NHAI e-Tendering

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is the organization responsible for the
development, maintenance and management of National Highways entrusted to it and for
matters connected or incidental thereto. For carrying out the road projects and other
functions, NHAI is required to select Contractors/ Concessionaires/ Consultants/ Vendors/
Service Providers through open tenders, for which it issues tender notices from time to time.
To ensure meeting the twin objectives of transparency and confidentiality of Tendering
process NHAI wanted to deploy an e-procurement software system/ e-tendering system,
which would enable the NHAI officers to efficiently procure a wide variety of works,
services and goods.

The Solution Delivered

The e-Tendering portal for NHAI was developed by C1 India, which was introduced in 2011.
The NHAI e-Tendering platform has the following salient features-
Compliant to STQC guidelines, GFR rules, CVC guidelines, IT Act (including
amendments)
Interfaced with PKI based digital signature. Encryption of bids are done at client end.
Customized to process all type of tenders i.e. PPP, EPC, BoT, Hybrid etc. & also for
Limited / Open / Global Tenders
Interfaced with Online payment system
Facility for File Encryption: The technology enables files to be transparently encrypted to
protect confidential data from attackers with physical access to the computer.
Audit Logs are maintained
Activity Description kept in encrypted form in the database, so no one can read the activity
description
Log Verification: Also known as two-factor authentication, is an optional feature that helps
to keep e-Tender account more secure.
SSL enabled : It is the standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link
between a web server and a browser. This link ensures that all data passed between the web
server and browsers remain private and integral.
PKI enabled: The e-Procurement systems security architecture is fully based on PKI. This
includes use of digital certificates for digital signatures, encryption, hash generation and
secure web server standards. Digital certificates with 1024 bit key strength are used.
Captcha enabled: Captcha Image displayed to protect from automated user creation script.
Two factor authentication: Provides identification of users by means of the combination of
two different components.

Result
The e-Tendering platform developed by C1 India has enabled NHAI to achieve
unprecedented transparency and accountability in the tendering process. The online platform
has also led to a substantial amount of saving in the tendering process. A total 1757 tenders
were hosted on the platform in year 2014 and 2015.
 Government of Andhra Pradesh - e-Tendering

Business Case: Government of Andhra Pradesh wanted to develop an e-market place for five
of its departments. This project was first of its kind in India and required significant change
management.

Objective: The key objectives were to develop a solution to drive smart governance,
transparency and elimination of cartel formation.

Offering: The e-procurement solution delivered to government by C1 India was path

breaking. C1 India implemented one of the largest Government to Business e-Procurement
platform in the country.

The Result
The project won laurels for Government of Andhra Pradesh and C1 India. It was awarded
Golden Icon award in a race, which witnessed more than 50 entries from various states and
central government departments.
 Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)

Energy Sector giant Coal India Limiteds subsidiary, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL),
used our e-procurement suite for hiring Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM), loading
and transportation of coal and sand along with allied works and miscellaneous contracts.
Incorporated in 1972, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) is a PSU which produces bulk of
the countrys coking coal, meeting almost 50% steel sectors total coking coal requirement.
BCCL approached us with a request for e-tendering to get quotations, followed by an online
reverse e-auction for strategic sourcing. BCCL wanted to analyse the supply market
competitiveness and procure the machinery and services at the lowest rate possible.
C1 India rose to the occasion with its highly customised e-procurement suite for this energy
industry player, that consisted of two software products, one for e-tendering and the other for
reverse e-auction. This integrated software was duly audited by STQC. We issued digital
signature certificates to the authorised BCCL officials, trained the officials and the bidders
and customised the tender documents. A help desk was established to cater to the queries
through our highly valued customer services.
The Result
With an integrated software for e-tendering and reverse e-auctions, C1 India was able to
reduce the procurement timeline and help the company register profits. The audit reports
along with the STQC certificate were sent to the company.