In case you are looking to participate in defence procurement, Defence eProcurement Portal (DeP) is a great way to find and bid for the relevant defence tenders online in India. This portal is the official website for e-Procurement under MoD (Ministry of Defence). It was commenced in 2013 and is a single-window platform that makes the defence procurement process more efficient and transparent.
To use the defence procurement portal, you first need to create an account and register with the portal. Once you’re registered, you can easily search for open tenders and submit your bids online. The defence eProcurement portal offers varied features that make it easy to use. These include a user-friendly interface, real-time bidding, and automated notifications. Apart from this, it is open to all Indian companies, including foreign ones that are registered in India.
Why was the defence eProcurement portal created?
The defence eProcurement portal was created to address several challenges in the defence procurement process. These challenges included:
- Lack of transparency and accountability
- The lengthy and complex procurement process
- Lack of competition
To address these challenges the defence procurement portal help by making the procurement process more streamline and transparent. Apart from addressing the above challenges, the government has even published the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and the Defence Procurement Manual (DPM) ) on this portal for e-Procurement under MoD to ensure that the defence procurement process is fair and equitable. These documents provide detailed guidelines and procedures for the procurement of defence equipment in India.
Understanding Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) and Defence Procurement Manual (DPM)
DPP and DPM are detailed documents that serve as a guidebook for the procurement of defence equipment in India.
The DPP includes the process for selecting vendors, evaluating bids, awarding contracts, and managing them. It also covers the procurement planning process, the approval process, and the role of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP). Further, DPP is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in security and technology.
On the contrary, the DPM provides detailed procedures for procurement, from the conceptual stage to final acceptance. It includes the stages of procurement, such as a statement of case preparation, technical evaluation of equipment, and so on. This manual also provides guidelines on contract management, including vendor payments and dispute resolution.
Additionally, it can be stated that DPP and DPM provide a comprehensive framework for transparent, efficient, and compliant procurement. They promote indigenisation and innovation in the Indian defence industry. Thereby supporting the government’s vision of self-reliance and making India a global leader in defence manufacturing.
How to search for defence tenders?
If you are interested in searching for active tenders related to defence procurement in India, there are a few ways to get started. The first one is to determine which portal or website to use. There are some common portals and websites that list defence tenders. These include the Central Public Procurement portal (CPPP), the Defence eProcurement portal, and Tenders on Tata nexarc.
Here are the steps to view defence tenders on the CPPP website:
- Go to the CPPP home page: https://eprocure.gov.in/cppp/
- Select “Defence eProcure” from the dropdown menu on the left side of the page.
- Click ‘OK’ on the pop-up prompt to proceed.
- You’ll be directed to the eProcurement System page: https://defproc.gov.in/nicgep/app
- On the left side menu, you can select ‘Tenders by Location’ and check the status of the tenders you are interested in.
- To view the tender details, click on the tender title/reference number/ID.
- You should always check the type of tender (open, closed/limited, or negotiated) to ensure your eligibility.
- Remember to review the tender documents carefully and submit your bid on time to increase your chances of success.
Search on the defence eProcurement portal for the latest defence tenders
This portal is a dedicated platform where all defence-related tenders are published by various defence organisations and departments. To view defence tenders through this portal, follow these steps:
- Visit the defence eProcurement portal at https://www.india.gov.in/defence-eprocurement-portal.
- Click on the “Tender Search” tab to search for tenders by keyword, location, department, etc.
- You can also use the advanced search option to narrow down your search.
- Once you find a relevant tender, click on “View Details” to see the tender notice, tender documents, and other related information.
- If you’re interested in applying for a tender, click on “Register” to create an account and complete the registration process.
Also read- How to find Andhra Pradesh govt. eTenders.
How to register on the defence eProcurement portal for the latest defence tenders?
Here are the steps on how to register on the defence eProcurement portal:
- Go to the defence eProcurement portal website: https://www.india.gov.in/defence-eprocurement-portal
- Click on the “New Registration” button to begin the registration process
- Fill out the registration form. It is a multi-step process; you must provide your details including company name, contact information, etc
- Upload the required documents. It includes your company’s registration certificate, PAN card, and other documents
- Click on the “Submit” button to complete the tender registration process
Once you have submitted the registration form and uploaded the required documents, your account will be activated within 24 hours. After being registered on the defence eProcurement portal, you will be able to access the following features:
- Search for tenders
- Submit bids submiss
- Track the status of your bids
- Manage your account
Note-
- The registration process is free of cost.
- The registration process takes about 5 minutes to complete.
- You can only register for the defence eProcurement portal if you are a registered vendor with the Government of India (GoI).
Participating in defence tenders in India: Essential defence procurement guidelines
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible to bid on a tender on the defence eProcurement portal, you must meet the following criteria:
- Registered user of the defence eProcurement portal.
- You must have a valid DSC (Digital Signature Certificate).
- You must be in good financial standing. A lack of funds may hold you back from further applying for the relevant tenders.
- You must have the required experience and expertise to fulfil the tender requirements.
Note- The applicant must have a valid Class II or III Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) in order to submit their bids on the portal.
Documentation requirements
The following documents are required for bidding on a tender on the defence eProcurement portal:
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- A valid business license
- A valid GST registration certificate
- A copy of your bank account statement
Tips for bidders when participating in defence tenders in India
If you are a bidder seeking to participate in defence tenders in India, it is crucial to keep the following key takeaways in mind:
- Ensure that your tender submission or bid for participating in a tender is in compliance with the prescribed format and meets the terms and conditions of the offer. Any substantial deviation from the prescribed format could lead to disqualification.
- The eligibility criteria for the tender can be contested in court if it is deemed arbitrary, biased, illegal, or unreasonable. However, as a bidder, it is your responsibility to prove such bias if you allege it.
- If your bid is unsuccessful, you may approach the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to clarify the reasons for the rejection of your offer or to seek redressal. You may also approach the relevant judicial channels to challenge the award of the tender to another bidder.
- As a bidder, you may appoint agents to participate in defence tenders, subject to the terms of the Integrity Pact. If you violate the Integrity Pact, you risk being blacklisted, which can lead to the denial of future opportunities to participate in defence contracts. Apart from this, cause liability for damages, and debarment from future tenders.
- It is critical to exercise caution when defining the role of intermediaries in your bid. As a bidder, you may be held liable for the actions of the intermediaries you engage. This can further result in blacklisting. Being blacklisted can significantly hamper your ability to participate in future defence tenders.
Charul is a content marketing professional and seasoned content writer who loves writing on various topics with 3 years of experience. At Tata nexarc, it has been 2 years since she is helping business to understand jargon better and deeper to make strategical decisions. While not writing, she loves listing pop music.
India is growing fast in defence sectors and this is great opportunity for new startups and in this sector. Many large businesses had strong hold in this space earlier, but now new age start-ups are now participating and competing with large businesses for tenders. This is just because of digitalization in this space. Cheers to this initiative.