Tender Overview

The Directorate General of National Cadet Corps (DG NCC), Department of Defence, Ministry of Defence, has invited bids through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for Basic Scuba Diving Training for NCC Cadets at Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The GeM bid document is dated 19 August 2026 and carries Bid No. GEM/2026/B/7935230. The procurement is listed as a Custom Bid for Services – Basic Scuba Diving Training, with an estimated bid value of ₹2.75 lakh including all taxes. The bid is a Two Packet Bid, and Reverse Auction is not enabled.

The procurement requirement is for 200 NCC cadets, with the technical scope providing for a four-day training programme at a buyer-facilitated swimming pool in Shahjahanpur.

The GeM Availability Report records that the search for “Basic Scuba Diving Training” did not identify an available GeM category, and the requirement was therefore processed through the custom-bid route. The GeM availability report was generated on 13 August 2026 and is valid until 12 September 2026.

Key Tender Dates

The official bid document specifies bid closure on 29 August 2026 at 13:00 hours and bid opening on 29 August 2026 at 13:30 hours.

The bid also provides for automatic extension where applicable: three days per extension, with a maximum of two extensions.

Important: No separate Pre-Bid Meeting date, time or venue was identified in the uploaded bid documents. Prospective bidders should therefore monitor the GeM bid page and any corrigendum/clarification issued by the Buyer.

Scope of Work

The tender covers the delivery of a four-day basic scuba diving training programme for 200 NCC cadets at a buyer-facilitated swimming pool in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

The technical scope states that the programme is intended to impart basic underwater survival, diving discipline and introductory scuba diving skills, combining classroom/theoretical instruction with practical confined-water training.

Major components of the scope include:

1. Training Programme

The selected service provider will be required to:

1. Conduct a four-day scuba diving training programme.
2. Train approximately 200 NCC cadets.
3. Organise cadets into suitable daily sub-batches based on pool capacity and safety requirements.
4. Provide the daily training schedule, batch details and timings.
5. Provide classroom instruction on underwater physics, medical signs and hand signals.
6. Conduct confined-water training covering equipment assembly, mask clearing, regulator recovery and buoyancy control.
7. Conduct final evaluation, including underwater rescue drills and emergency ascents.

2. Dive Logs and Certification

The vendor must provide official digital dive logs tracking pool sessions for individual cadets.

Passing cadets are required to receive nationally recognised certification, with the technical document referring to organisations such as the National Institute of Water Sports, Scuba Diving Foundation of India and National Adventure Foundation.

A final training report is also required, including batch photographs, attendance records and assessment scores, to be submitted to the NCC unit command within seven days of completion.

3. Diving Equipment

The vendor is responsible for functional personal diving equipment and accessories, including:

1. SCUBA equipment
2. Buoyancy Control Devices (BCDs)
3. Regulators
4. Alternate air sources
5. Pressure gauges
6. Dive masks
7. Snorkels
8. Fins
9. Diving kits and related accessories
10. Sufficient pre-filled compressed-air cylinders

The vendor is also responsible for logistics and transportation of equipment where applicable.

4. Safety and Medical Arrangements

Safety is a significant component of the tender.

The technical specifications require:

1. A functional medical-grade emergency oxygen cylinder at the poolside throughout the four-day programme.
2. Trainers with active teaching status/certification from their respective diving board.
3. Emergency First Response (EFR) certification for deployed trainers.
4. Mandatory medical screening of all 200 cadets before pool entry.
5. Appropriate first-aid and emergency arrangements.

The SOW also specifies a strict instructor-to-cadet ratio, with an example of a maximum of one instructor for eight cadets concurrently inside the pool. A penalty of ₹5,000 per session is specified if uncertified assistants are found training cadets.

5. Local Permissions and Safety Responsibility

The service provider is responsible for applicable local tourism/entry clearances, permissions and related fees.

The uploaded ATC/Schedule of Requirement further states that porterage requirements, safety and security of personnel during the activity are the responsibility of the organiser/service provider.

6. Photography and Event Banners

The tender requires still and video photography of the activities. Photographs and videos of daily activities are to be supplied to 25 UP BN NCC on a USB drive within three days of completion.

The bidder must also provide appropriate banners, including NCC logo requirements, subject to approval before printing.

7. Payment

The uploaded scope document states that bills will be accepted after completion of the activity in accordance with the required standards. It specifically states that no advance or part payment will be made to the firm.

Professional Qualification / Pre-Qualification Criteria

The Buyer has prescribed specific pre-qualification requirements. The ATC states that bidders must upload scanned, self-attested copies of the prescribed documents with the GeM technical bid and warns that failure to submit the required documents may result in disqualification before technical evaluation.

Key professional qualification requirements

1. Legal/company registration

The bidder must provide proof of its legal constitution/registration, such as:

1. Proprietorship documentation
2. Partnership deed
3. GST Registration Certificate
4. MCA Incorporation Certificate
5. Other applicable registration documentation

2. Diving-sector affiliation

A valid and active affiliation/affiliate-centre certificate from a nationally recognised diving federation or relevant organisation is required. The ATC specifically refers to organisations such as National Institute of Water Sports, National Adventure Foundation and Scuba Diving Foundation of India.

3. Qualified instructors

The technical SOW requires trainers to possess valid and active instructor certifications, with instructor cards to be submitted along with the technical bid.

4. Safety credentials

The bidder is expected to demonstrate appropriate safety capability and compliance, including the specified safety record and emergency-response requirements.

5. Non-blacklisting declaration

A self-certified declaration/affidavit on company letterhead stating that the bidder has not been debarred, blacklisted or suspended by GeM or any government department is required.

Eligibility and Experience Criteria

The main GeM bid details prescribe two years of past experience in the same/similar service and indicate that past experience of similar services is required.

However, the Buyer-added ATC contains additional experience conditions. It requires evidence of at least one completed similar scuba/underwater/adventure training work order valued at ₹1.50 lakh or more, for Government, Defence, NCC, Paramilitary or Educational Institutes, with the work completed within the specified previous five-year period. Acceptable supporting evidence includes a GeM CRAC or Work Completion Certificate.

The separate technical SOW also states that the bidder must have successfully completed at least one similar underwater/scuba training programme for government bodies, defence forces, police units or educational institutions within the past three years.

Tender-expert observation

There are different experience formulations across the GeM bid header, Buyer-added ATC and technical SOW. Prospective bidders should not rely on only one of these clauses. For compliance purposes, bidders should prepare documentation capable of satisfying the most demanding applicable experience condition, and should seek clarification from the Buyer through the prescribed GeM mechanism if necessary.

Financial Eligibility Criteria

The principal financial qualification is a minimum average annual turnover of ₹5 lakh for the last three financial years.

The ATC further specifies the relevant financial years as:

1. FY 2023-24
2. FY 2024-25
3. FY 2025-26

and requires the turnover to be certified by a Chartered Accountant.

The GeM bid also states that MSE and Startup relaxation for experience and turnover is not provided under the bid's qualification settings.

Net Worth

No minimum net worth requirement is specified in the uploaded tender/bid documents reviewed.

Therefore, bidders should not assume a net-worth threshold unless a subsequent corrigendum or clarification issued by the Buyer introduces one.

Tender Fee and EMD Details

The estimated bid value is ₹2,75,000 including taxes. The bid document expressly records:

1. EMD Required: No
2. ePBG Required: No

The GeM GTC further states that there is no Bid Security for bids having an estimated value below ₹5 lakh.

Accordingly, for this particular bid:

1. EMD: Not required
2. EMD Amount: ₹0 / Not applicable
3. EMD Mode: Not applicable
4. EMD Exemption: Not applicable because the bid itself does not require EMD
5. Tender Fee: No tender/bid participation fee is specified as payable. The GeM GTC also states that asking for a tender fee/bid participation fee is not permitted.

Tender Summary Table

The ₹5 lakh turnover requirement and two-year experience setting appear in the GeM bid details, while the Buyer-added ATC provides the more detailed documentation and past-work requirements.

Submission Guidelines

The tender is processed through GeM and uses a Two Packet Bid structure. The bidder should ensure that all technical and eligibility documents are uploaded correctly before the closing time.

Recommended submission process

1. Ensure the organisation has an active and eligible GeM seller/service-provider profile.
2. Verify eligibility against the GeM bid details, ATC and SOW.
3. Prepare all self-attested registration and qualification documents.
4. Upload turnover certification from a Chartered Accountant.
5. Upload relevant work orders, completion certificates/GeM CRAC and experience documents.
6. Upload valid diving federation/affiliate-centre documentation.
7. Upload instructor certification/cards.
8. Upload the required non-blacklisting declaration.
9. Review the technical compliance against the complete SOW.
10. Submit the technical and financial bid through GeM before 29 August 2026 at 1:00 PM.
11. Retain the GeM bid submission acknowledgement and uploaded-document record for future reference.

The ATC expressly requires scanned, self-attested documents to be uploaded with the GeM Technical Bid.

The GeM GTC also establishes GeM as an end-to-end online procurement portal and provides for online e-bidding.

Document Checklist for Bidders

Company / Legal Documents

1. GeM Seller/Service Provider registration details
2. Certificate of Incorporation / Registration
3. Proprietorship / Partnership Deed, where applicable
4. GST Registration Certificate
5. PAN and other applicable statutory registration documents
6. Authorised signatory details / authorisation document

Financial Documents

1. CA-certified average annual turnover certificate
2. Turnover details for FY 2023-24
3. Turnover details for FY 2024-25
4. Turnover details for FY 2025-26
5. Supporting financial statements, where required
6. Any other financial document specifically requested through GeM

Technical / Professional Documents

1. Valid diving federation/affiliate-centre certificate
2. Instructor certification documents
3. Instructor cards
4. Evidence of active teaching status, wherever applicable
5. EFR/safety certification documentation
6. Technical compliance statement against SOW
7. Equipment availability/deployment declaration
8. Safety and emergency preparedness declaration

Experience Documents

1. Similar work orders
2. GeM CRAC, where applicable
3. Work Completion Certificates
4. Evidence of similar scuba/underwater/adventure training
5. Evidence of Government/Defence/NCC/Paramilitary/Educational client experience where applicable
6. Documents supporting the ₹1.50 lakh or more similar-work requirement

Compliance / Declaration Documents

1. Non-blacklisting affidavit/declaration
2. Self-attested copies of required documents
3. Compliance with ATC
4. Compliance with Scope of Work
5. Compliance with safety requirements
6. Applicable statutory/regulatory compliance documents
7. Make-in-India/local-content declaration where applicable under GeM requirements

The Buyer specifically warns that missing mandatory pre-qualification documents may result in disqualification without technical evaluation.

Important Tender Conditions for Prospective Bidders

The tender is not simply a classroom-training assignment. The service provider is expected to undertake a complete safety-oriented scuba training operation, including instructors, diving equipment, compressed-air cylinders, emergency oxygen, medical screening, certification, documentation, photography, reporting and other associated logistics.

The technical SOW places responsibility for the diving kits and equipment on the vendor, while the Buyer provides access to the swimming pool, changing rooms, fresh water, basic classroom seating and a first-aid/medical assembly point.

The bidder should therefore assess its operational capacity before submitting a quotation, particularly:

1. Availability of adequately certified instructors.
2. Ability to maintain the required instructor-to-cadet ratio.
3. Availability of sufficient diving equipment for multiple batches.
4. Availability of emergency oxygen and first-aid resources.
5. Ability to complete medical screening.
6. Ability to deliver nationally recognised certification.
7. Ability to mobilise equipment and trained personnel in Shahjahanpur.
8. Ability to complete the programme within the specified four-day schedule.

Tender Analysis: Key Opportunities and Compliance Risks

1. Low financial threshold but specialised technical requirements

The minimum average annual turnover is ₹5 lakh, which is relatively modest compared with the specialised nature of the service. However, the technical requirements are substantial and require proven scuba-diving capability, certified instructors, equipment and safety infrastructure.

2. Experience clauses require careful review

The GeM bid header mentions two years of experience, while the Buyer-added ATC and SOW contain additional project-specific experience requirements. This is one of the most important areas for bidders to review carefully before submission.

3. No EMD burden

The tender does not require EMD, which reduces the upfront financial burden for eligible service providers. The bid also records no ePBG requirement.

4. No tender participation fee

The documents do not specify a tender fee, and GeM's GTC states that asking for a tender fee/bid participation fee is not permitted.

5. Strong safety and compliance focus

The requirement for emergency oxygen, EFR-certified instructors, medical screening and controlled instructor-to-cadet ratios indicates that safety capability will be a critical part of technical compliance.

6. Financial quote should cover the complete service

The GeM GTC provides that bid prices are generally all-inclusive, including applicable taxes, duties, local levies, transportation and related charges unless otherwise specified.

Bidders should therefore carefully cost equipment, instructors, cylinders, transport, certification, medical/safety arrangements, photography, banners and other vendor-side expenses before quoting.

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