The Maharashtra government has introduced a new Contractor Performance Assessment and Rating (PAR) Framework to improve accountability, construction quality and timely completion of major infrastructure projects across the state.
According to a Government Resolution issued by the Public Works Department, the framework will apply to all upcoming tenders involving projects valued at Rs 500 crore or more. It will cover works undertaken by government departments, statutory authorities and agencies including PWD, MSRDC, MSIDC, MMRDA, municipal corporations, CIDCO, Maha Metro and MHADA.
Performance Certificate Made Mandatory
Contractors will now require a valid Performance Certificate to cite completed or ongoing projects as proof of technical capacity during bidding. The certificate must be issued by an officer of at least Chief Engineer rank or an equivalent authority and will remain valid for 12 months.
Projects without valid performance certification will not be considered during technical evaluation.
Contractors will be assessed on a 100-point scale, with timely completion carrying 30 marks, quality of work 60 marks and maintenance or overall project performance 10 marks. Assessments will rely on progress reports, quality and safety records, inspection reports, non-conformance reports, completion certificates and digital construction information.
Three-Tier Rating System
Based on their weighted scores, contractors will be classified as Green, Yellow or Red. Firms scoring above 80 will fall under the Green category, while those scoring above 60 and below 80 will be placed in Yellow. Contractors scoring below 60 will be classified as Red.
Green-rated firms will face standard tender conditions. Yellow-rated contractors will have to furnish performance security and additional security at 1.10 times the prescribed rate. Red-rated firms will be barred from the tender process.
The rating will be calculated using the weighted average of eligible projects, with completed project value determining the weightage.
The evaluation will also consider laboratory and field test results, structural performance, safety and environmental compliance, manpower and machinery deployment, closure of quality violations, digital reporting and use of new construction technologies.
Source: The Free Press Journal
