Construction of Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex at Nepal Telecom Office, Jumla

Nepal Telecom has issued an e-bidding invitation for the construction of a Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex at their office in Jumla. This notice outlines the bidding process, requirements, and important dates for interested contractors. The bidding follows a National Competitive Bidding procedure with a Single Stage Two Envelope system. Let me break down the essential information from this notice in detail.

Project Overview

The Nepal Telecom office has initiated a project to construct a Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex at their Jumla location. This construction project falls under the contract identification number NDCL/PDSKT/NCB/Works-01/081-82. The notice was first published on 2081/11/15 in the Nepali calendar (which corresponds to approximately February-March 2025 in the Gregorian calendar).

Bidding Eligibility and Process

Nepal Telecom has opened this bidding opportunity to all eligible bidders from Nepal. The bidding follows a structured procedure:

1. Single Stage, Two Envelope Procedure: This bidding method requires bidders to submit two separate sealed envelopes simultaneously:
   • The first envelope containing the Technical Bid
   • The second envelope containing the Price Bid
   Both envelopes must be enclosed within one sealed envelope according to the Bidding Document provisions.
2. Document Acquisition: Interested bidders must download the bidding documents from the PPMO's e-GP system at www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp. These documents will be available until the 30th day during office hours from the tender publication date.
3. Bid Document Cost: Bidders submitting their bids electronically must pay a non-refundable fee of 10,000.00 Nepali Rupees. This payment serves as the cost of the bidding document and must be deposited into the specified account:
   • Bank: Sanima Bank, Surkhet Branch
   • Account Name: NEPAL DOORSANCHAR COMPANY LTD, REVENUE ACCOUNT-SURKHET
   • Bank Account Number: 0300100100015401
4. Pre-bid Meeting: A pre-bid meeting will be held at Nepal Telecom, Provincial Directorate Surkhet, Birendranagar on 2081/12/03 (March 16, 2025) at 11:00 am. This meeting provides an opportunity for potential bidders to seek clarification on any aspects of the bidding process.

Submission Requirements and Deadlines

The bidding process includes strict submission requirements and deadlines that all interested parties must adhere to:

1. Electronic Submission: All bids must be submitted electronically through the PPMO's e-GP system at www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp. The submission deadline is 12:00 noon on 2081/12/17 (March 30, 2025). Any bids received after this deadline will be automatically rejected.
2. Bid Opening: The submitted bids will be opened in the presence of bidders' representatives who choose to attend. This opening will take place on the 31st day on 2081/12/17 (March 30, 2025) at 13:00 hours at the office of Nepal Telecom, Provincial Directorate Surkhet.
3. Validity Period: All submitted bids must remain valid for a period of at least 90 days counting from the day of bid opening.
4. Bid Security Requirement: Each bid must be accompanied by a scanned copy of the bid security in PDF format from a Commercial bank or Financial Institution eligible to issue Bank Guarantee as per prevailing law. The bid security must be:
   • A minimum of Rs. 7,63,000.00
   • Valid for 30 days beyond the validity period of the bid (which means at least 120 days from bid opening)
5. Holiday Consideration: If the last date of purchasing, submission, and opening falls on a government holiday, the next working day shall be considered the last day. In such cases, the bid validity and bid security validity shall be recognized with effect from the original bid submission deadline.

Bid Details from the Table

The notice includes a table with specific bid information:

1. Serial Number: 1
2. Contract Number: NDCL/PDSKT/NCB/Works-01/081-82
3. Description of Work: Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex Construction works at Nepal Telecom Office, Jumla
4. Bid Form Fee: 10,000.00 NRs (Non-Refundable)
5. Bid Security Amount: 7,63,000.00 NRs
6. Last Date of Bid Submission: 2081/12/17 (12:00 noon)
7. Date of Bid Opening: 2081/12/17 (13:00 hours)

Legal and Procedural Considerations

The bidding process follows the National Competitive Bidding – Single Stage Two Envelope Bidding procedures, which is a standard method for government procurement in Nepal. This approach ensures transparency and fair competition among eligible bidders.

The two-envelope system serves a specific purpose in the evaluation process:

• The technical bid is evaluated first to determine if bidders meet the required technical specifications and qualifications
• Only after the technical evaluation is complete will the price bids of technically qualified bidders be opened and evaluated

This separation of technical and financial aspects prevents price considerations from influencing the technical evaluation, ensuring that only qualified contractors are considered for the project.

Financial Implications for Bidders

Participating in this bidding process requires financial commitment from interested contractors:

1. Document Cost: The non-refundable fee of 10,000 Nepali Rupees for the bidding documents
2. Bid Security: The substantial bid security amount of 763,000 Nepali Rupees, which must be obtained from a commercial bank or financial institution

These financial requirements serve multiple purposes:

• They ensure that only serious and financially capable contractors participate in the bidding process
• The bid security protects Nepal Telecom from bidders who might withdraw their bids before the validity period expires
• It provides some financial assurance that the selected contractor will enter into a contract agreement

Important Calendar Dates

To successfully participate in this bidding opportunity, contractors must pay close attention to these critical dates:

1. Publication Date: 2081/11/15 (February-March 2025)
2. Document Acquisition Period: Until the 30th day from publication during office hours
3. Pre-bid Meeting: 2081/12/03 (March 16, 2025) at 11:00 am
4. Bid Submission Deadline: 2081/12/17 (March 30, 2025) at 12:00 noon
5. Bid Opening: 2081/12/17 (March 30, 2025) at 13:00 hours

Regional Development Significance

This construction project in Jumla has particular significance given the region's remote location. Jumla is situated in the Karnali Province of Nepal, one of the more remote and less developed areas of the country. The construction of this Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex represents an important investment in infrastructure development for this region.

The project will likely contribute to:

• Improved telecommunications infrastructure in the Jumla area
• Enhanced service delivery capabilities for Nepal Telecom
• Local employment opportunities during the construction phase
• Better administrative facilities for Nepal Telecom operations in the region

Conclusion and Next Steps for Interested Bidders

The e-bidding invitation for the Construction of Technical Cum Administrative Building Complex at Nepal Telecom Office, Jumla provides a structured opportunity for eligible contractors to participate in this important infrastructure project. To successfully participate, interested bidders should:

1. Download the complete bidding documents from the PPMO's e-GP system
2. Pay the required non-refundable fee of 10,000 Nepali Rupees
3. Attend the pre-bid meeting if clarification is needed
4. Prepare both technical and financial proposals according to the requirements
5. Obtain the necessary bid security from an eligible financial institution
6. Submit the complete bid electronically before the deadline
7. Attend the bid opening if desired

This construction project represents not only a business opportunity for contractors but also contributes to the development of telecommunications infrastructure in Jumla. The transparent bidding process established by Nepal Telecom ensures fair competition and helps secure quality construction services for this important facility.

The detailed requirements and strict deadlines reflect the professional standards expected in this government procurement process, and adherence to these requirements is essential for any contractor hoping to secure this contract. The clear structure of the Single Stage Two Envelope procedure provides a methodical approach to evaluating bids based on both technical merit and financial considerations.