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Uttar Pradesh New & Renewable Energy Development Agency (UPNEDA) has announced the invitation for bids concerning a five-year operation and maintenance (O&M) contract for 2.921 MW of mini-grid and decentralised distributed generation (DDG) solar power projects, which are installed on a revenue model basis. The project comprises 16 mini-grids with a combined capacity of 2.332 MW and 30 DDG solar projects amounting to 580 kW. The deadline for bid submissions is January 29, 2024, and the bids will be opened on the following day. Bidders are required to tender a fee of Rs 11,800 and provide an earnest money deposit of Rs 25,000. Upon selection, bidders must furnish a performance security of Rs 2,000/ kW of quoted capacity before the execution of the contract agreement. The bank guarantee will undergo renewal every five years. It is mandated that successful bidders acquire all sites in their present condition. The maximum right-to-use tenure is 20 years, subject to UPNEDA?s assessment every five years. In the event of unsatisfactory reviews, UPNEDA may take appropriate actions, including imposing penalties. Right-to-use charges are calculated on a per-kilowatt, per-month basis for solar projects, payable annually to UPNEDA. The electricity generated from these solar projects is eligible for sale to local residents for household usage, as well as to MSME customers for their small-scale businesses or to farmers for powering their tube wells for irrigation purposes. Bidders must possess a minimum of five years of experience in constructing, operating, and maintaining at least two mini-grids with a cumulative capacity of 25 kW or more. Documentary proof, such as a completion certificate from the relevant agency, must be submitted. The average annual turnover of bidders in the best-performing three of the last five financial years should be at least Rs 15,000/ kW of quoted capacity. In the case of consortium or partnership firms, only bidding companies or lead partners with a minimum 51% equity turnover will be considered. Notably, UPNEDA had recently called for bids for an O&M contract for 2.89 MW of mini-grid and DDG solar projects, also based on a revenue model.