Rule 158 - Obtaining Bids | KartavyaDesk
Original Rule Text
Rule 158 Purchase of goods by obtaining bids. Except in cases covered under Rule 154 and 155, Ministries or Departments shall procure goods under the powers referred to in Rule 140 above by following the standard method of obtaining bids in:
What This Means
Rule 158 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, is all about how government departments should buy goods. Think of it as the standard operating procedure for purchasing things when you're not using special exceptions. Basically, if you're buying something using the financial powers granted to you (as outlined in Rule 140), and you're *not* using direct purchase (Rule 154) or purchase through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) when it's mandatory (Rule 155), then you need to get bids from different suppliers. This ensures transparency and fair competition.
In simpler terms, it means you need to ask for quotes or proposals from multiple vendors before deciding who to buy from. This process helps the government get the best possible price and ensures that everyone has a fair chance to win the contract. It applies to almost all purchases made by government departments unless specific exceptions (like those in Rules 154 and 155) are met. It affects everyone involved in the procurement process, from the officer initiating the purchase to the approving authority.
This explanation was generated with AI assistance for educational purposes. Always refer to the official gazette notification for authoritative text.
Key Points
- •Applies to procurement of goods under powers delegated in Rule 140.
- •Requires obtaining bids from multiple suppliers.
- •Excludes purchases covered under Rule 154 (Direct Purchase) and Rule 155 (GeM).
- •Promotes transparency and fair competition in government procurement.
- •Ensures the government gets the best possible price for goods.
Practical Example
The Department of Rural Development needs to purchase 50 new computers for its district offices. The estimated cost is ₹25,00,000. Since the purchase isn't covered under direct purchase limits (Rule 154) and GeM is not mandatory for this specific item (assuming), Mr. Sharma, the procurement officer, must follow Rule 158. He prepares a detailed tender document outlining the specifications of the computers. He then invites bids from several computer vendors. After receiving the bids, a committee evaluates them based on price, technical specifications, and vendor reputation. The contract is awarded to the vendor offering the best value for money, ensuring compliance with Rule 158.
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 I don't follow Rule 158?▼
Does Rule 158 apply to all types of procurement?▼
What if only one vendor responds to the bid invitation?▼
How do I determine if GeM is mandatory for a particular purchase?▼
What is Rule 140 mentioned in Rule 158?▼
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 Rule 158 of GFR 2017, which of the following methods is generally mandated for procuring goods by Ministries or Departments under the powers referred to in Rule 140?
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