Professionals for Application Development and Maintenance

Publication / bid date

Bid document dated 28-07-2026 (GeM bid GEM/2026/B/7814169).

• No corrigendum in the tender pack amends this date.

Pre-bid meeting

Pre-bid on 03-08-2026 at 11:00:00 at NIC Conference Hall, 7th Floor, CGO Complex-110003.

• Contact person named for pre-bid: Ashwani Kumar Tiwari (9953126961).
• QCBS attachment separately says pre-bid on the 5th day from publication at 11:00 AM at Conference Hall, 7th Floor, CGO — see contradictions.
• QCBS also advises attending pre-bid and states portal queries would be discussed only in the pre-bid meeting.

Bid submission end

Bid End Date/Time: 07-08-2026 16:00:00.

• Auto-extension: if fewer than 3 bids, bid end auto-extends by 7 days, maximum 1 auto-extension.
• No corrigendum extends this deadline in the available pack.

Bid opening

Bid Opening Date/Time: 07-08-2026 16:30:00.

• Two Packet Bid; technical clarifications during technical evaluation allowed within 2 Days.

Bid offer validity

Bid Offer Validity is 180 Days from Bid End Date.

• Under GeM GTC, Bid Security should remain valid for 45 days beyond bid validity.

Contract period and possible extensions

Contract Period is 1 Year(s); resources are to be deployed for 12 months during the contract period.

• Buyer ATC allows extension up to 6 months beyond initial duration on same rates/terms, subject to satisfactory performance and mutual consent.
• QCBS attachment instead allows extension up to 12 months — see contradictions.
• QCBS also states satisfactory agency may be preferred for subsequent 1 or 2 years on same terms with minimum 8% annual increment.

Estimated bid value

Estimated Bid Value is INR 5,13,30,000 (inclusive of all taxes).

• Declared for guidance on EMD and for turnover/past-experience eligibility; not a ceiling on quoted price.

EMD / Bid Security

EMD Amount is INR 10,26,600; Advisory Bank State Bank of India; beneficiary Senior Secretariat Assistant R.d.singh, NIC HQ.

• EMD & Performance security should be in favour of Beneficiary wherever applicable.
• EMD shall also be accepted by the buyer in the form of a surety bond.
• GeM GTC defines Bid Security as Insurance Surety Bond, Account Payee DD, FDR, Banker’s Cheque or Bank Guarantee (including e-BG) from Commercial Banks, or online payment in acceptable form.
• GeM GTC: scanned EMD with online bid; hard copy to Buyer within 5 working days of bid opening (ATC instead requires physical EMD before bid closing — see contradictions).
• GeM GTC: Bid Security valid for 45 days beyond bid validity; no interest payable.
• MSE Service Providers and DPIIT Start-ups may claim EMD exemption with valid supporting documents; traders excluded under MSE.
• Buyer ATC: eligible bidders must submit EMD in physical form before bid closing at NIC, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003.
• Unsuccessful bidders’ EMD return timelines follow GeM GTC (within 15 days after award/expiry or after technical rejection in two-packet bids); successful bidder’s EMD within 15 days after receipt of Performance Security/e-PBG.

Performance security / ePBG

ePBG Percentage 3.00% for Duration of ePBG required 15 Months; Advisory Bank State Bank of India.

• In favour of Beneficiary wherever applicable.
• GeM GTC: Performance Security forms include Insurance Surety Bonds, Account Payee DD, FDR, Bank Guarantee (including e-BG), or online payment; submit within 15 days of award on GeM; payments due only after receipt and verification; valid for 2 months beyond completion of all contractual obligations including warranty; no interest; refund within 30 days of completion if duly performed.
• Bid ePBG duration of 15 months is consistent with a 1-year contract plus post-completion cover.

Tender / bid participation fee

No tender document fee or bid participation fee is stipulated in the bid details.

• GeM buyer-disclaimer lists asking for Tender fee / Bid Participation fee among invalid ATC practices.

Payment terms

Payment Terms: Monthly; service provider must pay deployed staff salaries/wages first, then claim reimbursement with statutory proofs.

• Claim with PF, ESIC etc. and bank statement of staff payments.
• QCBS: agency must pay manpower entitlements before 7th of every month; 1% of agency’s billed value penalty for the month if default is noticed by NIC.
• NIC will not reimburse amounts beyond approved bid value for future/mandatory statutory contributions.
• GeM GTC: seller payments become due only after Performance Security is received and verified.

Pricing / evaluation commercial basis

Evaluation Method is Total value wise evaluation on QCBS 70:30 (Technical:Financial); Bid to RA enabled: No; bid splitting not applied.

• MII Compliance: Yes.
• Option clause: buyer may increase/decrease contract quantity or duration up to 25% at issue of contract; after issue, only increase up to 25%; for lumpsum service contracts, scope/value may increase up to 25% with service-provider consent.
• QCBS also allows NIC to place order plus or minus 25% over existing work order.
• No. of manpower can be reduced as per actual requirement for complete calendar month (ATC).

GeM turnover and years-of-experience thresholds

Minimum Average Annual Turnover of the bidder (3 years) is 2053 Lakh(s); Years of Past Experience Required for same/similar service is 3 Year(s); Past Experience of Similar Services required: Yes.

• Turnover eligibility criteria to be verified by buyer at technical evaluation.
• Documentary evidence: certified audited balance sheets or CA/Cost Accountant certificate for turnover; if entity <3 years old, average of completed years after constitution.
• Years of past experience ending month of March prior to bid opening, providing similar services to any Central/State Govt Organisation/PSU; upload relevant contracts/orders for each Financial year.
• GeM past-experience of similar services over current FY + last three FYs (ending March prior to bid opening): three similar completed services ≥40% of estimated cost; or two ≥50%; or one ≥80%.
• MSE and DPIIT Startup: complete relaxation from Experience Criteria and Bidder Turnover (subject to quality/technical specs) with supporting exemption documents uploaded.
• Startup Relaxation for Years Of Experience and Turnover: Yes | Complete; MSE Relaxation: Yes | Complete.

QCBS pre-qualification — legal entity, India operations and registrations

Bidder must be an established IT company under Companies Act 1956/2013, or LLP/Partnership under applicable Acts, with registered office in India, operating in India for FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26, with valid PAN, GST, EPF, ESIC and State Labour registration (if applicable).

• Consortiums are not allowed; deployed manpower must be employees of the agency; no subcontracting.
• Must comply with IT Act 2000 (including 43A) and declare resources will be dedicated exclusively to the project and report to Government throughout.
• Must not have applied or intend to apply for bankruptcy; CA certificate + authorized-signatory self-declaration required.
• Office required in Delhi-NCR (QCBS) / office of Service Provider must be located in the state of Consignee with documentary evidence (GeM ATC).
• Authorization of signatory via scanned original Power of Attorney on non-judicial stamp paper of at least Rs.100/-.

QCBS certifications

PQ requires valid CMMI V3.0 Maturity Level 5 for software development listed in CMMI Published Appraisal Results; checklist also requires ISO 9001:2015 or later, ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 or later, and ISO 27001:2018/2013/2022.

• Only CMMI certificates listed in the Published Appraisal Results system are considered valid.
• Technical scoring also awards marks for these four certificates (CMMI 7 + ISO 9001 4 + ISO 20000 4 + ISO 27001 5 = 20; cutoff 14).

Financial standing (QCBS)

Positive net worth in each of FY 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 with no net-worth erosion exceeding 30% ending 31st March 2026; profit-making in each of those three FYs; working-capital strength disclosures required.

• Average turnover from IT Software/professional services (Indian Operations) for last 3 FYs is a checklist item; technical marks start only at average turnover ≥ INR 50 Crores.
• GeM bid turnover floor is 2053 Lakh — different threshold from QCBS scoring floor of 50 Cr (see contradictions).

Past project experience (QCBS)

PQ requires successfully executed/completed eGovernance project (IT Software/professional services) with minimum single work-order value of Rs 5 Crores for any Govt./PSU/Corp in FY 2023-24 to 2025-26.

• Checklist restates past-work thresholds as: single WO above INR 9 Cr; or 2 WOs above 7 Cr each; or 3 WOs above 5 Cr each — aligned to top technical-scoring band rather than the PQ 5 Cr floor (see contradictions).
• Technical scoring bands (inclusive of taxes): single >5 Cr =4 marks; single >7 Cr or 2>5 Cr =7 marks; single >15 Cr or 2>9 Cr or 3>5 Cr =10 marks; cutoff 7; follow-up/continuation WOs of same project not counted as additional.
• GeM 40/50/80% similar-service rule is a separate GeM eligibility construct — see contradictions.

Manpower strength and payroll conditions

QCBS PQ: at least 500 resources on company payroll for past one financial year with minimum qualification B.E./B.Tech/MCA continuously on rolls for past 1 year from bid date.

• GeM ATC separately requires at least 20% of required manpower on service provider’s payroll for at least one year; those persons form part of total manpower if awarded.
• Technical strength marks: 500 resources =5 marks, +0.5 per additional 50 up to 15 marks (>1500); cutoff 11; subsidiaries’ manpower not counted; qualification of counted manpower must be BE/B.Tech(CS/IT/Electronics)/MCA/M.Sc.(IT,CS).
• Dedicated/toll-free telephone for service support and escalation matrix of telephone numbers required.

Blacklisting, conviction and border-country restrictions

Non-blacklisting and non-conviction undertakings for last three years (2023-24 to 2025-26) required; GeM GTC clause 26 land-border registration condition applies.

• Blacklisting by any Central/State Ministry, Department, PSU or Government Company as on bid submission date is disqualifying for the stated period.
• Non-conviction covers corrupt practices / IPC / other law / corrupt, fraudulent, coercive, undesirable or restrictive practices.
• Any bidder from a country sharing a land border with India is eligible only if registered with the Competent Authority; false declaration is ground for immediate termination and legal action.

QCBS technical qualification gates

Only PQ-eligible bidders enter technical evaluation; sectional cut-offs apply on parameters 1–5; minimum technical score 70/100 to open financials; QCBS weightage 70:30; H1 by highest final score.

• Parameter cut-offs on GeM bid face: Relevant Project Experience 10/7; Technical Strength 15/11; Certifications 20/14; Financial Turnover 15/10; Technical Presentation 40/28; Total Minimum Qualifying Marks for Technical Score: 70.
• Presentation venue: Through Videoconferencing.
• QCBS final-score formula text is internally inconsistent — see contradictions.

What is being procured

Onsite hiring of professionals for Application Development and Maintenance of NIC eForms and eSampark Platform for 1 year (12 months deployment).

• eForms: unified digital workflow / single-window electronic forms platform for government departments.
• eSampark: centralized single-window communication platform for SMS, Email and OBD outreach.
• Objectives include 24x7 secure uninterrupted operation, cybersecurity monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, continuous feature development, security audits/patches, and incorporation of department feedback.
• Buyer will conduct interview of proposed resources before deployment (Yes for all listed roles).
• Location/consignee: Ashwini Kumar Tiwari, A Block, CGO Complex, National Informatics Centre, New Delhi – 110003.

Manpower quantities by bid line item

GeM bid line items total 30 onsite resources for 12 months across development, testing, admin, helpdesk and content roles.

• Senior Software Developer (3+ yrs, PHP-based): 2
• Senior System Administrator (4+ yrs): 3
• Web Designer/Developer (5+ yrs): 1
• Web Designer/Developer with 1 year increment (6+ yrs): 1
• Senior Software Developer (7+ yrs): 5 + 1 (two line items)
• Software Developer (5+ yrs): 6
• OpenStack DevOps (10+ yrs): 1
• Project Manager (12+ yrs): 1
• Tester 3-5 Years experience (3+ yrs): 1
• System Administrator (5+ yrs): 2
• Help Desk Support-Technical Support (1+ yr): 2
• Content Writer (5+ yrs): 1
• System Administrator (1+ yr): 3
• SOW role list totals 32 resources with finer technology split (Angular/Java/PHP etc.) — quantity mapping differs slightly from GeM line items (see contradictions).

Key role responsibilities and skill domains (SOW)

SOW defines role-wise responsibilities spanning project management, multi-stack development (Angular/Java/PHP), web design, OpenStack DevOps, testing, system administration, helpdesk and content writing for eForms/eSampark.

• Technical Project Manager: architecture (microservices/monolithic/serverless), API/messaging, scalable design, data governance/security, large-scale G2G/G2C project management.
• Senior developers: Angular frontend; Java Spring Boot/microservices and Java Struts2; PHP backends; REST APIs; mentoring.
• Software Developers: microservices, REST APIs, performance optimization.
• Web Designer/Developer roles: Angular UI and UX research/design.
• OpenStack DevOps: CI/CD, Docker/Kubernetes/OpenShift, cloud (NIC Cloud/MeghRaj/AWS/Azure/GCP), IaC, monitoring.
• Tester: manual/automated testing, UAT, API/DB testing, defect management.
• System / Senior System Administrators: Linux/Windows, virtualization, networking, backups/DR, K8s/OpenShift/Docker, hardening.
• Help Desk: L1/L2 support, ticketing, remote support.
• Content Writer: technical documentation, manuals, FAQs, CMS content.
• Educational baseline generally B.E./B.Tech CS/IT/ECE or equivalent; MCA/M.Tech preferred for many roles; certifications desirable as stated per role.
• SOW experience floors for some roles differ from GeM role experience labels (e.g., Project Manager SOW min 10 yrs overall vs GeM 12+ yrs; OpenStack DevOps SOW min 5 yrs vs GeM 10+ yrs).

Deployment, leave and operating conditions

Resources to be deployed within 30 days of Work Order; full-time onsite; buyer interviews before deployment; agency supplies laptops; NDA and confidentiality obligations apply.

• ATC leave: maximum 1 day/month, cumulative within year; no carry-forward to next year.
• QCBS leave: 18 days leave per year; maternity/paternity as per government guidelines; compensatory leave for holiday/weekend work subject to approval; public/gazetted holidays as per Government calendar — conflicts with ATC leave (see contradictions).
• 90-day notice period on resignation/termination (may be reduced with management approval).
• No resource change without written consent of Project Coordinator/NIC; NIC prerogative to retain candidates based on performance.
• Agency must provide medical insurance for deployed manpower and immediate dependents (optional extension spouse + up to two children).
• Police verification required; valid passport copy may bridge till verification completes.

Submission mode and portal

Online two-packet bid on GeM (Bid Number GEM/2026/B/7814169); financials evaluated only after technical qualification under QCBS.

• Document required from seller (GeM face): Experience Criteria, Bidder Turnover, Certificate (Requested in ATC); exemption seekers must upload supporting documents.
• Do you want to show documents uploaded by bidders to all bidders: No.
• Upload all necessary QCBS/bid documents and certificates in a single PDF.
• No new document will be considered after submission of bid.
• Copy of completed bidder checklist must be enclosed with the bid (5 marks allocated for checklist section).
• Technical presentation through videoconferencing for shortlisted bidders; resumes of deployable manpower may lead to personal/online interview during technical evaluation.

Physical EMD and originals

Physical EMD must be submitted to NIC, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 before bid closing (ATC); GeM GTC separately contemplates hard-copy Bid Security within 5 working days of bid opening.

• Scanned EMD/supporting exemption proof is also part of the online bid.
• Power of Attorney is to be scanned original on stamp paper (upload online).
• No other physical pre-qualification document set is prescribed beyond EMD; GeM disclaimer disfavours mandating physical documents as a PQ prerequisite.

Signing / attestation rules

Undertakings and self-declarations must be duly signed by authorized signatory on company letterhead; several certificates require CA/CS attestation or seal; certificates for technical scoring attested by authorized signatory.

• Power of Attorney on non-judicial stamp paper of at least Rs.100/-.
• Net-worth/profit/turnover/working-capital proofs via CA certificates and audited financials.
• Manpower payroll undertaking signed with company seal by CA/CS/Authorized Signatory.
• Delhi-NCR office self-certification on letterhead by authorized signatory.

No corrigendum/addendum in tender pack

No corrigendum or addendum document is present among the downloaded tender files; original GeM bid values dated 28-07-2026 apply as issued.

• Available files are bid_9637939.pdf, scope SOW 1784625073.pdf, QCBS attachment 1785134873472.pdf (and identical duplicates), and gtc.pdf.
• Finally applying key schedule values remain: Bid End 07-08-2026 16:00:00; Bid Opening 07-08-2026 16:30:00; Bid validity 180 days; Pre-bid 03-08-2026 11:00:00 (per GeM bid face); Estimated value INR 5,13,30,000; EMD INR 10,26,600; ePBG 3% for 15 months; Contract 1 year.

Pre-bid date: fixed GeM date vs QCBS '5th day from publication'

GeM bid fixes pre-bid on 03-08-2026 11:00; QCBS says 5th day from publication at 11:00 AM — both cannot be followed literally.

• Publication/bid date is 28-07-2026; fifth day from publication is not 03-08-2026 under ordinary counting.
• Bidder action: treat the GeM bid-face date/venue as the operative schedule unless buyer issues clarification/corrigendum; seek written confirmation if attending.

Physical EMD deadline: before bid closing (ATC) vs within 5 working days of opening (GeM GTC)

Buyer ATC requires physical EMD before bid closing; GeM GTC requires hard copy within 5 working days of bid opening.

• GeM disclaimer also lists mandating physical documents as a PQ prerequisite among clauses that can render bid/contract null & void.
• Practical bidder action: comply with the stricter ATC (physical EMD before closing) and also upload scanned EMD online.

Contract extension cap: 6 months (ATC) vs 12 months (QCBS)

Buyer ATC allows extension up to 6 months; QCBS terms allow up to 12 months on same rates/terms.

• QCBS further contemplates preference for subsequent 1 or 2 years with minimum 8% annual increment — another extension construct.
• Impact: commercial modelling of option period is ambiguous until clarified.

Leave entitlement: 1 day/month (ATC) vs 18 days/year (QCBS)

ATC caps leave at 1 day per month (max 12/year, no carry-forward); QCBS grants 18 days leave per year plus compensatory/maternity/paternity rules.

• Pricing of replacements/LWP exposure and candidate offer letters depends on which leave regime prevails.
• Bid states SLA/ATC specific to service overrides conflicting GTC; between ATC and QCBS attachment both are buyer-specific — needs clarification.

Past-experience value thresholds: GeM 40/50/80% vs QCBS Rs 5 Cr / scoring bands

GeM clause uses 40%/50%/80% of estimated cost (~INR 5.13 Cr); QCBS PQ requires minimum single eGovernance WO of Rs 5 Cr and scoring/checklist use much higher crore bands.

• 40% of 5,13,30,000 ≈ INR 2.05 Cr; 80% ≈ INR 4.11 Cr — both below QCBS PQ Rs 5 Cr single-order floor.
• Checklist item 13 uses 9 Cr / 7 Cr / 5 Cr bands while PQ item 11 states only minimum single 5 Cr.
• Bidders should assume the stricter QCBS PQ/scoring documents will govern technical responsiveness, but GeM face criteria remain on record.

Turnover floor: 2053 Lakh (GeM) vs ≥50 Cr for QCBS marks

GeM minimum average annual turnover is 2053 Lakh; QCBS technical turnover criterion starts marks only at average INR 50 Crores.

• A bidder at 20.53 Cr could meet GeM turnover yet score below the Financial Turnover cutoff of 10 marks if below 50 Cr average, risking technical failure.
• MSE/Startup relaxations on GeM turnover may still collide with QCBS scoring cutoffs.

Role experience years: GeM line items vs SOW required experience

Several GeM role experience labels exceed SOW minimum experience (e.g., Project Manager 12+ vs SOW 10 years; OpenStack DevOps 10+ vs SOW 5 years).

• Help Desk GeM label is 1+ year while SOW text mixes 'minimum 2 years overall with at least 1 year IT support' and elsewhere 'Minimum 2–3 years'.
• Resource-count mapping also differs: SOW role list aggregates to 32 vs GeM line-item total 30.
• Interview/deployment acceptance will likely use SOW skill text plus GeM experience labels — clarify before proposing CVs.

QCBS final score formula double-applies technical weight

QCBS text first converts technical marks to ST using ×0.7, then again computes FS = (ST × 0.7) + (SF × 0.3), which would under-weight technical score relative to the stated 70:30.

• Example given: 100 technical marks → ST = 70; if then FS = 70×0.7 + SF×0.3, max FS becomes 49 + 9 = 58, not 100.
• Likely drafting error; bidders should seek clarification on the exact H1 computation used on GeM/by buyer.

Office location wording: Delhi-NCR (QCBS) vs state of Consignee (GeM ATC)

QCBS requires office in Delhi-NCR; GeM ATC requires office in the state of Consignee (Delhi) with documentary evidence.

• NCR office outside NCT of Delhi may satisfy QCBS but be arguable under 'state of Consignee' wording limited to Delhi.

Which document prevails on conflicting commercial/HR terms?

Ask buyer to confirm precedence among GeM bid face, Buyer ATC, QCBS attachment and SOW for leave, extension, experience years, past-experience thresholds and office location.

• Specifically list: leave 12 vs 18 days; extension 6 vs 12 months; PM 12 vs 10 years; DevOps 10 vs 5 years; GeM 40/50/80% vs QCBS 5 Cr; Delhi vs Delhi-NCR.

Confirm operative pre-bid date and query cutoff

Seek confirmation whether pre-bid is 03-08-2026 (GeM) or 5th day from publication (QCBS), and the last date/mode for submitting written queries on portal.

• QCBS says portal queries would be discussed in the pre-bid meeting only — confirm whether post-meeting written replies/corrigendum will be issued.

Physical EMD timing and acceptable instruments

Confirm whether physical EMD must reach NIC before 07-08-2026 16:00 (ATC) despite GeM GTC allowing 5 working days after opening, and which instruments/formats/beneficiary name exact style are accepted.

• Also confirm claim period/validity wording expected on BG/surety (GTC: 45 days beyond bid validity).

QCBS H1 formula and sectional cut-offs on GeM

Request the exact final-score formula to be used and whether GeM portal computes 70:30 automatically or buyer will apply the written FS=(ST×0.7)+(SF×0.3) text.

• Also confirm whether failing any sectional cutoff (including presentation 28/40 and checklist 5 marks embedded in presentation block) is absolute disqualification even if total ≥70.

Manpower count, rate card basis and interview rejection risk

Confirm final billable headcount (30 vs 32), whether quotes are unit monthly rates per GeM role, and commercial impact if interviewed candidates are rejected after award.

• Ask deployment timeline interaction with 30-day SLA and non-deployment daily penalties.
• Clarify if agency must keep 100% bench for immediate deployment scoring and whether replacements after rejection are at same quoted rate with no timeline relief.

CMMI Level 5 and 500-payroll gates — any relaxation?

Confirm no relaxation of CMMI V3.0 ML5 and 500 qualified payroll resources even for MSE/Startup, given GeM experience/turnover relaxations.

• Material bid/no-bid gate for mid-size vendors.

SLA penalties and termination triggers

Monthly penalties capped at 10% of bill; repeated max-penalty breaches (>3 times in a billing period) allow termination on 30 days’ notice; corrupt-practice can attract 10% of total contract value cancellation charges.

• Non-deployment: daily remuneration of non-deployed resource (ex-tax) as penalty plus period as LWP.
• Unauthorised absence >2 days: substitute by 6th day or earlier; else daily penalty + LWP.
• Late salary (before 7th): 1% of agency billed value for that month; salary default 2 continuous months or thrice a year is termination ground.
• Theft/loss/damage: immediate payment of actual value and replacement within 10 days or possible cancellation.
• Illegal/foul/corrupt acts: replacement within 10 days or cancellation with up to 10% contract-value charges.

Cash-flow and security lock-up

Bidder funds EMD (~INR 10.27 Lakh) then 3% ePBG for 15 months, must pay salaries first before monthly reimbursement, and receives buyer payment only after PBG verification.

• No interest on EMD/PBG.
• NIC may suspend payments for performance failure via written suspension notice.
• NIC will not reimburse extra statutory contributions newly mandated beyond approved bid value — margin risk on labour-law changes.
• Option/+-25% quantity-duration changes and mid-course manpower reduction by calendar month create volume risk.

Interview gate and replacement burden

Buyer interviews resources before deployment; incompetent/misconduct resources must be replaced within 10 days; no resource change without NIC consent; 90-day resource notice period.

• Technical evaluation may interview proposed staff and score immediate deployability heavily (up to 30 of presentation marks).
• Failure to deploy full manpower within 30 days of WO triggers daily penalties.
• Agency must provide laptops and medical insurance for staff and dependents — unpriced cost elements if not loaded in rates.

One-sided IP, liability and termination clauses

NIC/client owns all work product; agency indemnifies IP infringement; NIC can terminate for convenience and multiple defaults; confidentiality survives contract; no claim certificate required after acceptance.

• Death/injury of deployed staff: NIC absolved; agency bears labour-law obligations.
• Force majeure >1 month delay: NIC may cancel without compensating agency.
• Arbitration in New Delhi under Indian Arbitration Act, 1996; third arbitrator appointed by MeitY.

High entry barriers and short bid window

CMMI L5, ~500 qualified payroll staff, multi-ISO set, QCBS presentation and ~10-day window from 28-07-2026 publish to 07-08-2026 close create execution/compliance risk.

• No new documents after bid submission; single-PDF bundling/indexing errors can cost checklist marks.
• Conflicting clauses increase rejection risk if buyer applies unstated precedence.
• Labour-code compliance obligation is absolute; non-compliance is breach.

Additional unpaid scope risk

Selected bidder may have to deploy additional skilled manpower at no extra charge to meet SLA/scope, and support technology/configuration changes.

• Combined with 25% option clause and manpower reduction rights, revenue is not firmly volume-protected while service levels remain absolute.

Inviting / buyer organisation

National Informatics Centre (NIC), National Informatics Centre-head Quaters under Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• GeM Bid Number GEM/2026/B/7814169.

GeM grievance / buyer emails

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

Consignee / Reporting Officer

Ashwini Kumar Tiwari, A Block, CGO Complex, National Informatics Centre, New Delhi – 110003.

• Named as Consignee/Reporting Officer for resource deployment line items.

Pre-bid contact and venue

Pre-bid at NIC Conference Hall, 7th Floor, CGO Complex-110003; Contact Person Ashwani/Ashwini Kumar Tiwari, phone 9953126961.

• GeM bid date 03-08-2026 11:00:00; QCBS uses same venue/phone with alternate date rule.

Physical EMD submission address

National Informatics Center, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 (physical EMD before bid closing per ATC).

EMD / performance security beneficiary

Beneficiary: R.d.singh, Senior Secretariat Assistant, National Informatics Centre-head Quaters, NIC, MeitY.

• Contact identity only; financial instrument rules are under Financials.