Coal Transportation by Rail-Sea-Rail Mode

NIT publication / document access

NIT published on 01.07.2026; tender document accessible on KPPP from 01.07.2026 to 30.07.2026.

• Tender reference: A1 M1 B3/ MCL - CTA – RSR/JULY 2026 dtd.01.07.2026 (No. KPCL/2026-27/SE0367 in KPPP).
• No corrigenda are present in the workspace; these dates stand as published.

Clarification / pre-bid schedule

Queries due by 17:00 hrs on 10.07.2026; pre-tender meeting on 14.07.2026 at 15:00 hrs (only if queries are received).

• Clarifications may be sought through KPPP or [email protected].
• Any clarifications sought after the pre-tender meeting will not be entertained.
• If no query is received within the stipulated time, the pre-tender meeting will not be held.

Bid submission deadline

Completed Electronic Document–I and II must be submitted on KPPP on or before 30.07.2026 up to 17:00 hrs.

• Late offers after due date/time will not be accepted in KPPP.

Bid opening

Electronic Document–I (Part-1) opens on 01.08.2026 at 11:00 hrs; Electronic Document–II (Part-2) opening will be intimated later to qualified tenderers.

• Opening place: O/o Chief Engineer (Mines), KPCL, No. 82, Shakthi Bhavan, 3rd floor, Race Course Road, Bengaluru – 560 001 (in KPPP).
• If the office is closed on the opening date, opening shifts to the next working day at the same time and venue.

Bid validity

Bid valid for 180 days from the date of opening of Electronic Document–I (Part-1).

• Tenderer must upload a commitment letter confirming 180-day validity as part of Electronic Document–I.
• A tender valid for a shorter period shall be rejected as non-responsive.
• KPCL may request extension; refusal does not forfeit EMD, but acceptance requires extending EMD validity.

Contract period / commencement markers

Contract tenure is 6 months from the date of first RR at Talcher; extendable by 3 months on mutual consent. LD clock for commencement runs from 7 days after signing the agreement.

• Delivery of coal at RTPS required within 45 days (excluding day of loading) from RR date at Talcher end.
• Security deposit / agreement signing timelines after LOA are 15 days (see financials / award mechanics).

Approximate tender value and quantity

Approximate value of work is Rs. 195.52 crores for handling up to about 10.00 lakh MT of coal over 6 months.

• Quantity may vary to any extent depending upon KPCL’s requirement; KPCL does not guarantee quantities.
• Monthly allotment for performance/penalty purposes: 1,66,667 MT (10.00 lakh MT / 6 months).

EMD / bid security

EMD is Rs. 1.96 crores: Rs. 1.95 crores by BG or Insurance Surety Bond plus Rs. 1,00,000 by KPPP account transfer, with BG/ISB validity 180+45 days and claim period of minimum three months after BG expiry.

• BG/ISB must be in favour of KPCL in Annexure I(a)/I(b) format; scanned copy uploaded on KPPP.
• Original physical BG for Rs. 1.95 crores must reach O/o Chief Engineer (Mines) within 2 days after last bid submission date; failure stops further evaluation.
• EMD of unsuccessful tenderers returned within 30 days after end of tender validity or after successful tenderer enters agreement, whichever earlier.
• Successful tenderer’s EMD discharged on signing Agreement and furnishing Security Deposit.
• EMD forfeitable for withdrawal after opening during validity, failure to sign agreement/furnish SD, changing terms during validity, or false/misleading uploads.
• GeM/DGS&D or other registration does not exempt EMD.
• KPCL BG beneficiary bank details: SBI Industrial Finance Branch; A/c 10503342643; IFSC SBIN0009077.

Tender fee / processing fee

Applicable Tender Fee / Tender Processing Fee must be paid through KPPP along with the Rs. 1 lakh EMD component; the PDF does not state a rupee amount for the tender fee.

• Tenders without the KPPP EMD component and tender fee are displayed as Rejected in KPPP.
• If a bidder withdraws before due date, tender processing fee is not refunded by KPPP.

Security deposit (performance security)

Successful tenderer must furnish Security Deposit of 10% of Contract value (excluding GST) within 15 days of LOA as e-BG or Insurance Surety Bond.

• Instrument validity: 7 months (6 months contract + 30 days) with claim period of at least six months from expiry.
• e-BG only from NeSL/KPPP integrated banks listed (BoB, Canara, City Union, HDFC, ICICI, Indian Bank, Karnataka Bank, SBI, Union Bank, PNB, IDFC First, and any later integrated banks); ISB from IRDAI-authorised insurer.
• Formats: Section 8(a) e-BG and Section 8(b) ISB.
• No interest; failure to furnish within 15 days may cancel award and forfeit EMD.
• KPCL may require higher performance security if bid is seriously unbalanced (Clause 25.6).
• Additionally, 10% of running bills is retained as Additional Security Deposit (ASD) until end-of-contract reconciliation; ASD bears no interest.

Pricing model and what KPCL pays directly

Bidder quotes firm basic rates in Rs./MT item-wise exclusive of GST; coal price billed by MCL and railway freight are paid by KPCL.

• All other costs from taking delivery at MCL to delivery at RTPS (including ocean freight, insurance, port charges, handling/transit losses) are to the tenderer’s account.
• Statutory items may vary only with documentary proof from statutory bodies; non-statutory items are firm.
• Evaluation uses total basic price plus freight differential if Ennore (not Adani Krishnapatnam) is opted as discharge port.
• L1 is lowest Total Evaluated Rate per MT inclusive of GST as arrived at by KPCL.

Payment terms

90% of bills paid within 60 days of submission with documents; remaining 10% held as ASD till final reconciliation. Bills go to CE(FM) RTPS; payments by GM (Accounts), Bangalore.

• Each rake from discharge port is one consignment for billing.
• Payable weight: static weighbridge at RTPS or RR weight at discharge port, whichever is less, after moisture correction.
• Grade-slippage recoveries applied after quarterly reconciliation in the next month’s service bill.
• Only statutory charge variation is allowed (plus GST variation on documentary evidence); no interest for approval delays.

Bank commitment and stamp duty

PQR requires unconditional bank Letter of Commitment for Rs. 48.88 crores valid minimum 12 months; agreement stamp duty is as per Karnataka Stamp Act schedule (@ Rs.500 for every Rs.10 lakh and part thereof as cited).

• Stamp paper cost borne by CTA; only stamp paper purchased in Karnataka in the agency’s name should be used.

Technical experience (rail-sea / sea-rail handling)

In any one of FY 2021-22 to 2025-26, tenderer must have handled coal to a TPS via any Indian port by rail-sea or sea-rail mode, with min. 5.00 lakh MT and contract value not less than Rs. 97.76 crores.

• Must have previous experience as handling agent for movement of coal to TPS via any port in India by rail-sea or sea-rail (unloading from rail and loading into ship or vice-versa) in any one of the five FYs.
• Must also have composite experience of liaisoning/follow-up with collieries/ports and Railways and supervision/loading into wagons at collieries/port for min. 5.00 lakh MT & value not less than Rs. 97.76 crores in any one of the five FYs.
• Must establish substantially and conclusively experience as a handling agent.
• Certificates required from GM/CE/Head of Company/Electricity Board/KPCL/TPS with work orders; if other signatory, head of utility must certify authority.
• Experience only from main contracts bagged from the utility for whom coal was transported/handled and executed in bidder’s own name.
• Sub-contractor / Consortium member / JV experience not counted; sub-contractors’ experience/resources not counted.
• Bidder cannot submit multiple bids; only one tender per tenderer.

Financial capacity

Minimum annual turnover of Rs. 391.00 crores in at least two of the last five FYs (2021-22 to 2025-26), with CA-certified P&L and audited balance sheets, plus bank Letter of Commitment for Rs. 48.88 crores (min. 12 months).

• Letter of Commitment from Nationalized bank / scheduled bank / branches of foreign banks in India to meet fund requirement for pre-payment of ocean freight and other contract payments.

Blacklisting, debarment and other rejection grounds

Bids rejected for blacklisting/debarment, false information, government/KPCL connections, conditional/incomplete bids, short validity, and KTPP Rules 26A/26B/26C debarment.

• Notarized affidavit (Annexure-III) required declaring: no EMD forfeiture, no default terminations/foreclosures, no blacklisting procedure in past five FYs; and no current debarment as on bid submission date.
• Even if PQR met, disqualification possible for misleading representations, poor past performance, or prior unreasonably high quote without justification.
• No commercial/technical deviations accepted; conditional tenders summarily rejected.
• Tenderer from country sharing land border with India eligible only if registered with competent authority (GoK Commerce & Industries); Annexure-VII notarised undertaking mandatory or tender liable for rejection.

Work being procured

Appointment of Coal Transportation Agency (CTA) for liaisoning, supervision of loading, movement & handling and delivery of raw coal from MCL Talcher (Odisha) to RTPS (Karnataka) by Rail-Sea-Rail route.

• Approximate quantity up to 10.00 lakh MT over six months; may vary to any extent per KPCL requirement.
• Route via Paradip port (or PEQCTPL if congested) and discharge at Adani Krishnapatnam Port or Ennore port (bidder-declared).
• MCL places indents/loads wagons at Talcher; CTA follows up with MCL & Railways, supervises loading and monitors rakes to load port.

Core deliverables and CTA responsibilities

End-to-end RSR logistics: port handling, ocean freight, discharge-port operations, reloading to rail, delivery at RTPS with quantity/quality accountability and claims management.

• Liaison with MCL for 100% materialisation of allocated quantity.
• Receipt/unloading/stacking at load port; arrange ships; load ships (including payments for mechanised loading / PEQCTPL if used at no extra cost to KPCL).
• Pay ocean freight and port charges at both ends; unload/stack at discharge port; arrange wagons and monitor rakes to RTPS.
• Responsible for quantity delivered at RTPS as per loading-end TPSA/joint/referee grade; ensure sampling and weighment correctness; lodge missing/diverted wagon claims.
• May divert rakes to other KPCL/RPCL TPS as directed.
• Establish full-fledged office with computers/fax/email/telephone at Shakthinagar colony and communication facilities at Talcher.
• Ensure quantity delivered equals MCL invoice or RR (whichever higher).
• Coal cost and railway freight paid by KPCL; all other operational costs on CTA.

Timelines, standards and notable commercial exclusions

6-month tenure from first Talcher RR; 45-day delivery to RTPS; quality/moisture standards apply; demurrage and many enabling costs are CTA’s risk.

• Monthly performance reviewed; continued unsatisfactory performance can terminate contract.
• Moisture correction: >12% TM Oct–May and >14% TM Jun–Sep reduces paid weight pro-rata.
• Ungraded coal at RTPS (GCV <2200 kcal/kg): no CTA payment and coal value including railway freight recovered.
• No claims for demurrage/detention/idle charges; demurrage to vessel owners/port/railways due to delay in loading is CTA’s account.
• Materials not to be stored >15 days after vessel discharge (FIFO).
• Tarpaulin removal/disposal at RTPS, if used, is CTA’s scope at no extra cost.
• Price schedule items 1–14 cover liaison, Paradip statutory/non-statutory, ocean freight, discharge-port statutory/non-statutory and other charges for 10.00 lakh MT.

Submission portal and mode

Two-cover electronic bid only through Karnataka Public Procurement Portal (https://www.kppp.karnataka.gov.in); no physical price bid documents.

• Electronic Document–I (Part-1): capability, EMD and related requirements.
• Electronic Document–II (Part-2): price bid — only basic rate per MT and GST % entered in KPPP BOQ windows.
• Uploading documents in financial bid section is disabled per GoK orders.
• Register on portal and obtain DSC keys; digitally signed offer advised well before deadline.

Physical original and post-award originals

Original physical EMD BG (Rs. 1.95 crores) must reach CE (Mines) within 2 days after last bid submission date; successful bidder signs agreement and furnishes e-BG/ISB SD within 15 days of LOA/acceptance.

• Agreement on stamp paper of appropriate value in prescribed form within 15 days from acceptance of order; LOA acceptance immediately by email/letter.
• No other sealed-envelope structure is prescribed (Clause 15.0 Sealing and marking deleted).

Signing / attestation rules

Upload tender document signed on each page and signed pre-bid clarifications (if any); affidavits must be notarised; Form of Tender and declarations by authorised signatory.

• Annexure-III affidavit on Rs.100 stamp paper, notarised.
• Annexure-VII land-border undertaking as notarised affidavit.
• Bank Letter of Commitment in Annexure-II format from bank authorised signatory.

No corrigendum / addendum in this workspace

Only the base tender PDF is present; no corrigendum or addendum files are available, so all published dates, amounts and conditions stand as in the July 2026 tender document.

• Tender metadata also lists an empty corrigenda array.
• Bidders should still monitor KPPP for any later addenda before bid submission.

Effective date of contract stated in two different ways

Clause 16.0.0 / 8.0.1 make the contract effective from the first Talcher RR, while LD Clause 31.0.1 says the contract comes into effect seven days from signing the agreement for commencement LD.

• Practical reading: tenure/performance measurement starts from first RR; commencement LD runs if transportation does not start within 7 days of agreement signing.
• Bidders should seek clarification on whether LOA/agreement signing obligates mobilisation before first RR and how the two clocks interact.

‘Performance Security’ vs ‘Security Deposit’ terminology

Clause 13.5 refers to discharge of EMD upon furnishing ‘Performance Security’, while the operative instrument required is the 10% ‘Security Deposit’ under Clauses 29/18.

• No second separate performance-security amount is defined; treat Security Deposit (10% excl. GST e-BG/ISB) as the performance security.
• Separately, 10% of running bills is held as Additional Security Deposit (ASD).

Annexure numbering style for EMD formats

EMD formats are cited both as ‘Annexure – I (a)/(b)’ and ‘Annexure – 1 (b)’; Section 9 lists them as Annexure I(a)/I(b).

• Same prescribed forms; use Section 9 Annexure I(a) and I(b).

Confirm printed tender-fee amount on KPPP

Ask KPCL/portal helpdesk to confirm the exact Tender Fee / processing fee payable, because the PDF only says ‘applicable Tender Fee’ without a rupee figure.

• Non-payment leads to automatic rejection display in KPPP.

Quantity variability and take-or-pay risk

Seek clarity on minimum offtake commitment and how shortfall penalty interacts when KPCL/MCL regulate supplies or reduce monthly requested quantity below 1,66,667 MT.

• Contract says quantity may vary to any extent and KPCL does not guarantee quantities, yet shortfall penalty is 1% of awarded rate on shortfall vs monthly allotment/requested/EDRM quantity whichever less.
• Also clarify treatment of FSA compensation payable by KPCL to MCL that is passed to CTA.

Ocean-freight pre-funding and working-capital assumptions

Request confirmation of expected cash-cycle assumptions given CTA must pre-pay ocean freight while KPCL pays 90% only within 60 days and retains 10% ASD till end.

• Letter of Commitment of Rs. 48.88 crores is required specifically for pre-payment of ocean freight and other payments.

Ennore vs Krishnapatnam evaluation freight differential

Ask KPCL to publish the exact railway-freight differential (Rs/MT) that will be added for Ennore-opted bids so pricing is transparent before bid submission.

• Clause 25.7 adds the freight difference between Ennore–RTPS and Adani Krishnapatnam–RTPS to total basic price for evaluation, but no numeric differential is printed in the tender PDF.

Quality risk and ungraded-coal recoveries

Seek worked examples of grade-slippage recovery and whether CTA can challenge TPSA/joint/referee sampling outcomes that trigger full coal+freight recovery for GCV <2200 kcal/kg.

• CTA bears quantity/quality risk from loading-end declared grade through to RTPS delivery.

Commencement LD vs first-RR tenure start

Clarify mobilisation obligations between agreement signing and first Talcher RR, given conflicting effective-date language and 0.5%/week commencement LD.

• Material for bid/no-bid on mobilisation cost and LD exposure.

Quantity / offtake and shortfall penalties

No quantity guarantee, yet shortfall penalty of 1% of awarded rate/t on monthly shortfall, plus pass-through of FSA compensation KPCL may owe MCL for CTA non-performance.

• Monthly base for performance/penalty is 1,66,667 MT unless lower of requested/EDRM quantity applies.
• Contract terminable on continued unsatisfactory monthly performance.

Delivery-delay penalty and commencement LD

0.1%/day of awarded rate on late-delivered quantity after 45 days (cap 10% of total contract value), plus separate commencement LD of 0.5%/week (cap 10% of contract value).

• Delay attributable to KPCL directions is excluded from delivery penalty.
• Missing/diverted wagon match-delivery beyond 4 months attracts further 0.1%/day penalties (cap 10% of recovered amount).

Quantity, quality and moisture commercial risk

CTA bears transit/handling losses, moisture cut, grade slippage recoveries, and full coal+freight recovery for ungraded coal at RTPS.

• Payable weight is lower of RTPS static weighbridge (moisture-corrected) and discharge-port RR weight.
• Quarterly reconciliation uses higher of cumulative Talcher RR or discharge-port RR weight against delivered quantity for shortage recovery at coal price.
• Demurrage/detention/idle charges and anti-pollution compliance are CTA’s cost.

Cash-flow and security stack

Heavy front-loaded cash needs (ocean freight pre-pay, port charges) against 60-day 90% payment, 10% ASD holdback, 10% SD e-BG/ISB, and Rs. 1.96 crore EMD.

• Failure to furnish SD within 15 days risks LOA cancellation and EMD forfeiture.
• Advance payment clause is deleted.

One-sided termination and risk allocation

KPCL may terminate for breach/non-performance with 15 days’ notice without compensation; extra cost of alternative procurement is to CTA’s account.

• No claims for variation in quantity handled.
• Excess railway freight if telescopic benefit not passed is to CTA’s account until Railways refund KPCL.
• Insurance for marine, fire & burglary at both ports, general cargo liability and third-party risks is mandatory in joint names.

Tight operational windows

45-day end-to-end delivery, FIFO max 15-day storage after vessel discharge, and 6-month contract with monthly performance review create high execution intensity.

• Physical original EMD BG due within 2 days after bid deadline is a hard pass/fail submission risk.

Inviting / tender authority

Chief Engineer (Mines), Karnataka Power Corporation Limited, No. 82, Shakthi Bhavan, 3rd Floor, Race Course Road, Bangalore / Bengaluru – 560 001.

• Telefax: 080-22203894
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.kpcl.karnataka.gov.in
• Physical originals (EMD BG) and bid opening venue are at this CE (Mines) office.

Clarification / pre-bid contact channel

Pre-bid queries via KPPP or email [email protected] by 10.07.2026 17:00 hrs; pre-tender meeting at CE (Mines) office, Bangalore on 14.07.2026 15:00 hrs.

Portal helpdesk and contract administration contacts

KPPP/HP helpdesk: +91-8046010000 and +91-8068948777. During execution, bills to CE(FM) RTPS (copy CE Mines); payments by GM (Accounts), Bangalore.

• Tender accepting authority is defined as the Managing Director of KPCL.