UVNL issuw Tender for development of Grid-Connected Rooftop Solar PV Systems to be Set Up at Identified Government Premises in the 8 Districts of Madhya Pradesh – EQ

Summary:

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**Core Objective:**
MPUVNL, as the nodal agency, is inviting bids from eligible Solar Power Developers (SPDs) to set up grid-connected rooftop solar PV systems under a **Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model**. The systems will be installed at pre-identified government premises across eight districts of Madhya Pradesh: Alirajpur, Damoh, Maihar, Narsinghpur, Pandhurna, Sheopur, Sidhi, and Singrauli. The generated solar power will be supplied to the respective government departments under a net-metering arrangement.

**Key Project Features:**

1. **Project Structure:** The project is divided by district. A bidder can bid for one or more districts. For each district they are selected for, the SPD will sign a separate **Power Purchase Agreement (PPA)** with each **Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO)** of the concerned government departments within that district.
2. **RESCO Model:** The SPD will invest in, install, own, operate, and maintain the rooftop solar systems. The government department (Procurer) will purchase the generated power at a pre-determined, quoted tariff for 25 years.
3. **Capacity and Scope:** The detailed list of sites (Units) for each district, including their individual capacities (minimum 20 kW contract demand), is provided in a “Data Room.” Bidders are required to conduct their own due diligence on these sites.
4. **Tariff and Escalation:** Bidders will quote a tariff for the **First Contract Year** (in Paisa/kWh, with no decimals). This tariff will be escalated by **2% at the start of each subsequent Contract Year** for the entire 25-year term of the PPA.

**Bid Process (Single-Stage, Two-Envelope):**

The selection process is a standard two-part bid conducted online via the MP Tenders Portal.

1. **Part 1: Qualification Proposal (Technical Bid):** This envelope contains the bidder’s eligibility documents, including:
– Letter of Bid, Board Resolutions, Joint Bidding Agreement (if a consortium).
– **Earnest Money Deposit (EMD):** INR 1,00,000 per MW (or part thereof) of the project capacity the bidder wishes to be considered for. The EMD is submitted as a Bank Guarantee or Insurance Surety Bond.
– **Financial Capacity Evidence:** Audited balance sheets, Net Worth certificate (calculated as per Companies Act, 2013), and a Letter of Financial Capacity. The bidder must demonstrate a minimum Net Worth as specified (though the exact number is not in the excerpt, it is a key criterion).
– Certificates related to the Office Memorandum for bidders from countries sharing a land border with India.
– Other documents like incorporation certificate, shareholding pattern, and a disclosure format.

2. **Part 2: Financial Proposal (Price Bid):** This envelope contains the quoted tariff for each district the bidder wishes to participate in.

**Evaluation and Award:**

– **Qualification:** MPUVNL first opens and evaluates the Qualification Proposals. Bidders who meet the Net Worth requirement and have submitted all responsive documents become **Qualified Bidders**.
– **Award:** The Financial Proposals of only the Qualified Bidders are opened. The bidder quoting the **lowest tariff** for a given district is declared the **Selected Bidder** for that district. A single bidder can be selected for multiple districts.

**Key Eligibility Conditions:**

– **Bidding Entities:** A Company, LLP, Partnership Firm, Sole Proprietor, or a Consortium (maximum 2 members) can bid. A foreign company or LLC must incorporate an Indian SPV if selected.
– **Conflict of Interest:** Stringent rules are in place to prevent any conflict of interest among bidders.
– **Shareholding Lock-in:** Direct promoters of the selected bidder must not cede control for one year after the Project COD. If an SPV is formed, the selected bidder(s) must hold a minimum of 51% equity in the SPV for the same period. For a consortium, the lead member must hold at least 26% and other members whose net worth was considered must hold at least 26% each.
– **MSME Exemption:** MSMEs registered in Madhya Pradesh are exempt from paying the EMD, but only if bidding as a single entity (not as a consortium). No exemption is given for the Bid Processing Fee or Document Cost.
– **Land Border Condition:** Bidders from countries sharing a land border with India must comply with specific conditions as per the Office Memorandum (Annex 8).

**Financial Safeguards:**

– **EMD:** Forfeited if the bidder withdraws, engages in corrupt practices, or fails to sign the PPA or submit the performance security after being selected.
– **Performance Security (PBG):** The selected bidder must submit a PBG of **INR 1,750 per kW** for each PPA separately within 7 days of receiving site approval. This is a Bank Guarantee or Insurance Surety Bond.

**Site Management and Flexibility:**

– **Data Room:** Contains the initial list of sites. Bidders must pay a non-refundable **Document Cost of INR 25,000** to access it.
– **Due Diligence:** Bidders are strongly encouraged to visit sites and conduct their own assessments.
– **Site De-scoping:** A site can be excluded from the project before or after signing the PPA for reasons like poor structural strength, shading, or right-of-way issues.
– **Site Addition:** New sites (with contract demand >=20 kW) can be added to the Data Room after the LOA is issued, up until the PPA is signed.

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