Australia’s federal government has released a consultation paper detailing information on the proposed Solar Sharer Offer (SSO). 

Summary:

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## **1. Overview**
This document is an **Expression of Interest (EOI)** issued by **Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd. (TCIL)**, a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Communications, for the selection of a **backend partner** to develop a **7 MW (7000 kW) rooftop solar power project** for **NALCO** at two locations: **Angul and Damanjodi**. The project includes **Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC)** and **5 years of Operation & Maintenance (O&M)**.

The EOI is issued in response to the client’s (**NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd – NVVN**) tender reference **NVVN/CandM/RE431/2025-26**. The selected partner will work **exclusively with TCIL** on a **back-to-back basis**, meaning TCIL will be the lead bidder to the client, and the partner will execute the work for TCIL.

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## **2. Key Dates**
– **EOI Issue Date**: 14.01.2026
– **Start Date for Online Bid Submission**: 14.01.2026, 18:00 Hrs
– **Last Date for Online Bid Submission**: 27.01.2026, 12:00 Hrs
– **Technical Bid Opening**: 27.01.2026, 13:00 Hrs
– **Financial Bid Opening**: To be notified later

Bids must be submitted online via the **GePNIC portal (https://www.etenders.gov.in)**.

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## **3. Eligibility Criteria**
The bidder must satisfy the following conditions:

### **A. General Eligibility**
– Must be a **Class-I or Class-II local supplier** as per **Make in India** policy (DPIT Order).
– Must be an **Indian Registered Company** (under Companies Act 1956/2013), Proprietorship, Partnership, or Government Society.
– Must have a valid **PAN and GST Registration**.
– Must not be **blacklisted/debarred** by any Government/PSU.
– **Consortium bids are not allowed.**

### **B. Financial Criteria**
– **Average Annual Turnover** (last 3 years: 2022-23 to 2024-25):
– Minimum **₹7.5 Crores** (₹6.25 Cr for MSEs & Startups).
– **Net Worth**: Must be positive as on 31.03.2025.
– **Profit Before Tax (PBT)**: Positive in **2 out of the last 3 financial years**.

### **C. Technical & Experience Criteria**
– **Similar Work Experience** in last 7 years:
– **Two similar works** each ≥ ₹7.5 Cr (₹6.25 Cr for MSEs), **OR**
– **One similar work** ≥ ₹10 Cr (₹8.75 Cr for MSEs).
– *Similar work* means design, supply, installation, and commissioning of **grid-connected solar PV plants**.
– Must submit **work orders and completion certificates**.

### **D. Other Requirements**
– **Manufacturer’s Authorization Certificate (MAF)** from OEMs.
– **No-Conviction Certificate**.
– **Integrity Pact** must be signed and submitted.
– **Local office** at project site (or undertaking to open one).
– **PF Registration** proof.
– Compliance with **Indian labour laws** and **MSDE skill development** requirements.

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## **4. Bid Security (EMD) & Fees**
– **EMD Amount**: ₹5,00,000
– **Forms Accepted**: Demand Draft, Bank Guarantee, FDR, Insurance Surety Bond, Electronic Transfer.
– **Validity**: 150 days.
– **Exemption**: **MSEs and Startups are exempted** from EMD and tender fees (subject to certificate submission).
– **Bank Details**: Provided for NEFT/UPI payments.

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## **5. Evaluation Process**
– **Two-Part Bid**: Technical (Part-I) and Financial (Part-II).
– **Substantially responsive bids only** will be evaluated.
– **Lowest bid (L1)** will be determined from the **Price Bid Schedule**.
– **NPV-Based Evaluation** for works involving CAPEX + OPEX (O&M).
– **Discount Rate**: 10% per annum for NPV calculation.

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## **6. Key Contractual & Commercial Terms**

### **A. Payment Terms (Back-to-Back)**
– Payments will be released **only after TCIL receives payment from the client**.
– No advance payment.
– Payment linked to milestones: delivery, commissioning, completion.
– **GST compliance** is mandatory; invoices must be raised as per GST laws.

### **B. Performance Security**
– **10% of contract value**.
– Forms: Bank Guarantee, FDR, Insurance Surety Bond.
– Must be submitted within **15 days** of LOI/PO.

### **C. Price Preference & Make in India**
– **MSEs get price preference** (L1 + 15%).
– **Make in India**: Minimum local content required (Class-I: ≥50%, Class-II: 20–50%).
– **Purchase Preference**: 20% margin for Class-I suppliers.

### **D. Risk & Liability**
– **Risk Purchase Clause**: If the supplier fails, TCIL may get work done through a third party at the supplier’s risk and cost.
– **General Lien/Set-Off**: TCIL can appropriate dues from any payments or security deposits.
– **Termination for Default or Insolvency**.
– **Force Majeure**: Limited to war and earthquake; max 3 months suspension.

### **E. Dispute Resolution**
– **Conciliation and Settlement Mechanism (CSM)** as per Annexure-A.
– **Arbitration** (for contracts ≤ ₹5 Cr) through **India International Arbitration Centre (IIAC)**, New Delhi.
– **Courts at New Delhi** have exclusive jurisdiction.

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For more information please see below link: