Para 5.4.5 — WORKS_MANUAL

5.4.5 Clarification of Bids/ Shortfall Documents During evaluation and comparison of bids, the Procuring Entity may, at his discretion, ask the bidder for clarifications on the bid. The request for clarification shall be given in writing by registered/ speed post, asking the tenderer to respond by a specified date, and also mentioning therein that, if the tenderer does not comply or respond by the date, his tender will be liable to be rejected. Depending on the outcome, such tenders are to be ignored or considered further. No change in prices or substance of the bid including specifications, shall be sought, offered or permitted. No post-bid clarification at the initiative of the bidder shall be entertained. The shortfall information/ documents should be sought only in case of historical documents which pre-existed at the time of the tender opening and which have not undergone change since then. These should be called only on basis of the recommendations of the TC. (Example: if the Permanent Account Number, GSTN number has been asked to be submitted and the tenderer has not provided them, these documents may be asked for with a target date as above). So far as the submission of documents is concerned with regard to qualification criteria, after submission of the tender, only related shortfall documents should be asked for and considered. For example, if the bidder has submitted a contract without its completion/ performance certificate, the certificate can be asked for and considered. However, no new contract should be asked for so as to qualify the bidder.