The Kolkata Police has announced a solicitation for bids concerning the procurement and ongoing upkeep of 200 four-wheeler electric vehicles (EVs), complete with all standard accessories and inclusive of regular charging equipment.Prospective bidders are required to submit their proposals by September 9, 2023, with the bid opening scheduled for September 14.The overall estimated cost of the project, inclusive of GST, is valued at Rs 440 million ($5.3 million).To participate, bidders are obligated to provide an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 9 million ($108,495).Entities categorised as Small Scale Industries/Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), as well as those registered with the National Small Industries Corporation/Cottage and Small-Scale Industries, may be exempted from the EMD requirement upon presentation of substantiating documentation demonstrating their eligibility.Successful bidders will need to furnish a payment equivalent to 3 per cent of the total value of the work order (exclusive of taxes/GST) through a Performance Bank arrangement.The delivery of the electric vehicles must be finalised within 60 days from the issuance of the work order.Applicants must exhibit an annual turnover of at least Rs 250 million ($3 million) during the preceding fiscal year and possess a minimum of three years' experience in the relevant domain. Additionally, they must provide records such as work completion certificates/payment certificates for projects of a comparable nature, amounting to approximately 50 per cent of the estimated project cost.Furthermore, bidders must maintain a sufficient number of technically proficient support personnel within their workforce.The proposed EV manufacturer indicated by bidders should not have been subject to blacklisting by any State/Central Government Department or Central/State Public Sector Undertakings.The chosen contractor must supply a comprehensive one-year warranty and commit to an annual maintenance contract (AMC) for duration of four years covering all components.Upon the fulfilment of the comprehensive warranty and AMC period, the Kolkata Police may consider entering into a new AMC arrangement with the supplier. As a result, bidders are expected to retain an adequate inventory of spare parts even after the warranty period expires.The contractor assumes responsibility for performing repairs and addressing damages identified throughout the warranty and AMC period at no extra expense.In a recent development, the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) issued an invitation for bids concerning the supply, installation, and commissioning of 20 EV charging stations.The EV sales in India achieved a total of 371,340 units in the second quarter of 2023, showcasing a year-on-year growth of 66 per cent from 223,293 units.