A. INTRODUCTION

1. Scope of Bid
   1. The Procuring agency/Employer (PA), as indicated in the Bid Data Sheet (BDS) invites Bids for the execution of Works as specified in the BDS and Section V- Works Requirements. The name, identification, and number of lots (contracts) of this National/ International Competitive Bidding process are specified in the BDS.
2. Source of Funds
   1. Source of funds as referred in Clause 2 of Bid Data Sheet.
3. Eligible Bidders
   1. A bidder may be natural person, company or firm or public or semi-public agency of Pakistan or any foreign country, or any combination of them with a formal existing agreement (on Judicial Papers) in the form of a joint venture or consortium. In the case of a joint venture or consortium, all members shall be jointly and severally liable for the execution of the Contract in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Contract. The joint venture or consortium shall nominate a Lead Member as nominated in the BDS, who shall have the authority to conduct all business for and on behalf of any and all the members of the joint venture or consortium during the Bidding process, and in case of award of contract, during the execution of contract. Verifiable copy of the agreement that forms a joint venture, consortium or association shall be required to be submitted as part of the Bid.
      Any bid submitted by the joint venture, consortium or association shall indicate the part of proposed contract to be performed by each party and each party shall be evaluated (or post qualified if required) with respect to its contribution only, and the responsibilities of each party shall not be substantially altered without prior written approval of the Procuring Agency and in line with any instructions issued by the Authority.
      (The limit on the number of members of JV or Consortium may be prescribed in BDS, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the PPRA).
   2. The invitation for bids is open to all prospective bidders subject to any provisions of incorporation or licensing by the respective national/ international incorporating agency or statutory body established for that particular trade or business. Procuring agencies shall specify the registration/licensing requirements for the foreign bidder keeping in view the requirement of that business.
   3. A Bidder shall not have a conflict of interest. All Bidders found to have a conflict of interest shall be disqualified. A Bidders may be considered to have a conflict of interest with one or more parties in this Bidding process, if they:
      1. are associated or have been associated in the past, directly or indirectly with a firm or any of its affiliates which have been engaged by the Procuring agency/Employer to provide consulting services for the preparation of design or technical specifications of the works that are the subject of the bid; or
      2. have controlling shareholders in common; or
      3. receive or have received any direct or indirect subsidy from any of them; or
      4. have the same legal representative for purposes of this Bid; or
      5. have a relationship with each other, directly or through common third parties, that puts them in a position to have access to information about or influence on the bid of another bidder, or influence the decisions of the Procuring agency/Employer regarding this Bidding process; or
      6. Submit more than one bid in this bidding process.
   4. A Bidder may be ineligible if –
      1. he is declared bankrupt or, in the case of company or firm, insolvent;
      2. payments in favor of the bidder is suspended in accordance with the judgment of a court of law other than a judgment declaring bankruptcy and resulting (in accordance with the national laws) in the total or partial loss of the right to administer and dispose of its property;
      3. the bidder is convicted, by a final judgment of a Court of Law or relevant Professional Statuary Body, of any offence involving professional conduct;
      4. The bidder is debarred/ blacklisted by a national level Procuring agency/Employer and hence debarred due to involvement in corrupt and fraudulent practices, or performance failure or due to breach of bid securing declaration.
   5. As and when required, bidders shall provide to the Procuring agency/Employer evidence of their eligibility, proof of compliance with the necessary legal requirements to carry out the contract effectively.
   6. Bidders shall submit proposal relating to the nature, conditions and modalities of sub-contracting wherever the sub-contracting of any elements of the contract is envisaged.
4. Eligible Material and Equipment
   1. All the material and equipment to be mobilized under the contract shall have their origin in eligible source countries, and all expenditures made under the contract will be limited to such materials and equipment. For this purpose, ineligible countries are stated in the section-IV titled as “Eligible Countries”.

B. BIDDING DOCUMENTS

5. Contents of Bidding Documents
   1. The scope of Works, bidding procedures, and terms and conditions of the contract are prescribed in the bidding documents.  In addition to the Invitation for Bids, the bidding documents which should be read in conjunction with any addenda issued in accordance with ITB 7.1 include:
      Section I -Invitation for Bids 
      Section II Instructions to Bidders (ITBs)
      Section III Bid Data Sheet (BDS)
      Section IV Eligible Countries
      Section V Evaluation and Qualification Criteria
      Section VI Works Requirements Technical Specifications & Schedule of Requirements
      Section VII Standard Bidding Forms
      Section VIII General Conditions of Contract (GCC)
      Section IX Particular Conditions of Contract (PCC)
      Section X Contract Forms
   2. The bidder is expected to examine all instructions, forms, specifications, terms and conditions prescribed in the bidding documents. Failure to furnish all the information required in the bidding documents will be at the bidder’s risk and may result in the rejection of his bid. 
6. Clarification of Bidding Document, Pre-bid Meeting
   1. A prospective bidder requiring any clarification of the bidding document may notify the Procuring agency/Employer through EPADS. 
   2. The Procuring agency/Employer shall respond to the request for clarification in accordance with Rule 31 of the Public Procurement Rules 2004.
   3. Should the Procuring Agency deem it necessary to amend the BIDDING document as a result of a clarification, it shall do so following the procedure under ITB 7.
   4. If indicated in the BDS, the bidder’s designated representative is invited at the bidder’s cost to attend a pre-bid meeting at the place, date and time mentioned in the BDS. During this pre-bid meeting, prospective bidders may request clarification of the schedule of requirement, the evaluation criteria or any other aspects of the bidding documents.
   5. Minutes of the pre-bid meeting, if applicable, including the text of the questions asked by bidders, including those during the meeting (without identifying the source) and the responses given, together with any responses prepared after the meeting will be uploaded on EPADS. Any modification to the bidding documents that may become necessary as a result of the pre-bid meeting shall be made by the Procuring agency/Employer exclusively through the use of an Addendum pursuant to ITB 7. Non-attendance at the pre-bid meeting will not be a cause for disqualification of a bidder.
   6. The bidder is advised to visit and examine the Site of Works and its surroundings and obtain for itself on its own responsibility all information that may be necessary for preparing the bid and entering into a contract for construction of the Works.  The costs of visiting the Site shall be at the bidder’s own expense.
   7. The bidder and any of its authorized personnel will be granted permission by the Procuring agency/Employer to enter upon its premises and lands for the purpose of such visit, but only upon the express condition that the bidder and its personnel will release and indemnify the Procuring agency/Employer  from and against all liability in respect thereof, and will be responsible for death or personal injury, loss of or damage to property, and any other loss, damage, costs, and expenses incurred as a result of the inspection.
7. Amendment of Bidding Documents
   1. The procuring agency may issue notification of any change, addition, modification or deletion in accordance with Rule 23 of the Public Procurement Rules 2004 i.e. Bidding Documents.
   2. To give prospective bidders reasonable time in which to take an addendum/corrigendum into account in preparing their bids, the Procuring agency/Employer may, at its discretion, extend the deadline for the submission of bids:
      Provided that the Procuring agency/Employer shall extend the deadline for submission of bid in pursuance of Rule 27 of the  Public Procurement Rules 2004, i.e. Extension of time for submission of bids, if such an addendum is issued within last three (03) days of the bid submission deadline.

C. PREPARATION OF BIDS

8. Language of Bid
   1. The bid prepared by the bidder, as well as all correspondence and documents relating to the bid exchanged by the bidder and the Procuring agency/Employer shall be written in the English language unless specified in the BDS. Supporting documents and printed literature furnished by the bidder may be in another language provided they are accompanied by an accurate translation of the relevant pages in the English language unless specified in the BDS, in which case, for purposes of interpretation of the bidder, the translation shall govern.
9. Documents Constituting the Bids   
   1. The Bids prepared by the Bidder shall constitute of all the documents required in the BDS.
10. Documents Establishing Eligibility of Material, Equipment and Works, their Conformity to Bidding Documents
    1. The bid prepared by the bidder shall constitute the following components: -
       1. Documentary evidence established in accordance with ITB 10 that the material and equipment to be utilized by the Bidder for the executions of works are eligible material and equipment and conform to the Bidding Documents;
       2. Documentary evidence established in accordance with ITB 11 that the bidder has been authorized to carry out the Construction works;
       3. Documentary evidence established in accordance with ITB 11 that the bidder is eligible and/or qualified for the subject bidding process;
       4. Form of Bid and Bid Prices completed in accordance with ITB 12 and 13; 
       5. Completed schedules as required, including priced Bill of Quantities in accordance with ITB 13.
       6. Technical Proposal completed in all aspects in accordance with ITB-15. 
       7. Bid security or Bid Securing Declaration furnished in accordance with ITB 17;
       8. Any other document required in the BDS.
    2. In addition to the requirements, bids submitted by a JV shall include a copy of the Joint Venture Agreement entered into by all members. Alternatively, a letter of intent to execute a Joint Venture Agreement in the event of a successful bid shall be signed by all members and submitted with the bid, together with a copy of the proposed Agreement.
    3. The bidder shall furnish, as part of its bid, all those documents establishing the eligibility in conformity to the terms and conditions specified in the bidding documents for all material, equipment and works which the bidder proposes to execute.
    4. The documentary evidence of conformity of the material, equipment and works to the Bidding Documents may be in the form of literature, drawings, and data, and shall consist of:
       1. a detailed description of the work methodology, approach, schedule and resources to be mobilized at site;
       2. an item-by-item commentary on the Procuring agency/Employer’s Technical Specifications demonstrating substantial responsiveness of the material, equipment and works to those specifications, or a statement of deviations and exceptions to the provisions of the Technical Specifications;
       3. any other procurement specific documentation requirement as stated in the BDS.
    5. The required documents and other accompanying documents must be in English. In case any other language than English is used the pertinent translation into English shall be attached to the original version.
11. Documents Establishing Eligibility and Qualification of the Bidder   
    1. The bidder shall furnish, as part of its bid, all those documents establishing the bidder’s eligibility to participate in the bidding process and/or its qualification to perform the contract if its bid is accepted.
    2. The documentary evidence of the bidder’s eligibility to bid shall establish to the satisfaction of the Procuring agency/Employer that the bidder, at the time of submission of its bid, is from an eligible country as defined in Section-IV titled as “Eligible Countries”.
    3. The documentary evidence of the bidder’s qualification to perform the contract if its bid is accepted shall establish to the satisfaction of Procuring agency/Employer that:
       1. The bidder has the financial and technical capability necessary to perform the Contract, meets the qualification criteria specified in Section-V, Evaluation and Qualification Criteria and BDS.
       2. In the case of a bidder not doing business within Pakistan, the bidder is or will be (if awarded the contract) represented by a local bidder (Joint Venture) in accordance with the PEC works bylaws, and in case of award of works such foreign firm is required to participate in the execution of works to carry out its obligations as prescribed in the Conditions of Contract and /or Technical Specifications.
       3. That the bidder meets the qualification criteria listed in Section-V, Evaluation and Qualification Criteria and BDS. 
12. Forms of Bid
    1. The Bidder shall fill the Form of Bids furnished in the bidding documents. The Bids Form must be completed without any alterations to its format and no substitute shall be accepted.
13. Bid Prices
    1. The bid prices quoted by the bidder in the Standard bid Forms, Bill of Quantities and in the Price Schedules shall conform to the requirements specified below or exclusively mentioned hereafter in the bidding documents. 
    2. The bidder shall fill in rates and prices for all items of the Works described in the Bill of Quantities. If a Price Schedule shows items listed but not priced, their prices shall be construed to be included in the prices of other items in the Bill of Quantities and will not be paid for separately by the Procuring agency/Employer. 
    3. Items not listed in the Price Schedule shall be assumed not to be included in the bid, and provided that the bid is still substantially responsive in their absence or due to their nominal nature, the corresponding average price of the respective item(s) of the remaining substantially responsive bidder(s) shall be construed to be the price of those missing item(s):
       Provided that:
       1. where there is only one (substantially) responsive bidder, or
       2. where there is provision for alternate proposals and the respective items are not listed in the other bids, 
          The Procuring agency/Employer may fix the price of missing items in accordance with market survey, and the same shall be considered as final price.
    4. The Bid price to be quoted in the Form of Bid in accordance with ITB 12 shall be the total price of the bid.
    5. Unless otherwise specified in the BDS and the Contract, the rates and prices quoted by the bidder are subject to adjustment during the performance of the Contract in accordance with the provisions of the Conditions of Contract. 
    6. If so specified in ITB 1.1, bids may be invited for individual lots (contracts) or for any combination of lots (packages). 
    7. Prices quoted by the Bidder shall be fixed during the bidder’s performance of the contract and not subject to variation on any account. A bid submitted with an adjustable price will be treated as non-responsive and shall be rejected, pursuant to ITB 27, unless otherwise price adjustment is permissible under Conditions of the Contract. 
    8. All duties, taxes, and other levies payable by the Contractor under the Contract, or for any other cause, as of the date twenty-eight (28) days prior to the deadline for submission of bids, shall be included in the rates and prices and the total bid price submitted by the bidder.
14. Currencies of Bid and Payment
    1. Prices shall be quoted in Pakistani Rupees unless otherwise specified in the BDS. Comparison of bids and tie of bid shall be treated in accordance with the Rule 30(2) of Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
15. Documents Comprising the Technical Proposal
    1. The bidder shall furnish a Technical Proposal including a statement of work methods, equipment, personnel, schedule and any other information as stipulated in Section VII – Standard Bid Forms, in sufficient detail to demonstrate the adequacy of the bidder’s proposal to meet the work requirements and the completion time.
16. Bid Validity Period
    1. Bids shall remain valid for the period specified in the BDS after the bid submission deadline prescribed by the Procuring agency/Employer. A bid valid for a shorter period shall be rejected by the Procuring agency/Employer as non-responsive. The period of bid validity will be determined from the complementary bid securing instrument i.e. the expiry period of bid security or bid securing declaration as the case may be. 
    2. Under exceptional circumstances, prior to the expiration of the initial Bids/Bid validity period, the Procuring Agency may request the Bidders’ consent to an extension of the period of validity of their Bids/Bid. Such request for extension of the period of bid validity shall be carried out in accordance with Rule 26 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
17. Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration
    1. Pursuant to ITB 11.1 unless otherwise specified in the BDS, the bidder shall furnish as part of its bid, a Bid Security in accordance with Rule 25 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004 in the amount and currency specified in the BDS or Bid Securing Declaration as specified in the BDS in the format provided in Section VII (Standard Bidding Forms). 
       In case Procuring agency/Employer is inviting bids in lots / packages, the bidder shall be required to submit his bid security against the respective lot/ package for which he is submitting his bid.
       Until the development of functionality of auto verification of financial instrument in EPADS, the scanned copy of bid security or bid securing declaration, as the case may be, shall be uploaded on E-PADS whereas the original instrument to be submitted to the procuring agency before closing of bid submission deadline,
    2. The Bid Security shall be denominated in the local currency or in another freely convertible currency, and it shall be in the form specified in the BDS which shall be in any of the following:
       1. A bank guarantee, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a Scheduled bank in the form provided in the Bidding Documents or another form acceptable to the Procuring agency/Employer and valid for twenty-eight (28) days beyond the end of the validity of the Bid. This shall also apply if the period for Bid Validity is extended. In either case, the form must include the complete name of the bidder; 
       2. A cashier’s or certified cheque; or
       3. Another security as indicated in the BDS.
    3. The Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration shall be in accordance with the Form of the Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration included in Section VII (Standard Bidding Forms) or another form approved by the Procuring agency/Employer prior to the bid submission.
    4. The Bid Security shall be payable promptly upon written demand by the Procuring agency/Employer in case any of the conditions listed in ITB 17.9 are invoked.
    5. Any bid not accompanied by a Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration in accordance with ITB 17.1 or 17.3 shall be rejected by the Procuring agency/Employer and shall be declared as non-responsive bid, pursuant to ITB 27.
    6. Unsuccessful bidders’ Bid Security will be discharged or returned as promptly as possible, however in no case later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the period of Bid Validity prescribed by the Procuring agency/Employer pursuant to ITB 16. The Procuring agency/Employer shall make no claim to the amount of the Bid Security, and shall promptly return the Bid Security document, after whichever of the following that occurs earliest:
       1. The expiry of the Bid Security;
       2. The entry into force of a procurement contract and the provision of a performance security (or guarantee), for the performance of the contract if such a security (or guarantee), is required by the Biding documents;
       3. The rejection by the Procuring agency/Employer of all Bids;
       4. The withdrawal of the bid prior to the deadline for the submission of bids, unless the biding documents stipulate that no such withdrawal is permitted.
    7. The successful bidder’s Bid Security will be discharged upon the bidder signing the contract pursuant to ITB 40, or furnishing the performance security (or guarantee), pursuant to ITB 41.
    8. The Bid Security may be forfeited or the Bid Securing Declaration executed:
       1. if a Bidder: 
          1. Withdraws its Bid during the period of Bid Validity as specified by the Procuring agency/Employer, and referred by the bidder on the Form of Bid except as provided for in ITB 16.2; or 
       2. In the case of a successful bidder, if the bidder fails:
          1. to sign the contract in accordance with ITB 40; or
          2. to furnish performance security (or guarantee) in accordance with ITB 41.
    9. In case of Bid Security issued by the foreign bank is allowed by the Procuring agency/Employer, the same should be counter guaranteed by a corresponding bank in Pakistan. Furthermore, in case of joint venture, it should be in the name of Joint venture to ensure joint responsibility. In case the JV is not legally constituted at the time of bid submission, the bid security or bid securing declaration shall be in the names of all future members as named in the letter of bid.
18. Withdrawal of Bids   
    1. Before bid submission deadline, any bidder may withdraw, substitute, or modify its bid after it has been submitted by sending a written notice, duly signed by an authorized representative, and the corresponding must accompany the respective written notice. 
19. Format and Signing of Bid
    1. The Bidder shall prepare and submit Bids through EPADS with due diligence after carefully reading all the terms and condition before bid submission deadline.

D. SUBMISSION OF BIDS

20. Submission of Bids through EPADS v2.0
    1. All bids shall be submitted through EPADS v2.0.
21. Deadline for Submission of Bids
    1. All bids shall be received through EPADS v2.0 not later than bid submission deadline as specified in the BDS.
    2. The Procuring agency/Employer may, under exceptional circumstances and at its discretion, extend the deadline for the submission of bids, pursuant to Rule 27 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004. Extension of Time for submission of bid, by amending the Bidding Documents in accordance with ITB 7, in which case all rights and obligations of the Procuring agency/Employer and bidders previously subject to the deadline will thereafter be subject to the new deadline.
22. Substitution and Modification of bids
    1. A bidder may substitute or modify his bid after it has been submitted, provided that written notice of the substitution or modification of the bid, is received by the Procuring agency/Employer prior to the deadline for submission of bids.
    2. Revised bid may be submitted after the substitution or modification made in the original bid in accordance with the provisions referred in ITB 18. 

E. OPENING AND EVALUATION OF BIDS

23. Opening of Bids
    1. The Procuring Agency will open bids in accordance with Rule 28 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004 and as specified in the BDS.
24. Confidentiality
    1. Information relating to the examination, clarification, evaluation and comparison of bids and recommendation of contract award shall not be disclosed to bidders or any other persons not officially concerned with such process until the time of the announcement of the respective evaluation report.
25. Clarification of Bids
    1. Clarification of Bidding Documents shall be carried out in accordance with Rule 31 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
    2. The alteration or modification in the bid which in any case affect the following parameters will be considered as a change in the substance of a bid:
       1. evaluation & qualification criteria;
       2. required scope of work;
       3. contract price;
       4. all securities requirements;
       5. tax requirements;
       6. terms and conditions of bidding documents.
       7. change in the ranking of the bidder
26. Preliminary Examination of Bids 
    1. Prior to the detailed evaluation of bids, the Procuring agency/Employer will determine whether each bid:
       1. meets the eligibility criteria defined in ITB 3 and ITB 4; 
       2. has been prepared as per the format and contents defined by the Procuring agency/Employer in the bidding documents;
       3. has been properly signed; 
       4. is accompanied by the required securities; and 
       5. is substantially responsive to the requirements of the bidding documents. 
          The Procuring agency/Employer's determination of a bid's substantial responsiveness will be based on the contents of the bid itself.
    2. A substantially responsive Bid is one which conforms to all the terms, conditions, and specifications of the Bidding Documents, without material deviation or reservation. A material deviation or reservation is one that: - 
       1. affects in any substantial way the scope, quality, or performance of the Works; 
       2. limits in any substantial way, inconsistent with the bidding documents, the Procuring agency/Employer's rights or the bidders’ obligations under the Contract; or 
       3. if rectified, would affect unfairly the competitive position of other bidders presenting substantially responsive bids.
    3. The Procuring agency/Employer will confirm that the documents and information specified under ITB 9, 10 and 11 have been provided in the bid. If any of these documents or information is missing, or is not provided in accordance with the Instructions to Bidders, the bid shall be rejected.
    4. The Procuring agency/Employer may waive-off any minor informality, nonconformity, or irregularity in a bid which does not constitute a material deviation, provided such waiver does not prejudice or affect the relative ranking of any Bidder.
       Explanation: A minor informality, non-conformity or irregularity is one that is merely a matter of form and not of substance. It also pertains to some immaterial defect in a Bid or variation of a bid from the exact requirements of the invitation that can be corrected or waived without being prejudicial to other bidders. The defect or variation is immaterial when the effect on quantity, quality, or delivery is negligible when contrasted with the total cost or scope of the works. The Procuring agency/Employer either shall give the bidder an opportunity to cure any deficiency resulting from a minor informality or irregularity in a bid or waive the deficiency, whichever is advantageous to the Procuring agency/Employer. Examples of minor informalities or irregularities include failure of a bidder to –
       1. Submit the number of copies of signed bids required by the invitation;
       2. Furnish required information concerning the number of its employees;
       3. the firm submitting a bid has formally adopted or authorized, before the date set for opening of bids, the execution of documents by typewritten, printed, or stamped signature and submits evidence of such authorization and the bid carries such a signature.
    5. Provided that a Technical Bid is substantially responsive, the Procuring agency/Employer may request the bidder to submit the necessary information or documentation, within a reasonable period of time, to rectify nonmaterial nonconformities or omissions in the Technical Bid related to documentation requirements. Requesting information or documentation on such nonconformities shall not be related to any such aspect of the technical Proposal linked with the ranking of the bidders. Failure of the bidder to comply with the request may result in the rejection of its bid.
    6. Provided that a Technical Bid is substantially responsive, the Procuring agency/Employer shall rectify quantifiable nonmaterial nonconformities or omissions related to the Financial Proposal. To this effect, the Bid Price shall be adjusted, for comparison purposes only, to reflect the price of the missing or nonconforming item or component. 
    7. If a bid is not substantially responsive, it will be rejected by the Procuring agency/Employer and may not subsequently be evaluated for complete technical responsiveness. 
27. Examination of Terms and Conditions; Technical Evaluation
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer shall examine the bid to confirm that all terms and conditions specified in the GCC and the PCC have been accepted by the bidder without any material deviation or reservation.
       For this purpose:
       “Deviation” means departure from the requirements specified in the Bidding Document.
       “Reservation” means setting of limiting conditions or withholding from complete acceptance of the requirements specified in the Bidding Document.
    2. The Procuring agency/Employer shall evaluate the technical aspects of the bid submitted in accordance with ITB 30, to confirm that all requirements specified in Section VI – Works Requirement, Technical Specifications of the Bidding Documents have been met without material deviation or reservation.
    3. If after the examination of the terms and conditions and the technical evaluation, the Procuring agency/Employer determines that the bid is not substantially responsive in accordance with ITB 27, it shall reject the bid.
28. Correction of Arithmetic Errors
    1. Bids determined to be substantially responsive will be checked for any arithmetic errors.  Errors will be corrected as follows: -
       1. if there is a discrepancy between unit prices and the sub-total price that is obtained by multiplying the unit price and quantity, the unit price shall prevail, and the sub-total price shall be corrected, unless in the opinion of the Procuring agency/Employer there is an obvious misplacement of the decimal point in the unit price, in which the total price as quoted shall govern and the unit price shall be corrected;
       2. if there is an error in a total corresponding to the addition or subtraction of sub-totals, the sub-totals shall prevail, and the total shall be corrected; and 
       3. where there is a discrepancy between the amounts in figures and in words, the amount in words will govern.
       4. Where there is discrepancy between grand total of price schedule and amount mentioned on the Form of Bid, the amount referred in Price Schedule shall be treated as correct subject to elimination of other errors. 
    2. The amount stated in the Bid will, be rectified by the Procuring agency/Employer in accordance with the above procedure for the correction of errors and, with, the concurrence of the bidder, shall be considered as binding upon the bidder. If the bidder does not accept the corrected amount, its bid shall be rejected after forfeiture of Bid Security or execution of the Bid Securing Declaration, as the case may be, in accordance with ITB 41.3.
29. Conversion to Single Currency
    1. The unit rates and the prices shall be quoted by the bidder entirely in Pak rupees. A bidder expecting to incur expenditures in other currencies for inputs to the Works from outside the Procuring agency/Employer’s country (referred to as the “Foreign Currency Requirements”) shall indicate the same in the letter of bid-financial proposal. The proportion of the Bid Price (excluding Provisional Sums) needed by him for the payment of such Foreign Currency Requirements either (i) entirely in the currency of the Bidder’s home country or, (ii) at the bidder’s option, entirely in Pak rupees provided always that a bidder expecting to incur expenditures in a currency or currencies other than those stated in (i) and (ii) above for a portion of the foreign currency requirements, and wishing to be paid accordingly, shall indicate the respective portions in his bid. Comparison of bids quoted in different currencies and conversion of bids into a single currency shall be carried out in accordance with Rule 30(2) of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
30. Evaluation of Bids
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer shall evaluate and compare only the bids determined to be substantially responsive, pursuant to ITB 27.
    2. In evaluating the Technical Proposal of each Bid, the Procuring agency/Employer shall use the criteria and methodologies listed in the BDS and in terms of works requirement. No other evaluation criteria or methodologies shall be permitted.
    3. The Procuring agency/Employer’s evaluation of a bid will take into account:
       1. the bid price, excluding provisional sums and the provision, if any, for contingencies in the summary bill of quantities, but including day work items, where priced competitively;
       2. converting the amount resulting from applying above, if relevant, to a single currency in accordance with ITB 29;
    4. The estimated effect of the price adjustment provisions of the Conditions of Contract, applied over the period of execution of the Contract, shall not be taken into account in bid evaluation.
    5. If these bidding documents allow bidders to quote separate prices for different lots, and the award to a single bidder of multiple lots, the methodology of evaluation to determine the lowest evaluated lot combinations in the Form of Bid, is specified in the BDS.
    6. If the bid, which results in the Evaluated Bid Price (Successful Bid), is seriously unbalanced or front loaded in the opinion of the Employer, the Employer may require the Bidder to produce detailed price analyses for any or all items of the Bill of Quantities, to demonstrate the internal consistency of those prices with the construction methods and schedule proposed. After evaluation of the price analyses, taking into consideration the schedule of estimated Contract payments, the Employer may require that the amount of the performance security be increased at the expense of the Bidder to a level sufficient to protect the Employer against financial loss in the event of default of the successful Bidder under the Contract.
       Explanation:
       “Unbalanced” or “front-loaded” bids consist of deliberately submitting bids with artificially high prices or unit rates for the early stages of a construction project, offset by artificially low prices or unit rates for the later stages of the project, to improve the contractor’s cash flow.
31. Domestic Preference
    1. If the BDS so specifies, the Procuring agency/Employer will grant a margin of preference to the domestic contractor in line with the rules, regulations, regulatory guides or instructions issued by the Authority from time to time. 
32. Determination of Successful Bid
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer shall compare the evaluated bids in accordance with the predefined bidding procedure, of all substantially responsive bids to determine the Successful bidder. 
33. Qualification of Bidder 
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer shall determine to its satisfaction whether the bidder is substantially responsive and whose bid is declared as Successful bid either continues to meet (if prequalification applies) or meets (if post-qualification applies) the qualifying criteria specified in Evaluation and Qualification Criteria.
       Note: In case of international bidding, the parameters for incorporation or licensing within Pakistan may be fulfilled as part of post qualification.
    2. The determination shall be based upon an examination of the documentary evidence of the bidder’s qualifications submitted by the bidder, pursuant to ITB 11.
    3. Prior to contract award, the Procuring agency/Employer will verify that the successful bidder (including each member of a JV) is not blacklisted/debarred. The Procuring agency/Employer will conduct the same verification for each sub-contractor proposed by the successful bidder. 
34. Sub-Contractors
    1. The bidder shall provide details regarding any specialized sub-contractor to the Procuring agency/Employer. In case change of sub-contractors, the bidder shall promptly notify the Procuring agency/Employer and obtain approval for replacement of sub-contractors.
    2. Bidders may propose sub-contracting up to the percentage of total value of contracts or the volume of works as specified in the BDS.
35. Abnormally Low Financial Bid
    1. A procuring Agency may reject abnormally low bids. The decision of the Procuring agency/Employer to reject a bid and reasons for the decision shall be recorded in the procurement proceedings and promptly communicated to the bidder concerned. Moreover, the Procuring agency/Employer shall not incur any liability solely by rejecting abnormally bid
       Guidance for Procuring agency/Employer:
       An abnormally low bid means, in the light of the Procuring agency/Employer’s estimate and of all the bids submitted, the bid appears to be abnormally low by not providing a margin for normal levels of profit. In order to identify the Abnormally Low Bid (ALB) following approaches can be considered to minimize the scope of subjectivity:
       1. Comparing the bid price with the cost estimate; 
       2. Comparing the bid price with the bids offered by other bidders submitting substantially responsive bids; and 
       3. Comparing the bid price with prices paid in similar contracts in the recent past either government- or development partner-funded.
    2. The Procuring agency/Employer will determine to its satisfaction whether the bidder that is selected as having submitted the successful bid is qualified to perform the contract satisfactorily, in accordance with the criteria listed in ITB 11
    3. The determination will take into account the bidder’s financial and technical capabilities.  It will be based upon an examination of the documentary evidence of the bidder’s qualifications submitted by the bidder, pursuant to ITB 11, as well as such other information as the Procuring agency/Employer deems necessary and appropriate. Factors not included in these bidding documents shall not be used in the evaluation of the bidders’ qualifications.
    4. Procuring agency/Employer may seek “Certificate for Independent Price Determination” from the bidder and the results of reference checks may be used in determining award of contract.
       Explanation: The Certificate shall be furnished by the bidder. The bidder shall certify that the price is determined keeping in view of all the essential aspects such as raw material, its processing, value addition, optimization of resources due to economy of scale, transportation, insurance and margin of profit etc. 
    5. An affirmative determination will be a prerequisite for award of the contract to the bidder. A negative determination will result in rejection of the bidder’s bid, in which event the Procuring agency/Employer will proceed to the next ranked bidder to make a similar determination of that bidder’s capabilities to perform satisfactorily.

F. AWARD OF CONTRACT

36. Criteria of Award
    1. Subject to ITB 36 and 37, the Procuring agency/Employer will award the Contract to the bidder whose bid has been determined to be substantially responsive to the bidding documents and who has been declared as Successful Bidder, provided that such bidder has been determined to be:
       1. eligible in accordance with the provisions of ITB 3; 
       2. is determined to be qualified to perform the Contract satisfactorily; and 
       3. Successful negotiations have been concluded, if any.
37. Negotiations
    1. The Committee of the Procuring agency/Employer may negotiate with the Most Advantageous Bidder relating to the following areas:
       1. a minor alteration to the technical (drawings, design technical specifications) details of the statement of works;
       2. Methodology, work plan, staffing in view to streamline the work;
       3. a minor amendment to the Particular conditions of Contract;
       4. finalizing payment arrangements;
       5. clarifying details that were not apparent or could not be finalized at the time of Bidding; 
    2. Where negotiation fails to result into an agreement, the Procuring agency/Employer may invite the next ranked bidder for negotiations. Where negotiations are commenced with the next ranked bidder, the Procuring agency/Employer shall not reopen earlier negotiations.
38. Procuring agency's Right to reject All Bids
    1. The procuring agency has the right to reject all bids in accordance with Rule 33 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004. However, the Authority (i.e. PPRA) may call from the Procuring agency/Employer the justification of those grounds. 
39. Notification of Award
    1. The procuring agency shall announce and publish the evaluation result in accordance with Rule 35 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004.
    2. Where no complaints have been lodged, the bidder whose bid has been accepted will be notified of the award by the Procuring agency/Employer prior to expiration of the bid validity period through EPADS. However, the Procuring agency/Employer shall not award any procurement contract at least for five (05) days after the announcement of final evaluation report. The notification letter (herein after and in the condition of the contract and contract form called “Letter of Acceptance” will specify the sum that the Procuring agency/Employer will pay the successful bidder in consideration for the execution and completion of the works as prescribed by the Contract (hereinafter and in the Contract called the "Contract Price). 
    3. The notification of award will constitute the formation of the Contract, subject to the bidder furnishing the Performance Security (or guarantee) in accordance with ITB 41 and signing of the contract in accordance with ITB 40. 
    4. Upon the successful bidder’s furnishing of the performance security (or guarantee) pursuant to ITB 41, the Procuring agency/Employer will promptly notify each unsuccessful bidder, the name of the successful bidder and the Contract amount and will discharge the Bid Security or Bid Securing Declaration of the bidder(s) pursuant to ITB 17.
40. Signing of Contract
    1. Promptly after notification of award, Procuring agency/Employer shall send the successful bidder the draft agreement, incorporating all terms and conditions as agreed by the parties to the contract. 
    2. Immediately after the Redressal of grievance by the GRC, and after fulfillment of all conditions precedent of the Contract Form, the successful bidder and the Procuring agency/Employer shall sign the contract.
    3. Where no formal signing of a contract is required, work order issued to the bidder shall be construed to be the contract. 
41. Performance Security (or Guarantee)
    1. After the receipt of the Letter of Acceptance, the successful bidder, within the specified time, shall deliver to the Procuring agency/Employer a Performance Guarantee in the amount and in the form stipulated in the BDS and PCC, denominated in the type and proportions of currencies in the Letter of Acceptance and in accordance with the Conditions of Contract.
    2. If the Performance Guarantee is provided by the successful bidder and it shall be in the form specified in the BDS which shall be in any of the following:
       1. certified cheque, cashier’s or manager’s cheque, or bank draft; 
       2. irrevocable letter of credit issued by a scheduled bank of Pakistan or in the case of an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a foreign bank, the letter shall be confirmed or authenticated by a scheduled bank of Pakistan; 
       3. bank guarantee confirmed by a reputable local bank or, in the case of a successful foreign bidder, bonded by a foreign bank; or
       4. surety bond callable upon demand issued by any reputable surety or insurance company.
          Any Performance Guarantee submitted shall be enforceable in Pakistan.
    3. Failure of the Most Advantageous Bidder to comply with the requirement of ITB 40 shall constitute sufficient grounds for the annulment of the award and forfeiture of the Bid Security or declare blacklisted (in case bid securing declaration is submitted) in which event the Procuring agency/Employer may make the award to the next most advantageous bidder or reinitiate the procurement process afresh (as a case may be).
42. Advance Payment
    1. Advance payment will be provided to the bidder in percentage and in the manner as agreed by the both parties in terms of Conditions of the Contract. 
    2. The Procuring agency/Employer will provide an advance payment as stipulated in the Conditions of Contract, subject to a maximum amount, as stated and/or Conditions of the Contract.  The advance payment request shall be accompanied by an advance payment security (guarantee) in the form provided in Section X. For the purpose of receiving the advance payment, the bidder shall make and estimate of, and include in its bid, the expenses that will relate to the purchase of equipment, machinery, materials, and on the engagement of labor during the first month beginning with the date of the Procuring agency/Employer’s “Notice to Commence” as specified in the PCC.
43. General Performance of the Bidders
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer reserves the right to obtain information regarding performance of the bidders on their previously awarded contracts / works. The Procuring agency/Employer may seek information / report from the previous employer for consideration. However, the Procuring agency/Employer shall incorporate such parameters in the evaluation criteria and accordingly decide the fate of the bid submitted.
44. Corrupt & Fraudulent Practices
    1. Procuring agencies (including beneficiaries of Government funded projects and procurement) as well as Bidders/Suppliers/Contractors under Government financed contracts, observe the highest standard of ethics during the procurement and execution of such contracts, and will avoid to engage in any corrupt and fraudulent practices.  

G. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL & COMPLAINT REVIEW MECHANISM

45. Grievance Redressal
    1. Grievance Redressal shall be carried out in accordance with Rule 48 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004 i.e. Redressal of grievances by the procuring agency and “Redressal of Grievances Regulations 2021”.

H. MECHANISM OF BLACKLISTING

46. Mechanism of Blacklisting
    1. The Procuring agency/Employer shall proceed Blacklisting of Bidders/Contractors in accordance with Rule 19 of the Public Procurement Rules, 2004 i.e. Blacklisting and “Blacklisting and Debarment of Bidders or Contractors Regulations 2024.