SECI Invites Applications From Advocates And Law Firms For Two-Year Legal Empanelment

The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited (SECI), a Navratna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, has invited applications from advocates and law firms for a new legal empanelment program. The empanelment will be valid for two years and may be extended by one more year based on performance.

SECI plans to empanel up to 16 legal professionals or firms from India. The selected entities will represent SECI in corporate, contractual, and statutory matters before various courts, tribunals, and arbitration forums. The empanelment is limited to domestic Indian advocates and law firms.

According to the Request for Empanelment (RfE), the legal work will include appearances before the Supreme Court, High Courts, the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), and other judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. The empaneled lawyers and firms will also handle arbitration matters, draft and vet contracts and legal documents, prepare pleadings, and provide written and oral legal opinions.

Applicants will be placed in three categories based on their professional experience after enrolment. Category A is for those with more than 15 years of experience, Category B for those with 10 to 15 years, and Category C for those with 5 to 10 years of practice. SECI is specifically seeking expertise in power sector laws, arbitration, contractual disputes, civil matters, and service or labour matters.

To qualify, applicants must meet technical eligibility requirements and show an average annual turnover of at least INR 42.15 lakh over the past three financial years. They must also have a positive net worth in the latest financial year.

The selection process will be conducted online through the ISN-ETS portal using a single-stage, single-envelope system. Candidates will first undergo a technical evaluation carrying 50 marks. Those scoring at least 65% in this stage will move to the personal interaction round, which carries 30 additional marks. A minimum cumulative score of 65% across both stages will be required for final empanelment.

In case of a tie, preference will be given based on specific technical criteria, followed by total years of experience. If the tie still remains, a draw of lots will be conducted.

Selected applicants will sign a formal Empanelment Agreement on non-judicial stamp paper. Payments will be made as per a fixed Schedule of Rates and released within 30 days after submission of correct invoices.

SECI has also imposed strict conditions to avoid conflicts of interest. Empaneled lawyers and firms will not be allowed to represent any party against SECI during the empanelment period. The company has adopted a zero-deviation policy, under which conditional bids or any deviation from the tender terms will be rejected outright. SECI has reserved the right to modify, cancel, or withdraw the tender at any stage without liability.