A Comprehensive Guide to Consultancy Services for DPR Preparation: The Siliguri-Guwahati Corridor
A landmark infrastructure project is on the horizon. The National Highways & Infrastructure Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) has invited proposals for a monumental task. They are seeking expert consultancy services for DPR preparation for a new 4-lane access-controlled high-speed corridor. This corridor will stretch from Siliguri in West Bengal to Guwahati in Assam, connecting the vital hub of Jorabat. This project promises to revolutionize connectivity in Northeast India. It will boost economic growth and reduce travel time significantly.
For engineering and infrastructure consultancy firms, this is a golden opportunity. However, navigating the complexities of a government Request for Proposal (RFP) can be daunting. This comprehensive guide breaks down every critical aspect of the tender. We will simplify the eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and submission requirements. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge to craft a winning proposal. This article is your roadmap to understanding and securing this prestigious project.
Unveiling the Siliguri-Guwahati High-Speed Corridor Project
This project is more than just a road. It represents a strategic leap forward for regional infrastructure. The proposed 4-lane corridor is designed for high-speed, access-controlled travel. This design minimizes disruptions and maximizes safety and efficiency.
Key Project Objectives:
- Enhance Connectivity: Create a seamless, high-speed link between the key commercial centers of Siliguri and Guwahati.
- Boost Economic Activity: Facilitate faster movement of goods and people, stimulating trade and industry in West Bengal and Assam.
- Reduce Travel Time: Drastically cut down the hours spent commuting between these two major cities.
- Improve Safety: An access-controlled design reduces accident risks associated with intersections and local traffic.
- Promote Regional Development: The corridor will open up new opportunities for development along its entire length.
Understanding the project’s scale and significance is the first step. The next is to master the bidding process. NHIDCL has laid out a clear but stringent framework for selecting the best firm for the job.
Your Ultimate Guide to the NHIDCL Tender Process
NHIDCL has structured the bidding process to ensure fairness, transparency, and the selection of a highly competent consultant. Participating firms must pay close attention to timelines, documentation, and eligibility norms. Let’s dissect the RFP into manageable sections.
Critical Dates and Deadlines: The RFP Timeline
Meeting deadlines is non-negotiable in any tender process. Missing a single date can lead to disqualification. Here is the official schedule for this assignment. Mark these dates on your calendar.
- Invitation of RFP (NIT): June 4, 2025
- Bid Document Download Start: June 4, 2025 (1700 Hrs)
- Pre-Bid Queries Start: June 4, 2025 (1700 Hrs)
- Last Date for Pre-Bid Queries: June 18, 2025 (1200 Hrs)
- Pre-Bid Meeting: June 19, 2025 (1500 Hrs) at NHIDCL-HQ / VC Link
- Authority’s Response to Queries: By June 24, 2025
- Bid Due Date (Online & Physical): July 3, 2025 (1500 Hrs)
- Opening of Technical Bids: July 4, 2025 (after 1530 Hrs)
- Validity of Bid: 120 days from the bid due date.
The dates for uploading the list of technically qualified applicants and the opening of financial bids will be communicated later. Staying proactive and prepared for each stage is crucial.
Proving Your Mettle: Essential Eligibility Requirements
NHIDCL has set specific minimum requirements. Failure to meet any of these will result in your proposal being rejected. All proofs of eligibility must be submitted through the INFRACON portal.
Key Documents to Prepare:
- Forwarding Letter (Form-E1): A formal letter for Proof of Eligibility.
- Firm’s Experience (Form-E2/T3): You must detail your firm’s relevant experience over the last 7 years. This requires project sheets and client experience certificates. These certificates should clearly state your firm’s role (Design/DPR) in 2/4/6-laning highway projects, structures, and other related works.
- Firm’s Turnover (Form-E3): A certified tabular statement of your turnover for the last 5 years. This must be certified by a Chartered Accountant and accompanied by audited reports.
- Power of Attorney: A duly notarized Power of Attorney on a Rs. 100 stamp paper, authorizing the individual submitting the proposal.
- Integrity Pact (Form T-12): This must be signed by an authorized signatory and submitted with the technical proposal.
- Local Content Certification: A self-certification declaring your firm as a ‘Class-I Local supplier’ or ‘Class-II Local Supplier’. For procurements over Rs. 10 crores, a certificate from a statutory auditor or practicing CA is required, stating the percentage of local content.
Understanding the Financials: Document Fees and Bid Security
Participating in the bid involves certain financial commitments. These are mandatory and must be handled precisely as instructed.
- Document Fee: A non-refundable fee of Rs. 5,000 + 18% GST (Total Rs. 5,900). Payment must be made through the online facility provided by IndusInd Bank via the IndusCollect website. Direct deposits are not accepted.
- Bid Security: A sum of Rs. 2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lakhs only) is required. This can be furnished as an e-Bank Guarantee (e-BG) or a Demand Draft. It can also be deposited via the same IndusInd Bank online portal. The bid security must be valid for 45 days beyond the proposal’s validity period (120 days).
Important Note on Bid Security Forfeiture: Your bid security will be forfeited if:
- You withdraw your bid during the validity period.
- You fail to accept corrections of arithmetic errors.
- As the successful bidder, you fail to sign the contract agreement.
- As the successful bidder, you fail to furnish the required Performance Security on time.
The bid security of unsuccessful bidders will be returned after the contract is signed with the winning firm.
Joint Ventures (JV) and Legal Formalities
If you are bidding as a Joint Venture, additional documentation is required.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): A legally binding MOU on a Rs. 100 stamp paper must be submitted. It must be signed by all firms in the JV.
- Eligibility for JVs: In a JV, the Lead Partner must fulfill at least 75% of all eligibility requirements. The other partner(s) must fulfill at least 50%. The weightage for experience is calculated based on the role in previous projects (100% for sole applicant, 75% for lead partner in JV, 50% for other partner, 25% for associate).
Cracking the Code: The Technical Capacity Evaluation
This is where the competition truly heats up. NHIDCL uses a detailed, points-based system to evaluate the technical capabilities of each firm. Understanding this system is key to tailoring your proposal to score maximum points. The evaluation is a two-stage process, starting with eligibility and moving to a detailed technical scoring.
How NHIDCL Measures Technical Prowess
Your firm’s experience, resources, and past performance are scrutinized under a microscope. The total technical score is 100 points, divided into three main categories.
- Firm’s Relevant Experience (50 Points)
- Material Testing, Survey & Investigation Equipment, and Software (10 Points)
- Qualification and Experience of Key Personnel (40 Points)
Let’s delve deeper into how these points are awarded.
Category 1: Firm’s Relevant Experience (50 Points)
This is the most heavily weighted category. NHIDCL wants to see a proven track record in projects of a similar nature and scale.
- Specific Experience (20 points): This is based on the aggregate length of DPR/Feasibility studies you have completed for 2/4/6 lane projects. More experience equals more points, with a maximum of 10 points for completing projects with an aggregate length over 5 times the indicative length of this package. Another 10 points are awarded for the number of individual projects completed that meet a minimum length criterion (40% of the package length for DPR).
- DPR of Large Bridges (5 points): Points are awarded for experience in preparing DPRs for bridges longer than 200 meters. The more bridges, the more points, maxing out at 5 points for 5 or more such bridges.
- Turnover (5 points): Your firm’s average annual turnover for the last 5 years is converted into points. Higher turnover brackets receive more points, reflecting financial stability.
- Highway Professionals on Staff (10 points): The number of qualified highway professionals employed by your firm for more than one year is crucial. A firm with over 30 professionals gets 9 points, with an extra point if at least 20% hold an M.Tech degree.
- Quality of Past Performance (10 points): This is a critical metric based on self-certification. It evaluates your performance on your last 5 DPRs across four parameters:
- Cost variation from the initial estimate.
- Land acquisition area variation.
- Delays in land acquisition.
- Use of new/waste materials or new technologies.
Performance with minimal variations and delays earns the highest points. This section rewards efficiency and accuracy in past consultancy services for DPR preparation.
A Visual Divider: A sleek, stylized graphic of a highway map with glowing nodes representing cities.
Category 2: Equipment, Technology, and Software (10 Points)
Modern highway design relies on advanced technology. NHIDCL rewards firms that own and have experience with state-of-the-art equipment.
- In-House Facilities (4.5 points): Points are given for owning material testing facilities (1 pt), field investigation facilities (2 pts), and office equipment/software (1.5 pts). Ownership must be proven via INFRACON.
- Advanced Survey Experience (3.5 points): Significant points are awarded for experience using LIDAR or better technology for topographic surveys. Experience on 5 or more projects nets the full 3.5 points.
- Sub-Surface Utility Detection (1 point): Experience with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Induction Locators is valued.
- Digital Cadastral Surveys (1 point): Points are given for experience in digitizing cadastral maps for land surveys, with more points for larger areas.
Minimum Essential Equipment:
Your firm must possess the following to be eligible:
- Material Testing: Facilities for aggregate and soil testing.
- Field Investigation: Falling Weight Deflectometer, Roughometer, DGPS, Total Station, Drone with LiDAR, GPR.
- Office & Software: Computers, plotters, and software like MX/Open Roads, AutoCAD, MIDAS, Road Estimator, MS Project/Primavera, and HDM-4.
Category 3: Building the Dream Team – Key Personnel Evaluation (40 Points)
The quality of your team is paramount. The proposal must name key personnel who will be assigned to the project. Their qualifications and experience are scored heavily.
Key Personnel and Their Weightage:
- Team Leader cum Sr. Highway Engineer: 12 points
- Sr. Bridge Engineer: 10 points
- Highway cum Pavement Engineer: 10 points
- Traffic / Road Safety Expert: 8 points
How Each Team Member is Scored:
- General Qualification (25% of individual score): Points for essential and desirable educational qualifications.
- Relevant Experience (70% of individual score): Points for total professional experience, specific experience in highway/bridge projects, and experience in a similar capacity on past projects.
- Employment with the Firm (5% of individual score): Loyalty is rewarded. Personnel employed for over a year get more points.
This detailed evaluation ensures that the chosen firm has the experience, resources, and expert team required to deliver high-quality consultancy services for DPR preparation.
Technical Capacity and Award Limits
NHIDCL also regulates the number of projects a single consultant can handle at one time. This is to prevent firms from being over-leveraged and to ensure quality. The maximum number of assignments is tied to the firm’s average annual turnover and the number of full-time key professionals. Firms must submit Form T-11 to detail their current workload and technical capacity. This ensures that only firms with available capacity are awarded new projects.
The Final Hurdle: Financial Proposal and Selection
After the technical evaluation, the financial proposals of all technically qualified consultants are opened. The final selection is not based on the lowest bid alone. It is based on a Combined Quality-cum-Cost Based System (CQCCBS).
- Technical Score Weightage (T): 80%
- Financial Score Weightage (F): 20%
The financial proposal of the lowest bidder (Fm) is given a financial score of 100. The financial scores of other bidders (F) are calculated as 100 x Fm / F.
The final composite score is calculated as: S = 0.80 x T + 0.20 x F
The consultant with the highest composite score (S) will be awarded the contract. This system ensures that while cost is a factor, the technical competence and quality of the proposal hold the most weight. This approach is fundamental to procuring the best possible consultancy services for DPR preparation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are answers to some common questions potential bidders might have.
What is a Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this context?
A Detailed Project Report is a highly comprehensive document that serves as the blueprint for a construction project. It includes detailed engineering designs, drawings, cost estimations, land acquisition plans, environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, and execution timelines. The DPR prepared through these consultancy services will be the basis for the entire Siliguri-Guwahati corridor construction.
Can a newly established firm bid for this project?
It would be challenging. The eligibility criteria heavily emphasize a 7-year track record of relevant experience and a 5-year history of significant annual turnover. A new firm would likely not meet the minimum eligibility requirements outlined in Table-1 of the RFP.
What is the significance of the INFRACON portal?
INFRACON is the national portal for infrastructure consultancy firms and key personnel. NHIDCL requires that key documents, such as proof of experience, turnover, and equipment ownership, be submitted through this portal. It acts as a verified, centralized database for the industry.
How is experience in a Joint Venture (JV) calculated for eligibility?
The weightage depends on your firm’s role. If you were the sole firm, you get 100% credit. As a lead partner in a JV, you get 75% weightage. As a non-lead partner, you get 50%. This system ensures that the firm with the most direct and responsible experience gets more credit.
What happens if there is an error in my bid submission?
The RFP states that proposals found deficient in any respect of the eligibility requirements will not be considered for further evaluation. Minor arithmetic errors in the financial bid may be corrected by the employer, but failure to accept these corrections can lead to the forfeiture of your bid security. Precision is key.
How important is the pre-bid meeting?
The pre-bid meeting is extremely important. It is your opportunity to seek clarification on any part of the RFP document that seems ambiguous. All queries must be submitted in writing before the deadline. The authority’s responses become an official part of the tender documents.
Conclusion: Seize the Opportunity
The NHIDCL tender for consultancy services for DPR preparation for the Siliguri-Guwahati High-Speed Corridor is more than a contract; it’s a chance to be part of a nation-building project. The path to a successful bid is paved with meticulous preparation, a deep understanding of the evaluation criteria, and a proposal that showcases your firm’s unparalleled expertise.
This guide has provided a clear and structured breakdown of the requirements. Use this knowledge to build a compelling proposal that highlights your strengths in experience, technology, and team competence. The firm that can demonstrate its ability to deliver a flawless, efficient, and innovative DPR will not only win this contract but also solidify its reputation as a leader in India’s infrastructure sector.
Ready to take the next step? We encourage you to begin preparing your documentation immediately.
We hope this guide has been valuable. If you have further questions or insights, please share them in the comments below. Let’s foster a community of knowledge to build a better-connected India. Share this article with your colleagues and network!
