Para 8.5.5 - Consultant Selection | KartavyaDesk
Original Rule Text
a) By a competitive selection process, based only on quality, using specific marking criteria for quality in the manner indicated in Rule 192(i) of the GFR. The proposal with the highest technical score that meets the fixed budget requirement shall be considered for placement of contract. b) In cases of repetitive or multiple assignments, by empanelling Consultants for a period, using suitable eligibility/ qualification criteria. Thereafter, selection of a specific consultant for a specific assignment from such panel shall be based on overall considerations of public interest including timeliness, practicability, number of other assignments already given to that consultant in the past, etc. In such cases the budget for each assignment shall also be fixed by the procuring entity.
What This Means
Para 8.5.5 of the Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services outlines two primary methods for selecting consultants. The first method, described in part (a), involves a competitive selection process where consultants are evaluated solely on the quality of their proposals. This is done using pre-defined marking criteria, as detailed in Rule 192(i) of the General Financial Rules (GFR). The consultant with the highest technical score, who also meets the pre-determined budget, is awarded the contract. This ensures that the government gets the best possible expertise within its financial constraints.
The second method, described in part (b), is used for repetitive or multiple assignments. In this case, the government first creates a panel of qualified consultants based on eligibility and qualification criteria. When a specific assignment arises, the selection from this panel is based on factors beyond just technical expertise. These factors include public interest considerations like timeliness, practicality, and the consultant's existing workload with the government. The procuring entity also fixes the budget for each assignment in this scenario. This approach allows for flexibility and considers the broader impact of the consultancy.
This rule affects all government departments and agencies involved in procuring consultancy services. It ensures a transparent and efficient process for selecting consultants, balancing quality with cost-effectiveness and other relevant factors.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- •Two methods for consultant selection: Quality-based and Empanelment-based.
- •Quality-based selection prioritizes technical score within a fixed budget (GFR 192(i)).
- •Empanelment is used for repetitive assignments, considering timeliness and practicality.
- •Public interest is a key factor in selecting consultants from an empanelled list.
- •The procuring entity fixes the budget for each assignment in both methods.
Practical Example
The Ministry of Rural Development needs consultants for multiple projects related to water conservation. Instead of running a full selection process for each project, they decide to empanel consultants. They publish an Expression of Interest (EOI) and select 10 firms based on their experience, qualifications, and technical expertise. Later, when a specific project in Rajasthan comes up, the Ministry considers the workload of each empanelled firm, the urgency of the project, and the firm's specific expertise in arid regions. They also fix a budget of ₹50 lakhs for this particular project. After evaluating these factors, they select 'Jal Shakti Consultants' for the project, even though another firm might have scored slightly higher in the initial empanelment process.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Rule 192(i) of the GFR' refer to?▼
When is it appropriate to use the empanelment method?▼
What factors are considered when selecting a consultant from an empanelled list?▼
Can a consultant be selected even if they didn't score the highest during empanelment?▼
Who decides the fixed budget for each assignment?▼
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
According to Para 8.5.5 of the Manual for Procurement of Consultancy Services, when selecting a consultant based solely on quality, which document's Rule 192(i) provides the specific marking criteria?
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