Sarkhej-Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Railway Line Construction

Publication / Invitation of RFP

RFP/NIT invitation date is 31.07.2026.

• Bid/Package No. CPM/SHSR/ADI/WR/SEJ-DSIR/EPC/01, Dated 31-07-2026.
• Unchanged by Corrigendum No.1.

Bid document download window

Bid documents can be viewed/downloaded on https://ireps.gov.in from 14.08.2026 to 12.12.2026 up to 11.00 Hrs IST.

• Amended by Corrigendum No.1 from original 11.08.2026–09.12.2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.

Pre-bid / clarification schedule

Last date for queries and 1st Pre-Bid: 08-09-2026; Authority response by 15-09-2026; 2nd Pre-Bid (if required): 28-09-2026; second Authority response by 13-10-2026.

• 1st Pre-Bid Meeting: 08-09-2026 at 11.30 Hrs at venue Clause 2.11.4(i).
• 2nd Pre-Bid Meeting: 28-09-2026 at 11.30 Hrs at venue Clause 2.11.4(i), if required.
• Queries via speed post/courier/special messenger or e-mail through IREPS to the officer in Clause 2.11.4 by the specified date.
• Maximum two representatives per prospective Bidder on production of authority letter.
• Amended by Corrigendum No.1 (original 1st pre-bid/queries 07.09.2026; response 10.09.2026; 2nd pre-bid 25.09.2026).

Bid Due Date / last date of request for bid document

Online Bid Due Date and last date of request for bid document: 12-12-2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.

• Portal NIT closing date/time also shows 12/12/2026 11:00.
• Amended by Corrigendum No.1 from 09.12.2026, 11.00 Hrs.

Physical submission of Clause 2.11.2 documents

Physical originals listed in Clause 2.11.2 are due on 17-12-2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.

• Covers original Power of Attorney, Lead Member PoA/JBA if JV/Consortium, and Bid Security BG if applicable.
• Amended by Corrigendum No.1 from 14.12.2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.

Opening of Technical Bids

Technical Bids open on 18.12.2026 after 16.00 Hrs at venue Clause 2.11.4(i).

• Unchanged by Corrigendum No.1.
• Declaration of qualified Bidders and Financial Bid opening: to be intimated during bidding process.

Bid validity and post-LOA timelines

Bid validity is 180 days from Bid Due Date; LOA duplicate return within 7 days; Performance Security within 30 days of LOA; Agreement signing within 60 days of receipt of LOA.

• Validity may be extended by mutual consent.
• NIT Validity of Offer: 180 days.

Estimated Project Cost / Advertised Value

Estimated Project Cost / Advertised Value is Rs.18901,68,45,573.00 (NIT: 189016845573.00).

• Corrigendum No.1: Approx. cost of the work — No Change.
• Bidders must make their own cost assessment.

Bid Security / Earnest Money

NIT Earnest Money is Rs.3780336900.00; RFP Clause 1.2.4 states Bid Security of Rs.378,03,37,000.00 — amounts differ by Rs.100 (see contradictions).

• Forms: Account Payee Demand Draft, Fixed Deposit Receipt, Banker’s Cheque, e-payment Gateway of Authority, or Bank Guarantee Bond from a scheduled commercial bank of India (Appendix-VII).
• Refundable not later than 200 days from Bid Due Date, except Selected Bidder (retained till Performance Security / Additional Performance Security furnished).
• BG shall be valid for 90 days beyond the bid validity period; Clause 2.20.6 also states Bid Security remains valid for 90 days beyond tender validity.
• Scanned instrument/receipt must be uploaded on IREPS; any Bid without Bid Security is summarily rejected.
• No relaxation of any kind on Bid Security.
• Bid Security of non-selected Bidders returned within 7 working days of LOA issue.
• Corrigendum No.1: Bid Security amount — No Change.
• BG beneficiary stated as PFA/Western Railway in Appendix-VII.

Tender document fee / Cost of Bidding

Tender document cost is Rs.0.00; Bid document is free on IREPS; Bidder bears all bid preparation/participation costs.

Performance Security

Selected Bidder must furnish Performance Security equal to 5% of Bid Price within 30 days of LOA, plus Additional Performance Security if any.

• Forms: Insurance Surety Bond / account payee demand draft / FDR from a commercial bank / online payment in acceptable form / irrevocable unconditional bank guarantee in the form in the draft EPC Agreement.
• If Insurance Surety Bond used and completion date extended, extended/fresh instrument required before expiry.
• Detailed provisions referred to Article 7 of draft EPC Agreement (draft EPC not included in this document set).
• Authority may adjust Bid Security into Performance Security at Selected Bidder’s option.

Pricing basis and key payment-related terms in RFP

Award is on lowest Bid Price (L1) after technical qualification; rates are inclusive of all legally leviable taxes/octroi/license fee/royalty; detailed construction payment terms sit in the draft EPC Agreement (not in this document set).

• If Financial offer is more than 5% below advertised tender cost (excluding), bid is treated as unbalanced and supporting cost/cash-flow documents (Appendix-ID pack) are required with the financial offer.
• NIT Schedule (EPC) G Project Lumpsum basic value shown as 13139133154.00 and G1 civil/NS/utility schedules are itemised on the portal NIT.
• Defect Liability Period is stated to be pre-determined in the draft EPC Agreement, but the period value is not printed in the RFP/NIT/corrigendum set.

Eligible bidder form and foreign participation

Bidder may be a single entity or Consortium/JV (max 4 members); non-Indian firm may tender only in JV with an Indian firm holding minimum 51%.

• Bidder may be a natural person, private entity, or combination with intent to form Consortium/JV.
• Only one Bid per Bidder; no dual bidding individually and in a Consortium/JV.
• Land-border country bidders need DPIIT Competent Authority registration (DOE OM F.No.6/18/2019-PPD dated 23.07.2020).
• Foreign ownership/control ≥25% in Lowest Bidder is subject to national security clearance; if denied, L2/L3 may be counter-offered to match L1.

Consortium / JV structure and liability

Lead Member minimum 51% shareholding and must execute at least 30% of project value itself; JV as a whole must meet 100% Financial Capacity; members are jointly and severally liable through Defect Liability Period.

• Technical Capacity of 50% under Clause 2.2.2.1(ii) must be met by a member with minimum 26% shareholding; other members not used for that 50% test must each have ≥10% under 2.2.2.1(ii).
• Clause 2.2.2.3 restates that 2.2.2.1(ii) is to be satisfied by any member having minimum 26% shareholding.
• Bid must describe roles/responsibilities (financial, technical, defect liability).
• Binding Joint Bidding Agreement (Appendix-IV) required; constitution change after bid/award tightly restricted and Lead Member must continue.
• On LOA, JV agreement with same shareholding must be registered under Companies Act/Partnership Act/LLP Act and original deposited within 45 days of LOA receipt.

Technical Capacity — Threshold experience

Over last 5 previous FYs + current FY up to Base month, payments received / PPP self-construction on Eligible Projects must exceed 2.5× Estimated Project Cost, with at least one-fourth from Category 1 and/or 3.

• Category weight factors: Railway PPP/construction (Cat 1/3) factor 1.0; core sector (Cat 2/4) factor 0.50; OECD developed-country projects further ×0.5.
• Category 1/2 Eligible Projects: PPP, ≥26% equity held for claimed year, capital cost >10% of Estimated Project Cost.
• Category 3/4: cumulative payments received; receipts <10% of Estimated Project Cost not reckoned; supply of goods/equipment excluded unless part of turnkey/EPC; land cost excluded.
• JV share restricted to applicant’s share per JV agreement for 2.2.2.1(i).
• Maintenance works are not eligible projects.
• Associate technical capacity may be used if control >50% voting shares / power to direct management.

Technical Capacity — Railway sector and Similar Work

Must complete/substantially complete one Railway-sector Eligible Project ≥50% of Estimated Project Cost, plus Similar Work: one ≥20% or two ≥10% each, with minimum viaduct length of 20 km.

• Substantially completed = payment ≥75% of present contract value (excluding PVC) and no termination-for-default proceedings; credential certificate not older than 60 days before invitation date.
• For JV: other members not used for the 50% railway test must each have one railway Eligible Project ≥10% of Estimated Project Cost.
• Similar Nature of Work: completed Railway/Metro/RRTS/Monorail/HSR/Semi-HSR work with minimum viaduct length of 20 km; viaduct lengths may be summed across the one/two similar works used under 2.2.2.1(iii).
• Similar-work credentials must be Client/Employer-issued only (not auditor/Authority Engineer/consultant certificates).
• Railway sector includes Railway/Metro/RRTS/Monorail/HSR/Semi-HSR and their bridges/viaducts.
• S&T/Electrification: selected bidder may self-execute only if it has 2.2.2.1(ii)-type experience to the value of estimated S&T/Electrification works in Schedule-G/G1; otherwise must engage eligible sub-contractor under draft concession/EPC Clause 3.2.

Financial Capacity and pending litigation cap

Minimum Net Worth of 5% of Estimated Project Cost at close of preceding Financial Year; pending litigation disputes must not exceed 50% of Net Worth.

• Net Worth = paid-up share capital + reserves from profits and securities premium − accumulated losses, deferred expenditure and miscellaneous expenditure not written off; excludes revaluation reserves, write-back of depreciation and amalgamation.
• Pending litigations cover all arbitration and court cases (claims and counter-claims) on completed and ongoing contracts; disclose in Appendix-VIII.
• Submit audited annual reports (Balance Sheet & P&L) for last 5 completed FYs (each JV member and any Associate whose financials are claimed); CA/Statutory Auditor certificates must carry UDIN.
• If latest FY not audited, give undertaking + statutory auditor certificate and provide prior 5 audited years.
• If Bid Due Date falls within three months of closing of latest completed FY, ignore that FY and use preceding years (Clause 2.1.13).
• Associate Net Worth eligible under control definition in Clause 2.2.2.9.

Debarment, past performance and conflict of interest

Entities barred by Central Government (bar subsisting) are ineligible; last-3-year non-performance/expulsion/termination defaults disqualify; Conflict of Interest causes disqualification and security forfeiture.

• NIT undertakings require declaration of not being blacklisted/debarred by Railways or any other Ministry/Department of GoI on bid submission date.
• False/forged certificates can cause summary rejection, Bid Security forfeiture, contract termination and business ban up to two years.
• Conflict includes common controlling shareholding (with >5% thresholds), Bidder receiving subsidy from another Bidder, same legal representative, business relationship influencing bids, or prior consultancy on the Project documents/designs.
• Engaging Authority’s legal/financial/technical adviser on the Project during bidding or after LOA/Agreement can lead to disqualification and security forfeiture (with stated time-window exceptions).

Project scope (EPC)

EPC construction of Sarkhej–Dholera Semi High-Speed Double Railway Line including spur lines to Lothal NMHC and Dholera Airport Terminal, complete with testing, commissioning and system integration under Western Railway.

• Civil works: Formation & Viaduct, Bridges, Station buildings and associated works.
• Track System (Ballasted & BLT).
• Overhead Traction System including Electrical General Services.
• Signalling & Telecommunication System and Operating Control Centre.
• Scope broadly includes survey and investigations required for designing the complete system including integration, full system design, construction, testing & commissioning and appurtenant works.

Length, location and completion period

Approx. route length 134 km; completion period 42 months (3.5 years).

• Jurisdiction: Western Railway; Authority office at Ahmedabad (Sarkhej–Dholera corridor).
• Corrigendum No.1: Completion Period 42 (Forty-Two) Months — No Change.

Contract mode, packages and notable execution notes

Single-stage two-packet EPC bidding; portal NIT shows Schedule G (project lumpsum) plus G1 foundation/substructure USSOR/NS and utility-shifting schedules; S&T/Electrification may require specialist sub-contracting.

• NIT Schedule G Project Lumpsum amount shown as 13139133154.00; G1A Foundation and Sub Structure USSOR 55155816764.24; G1A NS 644230620.00; G1B Utility Shifting Civil 2×1,00,00,000.
• Detailed S&T/Electrification values referred to Schedule-G and G1 of draft Concession/EPC Agreement.
• Feasibility Report is preliminary only; Bidders must do own surveys/investigations.
• Make in India Order 2017 (as revised) applies to bidding/award.
• Draft EPC Agreement sets detailed contractor obligations and standards (referenced but not included in this document set).

Submission mode and portal

Technical and Financial Bids must be submitted online only on https://ireps.gov.in; fax/telex/telegram/e-mail bids are summarily rejected.

• Two-packet system.
• Upload scanned files/sub-files in PDF not more than 5 MB each as per e-procurement instructions (RFP states file size not more than 3.75MB).
• Registration on IREPS required (free); registration must be valid at least up to Bid submission date.
• Bidder may modify/substitute/withdraw e-Bid before Bid Due Date; after withdrawal cannot re-submit.

Digital signature and signing

Class-III DSC in the name of the authorised signatory / firm / owner is mandatory; Bid typed and signed by authorised signatory; alterations initialled.

• DSC must be in corporate capacity (Bidder capacity, or Lead Member capacity for Consortium/JV).
• DSC holder must match Appendix-II authorised signatory or person executing Appendix-III.
• Submit document in support of Class-III DSC; otherwise Bid non-responsive.
• Physical envelope for Clause 2.11.2 documents must be sealed and marked with project identification, Bidder name/address and Bid Due Date on top-right.

Physical originals — what, where and by when

Original PoA (Appendix-II), and if applicable Lead Member PoA (Appendix-III), Joint Bidding Agreement (Appendix-IV) and Bid Security BG (Appendix-VII) must be submitted physically by 17-12-2026 up to 11.00 Hrs to the officers at Clause 2.11.4.

• Obtain receipt from the person specified at Clause 2.11.4.
• Late physical receipt after prescribed date/time is not considered and Bid is summarily rejected.
• See also contradictions: Clause 2.20.6 requires original Bid Security instrument before bid closing date excluding last submission day.

Corrigendum No.1 (dated 10-08-2026) — date extensions

Only Corrigendum No.1 is on record; it shifts pre-bid/query, download, bid-due and physical-submission dates while keeping opening on 18-12-2026 and leaving cost/EMD/completion/two-packet system unchanged.

• 1st Pre-Bid / last date for queries: 07.09.2026 → 08.09.2026 (meeting 11.30 Hrs).
• Authority response to queries: 10.09.2026 → 15.09.2026.
• 2nd Pre-Bid (if required): 25.09.2026 → 28.09.2026 (11.30 Hrs).
• Second Authority response date remains 13.10.2026.
• Bid document view/download: 11.08.2026–09.12.2026 → 14.08.2026–12.12.2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.
• Last date of request for bid document / Bid Due Date: 09.12.2026 11.00 Hrs → 12.12.2026 11.00 Hrs.
• Physical submission of Clause 2.11.2 documents: 14.12.2026 11.00 Hrs → 17.12.2026 11.00 Hrs.
• Technical Bid opening: 18.12.2026 after 16.00 Hrs — No Change.
• Approx. cost Rs.18901,68,45,573.00; Bid Security; Completion 42 months; Two Packet System — No Change.
• All other terms & conditions remain unchanged; forms part of tender document.
• Issued under No.ADI/III/SEJ-DSIR/EPC/Corr./01 / ADIII/SEJ-DSIR/EPC/Corr./01 Dated 10-08-2026 by Chief Project Manager/SHSR, Western Railway, Ahmedabad.

Values that finally apply after Corrigendum No.1

Final calendar: NIT 31.07.2026; download 14.08.2026–12.12.2026 11:00; queries/1st pre-bid 08.09.2026; response 15.09.2026; 2nd pre-bid 28.09.2026; response 13.10.2026; Bid Due 12.12.2026 11:00; physical 17.12.2026 11:00; technical opening 18.12.2026 after 16:00; validity 180 days from Bid Due Date.

• Estimated cost remains Rs.18901,68,45,573.00; completion 42 months; two-packet e-tender on www.ireps.gov.in.
• Portal NIT run date/time 10/08/2026 20:55:25 already reflects Closing Date/Time 12/12/2026 11:00.

Bid Security / EMD amount — RFP vs NIT

RFP Clause 1.2.4 states Bid Security Rs.378,03,37,000.00 while portal NIT Earnest Money is Rs.3780336900.00 (Rs.100 difference); Corrigendum says Bid Security amount is unchanged.

• Corrigendum tender-notice table OCR shows a garbled Bid Security figure but marks No Change.
• Bidder should seek written clarification before instrumenting Bid Security; do not assume either figure without Authority confirmation.

Physical Bid Security deadline — Clause 2.11.2/1.3 vs Clause 2.20.6

Clause 2.11.2 read with amended Clause 1.3 allows physical BG/documents by 17-12-2026 (after Bid Due Date), but Clause 2.20.6(ii) requires original Bid Security before bid closing date excluding the last submission day.

• Amended physical deadline for Clause 2.11.2 documents (including BG under 2.11.2(d)): 17-12-2026 up to 11.00 Hrs.
• Clause 2.20.6(ii): original DD/FDR/Banker’s Cheque/e-payment/BG should be delivered in person before closing date for submission of bids (i.e. excluding the last date of submission of bids).
• Non-compliance under 2.20.6 is stated to cause summary rejection — critical sequencing risk.

Un-updated internal RFP dates after Corrigendum No.1

Body clauses 2.11.1(h)/(i), 2.11.1.1, 2.12 and 2.14 still print 09.12.2026 / 14.12.2026 online/physical dates even though Corrigendum No.1 and portal NIT amend them to 12.12.2026 / 17.12.2026.

• Corrigendum expressly amends Notice Inviting Bid and Para 1.3 schedule; states all other terms remain unchanged.
• Final operative dates are the Corrigendum No.1 / portal NIT dates.

Contact email / office floor labels differ across notices

Notice Inviting Bid lists [email protected] and JE Rohit Kumar, while Clause 2.11.4 lists [email protected] (Dy.CE Kumar Gaurav, 1st Floor) and [email protected] (JE, 2nd Floor); corrigendum points to CAO office 2nd Floor.

• Not necessarily mutually exclusive (different officers/floors), but bidders should use Clause 2.11.4 addresses for physical submission and confirm the email channel for queries.

Confirm exact Bid Security amount to be instrumented

Ask Authority to confirm whether Bid Security is Rs.3,780,336,900.00 (NIT EMD) or Rs.378,03,37,000.00 (RFP 1.2.4), and which figure must appear on BG/DD.

• Rs.100 difference is enough to risk summary rejection if instrument amount is treated as non-compliant.

Resolve Bid Security original delivery deadline

Seek ruling whether original Bid Security must reach Authority before Bid Due Date excluding last day (2.20.6) or by amended physical deadline 17-12-2026 (1.3/2.11.2).

• Also clarify whether non-BG instruments (DD/FDR/Banker’s Cheque/e-payment proof) follow the same physical timeline as BG under 2.11.2(d).

Similar Work 20 km viaduct test — acceptable combinations

Request clarification on whether elevated station structures, continuous multi-span bridges, or multi-contract packages can count toward the 20 km minimum viaduct length, and how length is measured/certified.

• This is a pass/fail gate at ~20% of an ~Rs.18,902 crore project and will decide bid/no-bid for most contractors.

Missing draft EPC Agreement / Schedules G & G1 values for S&T and OHE

Ask for issue of complete draft EPC/Concession Agreement, Schedules G/G1 values for S&T and Electrification, Defect Liability Period, LD/payment milestones and PVC formula referenced but not printed in the available RFP PDF.

• Self-execution vs mandatory specialist sub-contracting for S&T/OHE cannot be priced without Schedule-G/G1 values and Clause 3.2 terms.

Base month definition for experience reckoning

Ask Authority to define “Base month” used throughout Technical Capacity reckoning (last 5 FYs + current FY up to Base month).

• Material to which running bills/credentials can be counted before Bid Due Date.

Very high qualification bar and credential form risk

Threshold Technical Capacity >2.5× ~Rs.18,902 crore plus one railway work ≥50% EPC and Similar Work with ≥20 km viaduct create an extremely narrow bidder field; wrong certificate issuer form is fatal.

• Similar Work credentials accepted only from Client/Employer — auditor/IE/consultant certificates expressly rejected.
• Substantially completed credentials must be issued not prior to 60 days before tender invitation.

Large locked Bid Security and forfeiture exposure

Bid Security of about Rs.378 crore can be forfeited for withdrawal during validity, corrupt practices, or Selected Bidder failure to return LOA, furnish Performance Security or sign Agreement within 60 days of LOA.

• No relaxation of any kind on Bid Security.
• Selected Bidder’s security retained until Performance Security is provided; BG validity must cover 90 days beyond 180-day bid validity.
• False documents can also trigger forfeiture and up to two-year business ban.

Performance Security cash lock and missing contract LD/payment detail

5% Performance Security of Bid Price is due within 30 days of LOA, but liquidated damages, interim payment, advances and DLP quantum are only in the draft EPC Agreement, which is not in the available document set.

• Prices risk of bidding a ~Rs.18,902 crore EPC without full payment/LD regime in hand.
• Additional Performance Security may also be demanded under RFP/LOA.

Tight 42-month completion for 134 km multi-disciplinary SHSR

42 months for ~134 km double line with viaducts, stations, track, OHE, S&T, OCC and full integration is execution-critical; Work Plan S-curves become monitoring baseline.

• Lead Member must self-execute ≥30% value.
• S&T/OHE may force approved specialist sub-contracting if own credentials insufficient.

One-sided process rights and waiver

Authority may accept/reject any or all Bids without assigning reason; Bidder releases Authority from claims arising out of the Bidding Process; Courts at Ahmedabad have exclusive jurisdiction.

• Lowest Bidder not selected (except security-clearance counter-offer path) leads to annulment and fresh bids rather than automatic L2 award.
• Material misrepresentation discovered even after LOA/Agreement can terminate and forfeit securities.
• Unbalanced bid (<−5%) triggers extra justification documents and evaluation scrutiny.

Pending litigation Net Worth cap

Total disputed amounts (claims + counter-claims) above 50% of Net Worth is a financial eligibility fail, requiring full Appendix-VIII disclosure across all completed/ongoing contracts.

Inviting Authority

President of India / Ministry of Railways through Chief Project Manager/SHSR, Western Railway (Dy.CE-C-SHSR-ADI on IREPS), office at Nirman Bhavan, Opp. GCS Hospital, Asarwa/Asarva, Ahmedabad – 382345.

• Cover also names Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (Cons.), Western Railway, Nirman Bhavan, Naroda Road, Opposite GCS Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, Gujarat-382345.
• Corrigendum notice board location: Office of CAO (Construction), Western Railway, 2nd Floor, Nirman Bhavan, Opp. GCS Hospital, Asarva, Ahmedabad-382345; website www.ireps.gov.in.

Physical submission / pre-bid venue contacts (Clause 2.11.4)

Primary: Mr. Kumar Gaurav, Dy. CE/C/SHSR/WR/ADI, 1st Floor, Nirman Bhavan, Opp. GCS Hospital, Asarva, Ahmedabad-382345, Mobile 9724093253, [email protected].

• Alternate: Mr. Rohit Kumar, JE/Est/C/WR, 2nd Floor, same building, Mobile 9724043112, [email protected].
• Pre-bid venue is Clause 2.11.4(i).
• Notice Inviting Bid also prints Email [email protected] and Mob-9724043112, Mr Rohit Kumar, JE/Est/C/WR.
• Corrigendum signed for Chief Project Manager/SHSR, Western Railway, Ahmedabad.