Maharashtra govt to bring system to assess contractors' performance for quality, deadline compliance

Maharashtra govt to bring system to assess contractors' performance for quality, deadline compliance

Mumbai, The Maharashtra government will introduce a system of evaluating the performance of contractors and assign ratings to ensure that major infrastructure projects in the state are completed with high quality, within the stipulated time, transparently and with greater accountability, a minister said.

Maharashtra govt to bring system to assess contractors' performance for quality, deadline compliance

This system will make the evaluation of contractors' performance more transparent, objective and evidence-based, while helping reduce unnecessary disputes arising from subjective decisions.

In a statement, Public Works Department Minister Shivendrasinh Bhosale said on Wednesday that a new system of objectively evaluating the actual performance of contractors and assigning ratings accordingly will be implemented.

The PWD issued a Government Resolution to that effect on Wednesday, he said.

The new system will place greater emphasis on quality, time management and accountability in the implementation of major infrastructure projects, Bhosale said.

At present, the technical and financial capabilities of contractors are assessed during the tender process. In addition to this, the actual performance of contractors while implementing projects will be evaluated objectively on parameters such as quality of work, adherence to the stipulated timelines, safety measures, compliance with contractual conditions and overall project management.

The primary objective of this system is to encourage contractors who consistently perform well and restrict those who fail to meet the expected standards from participating in future tenders.

The new system will apply to upcoming tenders for projects having an estimated cost or tender value of ₹500 crore or more. It will cover various departments of the state government, as well as government corporations, authorities and local self-government institutions.

The system will apply to the PWD, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, Maharashtra State Infrastructure Development Corporation, Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority, municipal corporations and local self-government institutions, CIDCO, Water Resources Department, Maha-Metro, MHADA, Rural Development Department, Urban Development Department, Public Health Department, Tribal Development Department, and other concerned departments, boards, authorities and corporations of the state.

For projects costing ₹500 crore or more, contractors will be required to submit valid 'Performance Certificates' for eligible projects completed or currently under execution by them.

The certificate will be issued by an officer not below the rank of Chief Engineer or an equivalent rank. It will assess delays in the project, the nature and extent of delays, quality of work, compliance with quality control standards and the contractor's overall performance.

The performance certificate will remain valid for 12 months. Without a valid certificate, the concerned project submitted for establishing technical eligibility will not be considered. Further, if a valid performance certificate is not available for an ongoing project shown under 'Work in Hand', an amount equivalent to twice the sanctioned value of that work will be considered under 'Value of B' while determining the bid capacity.

Each eligible project of a contractor will be evaluated on the basis of 100 marks completion of work within the stipulated time - 30 marks, quality of work - 60 marks, performance during the maintenance period/overall performance of ongoing projects - 10 marks.

The highest weightage of 60 marks has been assigned to quality of work.

This will include compliance with approved specifications and the quality assurance plan, laboratory and field test results, closure of non-conformance reports, and structural and functional performance.

Based on the performance certificates of eligible projects, a weighted average score will be calculated and the contractor's rating will be determined accordingly. Contractors will be classified into three categories- More than 80 marks - Green Category, more than 60 and less than 80 marks - Yellow Category, and less than 60 marks - Red Category.

Contractors falling under the green category will be governed by the general conditions of the tender. For yellow category contractors, performance security and additional performance security will be fixed at "1.10 times" the amount specified in the tender document. Contractors falling under the red category will be declared ineligible to participate in the tender process.

The performance of contractors will be evaluated on the basis of official and verifiable project records rather than subjective opinions.

"Completion of major infrastructure projects within the stipulated time is not enough. It is equally important that these projects are completed in a high-quality, safe, durable and transparent manner," Bhosale said.

This system of objective and evidence-based evaluation of contractors' actual performance will encourage contractors who perform well, while enabling effective control over those who consistently fail to meet the expected standards. This will lead to more effective utilisation of public funds and help enhance the quality of infrastructure across the state, he added.

This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.