Irregularities in tender process alleged
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 12 2025: Posers have been raised over possible back channel selection of construction company for a Rs 82.81 crore project aimed at strengthening 120 high and higher secondary schools in Manipur under the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme - Other Than Road Infrastructure (NESIDS-OTRI) in Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) mode.

The tender notice for the project was issued on March 21, 2025, by the engineering wing of the Education (s) Department.

It invited composite bids in a two-bid system - technical and financial - on an EPC basis through electronic tendering from eligible contractors.

According to the tender document, eligibility criteria for contractors include possession of valid registration certificates as both civil and electrical contractors with the Manipur PWD or other recognised engineering departments, a valid PAN, GST registration certificate, latest GST clearance certificate or GSTR-3B, and latest professional tax payment receipt.

Bidders must also have satisfactorily completed similar works within the last five years ending December 31, 2024, including either three similar works each costing not less than Rs 2,070.50 lakh, two works costing not less than Rs 2,898.70 lakh, or one work costing not less than Rs 4,140.00 lakh.

The bidder must also have an average annual financial turnover of Rs 4,141.00 lakh in civil or electrical construction works during the last three financial years ending March 31, 2024 .

A formal complaint has been lodged by SK Constructions, a special class contractor under the state Public Works Department (PWD), regarding alleged irregularities in the bid evaluation process.

In the written complaint submitted on Monday to the chief secretary and chief engineer of the Education Engineering Wing, SK Constructions alleged that M/s ATW India Private Limited was approved as an eligible contractor despite failing to meet core eligibility requirements.

The complaint stated that M/s ATW India Pvt Ltd only holds an electrical license from Assam, which is valid for domestic and private works, and has not submitted any electrical registration certificate issued by the PWD or any engineering department, as required under the tender terms.

The firm further claimed that the approval of ATW India Private Limited undermines the transparency and integrity of the evaluation process and deprives genuine, eligible bidders of a fair opportunity.

The firm demanded a clarification on how ATW India Pvt Ltd was considered eligible and called for a re-evaluation of technical eligibilities in accordance with the original terms of the tender.

It urged that necessary amendments be made in case any procedural deviations or oversights are found.

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