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Rule 202 - Late Bids | KartavyaDesk

GFR 2017

Original Rule Text

Rule 202 Late Bids. Late bids i.e. bids received after the specified date and time of receipt should not be considered.

What This Means

Rule 202 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017, is very straightforward: late bids are a no-go. This means that if a bid (an offer to provide goods or services to the government) arrives after the deadline specified in the tender document, it simply cannot be considered. It doesn't matter if it's late by a minute or a day; the rule is absolute. This ensures fairness and transparency in the bidding process.

This rule applies to all government departments, organizations, and entities that are procuring goods or services through a bidding process. It affects both the government employees involved in the procurement process (who must enforce the rule) and the potential suppliers or contractors who are submitting bids (who must ensure their bids arrive on time). The rule aims to maintain a level playing field for all bidders and prevent any potential for favoritism or manipulation of the process.

Think of it like this: the deadline is a hard stop. No exceptions are made, regardless of the reason for the delay. It's the bidder's responsibility to ensure their bid arrives before the clock runs out. This rule is crucial for maintaining the integrity of government procurement.

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

Key Points

  • •Late bids are strictly prohibited and cannot be considered.
  • •The specified date and time in the tender document are the absolute deadlines.
  • •This rule applies to all government procurement processes.
  • •It ensures fairness and transparency in the bidding process.
  • •Responsibility for timely submission rests solely with the bidder.

Practical Example

The Ministry of Rural Development issued a tender for the supply of 1000 solar-powered water pumps. The deadline for bid submission was 3:00 PM on October 27, 2024. Three companies, Surya Pumps, Jal Shakti Enterprises, and GreenTech Solutions, submitted their bids. Surya Pumps submitted their bid at 2:55 PM on October 27th. Jal Shakti Enterprises submitted at 3:00 PM sharp. GreenTech Solutions, due to a technical glitch with their courier service, submitted their bid at 3:05 PM on October 27th.

According to Rule 202, the bid from GreenTech Solutions *must* be rejected, even though it was only five minutes late. The bids from Surya Pumps and Jal Shakti Enterprises are considered valid and will proceed to the next stage of the evaluation process. The procurement officer, Mr. Sharma, has no discretion in this matter; he must adhere to the rule and disqualify the late bid.

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 a bid is late due to a technical issue on the government's e-procurement portal?▼
Even if the delay is due to a technical issue on the government's side, Rule 202 still applies. It is the bidder's responsibility to ensure timely submission, and they should attempt to submit well before the deadline to account for potential issues. Documenting the technical issue and informing the procuring entity immediately is advisable, though it doesn't guarantee acceptance of the late bid.
Can the procuring entity make an exception for a late bid if it's substantially lower than other bids?▼
No. Rule 202 is absolute. No exceptions can be made, regardless of the potential cost savings or any other factors. Accepting a late bid would violate the principles of fairness and transparency.
What documentation is required when rejecting a late bid?▼
The procuring entity should document the exact time the bid was received and the reason for rejection (i.e., late submission) in the procurement records. This documentation should be clear, concise, and readily available for audit purposes.
Does Rule 202 apply to both physical and electronic bid submissions?▼
Yes, Rule 202 applies to all forms of bid submission, whether physical (hard copy) or electronic. The key factor is whether the bid was received before the specified deadline, regardless of the submission method.
If a bid is submitted on time but contains incomplete information, is it considered a late bid?▼
No, a bid submitted on time but with incomplete information is not considered a late bid. However, the procuring entity may reject the bid for being non-responsive to the tender requirements. This is a separate issue from Rule 202, which deals specifically with bids received after the deadline.

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 202 of GFR 2017, what action should be taken regarding bids received after the specified deadline?

Related Rules

Rule 271General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 271 - Chapter 10Rule 109General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 109Rule 146General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 146 - Chapter 6Rule 169General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 169 - Chapter 6Rule 215General Financial Rules 2017 (amended July 2024) - Rule 215 - Chapter 6

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