar works that are off-grid or grid-connected pricing not less than 40% of the estimated price of the project during the past seven years. The bidder's aggregate annual turnover must be a minimum of Rs 250 million in the previous three fiscal years. The bidder's net worth must be positive during the last fiscal year. The system or material must be warranted for five years from the completion date of the handover or the project, whichever is later. Image Source Also read: Himachal Pradesh opens tender for 1,700 off-grid solar systems Also read: SECI invites bids for 100 MW solar plant in Chhattisgarh