The e-tendering of the Public Works Department (PWD), which will be launched on Wednesday, is expected to make the tendering system more efficient and transparent in Thiruvananthapuram district.
The publication of tender documents and acceptance of tenders for all works under the Superintending Engineer (South zone) of the PWD will be through the web portal www.etenders.kerala.gov.in in the first phase of the initiative. Minister for Public Works V.K. Ebrahim Kunju said the system would be extended to other areas in the near future.
From today, the contractors have to just fill in the related documents and submit the tender documents online using digital signature. A major advantage of the initiative is that details of the contractors participating in the tendering process will remain confidential until the time of opening of the tender.
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e-tendering will also help the PWD save time. As the tendering profile, procedures, and other details are available on the website, the contractors need not visit PWD offices. The details of the tender process will be stored in the website and will be made available to the public. The department hopes that this will further ensure transparency.
e-tendering is being undertaken as part of the National e-Governance Programme (NeGP) using software developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC). The PWD has already conducted training sessions, though a dedicated training-cum-helpdesk, for officials and contractors to familiarise them with the new software. Already, 304 registered contractors have been listed on the PWD website.
The PWD Minister will formally launch the e-tendering at the government guest house here on Wednesday.
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