NLC India Limited has invited online bids through a domestic competitive bidding process for a solar power project. The tender, issued on 14 May 2025, is for the design, engineering, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of 4 MW rooftop solar and 1 MW floating solar power systems across various locations. The contract also includes five years of operation and maintenance (O&M) after one year of free warranty. The total scope will be executed on a turnkey basis.
The rooftop solar capacity of 4 MW will be installed at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu (2.5 MW), Barsingsar in Rajasthan (400 kW), Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu (300 kW), and Ghatampur in Uttar Pradesh (800 kW). The 1 MW floating solar system will be built at Neyveli on the water reservoir of the water treatment plant. Bidders are expected to carry out a baseline feasibility study of the sites and ensure connection with the existing AC distribution boards or delivery points.
Bids are to be submitted in a two-part system—Part I (Techno-commercial) and Part II (Price bid)—followed by a reverse auction. The last date and time for submission of bids and physical documents is 24 May 2025 at 14:30 hours, and Part I will be opened the same day at 15:00 hours. The opening date for Part II and the reverse auction will be announced later.
The tender document costs ₹10,000, and the bid guarantee (EMD) required is ₹29,76,000. The bid guarantee can be submitted as a bank guarantee, demand draft, NEFT/RTGS transfer, or insurance surety bond. The physical copy of the bid guarantee and other required documents must reach the NLC office in Neyveli within three working days after the opening of Part I, failing which the bid will not be considered.
Bidders must be Indian companies and meet specific technical and financial eligibility criteria. They must have executed similar grid-connected solar projects of at least 400 kW cumulative capacity, with one plant of at least 40 kW capacity running successfully for six months. They must also have an average annual turnover of at least ₹6 crore in the last three years and a positive net worth. Participation can be as a single entity, in collaboration, as a consortium, or as a joint venture, provided all qualifying requirements are met.
The entire project must be completed and commissioned within nine months from the date of the letter of award (LOA). After commissioning, the project will enter a one-year free warranty period, during which the performance guarantee (PG) test must be conducted within 90 days. Following that, a paid O&M service will continue for five years.
Only Class-I local suppliers with at least 50% local content can participate, as per government guidelines. Equipment from countries sharing land borders with India must follow additional registration and cybersecurity testing protocols.
