Para 8.3.2 — CONSULT_MANUAL

8.3.3 Discrepancies between Original and Additional/ Scanned Copies of a Tender: Normally, as far as feasible, no submission of original documents in physical format (other than Cost of Tender Documents, if any, (refer Para 5.5.1 Availability and Cost of Tender Documents), Bid Security and statutory certificates if any) should be asked for in eProcurement. In e-Procurement there could be discrepancies between the uploaded scanned copies and the Originals submitted by the bidder. In offline tenders, discrepancies may be observed in responsive tenders between the original copy and other copies of the same tender set. If discrepancies exist between the uploaded scanned or other copies and the originals submitted by the bidder, the original copy's text, etc., shall prevail. Here also, this issue is to be taken up with the bidder in the same manner as above and subsequent actions taken

eProcurement. a) If, in the price structure quoted for the required services, there is discrepancy between the unit price and total price (which is obtained by multiplying the unit price by the quantity), the unit price shall prevail and the total price corrected accordingly; b) 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 c) If there is a discrepancy between words and figures, the amount in words shall prevail. d) Such a discrepancy in an offer should be conveyed to the bidder asking him to respond by a target date and if the bidder does not agree to Procuring Entity’s observation, the tender is liable to be rejected.

8.3.2 Non-conformities between Figures and Words Sometimes, non-conformities/errors are also observed in responsive tenders between the quoted prices in figures and in words. This situation normally does not arise in case of This should be taken care of in the manner indicated below:

Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, Second Edition, 2025 accordingly. Any substantive discrepancy shall be construed as a violation of the Code of Integrity, and the bid shall be liable to be rejected as nonresponsive in addition to other punitive actions under the Tender Document for violation of the Code of Conduct.

8.3.4 Deviations/ Reservations / Omissions - Substantive or Minor 1. During the evaluation of Bids, the following definitions apply: a) “Deviation” is a departure from the requirements specified in the Tender Document; b) “Reservation” is the setting of limiting conditions or withholding from complete acceptance of the requirements specified in the Tender Document; and c) “Omission” is the failure to submit part, or all the information or documentation required in the Tender Document.

2. Substantive Deviations: A deviation/ reservation/ omission from the requirements of the Tender Document shall be considered as a substantive deviation as per the following norm, and the rest shall be considered as Minor deviation:

a) which affects in any substantive way the scope, quality, or performance of the product; b) which limits in any substantive way, inconsistent with the Tender Document, the Procuring Entity's rights, or the Bidder's obligations under the contract; or c) Whose rectification would unfairly affect the competitive position of other Bidders presenting substantively responsive Bids.

3. The decision of the Procuring Entity shall be final in this regard. Bids with substantive deviations shall be rejected as nonresponsive.

4. Variations and deviations and other offered benefits (techno-commercial or financial) above the scope/ quantum of the services specified in the Tender Document shall not influence evaluation Bids. If the bid is otherwise successful, such benefits shall be availed by the Procuring Entity, and these would become part of the contract.

5. During the preliminary examination, some minor infirmity and/or irregularity and/or nonconformity may also be found in some bids. Such minor issues could be a missing pages/ attachment or illegibility in a submitted document; non-submission of requisite number of copies of a document.

6. Considering Minor Deviations: There have been also cases where the bidder submitted the amendment Bank Guarantee but omitted to submit the main portion of the document. The court ruled that this is a minor irregularity. The Procuring Entity reserves the right to accept bids with such minor issues provided they do not constitute any substantive deviation and do not have fiscal impact and, also, do not prejudice or affect the ranking order of the bidders. Wherever necessary, the Procuring Entity shall convey its observation, on such ‘minor’ issues to Bidder as per para 8.3.5 below. If Bidder does not reply by the specified date or gives an evasive reply without clarifying the point at issue in clear terms, that bid shall be liable to be rejected as nonresponsive.