ISA And AVVNL Invite Bids For AI-Powered GIS And Digital Twin Deployment In Discoms

The International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Ajmer Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (AVVNL) have invited bids through a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the appointment of System Integrators (SIs) to implement an advanced AI-powered digital transformation project for power distribution companies (DISCOMs). The initiative aims to strengthen Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integration through GIS-based Asset Management, Network Analysis, and Load Forecasting solutions.

Under the project scope, the selected System Integrator will be responsible for end-to-end deployment of the digital platform, including software procurement, licensing, periodic updates and renewals, comprehensive grid digitization, and long-term operations and maintenance. The contract also includes the creation of digital twins and advanced analytics capabilities to support smarter grid management and renewable energy integration. The selected vendor will provide operations and maintenance support for a period of five years following project commissioning.

The implementation schedule has been structured around a milestone-based timeline beginning from the issuance of the Letter of Award (LoA), referred to as “T0”. The first milestone, Project Initiation and Planning, is scheduled for completion within two months from the LoA date and carries a payment of 10% upon approval of the project charter and implementation plan.

The second milestone, Business Blueprinting, is expected to be completed within three months of the LoA and also attracts a 10% payment upon approval. Environment Setup and hosting are planned within the same three-month period and account for an additional 5% payment after readiness certification.

Deployment of the mobile application and related digital tools is targeted for completion within six months from the award date, with a corresponding payment of 10%. During the same period, extensive field surveys and data digitization activities will be carried out across utility circles. This milestone accounts for 20% of the project payment, which will be released on a pro-rata basis according to completed work.

The deployment of core functional modules, including key asset management and network analysis capabilities, is scheduled within twelve months and carries a 20% payment. Advanced AI-enabled analytics and digital modules are also expected to be implemented during this phase, attracting a further 5% payment upon acceptance.

Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and pilot rollout activities are planned within the twelve-month implementation period and account for 15% of the contract value. Enterprise-wide Go-Live across all circles will mark the final implementation milestone and trigger the remaining 5% payment upon successful acceptance.

Following project completion, a subscription and operations phase will continue for five years. Payments during this period will be made quarterly based on annual levelized subscription costs and compliance with agreed Service Level Agreements (SLAs). ISA will fund the first year of subscription services, while the participating DISCOMs will bear the costs for the remaining four years.

The RFP also includes strict performance monitoring provisions. Any major service disruption, such as application outages affecting a significant number of users beyond prescribed limits, may attract penalties linked to quarterly subscription payments. However, cumulative penalties under SLA provisions are capped at 7% of the quarterly invoice value, ensuring accountability while maintaining financial balance for project execution.