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Para 6.7 - Shortlisting Consultants | KartavyaDesk

Consultancy Manual

Original Rule Text

Chapter 7: Shortlisting of Consultants, Expression of Interest (EoI) services below Rs 50 (Rupees Fifty) Lakhs, shortlisting is done without a formal published Expression of Interest (EoI), akin to a Limited Tender Enquiry (LTE) process. To start with, the preparation of a long list of potential consultants may be done on the basis of formal or informal enquiries from other Ministries or Departments or Organisations involved in similar activities, Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Association of consultancy firms etc. The Procuring Entity should scrutinise the preliminary long list of likely contractors as identified above and shortlist the prima facie eligible and capable contractors from the long list. The number of consultants in this moderated long-list should not be less than three. In case sufficient consultants cannot be located, then the responses may be called from lesser number of consultants, but not less than three in any case, after taking CA's approval. To smoothen this shortlisting of consultants for projects below Rs 50 (Rupees Fifty) Lakhs, Procuring entities who do frequent procurement of consultancy services, may consider preparation of a Panel of qualified consultants (please refer to para 3.7 above), after evaluation of their credentials, on the lines of registration of vendors in procurement of goods. If the complexity of the project so justifies, a formal EoI may be advertised as in above, even for procurements below Rs 50 (Rupees Fifty) Lakhs, with the approval of CA.

What This Means

Para 6.7 of the Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services outlines the process for shortlisting consultants for projects valued below ₹50 lakhs. Instead of a formal, publicly advertised Expression of Interest (EoI), a simpler approach, similar to a Limited Tender Enquiry (LTE), is used. This means the procuring entity (the government department needing the consultant) identifies potential consultants through informal inquiries and then shortlists the most suitable ones. This streamlined process aims to make it easier and faster to find qualified consultants for smaller projects.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Key Points

  • •Applies to consultancy service procurements below ₹50 lakhs.
  • •Shortlisting is done without a formal published EoI (akin to LTE).
  • •Requires preparation of a 'long list' of potential consultants through informal inquiries.
  • •The 'long list' must be scrutinized to create a 'moderated long list' with at least three consultants.
  • •Procuring entities can create a panel of qualified consultants for frequent procurements.

Practical Example

The Ministry of Rural Development needs a consultant to conduct a survey on the impact of a new rural employment scheme. The project is estimated to cost ₹30 lakhs. Instead of publishing a formal EoI, the Ministry's procurement team contacts other government departments, industry associations, and consultancy firms to create a long list of potential consultants. After reviewing the qualifications and experience of these consultants, they shortlist three firms: 'Gram Vikas Consultants', 'Rural Insights Pvt. Ltd.', and 'Jan Sahyog Advisors'. These three firms are then invited to submit proposals, and the Ministry selects the best one based on pre-defined criteria.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if we can't find at least three consultants for the long list?▼
If you can't find at least three consultants, you can proceed with a lesser number, but not less than three, after obtaining approval from the Competent Authority (CA).
Can we use a formal EoI even for projects below ₹50 lakhs?▼
Yes, if the complexity of the project justifies it, you can advertise a formal EoI with the approval of the Competent Authority (CA).
What is a 'Panel of qualified consultants' mentioned in the rule?▼
This refers to a pre-approved list of consultants that a procuring entity can create for frequently procured consultancy services. This panel is created after evaluating the credentials of various consultants.
What kind of 'informal enquiries' are acceptable for creating the long list?▼
Acceptable informal enquiries include contacting other Ministries/Departments, Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Associations of consultancy firms, and leveraging existing networks to identify potential consultants.
What is the difference between a 'long list' and a 'moderated long list'?▼
The 'long list' is the initial list of all potential consultants identified. The 'moderated long list' is a refined version of the long list, where only prima facie eligible and capable consultants are included, ensuring a more focused selection process.

This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.

Test Your Knowledge

Question 1 of 3

For consultancy service procurements below ₹50 lakhs, Para 6.7 of the Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services mandates which of the following approaches for shortlisting consultants?

Related Rules

Para 8Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 8 - Chapter 10 - Annexure 18Para 9Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 9 - Chapter 10 - Annexure 18Para 1.10.2Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 1.10.2 - Chapter 1Para 1.11Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 1.11 - Chapter 1Para 1.13Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, 2025 - Para 1.13 - Chapter 1

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