Key EOI Information at a Glance

The EOI specifically states that there is no fee for Training Providers to submit their EoI and requires eligible applicants to submit the prescribed information by 7 October 2026.

Scope of Work

The primary objective is to empanel Bihar-based Training Providers/Centres with FICSI for delivering upskilling under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) model to food handlers and workers associated with MSMEs in the Food Processing sector.

The EOI covers the following broad scope:

1. RPL Skill Training

Training is proposed under the job role of Processed Food Entrepreneur (FIC/Q9001) through the RPL mode.

2. Food Processing MSME Coverage

The program is intended for existing food handlers/workers of MSMEs across different food-processing segments, including:

1. Makhana
2. Fruits and vegetables processing
3. Bakery
4. Other Food Processing segments

MSMEs participating for the specific RPL model are required to have a valid Udyam Registration Number.

3. Candidate Enrolment and E-KYC

Candidate enrolment is to be undertaken according to the capacity of the Training Centre through the relevant online portal, with E-KYC for candidates.

4. Biometric Infrastructure

Proposed Training Centres are required to have biometric systems installed.

5. 150-Hour Upskilling Program

The EOI provides for 150 hours of upskilling training, based on demand generated through identification and mobilisation of eligible MSME workers, entrepreneurs and prospective beneficiaries.

6. Assessment and Certification

After completion of training, FICSI will conduct assessment and certification, with successful candidates receiving Skill India certification.

7. Candidate Mobilisation

Selected Training Providers are expected to have adequate teams, resources and networks across Bihar districts for candidate mobilisation and coordination with District Industries Centres (DICs) and relevant government officials/departments.

Pre-Qualification and Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements in Annexure-I.

These requirements and their corresponding verification documents are set out in Annexure-I of the EOI.

Additional Organizational Conditions

The EOI also specifies that:

1. The organization should have been operational for the past 3 years.
2. It should have well-equipped classrooms.
3. It should possess valid PAN and GST.
4. Proposed Training Centres should not already be occupied for RPL training under FICSI or another sector's training program.
5. Training Providers already working under skill training programs in Bihar will receive preference.
6. Organizations need adequate teams, resources and networks in Bihar for mobilisation and government coordination.
7. Organizations already affiliated with FICSI will receive priority for empanelment.

Financial Criteria

The EOI does not prescribe a minimum average annual turnover threshold.

However, Annexure-II asks applicants to provide their Average Annual Turnover for FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.

The EOI does prescribe a positive net worth requirement, with the means of verification being an audited account statement.

Financial Requirement Table

The turnover information requested in Annexure-II includes the three financial years 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26, but the document does not state a minimum turnover amount.

Minimum Experience Requirement

There are several experience-related requirements rather than a single minimum experience criterion.

Organizational Experience

The organization should have been operational for at least 3 years.

Training Experience

The Training Partner should have:

1. Trained or currently be training more than 1,000 candidates in the last two years.

Government/SSC Experience

The Training Partner should have worked with at least:

1. 3 Sector Skill Councils and/or Government Departments
2. Under a State scheme.

Bihar Experience

Training Providers already working under skill training programs in Bihar will be given preference.

The EOI also gives priority to Training Providers already affiliated with FICSI.

Tender Fee / EOI Fee

EOI Submission Fee: NIL

The document expressly states:

There is no fee for Training Providers to submit their Expression of Interests (EoI).

Therefore, applicants are not required to pay a tender/EOI processing fee according to this document.

EMD Details

EMD is not prescribed in the EOI document.

Accordingly:

1. EMD Amount: Not specified
2. EMD Mode: Not applicable/not specified
3. EMD Exemption: Not applicable because no EMD requirement is stated

Applicants should nevertheless verify any subsequent clarification or communication issued by FICSI before submission.

Submission Guidelines

Eligible Training Providers are required to submit their proposal in the prescribed format under Annexure-II, on the organization's company letterhead, expressing interest in empanelment with FICSI.

The EOI specifies submission to:

Email: tarun@ficsi.in

Last date: 7 October 2026

The applicant is additionally required to provide information in the prescribed format under Annexure-III.

Important Submission Observation

Annexure-I states that eligible Training Partners are requested to submit the required information in hard copies, while the main EOI submission instruction specifies submission to tarun@ficsi.in.

Therefore, for website publication, the safest description is:

Submission Mode: Email submission specified; hard-copy documentation is also referenced in Annexure-I. Applicants should confirm the required physical-copy submission procedure with FICSI before submitting.

The EOI itself does not provide a separate physical submission deadline or detailed hard-copy dispatch procedure.

Important Dates

The document specifically states that candidate enrolments are expected to commence immediately after work allocation and that the project is expected to be completed before 30 March 2027.

Document Checklist for Applicants

Based on the EOI and its annexures, prospective Training Providers should prepare the following documents/information:

Registration and Statutory Documents

1. Certificate of Incorporation/Registration
2. PAN Card
3. GST Registration/document
4. Company/organization details

Financial Documents

• Audited account statement
• Evidence of positive net worth
• Average Annual Turnover details for:
  • FY 2023-24
  • FY 2024-25
  • FY 2025-26

Training Centre Documents

1. Accreditation certificate for minimum 2 accredited Training Centres
2. Skill India Portal accreditation details
3. Details of Training Centres located in Bihar
4. Training Centre ID
5. Training Centre capacity
6. Training Centre address and district
7. Details of available/nominated trainers
8. Confirmation of centre availability for proposed RPL activities

Experience Documents

1. Details demonstrating training of more than 1,000 candidates during the last 2 years
2. Candidate details as required under the prescribed annexure
3. Work Orders/Sanction Letters/Work Allocation documents demonstrating work with at least 3 SSCs/Government Departments
4. Evidence of existing skill-development work in Bihar, where applicable
5. FICSI affiliation details, where applicable

Industry Linkage Documents

1. Valid LoI/tie-up letters with Food Processing Industries
2. Industry declaration
3. Details of proposed industry/MSME partners
4. Proposed placement-related information, where applicable

Trainer Documents

1. ToT certificates for minimum 5 trainers
2. Eligible trainer nominations, where applicable
3. Food Processing sector trainer details

Annexure-II

Complete and submit on company letterhead:

1. Company name
2. PAN
3. GST
4. Average annual turnover for the three specified financial years
5. Total skill training conducted so far
6. Company SPOC
7. SPOC contact number
8. Official email ID
9. Proposed number of candidates to be trained/placed
10. Bihar Training Centre locations
11. Number of eligible Food Processing trainers
12. Authorized Signatory details
13. Designation
14. Email ID
15. Mobile number
16. Seal and signature

Annexure-II specifically requires the organization's proposed training and centre-related information and authorized-signatory details.

Annexure-III

For each proposed Training Centre, applicants should prepare:

1. TP Name
2. TC ID
3. Training Centre capacity
4. District
5. TC address
6. Total trainers available/being nominated
7. Food Processing job-role trainer details
8. Proposed target at the centre
9. Food Processing MSME organization names
10. Number of eligible candidates available in the MSMEs
11. Proposed training start date

These fields are provided in the Annexure-III table on page 4 of the EOI.

Eligibility Requirements for Training Providers

The EOI establishes several pre-qualification requirements for prospective Training Partners. Applicants must have valid PAN and GST registration, a positive net worth, and at least two accredited Training Centres in Bihar.

Training Providers must also demonstrate that they have trained or are currently training more than 1,000 candidates during the last two years. Industry tie-ups, including valid letters of intent or tie-up letters for placements in Food Processing Industries, are also required.

In addition, applicants must have at least five ToT-certified trainers and experience working with a minimum of three Sector Skill Councils or Government Departments under a State scheme.

Three Years of Organizational Operations Required

The organization should have been operational for at least three years and should have well-equipped classrooms. The proposed Training Centres should be available for allocation of targets and should not be pre-occupied with RPL training under FICSI or another sector's training program.

The EOI also notes that Training Providers already working under skill training programs in Bihar will be given preference, while organizations already affiliated with FICSI will receive priority.

No EOI Submission Fee

One of the key financial provisions is that there is no fee for Training Providers to submit their Expression of Interest.

The EOI does not specify an EMD requirement or estimated project cost. Similarly, it does not prescribe a minimum annual turnover threshold. However, applicants must demonstrate a positive net worth, verified through an audited account statement.

The prescribed application format also asks organizations to disclose their annual turnover for FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.

Submission Deadline: 7 October 2026

Eligible Training Providers are required to submit the prescribed proposal under Annexure-II on company letterhead to tarun@ficsi.in by 7 October 2026.

Applicants must also provide the information requested under Annexure-III, which covers Training Centre capacity, location, trainer availability, proposed candidate targets, participating Food Processing MSMEs, eligible candidates and proposed training start dates.

The EOI does not specify a pre-bid meeting, bid opening date, or a separate EOI publishing date. Applicants should therefore rely on official FICSI communications for any subsequent clarification, amendment or additional submission instructions.

Project Expected to Continue Through March 2027

The EOI states that candidate enrolment should take place immediately after work allocation if the Training Provider is selected. The overall project is expected to be completed before 30 March 2027.

Training Providers interested in participating should review all eligibility requirements and ensure that the statutory, financial, training-centre, trainer, industry tie-up and experience documents are prepared before submission.

Tender/EOI Requirement Summary Table

Consultation & Advisory

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Email: support@skillcouncils.com