Hiring Technology Consultants Engineering Design Soil Investigation

Publication / bid document date

Bid document dated 03-08-2026 (Bid No. GEM/2026/B/7860072).

• No corrigendum in the tender pack; this remains the publication/issue date.

Bid submission deadline

Bid End Date/Time is 13-08-2026 13:00:00.

• Auto-extension rule if fewer than 3 bids: extend by 3 days, maximum 1 auto-extension.
• No corrigendum amending this date is present in the documents.

Bid opening

Bid Opening Date/Time is 13-08-2026 13:30:00.

Bid offer validity

Bid offer validity is 60 days from the bid end date.

• Buyer ATC also states bids remain valid and open for acceptance for 60 days from the last date of submission.
• Buyer ATC allows Client to request extension of bid validity by up to another 30 days without modifications.

Pre-bid / clarification deadline

No pre-bid meeting date or pre-bid query deadline is stated in the tender documents.

• During technical evaluation, time allowed for technical clarifications is 7 days.
• Buyer ATC allows Client to seek technical-bid clarifications in writing; non-response by the set date may lead to rejection.

Contract / completion timeline (as stated)

GeM bid states Contract Period of 1 Month(s); buyer-specific method/SLA requires completion and report submission within 90 days from agreement/placement of job work.

• These two durations conflict; see contradictions.
• LoA acknowledgement: successful bidder must return one signed copy within three (3) days of receipt.

Estimated bid / project value

Estimated Bid Value is INR 35,400 (inclusive of all taxes); consignee quantity shows Estimated Value of Project to be Managed (inclusive of GST): 35400.

• GeM note: estimated bid value is only for guidance on EMD amount and eligibility related to turnover/past performance/experience; it has no bearing on the price to be quoted.

EMD / bid security

GeM Bid Details state EMD Required: No; buyer ATC BidDocs still prescribe EMD @2% of value of work (BG/DD of SBI, valid 3 months, in favour of GE Bengdubi) or an exemption declaration.

• If ATC EMD is enforced: scan upload on GeM and original to GE Bengdubi on or before bid-upload closing; non-receipt means bid shall not be opened.
• Exemption route in ATC: declaration on letterhead that firm is exempted; if bid withdrawn/modified within validity, firm suspended from future bidding for 6 months.
• GeM Disclaimer warns that buyer ATC clauses contravening the bid’s EMD Detail section are invalid unless allowed by applicable GeM GTC — treat the conflict as a bid risk and seek clarification.
• No separate tender document / bid participation fee is stated; GeM Disclaimer also bars asking for tender/bid participation fee.

Performance security / ePBG

GeM Bid Details state ePBG Required: No; buyer ATC still refers to performance security / performance bank guarantee without stating amount or form in the BidDocs pack.

• Annexure-1 Letter of Bid commits to submit performance security if bid is accepted.
• Annexure-7 allows forfeiture/blacklisting action if agency fails to submit performance bank guarantee as per bid/contract/LoA.
• Because GeM ePBG is 'No', any ATC performance-security demand conflicts with bid details (same Disclaimer point 12 risk).

Pricing basis and taxes

Quote is lump sum percentage on estimated value for the entire Appx A scope; inclusive of all taxes and all expenses (transport, boarding, lodging, meetings); TDS deducted at source as applicable.

• Minimum Floor Price defined by Buyer: No.
• Evaluation Method: Total value wise evaluation.
• Bid to RA enabled: No.

Payment terms

All payment only after successful completion of entire job work, after Inspection Authority certification; paid by e-payment through AO GE Bengdubi.

• Bill pack: original work order (each page signed & stamped) with original bill; pre-stamped, pre-receipted bills in triplicate to paying authority.
• Chargeable head stated: 01/902/36 (New Wks - OTM).
• Buyer BidDocs GCC also says all payments by NEFT after TDS; no advance payment.

MSE purchase preference

MSE Purchase Preference is Yes: eligible MSE service provider within L1+15% can match L1 for 100% of quantity/amount.

• MSE and Startup complete relaxation from turnover criteria is enabled (with supporting documents).
• Benefits only if seller is validated online in GeM profile and approved by Buyer after document evaluation.

Past experience (GeM bid)

3 years past experience of similar services is required; bidder must have provided similar services to any Central/State Govt Organisation/PSU (ending month of March prior to bid opening).

• Copies of relevant contracts/orders to be uploaded for each Financial year of the required experience period.
• Past Experience of Similar Services quantitative test over current FY + last three FYs (ending March prior to bid opening): (i) three similar completed services ≥ 40% of estimated cost; or (ii) two ≥ 50%; or (iii) one ≥ 80%.
• Estimated cost basis is INR 35,400, so the value thresholds are approximately ₹14,160 / ₹17,700 / ₹28,320.

Turnover

Buyer ATC requires average annual turnover for three consecutive years ending up to 31 Mar 24 of not less than 10 Lakhs; GeM enables complete MSE/Startup relaxation from bidder turnover.

• GeM Bid Details list 'Bidder Turnover' among documents required from seller, but do not print a numeric GeM turnover figure outside the ATC.
• MSE/Startup seeking turnover relaxation must upload supporting eligibility documents.
• ATC proof: attested ITR and GST/Service Tax return for last three FYs; audited balance sheets (CA-audited) for completed three FYs.

MES enlistment / registration route

Buyer ATC requires either MES enlistment in appropriate category for supply/job works/consultancy, or un-enlisted bidders meeting specified State/Central/PSU registration rules.

• MES-enlisted: upload enlistment letter, scanned application for the bid, GST certificate (and PAN mentioned under un-enlisted heading).
• Un-enlisted: application on letterhead; enlistment/registration letter with State/Central/PSU (process per GFR-2017 Rule 150 — registration currency automatically cancelled within 03 years — or JSG:015:03:2007). Registrations that do not expire within 03 years from registration date are NOT ELIGIBLE.
• Also: GSTIN certificate; Partnership Deed and Power of Attorney if partnership; GST Return not later than 03 months of tender notification; GST and Income Tax clearance proofs.
• ATC experience wording elsewhere says 'at least three years' experience for providing supply of stores' — generic template language mismatched to soil consultancy (see contradictions).

Financial standing / blacklisting / integrity

Bidder must not be under liquidation/court receivership/bankruptcy; must not be blacklisted/debarred; relatives of Client employees cannot participate; land-border registration rule applies.

• Upload undertaking of financial standing with bid (Buyer Added Generic clause).
• Client may terminate if bidder found blacklisted/debarred by Govt Departments/Institutions/Local Bodies/Municipalities/PSUs.
• Annexure-7/8 affidavits cover non-blacklisting, non-conviction under PC Act/IPC, and no relatives employed in GE Bengdubi.
• GeM GTC clause 26: bidder from a country sharing land border with India eligible only if registered with Competent Authority.

Consortium / JV

No consortium or joint-venture participation rules are specified in the tender documents.

• Buyer GCC forbids sub-contracting/sub-letting/transfer/assignment of the contract.

MII compliance

MII Compliance is Yes on the GeM bid.

What is being procured

Percentage-based hiring of Technology Consultants (Engineering Design profile) for soil investigation related to 'PROVN OF DEFI JCOs LIVING ACCN FOR 5 FOD AT BENGDUBI MIL STN'.

• GeM item category: Hiring of Consultancy Services - Percentage based - Technology Consultants; Engineering Design; Yes; Hybrid(As specified in scope of work).
• Quantity: 1 (one job / project-managed value basis).
• Proof of Concept (POC) Required: Yes (no separate POC methodology is described in the SOW attachments).

Technical scope and tests

One borehole soil investigation with SPT up to 6.0 m or refusal (N=50), sampling, specified field/lab tests, settlement analysis for bearing capacity, and recommended results.

• Tests listed: classification of soil properties; direct shear; tri-axial shear; consolidation; field density; liquid limit; plastic limit; specific gravity and other; relative density and other lab tests as per soil condition; settlement analysis for foundation-level bearing capacity.
• Soil Testing Report should be vetted by any Govt Engg College/NABL/NIT.
• Method/SLA also requires testing as per IS and vetting by IIT/NIT/NABL/Govt Engineering College.
• Consultant advised to visit site; site has existing structures/features peculiarities.

Deliverables, location and mode

Submit soil investigation report (with borehole layout drawing), personally inside consignee premises at GE Bengdubi / Darjeeling; hybrid deployment as specified.

• Consignee/Reporting Officer address is redacted in GeM bid but location is DARJEELING; Method says work consigned to GE Bengdubi.
• Report delivery: soft and hard copy inside premises of consignee personally; NOT through courier/email or any other form.
• Copy-count conflict: SOW says 05 x set copies; Method para 9 says one four set of report including layout drawing of borehole location, signed & stamped and vetted.
• Profile attachment prescribes a detailed soil investigation report format (introduction through chemical test results, SBC calculations, bore logs, graphs, etc.).
• Documents/data supplied by consultant become Client property; confidentiality and no publication without written consent.

Completion timeline

Method/SLA requires completion and handover/report submission within 90 days from agreement/placement of job work including client check/approval.

• GeM Contract Period field separately says 1 Month(s) — conflict noted under contradictions.

Submission mode and portal

Online two-packet e-bid (Technical and Financial) only through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) using valid GeM ID.

• Bids submitted other than through GeM are to be summarily rejected.
• Bidder must download Bid document (SOW and Special Conditions), sign/stamp and re-upload as token of acceptance.
• Sign all uploaded statements/documents owning correctness/authenticity.
• Conditional offers / deviations / non-meeting minimum eligibility are liable to rejection.
• Type of Bid on GeM: Two Packet Bid; documents uploaded by bidders are shown to other participated bidders.

Physical originals / hard copies

Buyer ATC requires original EMD/exemption letter and hard-copy notarized affidavits (Annexure-7/8) to GE Bengdubi within bid timelines; GeM Disclaimer treats mandating physical documents as a pre-requisite to qualify as making the bid null & void.

• ATC: original EMD by Speed Post/Registered Post or in person on or before bid-upload closing; non-receipt means bid shall not be opened.
• Annexure-7/8: scan upload on GeM and hard copy delivered along with other documents as per bid timelines.
• No separate physical-submission deadline date beyond 'on or before closing of uploading of the Bids' / 'timelines of the Bid Document' is printed.
• Physical receiving office in formats: GE Bengdubi, Post Bengdubi, Dist Darjeeling (W.B), Pin-734424.

Signing / attestation rules

Upload authorization letter/Power of Attorney for signatory; sign and stamp bid forms; Annexure-7/8 require notarized affidavits on Rs.10/- non-judicial stamp paper.

• Certificates clause: offer liable to rejection if certificates/documents sought in Bid/ATC/Corrigendum are not uploaded.
• Attested copies required for specified eligibility proofs (ITR/GST returns, audited balance sheets, etc.).

No corrigendum / addendum in the document pack

No corrigendum or addendum files are present among the tender documents; original GeM bid and buyer attachments remain unamended.

• Final applicable dates remain: bid document 03-08-2026; bid end 13-08-2026 13:00:00; bid opening 13-08-2026 13:30:00; bid validity 60 days from end date.
• Final estimated value remains INR 35,400; GeM EMD/ePBG flags remain Required: No (subject to unresolved ATC conflicts).

EMD required vs not required

GeM Bid Details set EMD Required: No, while buyer BidDocs ATC mandates EMD @2% (or exemption declaration) with original physical submission before bid close.

• GeM Disclaimer point 12 says buyer ATC clauses contravening EMD Detail are invalid unless allowed by applicable GeM GTC.
• Bidder action: seek written clarification/representation on GeM before relying on either position; non-compliance risk exists if Buyer still evaluates on ATC.

Performance security / ePBG

GeM ePBG Required: No, but BidDocs Annexure-1/7 and GCC refer to performance security/PBG without stating amount.

• Same Disclaimer point 12 risk as for EMD.
• No numeric performance-security percentage is printed in buyer attachments.

Contract period 1 month vs 90-day completion

GeM Bid Details state Contract Period 1 Month(s), while Method/SLA requires completion and report submission within 90 days from agreement/job-work placement.

• If both are left unamended, completion obligation and liquidated damages exposure are uncertain; seek clarification which duration governs.

Number of report sets: 5 vs 4

SOW Appx A requires 05 x set copies of results/recommendations, while Method para 9 requires one four set of report.

• Also SOW vetting list is Govt Engg College/NABL/NIT; Method adds IIT as well.

Physical document mandate vs GeM Disclaimer

Buyer ATC makes original EMD and hard-copy affidavits part of qualification/opening, while GeM Disclaimer says mandating physical-form documents as a pre-requisite to qualify bidders makes the bid & resultant contract null & void.

• Practical bidder risk remains if Buyer still refuses to open bids without originals.

Generic template mismatch (manpower/stores vs soil consultancy)

BidDocs repeatedly uses manpower-outsourcing / supply-of-stores language and Annexure-6 similar-work table header says manpower outsourcing, while the actual SOW is soil investigation consultancy.

• Creates ambiguity on what counts as 'similar work' for ATC experience tables versus GeM similar-services criteria.

Which EMD / ePBG position governs?

Ask Buyer to confirm whether GeM flags (EMD No / ePBG No) prevail over BidDocs ATC demanding 2% EMD and performance security.

• If EMD is required despite GeM 'No', confirm exact amount basis (estimated value ₹35,400 → 2% = ₹708?), acceptable instruments, and whether original physical submission is still insisted upon given GeM Disclaimer point 4/12.
• If performance security is required, ask for percentage, form, validity and submission timeline.

Contract duration and LD clock

Seek confirmation whether completion is 1 month (GeM) or 90 days (Method/SLA), and from which start event LD at 0.5%/week applies.

• Also confirm whether client check/approval time is included in the 90 days and what happens if vetting by IIT/NIT/NABL/Govt Engg College delays submission.

What counts as similar experience / POC?

Ask Buyer to define acceptable 'similar services' for this soil-investigation consultancy and what Proof of Concept is required before/at award.

• Clarify whether soil investigation/geotechnical consultancy jobs only are acceptable, or whether ATC 'supply of stores' / 'manpower outsourcing' wording will be used in evaluation.
• POC is marked Yes on GeM with no method, location, duration or evaluation criteria in SOW.

Report copies, vetting body and personal delivery

Confirm final deliverable set count (4 vs 5), acceptable vetting bodies (IIT included or not), and whether personal-only delivery (no courier/email) is mandatory for acceptance.

• Also ask whether soft copy alone can be used for intermediate review and if site access/security clearances at Bengdubi Mil Stn will be arranged by GE.

Turnover ₹10 lakh vs estimated value ₹35,400

Seek confirmation whether ₹10 lakh average turnover still applies to this ₹35,400 job, and whether MSE/Startup complete turnover relaxation will be accepted without MES-enlistment path issues.

• Also clarify if non-MES-enlisted geotechnical consultants with only commercial registration can qualify under the un-enlisted route.

Delay LD and blacklisting exposure

Delay compensation is 0.5% of quoted rate per week, capped at 10%; Department may also take disciplinary action for blacklisting with enlisting authorities.

• Personal accountability for delays in providing soil investigation report is expressly stated.
• Timeline conflict (1 month vs 90 days) increases LD uncertainty.

Single end-loaded payment

No stage payments: entire payment only after successful completion, inspection certification and bill formalities; no advance.

• Bidder funds fieldwork, lab testing, vetting fees, travel/boarding and multi-set report production before any receipt.
• Low estimated value (₹35,400) may not cover third-party vetting + mobilisation to Darjeeling/Bengdubi unless percentage quote is high.

One-sided acceptance / termination / recovery rights

GE Bengdubi decision is final in disputes under Method; BidDocs allows rejection without reasons, award to next higher bidder with recovery of price difference, and termination/forfeiture for breach without payment.

• Arbitration Clause: No; Mediation Clause: No on GeM bid.
• Client may terminate if blacklisting found, without notice.
• No sub-contracting allowed; replacement of contract elsewhere is on bidder's risk and cost.

ATC / template inconsistency and rejection risk

Multiple conflicting eligibility, security and physical-submission conditions create high risk of arbitrary rejection or later dispute over which clause applies.

• GeM Disclaimer also lists several ATC practices that can render bid/contract null & void (physical docs prerequisite; ATC contravening EMD/ePBG; external-document references, etc.).
• Requirement quantity/services may increase or decrease at Client discretion with corresponding contract-cost change.

Execution / site / delivery constraints

Military station site peculiarities, mandatory third-party vetting, and personal hand-delivery only (no courier/email) create schedule and access risk within a short bid-to-completion window.

• Confidentiality and no publication of project articles/photographs without written Client consent.
• Consultant must maintain continuous personal interaction with GE Bengdubi.

Inviting / accepting authority

Client / Accepting Officer is the Office of the Garrison Engineer (GE) Bengdubi under Indian Army / Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence.

• GeM organisation name: Indian Army; Department: Department Of Military Affairs; Ministry: Ministry Of Defence.
• GeM Office Name field is redacted as *********** in the bid PDF.
• Work consigned to GE Bengdubi; reports to be submitted to office of the Garrison Engineer Bengdubi.

Postal address for correspondence / physical documents

GE Bengdubi, Post: Bengdubi, Dist: Darjeeling (W.B), Pin-734424.

• This is the address printed on Annexure-1 Letter of Bid and is the office named for original EMD/hard-copy affidavit delivery under ATC.
• Consignee/Reporting Officer name and full address are redacted in the GeM bid PDF, with location shown as DARJEELING.

Email contacts on GeM bid

HOD grievance redressal email: [email protected]; Buyer email: [email protected].

• No phone numbers are printed in the available tender documents.
• Seller representations/grievances on ATC can also be raised via GeM Representation window; Buyer must reply before bid opening.

Paying authority

Payment by e-payment through AO GE Bengdubi.