Tender Overview

The Surat District Panchayat, under the Panchayats and Rural Housing Department, Government of Gujarat, has invited bids through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for Professional Training Services (Version 2) – Offline; Weekdays.

The training is intended for tribal youth and youth/women beneficiaries in Mahuva, Surat, with the project documentation indicating training in bamboo/cottage-industry activities to enhance skills and capabilities. The attached project document identifies the Taluka Development Officer, Mahuva, as the implementing authority and refers to training intended to increase the art, skills and proficiency of tribal youth.

Key Tender Details

The bid document confirms the ₹7.22 lakh estimated value, ₹21,660 EMD, two-packet bidding system, online GeM process and 17 August 2026 closing/opening schedule.

Scope of Work

The tender covers offline professional training services on weekdays, with training to be conducted at the buyer's location.

The GeM technical specification provides for:

1. Offline mode of training.
2. Weekday training.
3. 4 hours of training per day.
4. Training at the buyer's premises/location.
5. Study material as part of the training.
6. Basic-level course.
7. Training category identified as “gruh udhyog” (cottage industry).
8. Certification is required.
9. Certification to be in the form of a Participation Certificate.
10. No lodging and boarding requirement.
11. No post-training support requirement.

The attached project sanction document further describes the underlying initiative as training for tribal youth/youth beneficiaries to enhance their art, skills and proficiency in bamboo/cottage-industry work, with provision associated with training and kits.

Training Deployment

According to the GeM bid:

1. Number of trainees: 76
2. Approximate batches: 7
3. Approximate training days per batch: 7
4. Students per batch: 76
5. Training location: Taluka Panchayat Office, Mahuva, Surat, Gujarat.

Editorial observation: The GeM schedule and the attached project sanction document should be cross-checked by prospective bidders before quoting, particularly regarding beneficiary quantity, batch structure and implementation quantities.

Pre-Qualification / Qualification Criteria

1. Minimum Turnover

The main GeM bid specifies:

Minimum Average Annual Turnover: ₹14 lakh for the last 3 years.

However, the Buyer Added ATC states that:

The bidder's last-three-year average turnover must be twice the bid estimated value.

Since the estimated bid value is ₹7.22 lakh:

₹7,22,000 × 2 = ₹14,44,000

Therefore, bidders should consider ₹14.44 lakh as the applicable turnover threshold under the Buyer Added ATC, unless clarification/corrigendum states otherwise.

Turnover evidence should generally be supported through certified audited financial statements or an appropriate Chartered Accountant/Cost Accountant certificate.

2. Minimum Experience

The GeM bid specifies:

Minimum past experience for similar services: 1 year.

The bidder must have experience in providing similar services to a Central Government/State Government organisation or PSU, with relevant contracts/orders supporting the experience requirement.

The bid also specifies project-experience alternatives based on completed similar services:

1. 3 similar completed services of at least 40% of estimated cost each; or
2. 2 similar completed services of at least 50% of estimated cost each; or
3. 1 similar completed service of at least 80% of estimated cost.

Against ₹7.22 lakh estimated value, these thresholds are approximately:

Financial Criteria

The principal financial requirements are:

1. Minimum average annual turnover as specified in the bid/ATC.
2. Financial documents must substantiate turnover.
3. Financial price breakup is required.
4. Evaluation is on total value-wise basis.
5. Bidder must submit the financial offer through the designated GeM financial bid mechanism.
6. EMD of ₹21,660 is specified.
7. ePBG requirement is 5% for 12 months.

The bid states that the financial document indicating the price breakup is required.

EMD and Tender Fee

EMD

EMD Amount: ₹21,660

The Buyer Added ATC states that the bidder must submit EMD equivalent to 3% of the estimated bid value before the bid closing deadline. Since ₹7.22 lakh × 3% = ₹21,660, the ATC and bid amount are mathematically consistent.

The bid identifies State Bank of India as the advisory bank and the beneficiary as the Taluka Development Officer, Mahuva, Surat District Panchayat.

EMD Exemption

Yes, subject to applicable GeM eligibility.

The bid specifically states that eligible MSE service providers can claim exemption with valid supporting documents. It also provides for startup relaxation and the ATC mentions exemption for eligible startup/MSE agencies having an NSIC certificate.

Tender Fee

Tender Fee: Not applicable / No tender participation fee specified.

The Buyer Added ATC includes a provision stating that asking for tender fee/bid participation fee is not permitted under the applicable GeM framework.

EMD Mode

The specific bid does not clearly identify a single “online EMD” payment mode.

The bid requires the EMD to be submitted before the closing deadline. The applicable GeM framework permits specified bid-security forms, including accepted financial-security instruments and online payment where applicable. Bidders should therefore follow the exact EMD mechanism displayed in their GeM seller dashboard for this bid rather than relying solely on a generic mode description.

MSE and Startup Benefits

The tender provides significant relaxation provisions.

MSE Relaxation

Eligible Micro and Small Enterprises may receive relaxation in:

1. Experience criteria.
2. Bidder turnover criteria.

Such bidders must upload appropriate supporting documents demonstrating eligibility for the relaxation.

DPIIT Startup Relaxation

DPIIT-registered startups may receive relaxation in:

1. Experience criteria.
2. Bidder turnover criteria.

The relevant Startup Recognition documentation must be submitted to establish eligibility for the relaxation.

MSE Purchase Preference

MSE purchase preference is enabled, with the bid indicating:

1. MSE Purchase Preference: Yes
2. Price band: L1 + 20%
3. Maximum preference quantity/amount: 100%

The bidder must satisfy the applicable MSE/service-provider requirements and provide documentary evidence.

Submission Guidelines

The tender follows a Two Packet Bid system on GeM. The process is therefore primarily electronic/online through the GeM portal.

Bidders should:

1. Maintain an active and eligible GeM Seller/Service Provider profile.
2. Select the relevant bid GEM/2026/B/7891916.
3. Review the complete bid, service specifications and Buyer Added ATC.
4. Upload experience documentation.
5. Upload turnover/financial eligibility documentation.
6. Upload certificates required under the ATC.
7. Submit EMD or valid exemption documentation, as applicable.
8. Submit technical information in the technical bid.
9. Submit price/financial details only through the financial bid.
10. Provide the required price breakup.
11. Ensure all declarations and certificates are valid as on the relevant bid date.
12. Submit the bid before 17 August 2026 at 6:00 PM.

The bid provides two days for technical clarification during technical evaluation.

Reverse Auction

Reverse Auction: Enabled

The tender provides for a Reverse Auction after technical evaluation.

Under the stated qualification rule, the highest-priced technically qualified bidder is generally excluded from the RA, subject to the exceptions specified in the bid.

Important Dates

The bid document explicitly records the closing and opening times and the publication/date information.

Pre-Bid Meeting: No pre-bid meeting date/time is specified in the supplied GeM bid document. It should therefore not be presented as scheduled unless a subsequent corrigendum or GeM update provides one.

Mandatory / Core Documents

1. GeM Seller/Service Provider registration and active profile
2. Experience certificates/documents
3. Previous work orders/contracts
4. Completion/execution certificates
5. Relevant invoices, where required
6. Bidder turnover documents
7. Audited financial statements / certified financial documents
8. Chartered Accountant/Cost Accountant turnover certificate, where applicable
9. Certificate(s) requested under Buyer Added ATC
10. Technical compliance/details
11. Financial bid/price breakup
12. EMD proof of ₹21,660, where exemption is not applicable
13. Valid EMD-exemption supporting document, where exemption is claimed
14. MSE/Udyam Certificate, where MSE benefits are claimed
15. DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate, where startup relaxation is claimed
16. NSIC certificate, where relied upon for exemption under the ATC
17. Any required declarations/undertakings under GeM
18. Local content/MII declaration where applicable
19. Service-provider eligibility documents
20. Any additional certificates specifically requested through the GeM ATC

The bid specifically lists Experience Criteria, Bidder Turnover and Certificate requested in ATC among seller documents and requires supporting documentation when seeking exemption from experience or turnover.

Experience Proof

The Buyer Added ATC accepts, among other evidence:

1. Contract copy + invoice(s) with bidder self-certification;
2. Client execution certificate mentioning contract value; or
3. Other documentary evidence supporting contract execution.

Tender Parameters at a Glance

Gujarat: Surat District Panchayat Floats ₹7.22 Lakh GeM Tender for Professional Training of Tribal Youth in Mahuva

Surat, Gujarat | 08 August 2026

The Surat District Panchayat, under the Panchayats and Rural Housing Department, Government of Gujarat, has invited bids through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for providing Professional Training Services (Version 2) – Offline; Weekdays in Mahuva, Surat.

The tender, bearing GeM Bid Number GEM/2026/B/7891916, was dated 07 August 2026 and carries an estimated bid value of ₹7.22 lakh, inclusive of taxes. The bid is aimed at implementing a professional training programme with a focus on basic-level training in the cottage-industry/gruh udyog category.

Training Programme Focus

According to the technical specifications, the training will be conducted offline on weekdays, with a duration of four hours per day at the buyer's location. Study material is included, the course is classified as basic level, and participants are to receive a Participation Certificate upon completion.

The attached project documentation provides additional context, describing an initiative intended to improve the skills and proficiency of tribal youth through training connected with bamboo/cottage-industry activities.

76-Trainee Training Structure

The GeM tender identifies 76 trainees, with an approximate deployment of seven batches and approximately seven training days per training cycle, with training to be conducted at the Taluka Panchayat Office, Mahuva.

Eligibility and Turnover

The GeM bid requires a minimum average annual turnover of ₹14 lakh for three years and at least one year of past experience in similar services.

The Buyer Added ATC, however, specifies that the bidder's average turnover for the last three years must be twice the estimated bid value. On the estimated value of ₹7.22 lakh, this works out to ₹14.44 lakh. Prospective bidders should carefully assess this ATC requirement while preparing their eligibility documentation.

The tender also allows specified relaxation for eligible Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and DPIIT-registered startups, subject to fulfilment of quality and technical requirements and submission of supporting documents.

Experience Requirements

For past similar-service experience, the bid provides alternative project-value thresholds: three similar completed services of at least 40% of the estimated value, two services of at least 50%, or one service of at least 80% of the estimated value.

Bidders can establish experience through contract copies with invoices and self-certification, client execution certificates or other acceptable documentary evidence of completed services.

EMD and Financial Requirements

The tender requires an EMD of ₹21,660, corresponding to 3% of the estimated bid value under the Buyer Added ATC. Eligible bidders seeking EMD exemption must submit the relevant supporting documentation.

The tender also requires 5% ePBG, with a stipulated duration of 12 months.

No tender fee/bid participation fee is specified; moreover, the Buyer Added ATC contains a provision against asking for such a fee under the applicable GeM framework.

Online GeM Submission

The tender is structured as a Two Packet Bid and is to be processed through GeM. The financial document must include the required price breakup, while reverse auction is enabled for technically qualified bidders subject to the conditions specified in the tender.

Important Deadline

The last date and time for submission is 17 August 2026 at 6:00 PM, while the bid is scheduled to open at 6:30 PM on the same day. The bid offer remains valid for 180 days from the closing date.

No pre-bid meeting date is mentioned in the supplied bid document. Prospective bidders should monitor the GeM bid page for any subsequent corrigendum, clarification or amendment before submission.

Opportunity for Training Service Providers

The tender may be relevant to eligible skill development organisations, professional training service providers, vocational training agencies, handicraft/cottage-industry training organisations and eligible MSE/startup service providers capable of delivering offline training in accordance with the buyer's specifications.

Organisations interested in participating should carefully verify the complete GeM bid, Buyer Added ATC, eligibility requirements, EMD provisions and service specifications before submitting their offer.

Consultant's Key Takeaways for Potential Bidders

High-priority compliance points:

1. Do not rely only on the ₹14 lakh turnover figure shown in the general bid details; the Buyer Added ATC specifies 2× estimated value = ₹14.44 lakh.
2. Ensure the similar-service experience is adequately documented.
3. Prepare government/PSU work orders and completion/execution evidence.
4. Check eligibility for MSE or DPIIT Startup relaxation.
5. If claiming EMD exemption, upload the correct supporting certificate.
6. Keep ₹21,660 EMD ready if exemption does not apply.
7. Do not add price information in the technical bid.
8. Submit the financial price breakup through the GeM financial bid.
9. Complete submission before 17 August 2026, 6:00 PM.
10. Monitor GeM for corrigenda or buyer clarifications before the deadline.

The GeM framework also makes the seller responsible for the accuracy and integrity of information submitted on the platform.

Consultation & Advisory

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Email: support@skillcouncils.com