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Pre-Bid Clarifications
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Customization, Integration, Data Migration, Implementation
& Maintenance of e-Procurement Solution for Government of Madhya Pradesh
Sr.
No.
Description RFP Ref Page No
/Clause No.
Response
1 The MoU /Agreement shall clearly specify the prime bidder, stake of each member
and outline the roles and responsibilities of each member.
Query: The commercial arrangement between the members, being private arrangement
may not be required to be disclosed.
14 Clause 2 (b) OK
2 The Bidder individually or in consortium should have a minimum of 5 years’
experience in the field of e-procurement domain
Query1: Does the word domain mean implementation including eTendering?
and shall provide references of successfully completed/ running e-Procurement
projects of Govt. Depts. /PSUs along with supporting testimonials from them.
Query2: What is the minimum validity period of contract i.e. acceptable to meet the
requirement
Any company having experience of running even a single state wide/ nationwide
(India or International) e-Procurement application since last 5 years would be
considered equivalent to aforesaid criteria. The bidder should provide work orders
and experience certificate and relevant documents in this regard.
Query 3: Is the word “running” used to mean continuous operation for 5 years of
eTendering module?
14 Clause 3 Query 1: Yes
Query 2: As per RFP
Query 3 : Yes
(Please refer to
corrigendum for
details)
3 The e-Procurement Application should undergo STQC certification. Certification
should be initiated within three months from the Go-live / Final UAT signoff.
Query: Who arranges and bears the cost for undergoing STQC certification? Service
provider or MPSEDC?
15 clause 7 Service Provider
Page 2 of 26
4 The bidder (Prime) should be a profit making company having earned profits, for
last 3 years, with a minimum turnover of Rs. 50 Crore in all of the last 3 years (09-10,
10-11, 11- 12). As documentary proof, Balance Sheet & Profit & Loss A/c is to be
submitted.
Query: Since this clause of profitability is to ascertain the financial stability of the
company, you may also alternatively accept the same through appropriate positive
net worth of say Rs. 50 crores for the last 3 years
15 clause 9 Please refer to
corrigendum.
5 The e-Procurement application shall be a n-tiered (3 or more) architecture with
Web, Application and Database Server & offers a superior level of security with Secure
Socket Layer (SSL) encryption, strong authentication with digital certificates
and speed to conduct real time bidding over the Internet.
Query: Please confirm who will bear the cost of SSL certificate for server?
17 clause 7 Service Provider
6 Query: Marks for technical parameter in Sr. No. 1, 2 & 4 are given for the parameters
which are equivalent or even less than the requirement stated in pre-qualification.
The marking parameters need to be above the pre-qualification criteria. Experience
in setting up and maintaining data center may be considered for marking
90,Parameters
for technical
evaluation Sr.
No.1, Sr. No. 2
and Sr. No. 4
Please refer to
corrigendum
7 Provision of sending automated email/SMS to tenderers’. Vendor shall provide
SMS gateways and e-Mail SMTP details to send the SMS or Mail.
Query: Requirement is for automated email or SMS please confirm, cost being the
consideration.
38 Application should
have provision for
SMS & Email
8 GoMP shall provide the Data centre facility to host the e-Procurement Solution.
Query: Will GoMP bear the cost of entire Data centre infrastructure and service
provider has to bear the cost of Server Hardware and operating software?
17 The SP has to bear
the cost of Server
Hardware and
Operating software
however MPSEDC will
charge additionally
Page 3 of 26
1.5% p.a. of value of
Hardware hosted in
SDC towards O&M
(Please refer
corrigendum)
9 The Bidder shall assess and make his own arrangements for infrastructure
which includes necessary hardware, system software and transportation of
personnel deployed by him, security at the site in addition to the men, machine
and material. The servers and other hardware have to be physically located and
operated from State Data Centre of GoMP. The bidder should assess the
capacity planning and assessment for the solution taking into account a period of
5 years including hardware specifications & configurations.
Query: You are requested to give minimum acceptable requirement of Server
Hardware and related software to be supplied by service provider by way of Bill of
Material.
118 The SP has to assess
the hardware
required and should
adhere to the SLAs.
10 Query: You have taken no of tenders of 2011-12 and assumed no of bids per
tender to be 5. As per the details given by you the momentum in the initial years
is slow. Average no of bids are less than 4. The post tendering modules as per
your estimate also will take its own time.
In view of the above, unless some correction factor is applied the commercial
worked out will be inflated.
156, 157, 158 &
159
As Per RFP
11 Query: Please confirm if the e-Procurement solution will be hosted out of the MP
SDC?
General Yes, please refer
corrigendum
12 Query: Request you to please confirm that the e-Proc Service provider will provide
only the Servers and associated system software for hosting the e-proc solution on
these Servers. if yes, then since these Servers will be hosted out of the SDC, its
administration and monitoring will be part of the SDC Operator. Please confirm.
4.11 Yes, please refer
corrigendum
13 Query: If the e-Procurement solution is hosted at the SDC them the other support
infrastructure which is part of the SDC including NIPS, Firewall, Load Balancers,
Antivirus, Security, backup software, will be provided for at the SDC Operator. Please
confirm
4.11 Yes, please refer
corrigendum
Page 4 of 26
14 Query: The support, monitoring and management of infrastructure provided as part
of the MP SDC will be done by the SDC Operator.
4.11 Yes, please refer
corrigendum
15 Query: Please confirm that the help desk run by the e-procurement Service Provider
will only take calls pertaining to the e-Procurement solution. The first point of
contact helpdesk would be manned by SDC Operator
4.11 Yes, the helpdesk will
only take calls
pertaining to the e-
Procurement
solution. The first
point of contact for all
e-Procurement
related queries will be
the helpdesk
provided by the SP.
16 Query: Please provide details on Training in terms of no. users to be trained, Training
locations, Training batch size, Online/Offline training details etc
5.13.2 Training is considered
as a critical success
factor for this project.
The bidders are
expected to present a
comprehensive
training strategy. (pls
refer corrigendum)
17 Query: What is the customer expected timeline for phase-2 of implementation 5.13.1 & 5.13 As Per RFP
18 Query: Please provide details of Legacy Data which needs to be migrated in terms of
Volume and technology platform of Legacy application
4.4 As Per RFP
19 Query: Please Provide details of existing tools at SDC used to monitor the
application, server and network which would be used to measure the SLAs
4.11 Please refer to
corrigendum.
20 Query: Bidder submits that there has been a typo in this clause which should be
corrected to bring it in line with Cl. 3.1.(6) and 7.3. Therefore, clause should read,
"...exclusively for MSEDC and based on information or data owned by Gomp...."
3.1(15) As Per RFP clause
3.1(6)
21 Query: Bidder submits that there has been a typo in this clause which should be
corrected. This clause read as, "….and nothing in this Agreement shall be construed
to ...."
7.3 As Per RFP
Page 5 of 26
22 Query: Bidder submits that MPSEDC should only be entitled to forfeit Security
Deposit in case of breach of this provision.
6.13.4 Please refer to
Corrigendum
23 Query: We requests inclusion of the following language: " Where the Bidder fails to
meet the SLA, MPSEDC shall impose a penalty in accordance with the tables below.
However, where the Bidder performs at a level higher than the SLR, Bidder shall be
entitled to Service Credit at a mutually agreed rate, which shall be adjustable against
SLA penalties. Bidder will not be held liable for any delay or failure to meet SLRs
arising out of the Client's or third-party's failure to perform its obligations or meet its
dependencies."
9.1 As Per RFP
24 Query: We requests to add following so that clause is mutually reciprocative "All
information supplied by MPSEDC may be treated as contractually biding on the
MPSEDC. Bidder's volume and specification. In case of any change in these both
parties shall mutually agree on the change order request with appropriate terms."
6.12.2 Page 72 As Per RFP
25 Query: We propose charging and True up Mechanism to be mutually agreed: We
requests to confirm volume data as minimum base line for the purpose of billing
with an quarterly/6 monthly true up for higher volume to adjust for the actual
number of tenders and other volume use for pricing. Further vendor need to be
protected by way of bare minimum guaranteed volume to avoid risk due to any
decision by Govt/Departments to not use the portal leading to fall in actual
volume/usage.
6.34 page 85
10.2.1
Annexure 2
Commercial Bid
As Per RFP
26 Query: Tax - We Proposes to add following "Prices shall be inclusive of all Taxes
(taxes, duties, charges and levies as applicable except Service Tax) prevailing on date
of bidding. Service Tax shall be reimbursed based on the submission of proof of
actual service tax payments made by the bidder. The MPSEDC shall pay for all taxes
on actual including VAT, duties, license fees, other such levies including Service Tax,
The MPSEDC shall bear impact of any tax law change, tax rate change and
introduction of new tax."
and deleting "The price would be inclusive of all taxes, duties, charges and levies as
applicable except Service Tax. Service Tax shall be reimbursed based on the
submission of proof of actual service tax payments made by the bidder."
6.34 page 86
7.4.5 page 100
Please refer to
Corrigendum
Page 6 of 26
32 The Bidder (Lead Bidder in case of consortium) should have a minimum of 5 years'
experience in the field of e-procurement domain and shall provide references of at
least five successfully completed/running e-procurement projects of Govt.
Depts./PSUs along with supporting testimonials from them. Any company having
experience of running even a single state wide/nationwide (India or International) e-
Procurement application since last 5 years would be considered equivalent to the
aforesaid criteria. The bidder should provide work orders, experience certificate and
relevant document in this regard.
Suggestions: Only relevant documents should be provided by bidders.
Per Qualification
Point 3
As Per RFP (Please
refer to corrigendum)
33 The bidder should have processed at least 10,000 e-Tenders for Govt. Depts./PSUs in
the last 3 years as on the date of submission of bids.
Suggestions: Refering Pre-Qualification point 3, We understand that nationwide
(India or International) Govt. Dept/PSU will be considered.
Per Qualification
Point 4
It has to be for entire
State Govt. (India or
International)
34 The e-Procurement Application should undergo STQC certification. Certification
should be initiated within three months from the Go-live/Final UAT signoff.
Per Qualification
Point 7
As Per RFP
27 Query: Add "MPSEDC shall pay all amounts due from its side for the products
delivered and services performed by the Bidder till the date of termination."
7.6 at 101 As Per RFP
28 Query: Modify last line to "The MPSEDC shall pay all invoices within 30 day from the
date of of invoice."
10.2 (i) page 117 As Per RFP
29 Query: For maintenance 4 years is considered while O&M is for 5 years. Value of 2g
should be revised.
Annexure 2G As Per RFP
30 Query: We request for the past 3 to 5 year trend of break up of volume data given in
2C,2D,2E,2F,2G in various slabs so that We can run simulation of resource
requirement and cost in future.
Annexure 2
Commercial Bid
As Per RFP
31 Query: REF does not include mechanism and consideration of transfer of system
which is essential in BOOT Deal. We Propose to insert 10.2.1.(vii) "In case of any
termination and completion of contract, vendor shall transfer the system to MPSEDC
on payment of all product/services delivered till date of termination and residual
value of system including hardware, software and related setup"
10.2.1 page 118 As Per RFP
Page 7 of 26
Suggestions: Please consider CERT-IN certification also.
35 The intellectual property rights in anything developed by the Bidder under this RFP
exclusively for MPSEDC and based on information owned by MPSEDC shall vest with
MPSEDC. GoMP shall use existing domain name or can register different domain
name for the installed instance. The software shall be gradually rolled-out across
offices in the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
Suggestions: Understanding that functionalities developed for MPSEDC will be
owned by MPSEDC and Non-Discloser agreement will be signed but the source code
will not handed over to MPSEDC and all further customization will be done by NIIT
Tech limited. <Open source are suitable for non-financial king of system. They are
cheap but for large database backup and restoration itself is huge task. Security and
authentication implementation are not as advanced. Moreover the ownership of
source code continuous to be with NIIT technologies Ltd.
Features of
Proposed System
- Point 6
As Per RFP
36 The e-Procurement software should be Platform and Browser Independent however
browser for all legal purpose in Microsoft Internet explorer 6.0 above. Application
must work on IE 6.0 & above. At the user-end, various users of the e-Procurement
system should be able to use their PCs under MS Windows XP and above and / or
Linux with commonly used office automation tolls such as MS office/Star
Office/Abode publishing system along with S-MIME (Secure-Multipurpose Internet
Mail Extensions) compliant email systems and Internet browsers. The Software
should support multi platform and should run on open source & Windows platform
as well. GoMP shall provide the Data center facility to host the e-Procurement
Solution.
Suggestions: We would recommend, as per our past experience, not to use Open
source for your requirement as they are suitable for non-financial transactions. They
are cheap but for large database backup and restoration become a challenge and
they are not able to handle large databases. Moreover Security and authentication
implementation methodology are not as advanced as generally required for
financial, sensitive and voluminous data.
Features of
Proposed System
- Point 8
As Per RFP (Please
refer to corrigendum)
Page 8 of 26
37 The intellectual property rights in anything developed under this RFP exclusively for
MPSEDC and the information or data owned by GoMP shall be proprietary to
MPSEDC. However, each party shall own and retain its pre-existing IP. The Bidder
shall sign the Non disclosure Agreement with MPSEDC.
Suggestions: Understanding that functionalities developed for MPSEDC will owned b
MPSEDC and a Non-Discloser agreement will be signed but intellectual property
rights will not be transferred to MPSEDC and all further customization will be done
by NIIT Tech limited.
Features of
Proposed System
As per RFP
38 The server-end software should be platform independent and able to run on
Microsoft Windows Server and LINUX Operating System environment.
Suggestions: We suggest that rather than multiple platform, It should e on single
platform (Microsoft windows server or Linux or Windows)
Technical
Requirements
Point 4.7.1
Please refer to
Corrigendum
39 The solution shall be capable of being deployed on multiple OS platforms like Linux,
Unix and Windows
Suggestions: We suggest that rather than multiple platform, It should e on single
platform (Microsoft windows server or Linux or Windows)
Table of
Technical
Requirements -
Point 16
Please refer to
Corrigendum
40 Multilingual support - English and Hindi
Suggestions: We understand software should support Unicode and hindi supports
will be required for fixed words only. No keyboard typing is required.
India Localization
- Point 5.9
As Per RFP
41 Offered Software should be in operation & working satisfactorily in Govt./PSU in
India for at least last five year on the date of submission of bids.
Suggestions: Refering Per-Qualification Point 3, We understand that nationwide
(India or International) Govt. Dept/PSU will be considered.
From - P#3 : e-
Procurement
Implementation
Experience
It has to be for entire
State Govt. (India or
International)
42 The Bidder (Lead Bidder in case of consortium) should have a minimum of 5 years'
experience in the field of e-procurement domain and shall provide references of at
least five successfully completed/running e-procurement projects of Govt.
Depts./PSUs along with supporting testimonials from them.OR
Any company having experience of running even a single state wide/nationwide
PQ Point# 3 Query 1: As per RFP
(Please refer to
corrigendum)
Query 2: It will be
Page 9 of 26
(India or International) e-Procurement application since last 5 years would be
considered equivalent to the aforesaid criteria.
We understand that the bidder having experience of running state/nation wide e-
Procurement application since last 5 years would be considered as equivalent to
above.
Query-1: It there any relaxation of number of years experience for running the e-
Procurement applications? We are requesting to relax the total number of years
from 5 years to 4 years.
Query-2: We assume that the experience will be counted from the date of PO/LOI of
single e-Procurement Application. Please clarify it.
Query-3: Can the bidder consider experience (A Years) prior to the single
state/nationwide experience (B Years) to derive the total experience to meet the
criteria (i.e. T = A Years + B Years)
from date of LOI
Query 3: As Per RFP
43 The bidder should have processed at least 10,000 e-Tenders for Govt. Depts./PSUs in
the last 3 years as on the date of submission of bids.
We understand the clause "Bidder should have processed" as "Processed through e-
Procurement systems i.e. implemented/ deployed by the Bidder." Please clarify it.
Suggestions: The application needs to serve the tendering/auctioning requirements
of entire state MP. Hence we are suggesting to increase the number of tenders from
10,000 to 30,000 at-least in last 3 years.
PQ Point# 4 Yes, Should have
processed through e-
Procurement systems.
As per RFP
44 Indicate whether your firm / consortium have experience in implementing State
wide e-Procurement
System (Yes / No) ........
The content of Forms eg.
a) Name of the Client Department/State
b) No. of Modules in active use in the State/ Dept.
From P#3 As Per RFP
Page 10 of 26
C) Details of Contact Person/Nodal Officer from PSU/Dept/State
Suggestion: Please change the clause to cover "nation wide" experience as well, i.e.
from "State wide" to "State/Nation wide"
We assume that the same from can be used for "Nation wide" implementation
experience, i.e. the implemented application used across PAN India of a Central
Department, Govt. of India. The bidder can mention the Central Govt. department
name in place of department/state. Please clarify it.
45 The bidder should have the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) of the proposed e-
Procurement solution so that all type of customization related issues can be
addressed by the bidder.
Please clarify the requirement for this clause as part of BID submission. Can bidder
submit the self declaration certificate about ownership of the proposed solution, if
required any certificate at the bid submission?
PQ Point# 8 Yes
46 The bidder should have a point of presence in Bhopal or should open a Project Office
within 30 days of receipt of Letter of Intent (Lol).
Query: is the development centre/project office at Bhopal is mandatory?
........the bidder will open a Project office with development centre within 15 days of
award notification......
Suggestion: Please correct the deviation "no of days" mentioned in 2 reference
places.
Note # 3
Clause Xiii
The Project Office has
to be in Bhopal or
shall open a Project
Office within 30 days
of issuance of Letter
of Intent (Lol).
(Please refer to
Corrigendum)
47 The Developed Software should be compatible with the GoMP Procurement
Guidelines, PSU, World Bank, IRC & MORTH requirements and Centrally Sponsored
Scheme (CSS) guidelines and any other guidelines specified from time to time.
Query: Are there any difference or difference or additional clauses in GoMP
guidelines than DIT/MIT, Govt. of India Procurement guidelines?
Clause 3.1,
Point# 2
As per RFP
Page 11 of 26
48 Application Usage:
e-Procurement solution will be utilized by GoMP departments including, local bodies
and municipal corporations along with their vendors. Co-operative Sectors, Public
Sectors and other State Governments can also other authorities can use this solution.
We understand the usage of application by GoMP departments/local
bodies/municipal corporations/state co-operative sectors/ universities but are not
able to understand about the solutions will be used by "Public Sectors and other
State Government can also other authorities can use this solution."
Please elaborate the requirement, contract terms/conditions, commercials, and
deployment/implementation plan for the use of solutions by these bodies/orgn.
Clause 3.1,
Point# 5
As per RFP
49 The Software should support multi platform and should run on open source &
Windows platform as well.
GoMP shall provide the Data centre facility to host the e-Procurement Solution.
We understand that the application will be hosted centrally at Data Centre for the
usage of various departments/bodies across state MP and by their vendors.
Qurey-1: Please elaborate/clarify the requirement of multi platform support.
Qurey-2: The OS of Web/App/Database server would be either MS Windows or Linux
as per Tender Document. Please elaborate the open source requirement?
Qurey-3: We assume that the hardware servers and Infrastructure will be provided
by GoMP/MPSEDC to host the application however, it will be maintained by the
bidder. The system software and e-Procurement applications will be provided by the
selected bidder, Please clarify it.
Suggestion: We propose to restrict the database requirement to any enterprise
database to meet the security requirements and load balancing & high availability
Clause 3.1,
Point# 8
Please refer to
Corrigendum
Query 1 - Please refer
to Corrigendum
Query 2 – As per RFP
Query 3 - Please refer
to Corrigendum
Page 12 of 26
requirements, and for scalability/ performance(eg. SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase)
instead of any open source database.
50 The transaction fees would be shared between the Service Provider and the MPSEDC
in 90:10 ratios respectively.
Query-1: How it will work? is it the case that the bidder will quote the price for
transactions including the 10% if fees for MPSEDC
Query-2: Whether the bidder will raise the invoice for 90% of fees to MPSEDC or for
100% of fees.
Point# 14 Query 1 - Yes
Query 2 - 90%
51 Implementation Model with Timelines - O&M for 5 year
It seems that schedule is highly tight and may not feasible to accomplish the
specified tasks/activity defined as the milestone. The UAT period is not defined as
well.
Hence, we request your increase the time-line for serial# 3 from T+4 to T+12 weeks,
and subsequently for other milestones. Also increase the overall time-line of project
from T+18 weeks to T+30 weeks (i.e. around 7 overall time-line of project from T+18
weeks T+30 weeks (i.e. around 7 months)
The time-line for phase-2 is not defined. We assume that these modules will be
performed on post go-live of phase-1 modules. Please clarify it.
Section: 5.13.1
As per RFP
It would be mutually
agreed with the
selected service
provider.
52 Acceptance & Sign off of deliverables
We understand the MPSEDC will play a major role and nominate a SPOC and core
team, and will coordinate for implementation of applications and migrations of data
and departments from legacy system to new system. The SPOC of MPSEC would
provide necessary acceptance and sign-off of milestones/deliverables. please clarify
it.
General As per RFP
53 Training to department users/bidders
Please specify the number of trainees needs to be trained and the batch size.
General Please refer to
corrigendum
Page 13 of 26
What is the frequency of repetition of trainings for same users in 5 years period, if
any
Can the bidder will charge separately for the trainings to vendors/bidders?
Please specify the number out station locations, where the training will be
conducted in 1st year and in future
54 The solution shall be natively built on 64 bit Operating System.
Can 32 bit OS be considered for web/app server?
As per RFP
55 The solution offered should be Service Oriented Architecture complaint
Is the SOA architecture mandatory for entire solutions or partial for integration?
The core solution of proposed DOTS solution is based on MVC architecture/Strut
framework. Is it ok?
Section: 4.8,
Point# 2
As per RFP
56 The solution offered should be Uni-Code Compliant.
We understand that the database should be uni-code compliant, and there will be
options for lables in Hindi/English in the front-end entry/view screen, and there
would not be data entry in both languages on processing/numeric fields. Please
clarify it.
Section: 4.8,
Point# 1
Yes
57 Integration with departmental legacy system (MMS)
Please specify the number of heterogeneous MMS system across various
departments/ bodies and the platform.
last paragraph As per RFP
58 Payment Gateway Integration
We assume that the integration will be made with 1 payment gateway service
provider for all departments. If not, please specify the number of PG needs to be
integrated and service provider names
General One PG, Modalities
would be discussed
with the successful
bidder.
59 Facilitate proxy bidding for contractors, if decided by the department.
This supposed to be discouraged as per DIT Guidelines. If needs to be performed
then who will perform this activity? may be department users will do proxy bid on
behalf of bidder, then what are extra information needs to be captured for this?
On-line Bidding
Functionality
Please refer to
Corrigendum
60 Support of advanced biometric technology for security and authentication of
electronic documentation to establish unique identity with electronic signature.
Section 5.1.11,
Point d
The usage of
advanced biometric
Page 14 of 26
Please elaborate the usage and implementation of biometric authentication in which
areas of application? Whether it will be applicable for both internal and external
users (bidders/vendors). There is a dependency with biometric device for the
authentication and the same should be available with user. It may not be feasible for
all users.
technology would be
limited to the Dept
user only. The
standard UIDAI
specifications should
be considered.
61 Transactions which are in conformity with the IT Act 2000 and any further
amendments issued by the Government of India (GoI).
Query: Should the database support the ISO 27001 and IT act 2000 requirements?
3.4 : compliance As per RFP
62 Audit Trail
Query: Audit trails and database auditing requirement has mentioned in the RFP we
suggest to further clarify the requirement that the solution should have a centrally
managed secure audit storage system which is able to capture before and after
values from transaction logs, privileged user audits, raise alters on suspicious
activity. The system should provide built-in and customizable reports for department
compliance and monitoring. It should also provide security facilities for role
segregation within auditing functions in terms of administration, auditors etc.
5.2 As per RFP
63 Page 55: database requirement: Encryption
Query: Is department looking for transparent data encryption technology?
5.6 Yes
64 Integrity and confidentiality: Data confidentiality features to be applied to ensure
that the data is only accessible by the intended parties.
Query: There are possibilities of database updating by bypassing the application
hence There should be monitoring/ Preventive mechanism to access/ update
sensitive from backend so that unauthorized access/updation from backend can be
prevented.
5.1.4 The application should
have data integrity
and confidentiality
features as referred in
RFP.
65 The database controls for online Transaction processing systems like Access to
database directly, Access to database through application, Access to log files, Access
by the remote terminals, DBA Controls, Backup policy and backup procedures.
Query: 1- access to log files : Generally DBA has access to audit log files so in case
someone wants to erase the audit logs they will able to do that hence it is suggested
that audit trails should moved and be in a separate systems /repository
5.1.10 The application should
have appropriated
controls.
Page 15 of 26
66 Database control
Query: Should the backup on the tapes be also encrypted to prevent from physical
theft ?
5.1.10 It will be in
accordance with back-
up policy of MP SDC.
67 Database control
Query: Should the policy be also structured where DBA can be segregated as per
their role and they should request security team to change the role ( should not be
allowed to change by themselves)
5.1.10 It will be in
accordance with the
Security policy of MP
State data centre.
68 Additional Security Features
Query: Does SQL injection prevention also required for the data security?
5.1.11 Yes
69 Additional Security Features
Query: It is suggested that the database should have received the security
certification of at least level 4 (EAL4) from the International Common Criteria for
Information Technology Security Evaluation.
5.1.11 As per RFP
70 Additional Security Features
Query: It is suggested that the Database should support to transparently encrypt
desired data at column, table space etc. levels at the storage, and should be capable
to encrypt data backups and data at the network without application's involvement /
coding.
5.1.11 As per RFP
71 Query: Does Database security requirement includes DBA level segregation and data
masking at test and development environment ?
5.6 As per RFP
72 Interface with payment gateway
Query: RFP solution using credit card as payment method therefore PCI DSS
requirements will be applicable. Does solution should comply to PCI DSS
requirements ?
5.8 As per RFP
73 Role based S/w
Query: 1.Pls elaborate on Roles that are being looked at by GoMP
3.1 As per roles structure
of Govt departments
74 Role based S/w
Query: 2.Ex- Will employees have multiple roles, Is GoMP looking at Enterprise roles.
3.1 Yes
75 Role based S/w
Query: 3. How does GoMP envision to automatically create & assign these roles to
various user community like employees , auctioneers etc.
3.1 Will be discussed with
the selected SP
Page 16 of 26
76 Users to be considered is 500
Query: Is the total named user population 500 including external & internal users
3.1 Number of concurrent
users is 500 for the
purpose of notional
sizing of hardware
77 Data that has been Audit Stamped must not be physically deleted from the System
until it has been Archived.
Query: Is there any need for the solution in which Administrators are also not
allowed to tamper with the audit data
5.2 As per RFP
78 User Registration services
Query: Does the scope also include self service & knowledge based authentication
for password reset
5.4 As per RFP
79 Also be capable of notifying appropriate parties
Query: Does the reference to suspicious behavior also point for a need for tracking
where the logins are originating & mitigating risks for fraud.
5.12 As per RFP
80 Scalability
Query: Scalability has been mentioned as one of the key requirements of the system,
to clarify, it is suggested that the database layer should have capability to be scaled
up horizontally so that more servers can be added dynamically to read-write
transactions at the single E-proc database.
3.4 As per RFP
81 Database access: Any access to the e-Procurement Software database should only be
via application/portal authorization.
Query: Should the Database have capability to restrict the DBAs and high privileged
users to access the transactional data.
5.12 As per RFP
82 availability: reliable data availability 24x7x365,
Query: As department has mentioned high availability and also mentioned load
balancing and clustered database environment, we suggest to clearly mention that
the active database servers should simultaneously read and write the complete
transactions at the single e-proc database, to avoid a single point in time failure at
database layer as to achieve high availability, load balancing, data security and
scalability.
5.1 As per RFP
Page 17 of 26
83 Page 55: database requirement:
Query: There would be requirement for data life cycle management and
performance to manage archival and online data. We suggest department to
mention for database partitioning requirement to store and retrieve data based on
various criteria like year, value, location, number, type, and their combinations.
5.6 As per RFP
84 The bidder’s (prime) development unit should have certification of CMMi Level 3 or
above and BS 7799 / ISO 27001. The bidder should submit a copy of the certificates
valid as on bid calling date.
Query: As many of the pure e procurement OEMs in country are not CMM Certified,
we request to relax the clause and keep ISO 9001 & ISO 27001 for wider
participation.
We are under Audit for CMMi 3 and expect to get the certification by end of
December’12.
Section 2 –
Prequalification
Criteria, Clause
No. 5
As per RFP
85 The bidder (Prime) should be a profit making company having earned profits, for last
3 years, with a minimum turnover of Rs. 50 Crore in all of the last 3 years (09-10, 10-
11, 11- 12). As documentary proof, Balance Sheet & Profit & Loss A/c is to be
submitted.
Query: As e procurement is still at nascent stage, many of the pure e proc players do
not have this kind of turnover. Request you to accept a combined Turnover of Rs 50
cr. for stated 3 FYs.
This will not only help for wider participation, but also remove the need for a Front
ending partner thereby will reduce service cost and cost for the MP Govt. vendors.
Section 2 –
Prequalification
Criteria, Clause
No. 9
Please refer to
corrigendum
86 All these conditions need to be fulfilled by Lead Bidder
Query: To our understanding, only 2-3 players will qualify and hence most of the
pure e procurement OEMs will not be able to participate.
However, by relaxing above 2 conditions, the participation will be wider.
Section 2 –
Prequalification
Criteria, Clause
No.3,5 & 9
As per RFP (Please
refer to corrigendum)
87 Data Migration includes the following:
1. Extraction of existing data from the legacy systems;
2. Cleansing and formatting of data extracted from the legacy systems;
3. Creation of new/additional data mandatory in the new system covering the past
Section 4.4 Data
Migration
Requirement
As per RFP
Page 18 of 26
years.
4. Uploading of these data to the new system;
Data Migration- Bidder shall be responsible for the Data migration from the existing
e- Procurement application to the new system. (Modalities of the data migration will
be finalized after discussions with selected service provider).
Query: Data Migration from existing legacy system to New E-procurement system
will have external dependency dependencies and many factors may be beyond of
immediate control of new vendor Like Data structures, formats etc. This is a long
time taking exercise. The department must provide the sufficient time for the same
and it should be out of scope of Phase I and Phase II timelines. Also till the time
complete data migration happens, Existing service provider should provide existing
site up and running parallel for past information for public viewing, department and
existing vendors’ access.
Section 3.1,
Features of
Proposed system,
Point No. 15
88 Demand Aggregation – The ability to aggregate Government departments demand
to leverage buying power with the supply market.
Query: For Demand Aggregation proper codification of the Items with common
specification is required does MP Govt. / Departments follows standard codifications
for demand aggregation.
Section 3.4,
Objectives of the
Proposed
Solution
Yes, will be provided
to the selected Service
Provider.
89 Monitoring and enhancement of the performance of scheduled backups, schedule
regular testing of backups and ensure adherence to related retention policies.
Retention policies shall be defined by GoMP. SAN storage and other related
infrastructure for backup shall be provided by GoMP.
Query: Please provide Specifications of SAN. Also details of SAN management
software if any.
Section 4.11
Operational
Support for 5
years
Please refer to
corrigendum on SDC.
90 The Bidder shall assess and make his own arrangements for infrastructure which
includes necessary hardware, system software and transportation of personnel
deployed by him, security at the site in addition to the men, machine and material.
The servers and other hardware have to be physically located and operated from
State Data Centre of GoMP. The bidder should assess the capacity planning and
Section 10.2.5.
Infrastructure
arrangement by
Bidder
Please refer to
corrigendum on SDC.
Page 19 of 26
assessment for the solution taking into account a period of 5 years including
hardware specifications & configurations.
Query: As Indicated Primary Data Centre will be provided by GoMP to host the
server.
Please clarify on the requirement of DR site and location/availability of infrastructure
for the same.
91 Intrusion detection & protection security features. The Vendor shall provide firewall
and IPS as part of the SDC.
Query: Does Firewall and IDS to be procured by Vendor in the name of SDC?
Section 4.7.5
Technical
Requirement
Please refer to
corrigendum on SDC
92 The implementation of the developed e-Procurement application requires
integration with the existing legacy systems & interfacing with the various user
departments. The bidders shall provide open APIs for interface with future e-
commerce/m-commerce /ERP applications. The e-Procurement system should
support integration of payment gateway for electronic payment through web
towards the tender fees, earnest money and security money etc. with all security
standards in place and the Bidder shall facilitate the integration as per requirements.
The e-Procurement application must be integrated with the payment gateway &
should allow bidders to remit the funds via NEFT / RTGS. The bidder should be able
to make the EMD & document fees payment online. Also it should have a provision
to get EMD automatically refunded via NEFT to his/her account for the unsuccessful
bidders.
Query: What all legacy system are required to be integrated with e-procurement
system?
Does the specified integration is part of Phase –II?
As specified The e-procurement system should integrate with the payment gateway.
Integration with payment gateway needs involvement of e-banking service provider.
Does GoMP already have a Nodal e-payment account for integration /e-banking
service provider?
Section 4.10.
Integration/Interf
ace
Requirements
Will be discussed with
selected SP
Page 20 of 26
Does the process for refund through NEFT already in place?
In case GoMP does not have existing arrangements, then the specified process may
take time to be streamlined and it should be out of the timelines specified in tender
document for phase I.
93 The Bidder should install/develop his/her own tools for monitoring the SLAs.
Query: Please modify the clause as "The Bidder should supply & install SLA
monitoring tool as part of the solution."
4.11.
Operational
Support
As per RFP (Please
refer to corrigendum
on SDC)
94 Physical Security:"Physical security for the solution should address securing all
information assets form physical access by unauthorized personnel."
Query: Since all the information assets will be hosted on State data center, physical
security should be responsibility of the datacenter operator.
5.12
Overall Solution
Security
Requirements:
Yes
95 Query: Please clarify the size of existing data from legacy systems to be migrated. 4.4.
Data Migration
Requirements
Will be discussed with
selected SP
96 "The Bidder shall assess and make his own arrangements for infrastructure which
includes necessary hardware, system software and transportation of personnel
deployed by him, security at the site in addition to the men, machine and material."
Query: Please clarify if redundant internet links will be provided by state data center
OR bidder needs to provide internet links for the solution.
10.2.5.
Infrastructure
arrangement by
Bidder
Please refer
corrigendum related
to SDC
97 Disater recovery
Query: Please clarify if disaster recovery provision should be considered in this
solution. If yes, please specify the location of the DR site, RTO and RPO requirements
General Please refer
corrigendum related
to SDC
98 Help desk
Query: Please specify the location of the help desk support. Please clarify
Connectivity from this location to state data center will be whose responsibility?
9.4.
SLRs for
Helpdesk/
Maintenance
Location can be
remote and
connectivity charges
will be borne by SP
Page 21 of 26
99 Query: The standard exclusions to Confidential Information is not appearing in this
RFP. Request to insert standard exclusions to confidential information as follows:
This restriction does not limit the right to use information if it:
a. Is obtained from another source without restriction.
b. Is in the possession of, or was known to, the Bidder prior to its receipt, without an
obligation to maintain confidentiality;
c. becomes generally known to the public without violation of this provision;
d. is independently developed by the Bidder without the use of Information provided
by MPSEDC;
e. is required to be provided under any law, or process of law duly executed.
Further, the confidentiality obligations of Bidder under this Agreement shall survive
termination of this Agreement for a period of two (2) years.
Section 7.2, As per RFP
100 Query: Request that the intellectual property rights in anything specifically and
exclusively developed for MPSEDC by Bidder under this Agreement shall vest with
MPSEDC, subject to Bidder’s pre-existing intellectual property rights and any third
party intellectual property rights.
Section 7.3, As per RFP
101 Query: Request that the price shall be exclusive of value added tax and service tax,
which shall be borne at actuals by MPSEDC. Further, Bidder shall be reimbursed for
payment of any new taxes or an increase in the rates of existing taxes or any other
sum, if any payable in respect of any sales tax and/or any other state or central levy.
This will apply retrospectively, if so applicable upon Bidder.
Section 7.4.5, Please refer to
corrigendum
102 Query: Request that liquidated damages shall be levied only for delays that are
solely and entirely attributable to Bidder and shall be limited to 0.1% of the value of
the undelivered portion of the products for every week of delay, subject to
maximum liquidated damages of 5% of the value of the undelivered portion of the
products.
Section 7.4.7, As per RFP
103 Query: The standard exceptions to warranty is not appearing in this RFP. Request to
insert standard exceptions to warranty as follows:
The scope of the warranty shall be limited only to correction of any bugs that were
left undetected during acceptance testing by MPSEDC. Warranty shall not cover any
Section 8.2, As per RFP
Page 22 of 26
enhancements or changes in the application software, carried out after acceptance
testing. Warranty is provided only for defects against approved Specifications.
Warranty shall also not apply if there is any (i) combination, operation, or use of
some or all of the deliverables or any modification thereof furnished hereunder with
information, software, specifications, instructions, data, or materials not approved
by Bidder and operation of the deliverables on incompatible hardware not
recommended by Bidder; (ii) any change, not made by Bidder, to some or all of the
deliverables; or (iii) if the deliverables have been tampered with, altered or modified
by MPSEDC without the written permission of Bidder; or (iv) defects in components
or materials provided to Bidder by MPSEDC in connection with the preparation of
the deliverable.
104 Query: Request to make this provision mutually applicable. Section 8.3.1, As per RFP
105 Query: Definition of Uptime:
Request that the time lost due to any of the following reasons shall be taken into
account while calculating the availability/ uptime requirement:
(a) Time lost due to power or environmental failures; (b) Time taken to recover the
system because of power or environmental failures; (c) Time lost due to damage or
malfunction in the system or any units thereof due to causes attributable to MPSEDC
such as attachment of additional devices, making alteration to the system,
maintenance of the system, etc. without Bidder’s consent and/ or failure to maintain
the site as required by the Bidder; (d) Time taken for scheduled maintenance/
troubleshooting either for preventive purposes or improvement in function or other
purposes; (e) Time taken for reconfiguration or other planned downtime situations;
(f) Scheduled shutdowns as required by MPSEDC; (Bidder may also request MPSEDC
for a shutdown for maintenance purpose, which request will not be denied
unreasonably by MPSEDC); (g) Time taken for booting the system (h) Time lost due
to unavailability of links.
Section 9, As per RFP
106 Query: Request that the maximum/ overall cumulative penalty levied under this
Agreement shall not exceed 1% of the Contract Value.
Section 9.3, Please refer clause
10.2.1 (vi)
107 Query: Request to insert a provision for deemed acceptance of the deliverables as
follows:
Section 9.6, As per RFP
Page 23 of 26
A deliverable shall be treated as accepted by MPSEDC if MPSEDC (a) fails to provide
the list of non conformities within two (2) weeks of delivery, (b) fails to notify the
acceptance of the deliverables in terms of this clause within the period of two (2)
weeks from delivery, or (c) starts using the deliverable in a live production
environment (other than as part of agreed review and acceptance testing procedure,
such as UAT).
108 Query: Request to delete this provision.
The GCC (under Section 7.4.7, read with our suggested modification) already clarifies
the maximum liquidated damages leviable under this Agreement.
Under Section 9.3, we request that the maximum penalty levied under this
Agreement shall not exceed 1% of the Contract Value.
10.2.1, (vi), As per RFP
109 Query: Request to modify the provision as follows:
Except for payment obligations, damages for intellectual property infringement and
damages for bodily injury (including death) and willful misconduct, a Party’s total
aggregate liability shall be limited to the amount paid by MPSEDC in the preceding
12 months for the services or deliverables that is subject of the claim. To the extent
allowed by Indian law, these limitations shall apply regardless of the basis of liability,
breach of any kind, or any other claims in Contract, Tort or otherwise.
Section 10.3, As per RFP
110 Query: Request to insert a further provision for ‘pre-existing intellectual property’ of
Bidder as follows:
MPSEDC acknowledges that in performing Services under this Agreement Bidder
may use Bidder’s proprietary materials including without limitation any software (or
any part or component thereof), tools, methodology, processes, ideas, know-how
and technology that are or were developed or owned by Bidder prior to or
independent of the Services performed hereunder or any improvements,
enhancements, modifications or customization made thereto as part of or in the
course of performing the Services hereunder, (“Bidder Pre-Existing IP”).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Bidder shall
continue to retain all the ownership, the rights title and interests to all Bidder Pre-
Existing IP and nothing contained herein shall be construed as preventing or
restricting Bidder from using Bidder Pre-Existing IP in any manner.
As per RFP
Page 24 of 26
111 Role based S/w
Query: How does GoMP envision to create & assign these roles to various user
community like employees , auctioneers etc.
3.1 As per roles structure
of Govt departments
112 Users to be considered is 500
Query: Is the total named user population 500 including external & internal users
3.1 Total number of
concurrent users is
500 for the purpose of
notional sizing of
hardware
113 Prequalification Clause No. 3.The Bidder (Lead Bidder in case of consortium) should
have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in the field of e-procurement domain and
shall provide references of at least five successfully completed/ running e-
Procurement projects of Govt. Depts. /PSUs along with supporting testimonials from
them.
Query: Request: Pls consider the experience of any partner of Consortium.
Please refer to
corrigendum.
114 Ref: Clause No. 4.7.1. The server-end software should be platform independent
and able to run on Microsoft Windows Server and LINUX Operating System
environment. At the user- end, various users of the e-Procurement software should
be able to use their PCs under MS Windows XP and above and/or Linux with
commonly used office automation tools such as MS office/Star Office/Abode
publishing system along with S- MIME compliant email systems and Internet
browsers.
Query: Clarification sought: If system is platform independent then system will work
on both Windows and Linus. But it is mentioned as “MS Windows XP and above
and/or Linux” Pls confirm whether it means both are compulsory or not.
Please refer to
corrigendum.
115 4.7.2.The e-Procurement Software must be compliant to international open
standards at various levels such as schema definition, security, document
management, E-mail/File Transfer Protocol (FTP) etc.
Query: Clarification sought: Pls mention the international open standards to be
complied
As per RFP
Page 25 of 26
116 Data Migation:
Query: Clarification sought: What is the scope of Data Migration from the existing E-
Procurement System to New System? Should both tender and vendor data be
ported? Which Database is being used currently (with version number).
Would be discussed
with the selected
service provider.
117 General
Query: When can we start billing for the transaction revenue
Not Specified From first transaction
itself.
118 Annex 2
Query: What is the expected Rate of Growth in the no of tenders
Bidder to make their
own assumptions/
calculations.
119 7.4.5
Query: We suggest prices would be exclusive of service tax and VAT. Also any
additional charges or taxes paid shall also be paid over and above the price, as and
when applicable.
Please refer to
corrigendum
120 The bidder (Lead Bidder in case of consortium) should have a minimum of 5 year's
experience in the field of e-procurement domain and shall provide references of at
least five successfully completed/running e-Procurement projects of Govt. Depts. /
PSUs along with supporting testimonials from them. Any company having experience
of running even a since last 5 years would be considered equivalent to the aforesaid
criteria. The bidder should provide work orders, experience certificate and relevant
documents in this regard.
Query: You are requested to relax the above criteria by removing the eligibility of e-
Procurement experience only to Lead Bidder as according the point no. 9 of the
eligibility criteria you have asked a minimum turnover of Rs. 50 Crore in all of the last
3 years as the e-Procurement is the new phenomena and e-Procurement Service
Provider do not get paid in % of e-Procurement they enable but by awarded to L1
Vendor. We have in last 5 Years won e-Procurement Tender floated by NPCIL, BHEL,
SBI, RCF, BPCL, BDL, KIOCL, BHAVINI, NTCL, RBI and many more through a
competitive route where we were L1 Vendor. We annually enable Rs. 50,000 Cr. +
Worth of e-Procurement for Government & PSU, but we charge them very
competitive prices Per Tender or Auction.
Please refer to
corrigendum
Page 26 of 26
Henceforth, it is impracticable for the company to get eligible in both the conditions
and change the condition from "Lead Bidder" to "Any of the consortium partner".
We request you to change the criteria as "Any of the consortium partner should
have a minimum of 5 years' experience in the field of e-Procurement domain.
