CONTENTS - Central Public Works Department

122 SECTION 20
In case amount of lowest tender falls within financial powers of ADG/DG/CWBd but negotiated amount
falls within powers of CE or ADG or DG then tender shall be accepted by CE under his own authority or
with prior approval of the competent authority decided by negotiated amount of lowest tender received.
(Added vide OM/MAN/215).
Where technical bids are also invited, the same would fall within the competency of NIT approving
authority. In case of execution of E&M work, change in model/brand of any plant & machinery involving
no extra finance implications, the acceptance of the change will also fall within the competence of NIT
approving authority, who will place on record the justification and circumstances for making such change.
The NIT approving authority will also decide the recoveries to be made of any if the proposed model/
brand is cheaper.
20.4.1 Conditions to be fulfilled before inviting/accepting tenders
(1) The officers of CPWD shall invite/accept tenders only after the following conditions are fulfilled:
(i) The work is technically sanctioned.
(ii) The NIT is approved.
[Note: Paras 2.5.1 and 15.1 may be seen respectively for accord of technical sanction and approval
of NIT.]
(iii) When the tender exceeds the amount technically sanctioned for the work by an amount greater
than the power of the technical sanctioning authority, revised technical sanction should be
issued by the next higher authority before acceptance of tender.
(iv) When the tender involves liability exceeding the expenditure sanction for the work by an amount
greater than 10%, such excess will require a revised expenditure sanction. This should be
applied for as soon as such an excess is foreseen. In the case of road works under
administrative control of MOT, Department of Surface Transport (Roads Wing), an excess
upto 15% of the sanctioned amount or Rs. 1 crore, whichever is less, is permissible.
(v) An assurance should be received, either at the time of communication of expenditure sanction
or subsequently, from the authority competent to provide the necessary funds that the required
funds will be allocated before the liability is incurred.
(2) The tenders may be invited if the exigencies of work so deemed in anticipation of fulfillment of the
above conditions. The tender accepting authority shall, however, ensure fulfillment of these
conditions before acceptance of tenders.
20.4.2 Acceptance of tenders in anticipation of revised expenditure sanction
(1) The CPWD Officers at appropriate levels are authorised to accept tenders in anticipation of revised
expenditure sanction by the competent authority subject to the following conditions and limits:
(i) The approval in principle has been given by the client department to go ahead with the work.
(ii) The tendered rates are certified as reasonable by the CPWD officer accepting the tender.
(iii) The CPWD Officer accepting the tender, also certifies that the scope of the work, as approved
by the competent administrative authority, remains unchanged.
(2) The CPWD Officer accepting the tender involving extra expenditure must immediately report to
the competent administrative authority, so as to enable it to make necessary additional provision
in the budget. Expenditure in excess of the budget allotment will not be incurred without assurance
of additional funds from the concerned administrative authority.
(3) The revised estimate for the work should be submitted within a month of acceptance of the tender
to the competent administrative authority.
20.4.3 Reasonability and competitiveness of rates
The tender accepting authority shall satisfy himself about the reasonability of rates before acceptance
of the tenders. Reasonability of rates shall primarily be assessed on the basis of justified rates. The mode
of preparation of justified rates is detailed in the following para 20.4.3.1 Permissible variations over the
justified rates are given in para 20.4.3. 2. Where justification of rates is not required to be prepared, the
tender accepting authority while deciding the tenders, may refer to the rates of tenders of similar nature of
works called within a period of last three months. Similar works shall mean works similar in nature, quantum,
specifications and location, which is very close.