Military Engineer Services Issues ₹95 Lakh O&M Tender for 6 MW Solar Projects in Jodhpur

The Military Engineer Services (MES) has invited bids for the comprehensive operation and maintenance of 6 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity located within the Jodhpur Army Area, Rajasthan.

Project Overview and Scope

As India’s solar fleet matures, the industry has increasingly recognized that rigorous “health care” for aging plants is indispensable to meet long-term performance expectations. Operation and Maintenance (O&M) has transitioned into a standalone segment of the solar value chain, vital for mitigating technical risks and improving the Levelised Cost of Electricity (LCOE).

In alignment with this trend, the Military Engineer Services (MES) has issued a tender for the comprehensive maintenance, manning, and operation of a 6 MW Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) Grid Interactive Power Plant. The contract mandate falls under the jurisdiction of the Commander Works Engineer (CWE) Army Jodhpur and is to be executed by the Garrison Engineer (Army) No. 01 Jodhpur. The project encompasses two distinct installations—one 4 MW and one 2 MW facility—situated within the Jodhpur Army Area in Rajasthan, including all associated distribution infrastructure.

Commercial and Timeline Details

The MES has estimated the financial value of this O&M contract at ₹95 Lakh, with a performance period of eleven months. To participate in this competitive bidding process, firms must adhere to a strict timeline and financial instrument protocol:

• Bid Submission Deadline: July 11, 2026.
• Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): ₹1,67,500, required in the form of a Deposit at Call Receipt, issued specifically in favor of the Garrison Engineer (Army) No. 01 Jodhpur.
• Tender Fee: ₹1,000 (non-refundable).
• Performance Security: The successful bidder is required to furnish security amounting to 5% of the total contract value within 28 days of the letter of acceptance.
• TENDER PORTAL: https://defproc.gov.in/nicgep/app

Bidder Eligibility and Technical Requirements

The MES has established a multi-tiered eligibility framework to ensure technical compliance. Enlisted contractors must hold a valid Class ‘C’ registration, while unenlisted firms must demonstrate they meet the financial and technical benchmarks defined in the MES Manual on Contractor 2020.

A mandatory requirement for all bidders is a notarized Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an MNRE-approved channel partner holding a performance rating between 1A and 2C. Qualification is further predicated on a proven track record of successful solar project completions for government or public sector undertakings over the last seven years:

Operational and Maintenance Standards

Following the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) best practice guidelines, the contractor is expected to manage the facility through a sophisticated operational structure. This includes “Operation Planning” (portfolio-level analytics) and “Operation Execution” (on-site supervision). Bidders must manage the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Performance Ratio (PR): Defined as the actual energy generated divided by the energy obtainable under ideal conditions.
• Capacity Utilisation Factor (CUF): The ratio of actual energy production to the potential output at Standard Test Conditions (STC).
• Technical Availability (Uptime): The percentage of time the plant is capable of operating.

Maintenance is categorized into three specific disciplines:

• Scheduled Maintenance: Regular visual inspections and functional testing, including panel cleaning and vegetation control—tasks considered high-priority in the Indian context.
• Corrective Maintenance: Prompt restoration of faulty components or equipment.
• Extraordinary Maintenance: Major repairs necessitated by unpredictable, large-scale events.

Operational oversight will involve remote monitoring via dataloggers. The MES emphasizes “Response Time” (the sum of Acknowledgement and Intervention time), suggesting that bidders align their strategies with IGEF “Fault Classes” to prioritize responses based on potential power loss.

Compliance and Submission Protocol

The procurement is conducted via the defence e-tendering portal using a “two-cover” system. Cover 1 is reserved for Technical and Qualification documentation, while Cover 2 contains the Financial (Price) Bid.

Strict penalties are enforced to ensure administrative transparency. Original physical copies of financial instruments must reach the accepting authority within seven days of the bid closing. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a six-month suspension from future MES bidding opportunities. Furthermore, the MES strictly prohibits unauthorized subletting and bars related firms under common ownership from participating simultaneously to prevent anti-competitive practices.