Para 4.5 — CONSULT_MANUAL

4.5.1 Electronic Procurement (eProcurement - Rule 160 of GFR 2017) 1. Electronic procurement (eProcurement) is the use of information and communication technology (specially the internet) by the buyer (through a third-party e-Procurement portal) in conducting procurement processes with the vendors/ contractors for the acquisition of goods (supplies), works and services aimed at open, non-discriminatory, and efficient procurement through transparent procedures. A generic description of how eProcurement is conducted is detailed in ‘Appendix 3: Electronic Procurement (eProcurement) and e-Auction’ of the Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2024.

4.5 Channels of Procurement Public Procurement can be channelled by way of Manual Bids, eProcurement Platforms, GeM Portal or through third-party agencies.

Chapter 4: Bidding Design for Consultancy Services 2. It is mandatory for ministries/departments to receive all bids through e-procurement portals that are GCQE42 compliant for all procurements. This condition will not be applicable for the procurement made without quotation (under Rule 154 of GFR, 2017) or through purchase committee (under Rule 155 of GFR, 2017).

3. Normally in eProcurement no manual Tender Documents are provided, nor any manual bids are accepted. It is not a good practice to call both electronic as well as manual bids in the same tender. Sub-paras 4 and 5) below allow exemptions in specific situations mentioned therein, from e-Procurement, in cases where it is not convenient or feasible.

4. In Global Tender Enquiry (by any mode – Open Tender, Limited Tender or Single Tender) e-procurement may not be mandatorily insisted upon, however e-Publishing would still be mandatory. (refer Para 5.4.1).

5. In individual cases where national security and strategic considerations demand confidentiality, Ministries/ Departments may exempt such cases from e-procurement after seeking the approval of the concerned Secretary and with the concurrence of Financial Advisers. In case of tenders floated by Indian Missions and CPSE units abroad, the Competent Authority for deciding the tender may exempt such cases from e-procurement.

6. National Informatics Centre (NIC) has an eProcurement portal called the Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP). There are other service providers in Public Sector (e.g., MSTC) and Private sector which can be utilized for eProcurement. Details about the process of eprocurement are available from the service providers. Appendix 3 of the ‘Manual for Procurement of Goods, 2024,’ also gives such generic details of the eProcurement process.

7. Ministries/ Departments which do not have a large volume of procurement or carry out procurements required only for day-to-day running of offices and have not initiated eprocurement through any other solution provided so far, may use e-procurement solution developed by NIC. Other Ministries/ Departments may either use e-procurement solution developed by NIC or engage any other service provider following due process.

8. These instructions will not apply to procurements made by Ministries/ Departments through Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

(Rule 160 of GFR 2017)