Kathmandu, December 14:

The Rural Access Programme (RAP) funded by the Department for International Development (DFID), UK, has for the first time introduced “e-tendering”, an alternative to conventional calls for tender bids.

The bidder (first party) can make an electronic bid submission to the bid caller with the required document in PDF format. The tender had been called for the renovation of the Basantapur-Myanglung Feeder Road on Tuesday.

“It is in line with the modern bidding procedures based on international practice,” said Manoj Krishna Shrestha, an engineer for the project.

The required bidding documents should be sent to separate e-mail addresses. Bid form, bid bond, company registration, VAT registration, tax clearance certificate, power of attorney, bid of quotation with rate (BOQ) and the amount should be sent to the bid caller (second party), whereas a letter of authorisation with password should be sent to the specified auditor firm (third party) involved.

“It maintains the confidentiality of the calls. The audit firm then gives the password of received bids which will then be opened in the presence of all the parties,” said Shrestha.

Presently, RAP is concentrated in Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Sankhuwasabha and Terhathum for making district and feeder roads with a total budget of Rs 430 crore (£ 32 million).

“The main purpose of the e-bid is to submit the bid electronically with minimal hassles and to increase the transparency of bidding works,” said Shrestha. He said it would avoid the chance of the bidders being intimidated by others.