🚀 SMART Project: Empowering Agribusiness & Rural Transformation 🌱

1. Initiated by: Department of Agriculture, Government of Maharashtra
2. Funded by: World Bank (IBRD Loan No. 90310)
3. Objective: Enhancing the agricultural sector by providing exposure and hands-on training to smallholder farmers and agri-entrepreneurs in Maharashtra.

📌 Key Features of the Training Cum Exposure Visit

1. Mode of Training: Out-of-state travel for a 7-day hands-on learning experience.

2. Beneficiaries: 105 trainees selected from Maharashtra.
3. Location: Indian Institute of Soybean Research (ICAR), Indore, Madhya Pradesh

🏆 Scope of Work for Bidders

1️⃣ Transport:

• Well-conditioned A/C sleeper buses (3 buses, 2500 km approx.)
  2️⃣ Food & Beverages:
• Breakfast: Poha, Upma, Idli, Dosa, etc. (756 servings)
• Lunch/Dinner: Complete meal set (756 servings each)
• Tea: 3 times daily (2268 servings)
• Drinking Water: R.O. purified/bottled water (350 units)
  3️⃣ Accommodation:
• A/C rooms (3-bed setup) with attached toilets, hot water, and mattresses
• 36 rooms per day (216 room-nights)
  4️⃣ Learning & Training:
• Workshops, field visits, and discussions at IISR Indore
• Hands-on training on modern soybean cultivation techniques

📅 Tender Schedule

📂 Tender Issuance: 25-Feb-2025
📢 Pre-Bid Meeting: 05-Mar-2025
📥 Bid Submission Deadline:

📂 Technical Bid Opening: 13-Mar-2025
💰 Financial Bid Opening: To be published later on MahaTenders Portal

💰 Financial & Technical Requirements

💸 Tender Fee: NIL
💰 EMD (Bid Security): Declaration in specified format
📜 Validity of Quotation: 60 days
📈 Financial Eligibility:

1. Annual turnover of ₹65 lakh in at least one year (from 2021-22 to 2023-24)
2. Experience in successfully managing agri-study tours worth ₹25 lakh+
3. Should have 130+ participants in past study tours
4. Must own at least 3 A/C sleeper buses (35+ seats, not older than 2020)
5. Registered under GST Act, 2017

📑 Bid Submission Guidelines

✅ Envelope 1 - Technical Bid:

1. PAN, GST Certificate, Turnover Certificate
2. Experience Proof (Supply Orders & Invoices)
3. Declaration of Non-Blacklisting
4. Proof of vehicle ownership (RC, All-India Permit, PUC, Insurance)

✅ Envelope 2 - Financial Bid:

1. Quote rates in BOQ format
2. Prices must include GST and installation charges

⚠️ Key Compliance & Penalties

❌ Non-compliance penalty: ₹5000 per day
🚍 Vehicle Breakdown Policy: Immediate replacement required
📑 Insurance Requirement: Includes trainees & vehicle coverage
💼 Labour Laws Compliance: PF, ESI, Minimum Wages Act must be followed
📞 24/7 Support: Agency must have round-the-clock helpline

🏆 Contract Award Criteria

✅ L1 Selection (Lowest Bidder)
✅ The bidder must meet all technical & financial eligibility criteria
✅ Final decision by SMART Project Committee

🛠 Post-Contract Execution

📜 Delivery Deadline: Within 30 days of contract award
💰 Payment Terms:

1. 50% advance after training starts
2. 30% post-training completion
3. Final 20% upon successful placement of 60% trainees

🌍 Impact: This initiative aims to empower farmers, enhance rural livelihoods, and improve agricultural productivity through structured exposure visits and real-world learning